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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Recognized Seller Listings
Karl Springer "J.M.F. Floor Lamp" in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980s
Located in New York, NY
"J.M.F. Floor Lamp" with gently twisting shaft in tessellated fossilized coral with polished brass base and fittings by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This lamp showcases the meticu...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Coral, Brass
Karl Springer "Ming Coffee Table" in Canary Python, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
"Ming Coffee Table" covered in canary python skin by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The design flourishes and the stunning material make for a wonderful Springer table.
Referenc...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Python
Karl Springer Octagonal Mirror with Superb Artisan Marble Lacquer, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Octagonal wall hanging mirror in superb artisan marble lacquer with bronze accents and beveled mirror by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Springer worked with artists who could accompl...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Karl Springer Large Artisan Hand Etched Glass Vase 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Large artisan glass vase with abstract etched design by artist Joseph Spohr for Karl Springer, American 1980's. Spohr was a master glass etcher, not only engraving glass but giving i...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Karl Springer Rare "Goatskin Free Form Desk" 1988
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Goatskin Free Form Desk" in lacquered goatskin with drawer by Karl Springer, American 1988 (date stamped on bottom). Springer’s Free Form...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Stunning "Kyoto Box" in Tessellated Penshell 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted "Kyoto Box" in tessellated penshell with brass inlays on top and trim around base by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Sprin...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Large Hand Blown White Scavo Glass Vase, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Large hand blown glass vase, white scavo glass with serpentine coil wrapping around and decorative elements on sides, by Seguso Vetri d’Arte (Murano Italy)...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Karl Springer Rare Set of 14 "Regina Dining Chairs" in Antique Silver Leaf 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of 14 "Regina Dining Chairs" with elegant curving frames in lacquered antique silver leaf with blue velvet upholstery by Karl Springer, American 1980s. It is very hard to fi...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Karl Springer 2-Tier Side Table in Lacquered Linen 2002 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Telephone Table style side table in Bisque lacquered linen on brass castors with drawer lined in moire silk by Karl Springer LTD, American 2002 (signed on bottom with metal label whi...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Travertine 1980s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted table top box in tessellated travertine with wood interior by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on bottom). This box has a nice scale and t...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Karl Springer Rare Antique Gold Leaf and Lucite Torchere, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare torchere in antique gold leaf with lucite accents at top and bottom by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Newly rewired by Lobel Modern with brown silk cord and new foot swich. The ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Karl Springer Stunning "Saturn Mirror", 1980s
Located in New York, NY
"Saturn Mirror" with curved mirrored panels, all with beautifully beveled edges, by Karl Springer, American 1980's. It is difficult to bevel on a curve. This mirror is nothing but cu...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Karl Springer "Round Leg Coffee Table" with Artisan Glass Top, 1980s, 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind "round leg coffee table" in gunmetal and chrome with artisan glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed on bottom stretcher “Karl Springer”). Hand-etched circu...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Karl Springer Set of Stunning Polished Petrified Wood Orbs on Custom Bases 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 polished petrified wood orbs on custom metal bases by Karl Springer, American 1980's (retain original labels from the 1980s showing the original pric...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass, Metal
Karl Springer Rare Large Illuminating Vanity Magnifying Mirror, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Meticulously crafted extra large adjustable illuminating magnifying mirror in polished steel and brass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This mirror...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Karl Springer "Greek Column Table Lamp" in Solid Lucite, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
"Greek Column Table Lamp" in solid lucite with brass hardware by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The cord is embedded into the side of the lamp, so it is invisible when looking from ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Iconic Hinged Box in Yellow Cobra, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Iconic sculptured box in yellow cobra, piano hinged with interior in suede, by Karl Springer, American 1970s. The craftsmanship on this box is simply superb.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Karl Springer Telephone Table in Yellow Cobra with Brass Castors 1985, 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
"Telephone Table" covered in yellow cobra with moire silk on the bottom in brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1985 (leather label on bottom reads "Karl Springer 1985...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Modern Football Table in Light Blue Capri Iron and Wood Outdoor Indoor
Located in Milan, IT
Professional football table called Capri, a special edition inspired by the ‘50 Italian car “spiaggina” (popular in Capri) with a light blue structure, lig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining Table in Polished Gunmetal and Brass 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Hexagonal Jansen Style Table" in polished gunmetal and brass with thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The meticulous craftsmanship and beautiful ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Karl Springer Pair of "Souffle Ottomans" with Polished Gunmetal Bases, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Souffle Ottomans" with custom graphic fabric and bases in seamlessly welded solid polished gunmetal with recessed castors by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These ottomans are classic Karl Springer. The recessed castors make them very easy to move around. They are beautiful accents for any room.
Reference:
Karl Springer Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s, section titled “seating”, on page 14...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Karl Springer Superbly Crafted End Table in Brass with Zebra Wood Top, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
"Triangular Leg Metal End Table" in mirror polished brass with double book matched zebra wood top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This table is meticulously crafted and is a fine ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Large "Candlestick Table Lamp" in Brushed Nickel 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Large "candlestick table lamp" in brushed nickel with gunmetal accents and polished chrome hardware by Karl Springer, American 1980's. A very elegant Springer design. This lamps has ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Nickel, Chrome
Modern Andrea Salvetti Dilmos Round Coffee Table Cast Aluminium Indoor Outdoor
Located in Milan, IT
COFFEE TABLE in cast aluminium with wooden-textured shape designed by Andrea Salvetti for Dilmos Milano.
The table represents a piece of trunk casted in polished aluminium.
Signed...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Modern Maurizio Cattelan for Dilmos Round Dining Table Crude Iron Glass
Located in Milan, IT
Dining table designed by Maurizio Cattelan in 1991 as a gift for Dilmos.
Composed of a glass top and a base in crude iron depicting the form of the "Cerberino", a mythologic three-headed creature that guards the gates of hell...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Iron
Letto Limes Large Bed in Blue Avant Après with Padded Bands, King Size
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Limes Large is the most generous option within the Limes collection, thanks to the two wider sides that allow for a functional and unusual support. The rectangular feet in transparen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Les Femmes Medium Armchair in Byblos White Upholstery by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Les Femmes is an innovative modular couch with a high backrest and a comfortable seat, characterized by its soft, enveloping shape. Using just three elements, its original design per...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Letto Limes T Large Bed in White Avant Après with Padded Bands, Queen Size
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Limes T Large follows the same stylistic line of the Limes collection and is characterized by a functional integrated padded shelf, which depending on the panels positioning, can add...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ananta Class 23 Medium Sofa in Lusso Upholstery & Black Nickel by Sergio Bicego
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ananta Class is an informal and versatile modular range that allows endless combinations of the independent backrests and bases available in 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 cm lengths. The...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Les Femmes Small Sofa in Lario Red & White Upholstery by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Les Femmes is an innovative modular couch with a high backrest and a comfortable seat, characterized by its soft, enveloping shape. Using just three elements, its original design per...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Letto Limes King Size Bed in White Avant Après with Padded Bands Headboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Limes bed maintains the intelligent functionality that characterises the sofa line but has been adapted for a different interior area and function. The lightweight mobile island...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Venini Fazzoletto Bicolore sabbiato Small Vase in Horizon and Orange
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Bicolore small vase in horizon and orange Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini.
A light summer breeze leads us to discover the iconic Venini collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Voyage Large Sofa in Natural Leather Upholstery & Black Nickel by Sergio Bicego
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sofa offers clean lines and an unique flexible design gives a feeling of momentum towards a larger journey. The upholstery options are essential and contemporary, eclectic and g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
cc-tapis Archer Pardis Standard Rug by Taher Asad-Bakhtiari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Asad-Bakhtiari has always been fascinated by arrows and their power. The Archer Collection is made of 7 individual designs where the artist explores semiotics and cultural icons, cre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
cc-tapis Archer Sufi Black Standard Rug by Taher Asad-Bakhtiari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Asad-Bakhtiari has always been fascinated by arrows and their power. The Archer Collection is made of 7 individual designs where the artist explores semiotics and cultural icons, cre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Modern Furniture
Materials
Silk
32 Ananke Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Ananke Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is glass blown, and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
25 Astimelusa Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astimelusa Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, and made out of blown Murano glass. Signed “E.Sottsass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Sirio Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Sirio glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the edge of the Stand: "E. Sottsass per Memphis Milano”. For further information please see authen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Deneb Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Deneb vase in multicolored glass was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Memphis. Signed “E.Sottsass per Memphis Milano”.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Venini Tiara Small Vase in Amber and Horizon Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara small vase in amber and horizon Murano glass by Francesco Lucchese for Venini. The art of glassmaking meets the endless potential of light. A jewel-like creation that carries a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
21 Clesitera Glass Vase by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Clesitera glass vase with pendant, was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is blown glass, and signed on the base, for further information please see authent...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
13 Malide Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The 13 Malide glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Malide Glass” collection. Made in Murano glass, and signed on the base “E.Sottsa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
cc-tapis Archer Eye Of A Protector Standard Rug by Taher Asad-Bakhtiari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Asad-Bakhtiari has always been fascinated by arrows and their power. The Archer Collection is made of 7 individual designs where the artist explores semiotics and cultural icons, cre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
33 Neobule Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Neobule Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The Vase is glass blown and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
26 Niobe Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Niobe Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is made out of blown glass and signed on the base. For further information please see authenticity i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
12 Amaltea Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Amaltea Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Amaltea Glass” collection. Made in Murano. Signed “E.Sottsass per Memphis”. Signed on the base.
Et...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
cc-tapis Archer Jade Standard Rug by Taher Asad-Bakhtiari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Asad-Bakhtiari has always been fascinated by arrows and their power. The Archer Collection is made of 7 individual designs where the artist explores semiotics and cultural icons, cre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl was designed for Memphis in 1983 by Ettore Sottsass. This bowl features a tapering cylindrical shape with three green handles, with the side decorated ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
31 Imera Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Imera Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is made out of blown glass, and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Rigel Glass Bowl, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Rigel Glass Bowl was originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1982. The piece features blue, black, green, red and clear glass with lid and ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
14 Astidamia Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astidamia glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Astidamia Glass” collection. Made in blown Murano glass, and signed “E.Sottsass ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Sol Glass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Sol glass fruit bowl was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below.
Ettore Sottsass was bo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
2 Fililla Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Fililla Glass Vase is blown glass, with a pendant and was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. Signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Venini Idria Medium Vase in Horizon Milk White Inside Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Idria medium vase in horizon Murano glass by Venini. The Ancient Greek water vessel sheds its skin, as terracotta gives way to glass, thanks to Venini. Its design speaks of bygone da...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Alcor Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alcor Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis. Signed on the base.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Mizar Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Mizar vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. The piece features clear and blue glass with multicolored handles.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at the Politecnico di Torino One of the most influential and important figures of the last century, Architect and Designer, he has participated in all radical movements whether created from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1981 he founded the Memphis group, a group that has radically changed the scenario of Italian and world design. Honored with numerous international awards, was winner of the Golden...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
30 Pasifila Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Pasifil Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986 for Memphis. It's part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, made in blown Murano glass. Signed on the base, for ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Alioth Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alioth Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1983. The Venetian glass vase features blue fusions and black threads. Signed on the base.
Ettore Sottsass was b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
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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