Modern Furniture
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Period: 1950s
C. 1958 Pair of Florence Knoll 84 ULB Lounge Arm Chairs in Fabric and Wood
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an unusual pair of Florence Knoll Armchairs, model 84 ULB, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1956. We date this pair to C. 1958, and the listed price includes the pair....
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Large Sculptural Belgian Globe Floor Stand
By Ludo Verbeke
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Large Globe floor stand, metal, resin, Belgium, 1950s.
Beautiful globe on a floor stand. The reserved, almost monochromatic color scheme in black ...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of small glass and metal tables
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of small glass and metal tables
Category
1950s Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Italian Table ' 4 People', Year: 1950
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Table
Year: 1950
Country: Italian
Wood
It is an elegant and sophisticated dining table.
You want to live in the golden years, this is the dining table that your project needs.
We h...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather
Black Leather Wrapped and Chrome Jacques Adnet Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A hand stitched leather wrapped chrome coffee table designed by Jacques Adnet with glass top.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather
Rare Set of Three Angelo Lelli Brass and Opaline Glass Wall Lights, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Rare set of three Angelo Lelli wall lights.
Each lamp three lights, by Arredoluce, Italy, 1950.
Polished brass, and painted opaline tub...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Citronnier Wood Side Table by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, circa 1950
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Citronnier wood side table by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, circa 1950.
Category
1950s Argentine Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Boleslaw Danikowski Enamel Sconce
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Boleslaw Danikowski enamel ceramic sconce, France, 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
1950s Modern Swedish Floor Lamp by Uno and Osten Kristiansson for Luxus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Modern Floor lamp, composed of stained oak and acrylic, designed by Uno and Osten Kristiansson for Luxus in the 1950s. The piece was manufactured in Sweden. It measures 52 ...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ceramic Lamp by Accolay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Accolay ceramic lamp signed YK, circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
A. 1950 Oak Head Signed Francois Pochon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An oak Africanist head signed Francois Pochon (dead in 2007) administrateur of Academic européenne des Arts-France.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Set of 1960 Chairs
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Iron and formica chairs from the 1960s.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Iron
1950s Pair of Aino & Alvar Aalto for Artek Laminated Birch Shelves, Model 112B
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of wall shelves, Model 112B designed in 1936 by Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek. This is an early and important pair, and is rarely seen in the American marketplace. Th...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch
Mid - Century Italian Sculpture by Renato Bassoli
Located in Milan, Italy
Iron sculpture by Renato Bassoli, 1950.
Unique Piece.
Biography
Sculptor and ceramist Renato Bassoli was born in Milan in 1915 where he attended the Brera Academy and the Applied Ar...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Iron
Brass and Leather Floor Lamp by Falkenbergs Belysning, Sweden, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Patinaed brass and beautifully aged leather floor lamp designed and produced by Falkenbergs Belysning in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Jean Lurçat "Butterflies and Foliage" - Aubusson Tapestry - French Modern Design
Located in New York, NY
- Butterflies and Foliage (Papillons et Feuillage) by Jean Lurçat
- 135 x 180 cm
- Aubusson tapestry woven at the Braquenié workshop.
Jean Lurçat’s “Papillons et Feuillages” tapestr...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
Italian Tri Glass Chandeliers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Luminous and glowing Italian opaque glass chandeliers with 3 large glass shoes that hang in a staggered cascade. Drop and configuration can be ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Shield Wall Mirror after Gio Ponti
Located in London, England
Designer: Unknown, Italian
Date: 1950s
Materials: Brass, wood, glass
Description: The 1950s Italian brass mirror is a vintage decorative item...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Crystal Decanters Probably St Louis
By Saint Louis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and elegant pair of crystal decanters probably saint louis crystal.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal
1950s Sliding Doors Belief in Oakwood
Located in Milano, IT
1950s belief in oakwood with sliding doors.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Mid - Century Italian Sculpture by Renato Bassoli
Located in Milan, Italy
Renato Bassoli iron and ceramic sculpture, 1950.
Unique piece.
Biography
Sculptor and ceramist Renato Bassoli was born in Milan in 1915 where he attended the Brera Academy and the A...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Iron
Great Lapis Lazuli Sculpture circa 1950, India
Located in Milan, Italy
A great and beautiful Lapis Lazuli sculpture of circa 1950, produced in India.
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli
1955 Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen Reversible Top Coffee / Side Table in Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen flip top coffee table (or could be used as a large end table). The table appears to be constructed from brown oak, which has pati...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
1957 Herman Miller Eames DKR-2 Dining / Side Chairs Set of Five with Orange Pads
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a rare set of 1957 Eames DKR-2 Dining / Side Chairs produced by Herman Miller with original Redwood avenue labels. These chairs are in very good to excellent vinta...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Distressed Modern Design Rug with Faded Colors from 1950s Persia
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Persian Distressed rug with modern design in blue and gray faded all-over design from 1950s Persia, rug crv-10046461, country of origin / type: Iran / Distressed modern, circ...
Category
1950s Persian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
1951 Florence Knoll Associates 42 inch Parallel Bar Series Coffee Table Walnut
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare Parallel Bar Series coffee table produced by Knoll Associates and designed by Florence Knoll. This table was specified with a solid walnut top (a very ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chandelier Spider in Metal
Located in Paris, FR
"Spider" chandelier: Chandelier in dark colored metal circa from the 1950 with 20 lightbulbs. "Certificate of Authenticity" provided by the gallery.
Measures: 180 cm x 130 cm
70.9 i...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gilt Metal Torch-Pierced Metal Table Lamp Attributed to Fantoni
Located in NYC, NY
Gilt metal torch-pierced table lamp with four candle lamp lights to sides and socket on top. There is a riveted on "Made in Italy" label on the side.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vase Designed by Erik Höglund for Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Erik Höglund for Boda,
Sweden. 1950's.
Glass.
Measurements:
H: 27.5 cm/ 11 7/8''
Erik Höglund started working for Boda when the company and the entire Swedish gla...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Carl Auböck Jug and Three Glasses
Located in London, GB
Vintage set of one jug and three small glasses by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, circa 1950.
Every piece of the set is made of handblown glass; every small glass has a 2,5 cm wide stripe o...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Brass Key Corkscrew with Elephant
Located in London, GB
A cast brass corkscrew featuring an Elephant designed and made by Carl Auböck II in Vienna, Austria, in the 1950s. This item was made as an exclusive corporate gift and so is a rare ...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Jean Lurçat “King of Spades” - French Wool Tapestry
By Jean Lurçat
Located in New York, NY
-King of Spades (Roi de Pique) by Jean Lurçat
-207 x 185 cm; 7 x 6 ft
-Aubusson tapestry woven at the Gisèle Brivet workshop.
The tapestry “Roi de Piqu...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
Foldable Fireside Chair by Hans J Wegner
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Really nice foldable fireside chair
Hans J Wegner
Teak wood and black skai,
circa 1950.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Teak
René Perrot "The Wave" - 20th Century French Wool Tapestry
By Robert Perrot
Located in New York, NY
- The Wave by René Perrot (1912-1979)
- 20th century
- Provenance :France
- 70.87 x 78.74 in
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
Francis Picabia "Égoïsme" - Artistic Wool Rug - Modern Abstract Design
By Francis Picabia 2
Located in New York, NY
-Wool rug after Francis Picabia (France, 1879 – 1953), “Égoïsme” 1950
-Measures: 210 x 150 cm; 6.9 x 4.9 ft
-Signed lower centre; signed and inscribed ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
Monumental Table or Sideborad Lamp by Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in PARIS, FR
A monumental table or sidebord lamp attributes to Luigi Caccia Dominioni. With all the characteristics of the designer : a disc-shaped lampshade in painted iron on an opaline glass g...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Jacques Adnet Chess Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning and rare original chess board and set of thirty-two game pieces were designed by French designer Jacques Adnet (1901-1984) in the 1950s. The bi-color leather board disp...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather
René Perrot “Three pheasants” - French Wool Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
-Three pheasants by René Perrot (Les Trois Faisans)
-236 x 172 cm ; 8 x 6 ft
-Aubusson tapestry woven at Pinton Frères workshop
From 1945, René Perrot ful...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
Frank Lloyd Wright Lounge Chair from the Dorothy Turkel House, Detroit
Located in San Francisco, CA
An original lounge chair designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Dorothy H. Turkel House in Detroit, circa 1955. One of only six known examples made specifically for the residence, th...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Tall Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg
Located in San Francisco, CA
This wheel-thrown stoneware vase by Berndt Friberg features an extended, thin neck and a smooth glaze in hues of light earth tones. It exemplifies Friberg’s refined craftsmanship and...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Taliesin Mahogany Credenza by Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Francisco, CA
A maghogany credenza by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon. Taliesin design detailing at the edges and base. Featuring eight drawers, recessed handles, and a pair of cabinet d...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Taliesin Cocktail Table by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon
Located in San Francisco, CA
A spacious Taliesin hexagonal cocktail table by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon, featuring six triangular tables that nest perfectly beneath. Each triangle can double as add...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Taliesin Dining Table by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage-Henredon
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fully restored rectangular mahogany dining table, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage-Henredon as part of the 1955 “Taliesin” collection, Model No. 2002. Featuring two leav...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rare AP-26 Lounge Chair by Nanna Ditzel
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare AP-26 lounge chair designed by Nanna Ditzel in 1953 and produced by A.P. Stolen.
This piece exemplifies Danish modernism with its sculptural form and fine craftsmanship. It f...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Tete de Femme Couronnee de Fleurs (A.R. 237) Picasso Madoura Ceramic Pitcher
Located in New York, US
Pablo Picasso’s Tête de Femme Couronnée de Fleurs (R. 237), created in 1954, epitomizes his mastery of ceramics as a medium for both narrative and abstraction. This hand-painted work...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware
Lucio Fontana "Concetto Spaziale" black, red and white oil on glass, signed 1956
Located in Rome, IT
Lucio Fontana.
Concetto Spaziale 1956
Oil and mixed media on glass.
withe, black and and red stripes on colored glass
Measures: 58 X 108 cm (72 cm x 122 with frame).
signed L. Fon...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Bernard Buffet, the Rascasse 1950, Mixed Technique on Paper Mounted
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bernard Buffet (1928-1999),
The Rascasse 1950,
mixed technique on paper mounted on canvas (50 cm x 65 cm),
signed upper right "Bernard Buffet 1950", France.
from Galerei Drouant ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paint
Beehive Pendent by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
A classic beehive pendant model A331 by Alvar Aalto for Artek of white aluminum and chrome-plated steel rings that filter the light beautifully. ...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Model M10 Bellagio Tea/Bar Cart by Ico Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Model M10 Bellagio tea/bar cart by Ico Parisi, Italy 1958, in painted metal and rosewood, manufactured by MIM Roma.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Two-Seat Sofas by Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Pair of two-seat upholstered sofas by Ico & Luisa Parisi, Italy, circa 1950.
Provenance: Casa Ismaele Baraggia, Paderno d’Adda, Lecco, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Rug & Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.
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