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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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: 20th Century
Romeo Rega Brass and Burl Wood Bar Cart. Italy 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bar cart from the 1970s by Romeo Rega , combining sleek brass framing with rich burl wood shelves. The two-tiered design offers generous space for displaying glassware, bottles, or...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

1980s Art Pottery Modern Ceramics Gainey Planter Pot Metallic Bronze
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Art Pottery Modern Ceramics Large Planter Pot in Metallic Bronze Finish Unmarked attribution Gainey Pottery 23.5 diameter x 18.75 h Preowned u...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Modern Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Vintage 1980s Lee Reynolds Oil on Canvas Painting Depicting "A Zeal of Zebras"
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large oil on canvas (40" tall x 50" wide) depicting a group on Zebra, AKA "A Zeal of Zebras". This striking modern painting is well made. There is a thickness to the paint that add...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Curtis Jere Brass Seagull Bird Wall Sculpture, 1985
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Modern abstract-form seagull wall sculpture by C. Jere, dated 1985. This large dimensional flock of birds features a gold brass plated reflective finish. Eyehooks on the back allow...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Herman Miller Collection Poster by Linda Powell, 1989 Limited Edition
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A hard to find Herman Miller Collection poster used for the display of classic designs from the company at the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village in the Edsel Ford Design History...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase.
Located in Almelo, NL
Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase, Milan, Italy, 1970s The Dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries in the 1970s designed this unique modular cab...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Ash

Contemporary Signed Italian Metal Sculpture
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and interesting Italian metal sculpture of contemporary art. The work is presented under an elegant shrine with a wooden base. Excell...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Danish Mid-Century Adjustable Floor Lamps in Brass and Leather
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stylish and well-preserved pair of adjustable floor lamps by renowned Danish design firm Lysberg, Hansen & Therp. These elegant lamps feature solid brass construction with round w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Massimo losa Ghini Plana Bench, in 1930's Pendleton Glacier Park Blanket
By Massimo Iosa Ghini, Pendleton Blanket Company
Located in Culver City, CA
What do you get when you combine iconic Italian design with nearly a century of American textile history? This Plana bench right here. We ship internationally! Check out our shippin...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Vintage Snow Owl Sculpture by Klara Sever
Located in Chicago, IL
This dramatic Snow Owl sculpture by Klara Sever for Austin Productions, dated 1975, feels like a moment frozen mid-motion. Cast in composite stone and perched on a wood base, the owl...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Composition

The Collector’s Bloom: Rare Vintage Bakhtiari Carpet with Ornamental Prestige
Located in Dallas, TX
71962 Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Rug, 07'03 x 10'04. Behold a majestic composition of Persian artistry—this hand-knotted wool vintage Bakhtiari rug is a triumph of ornamental symmetry...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Solid Rosewood and Birdseye Maple Sideboard / Buffet
Located in Germantown, MD
A clean Contemporary Solid Rosewood and solid Birdseye Maple Buffet / storage cabinet with clean lines. Measures 52" in width, 20" in depth and 33" in height.  
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Rosewood

Majestic Line Rosenthal Porcelain Dinnerware Service for 12
Located in New York, NY
This striking Majestic Line Rosenthal Porcelain Dinner Wear Service for 12 originates from Germany, Circa 1980. Each piece features remarkable gilt textural detailing circumscribing ...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Cesa 1882, Italy, Modernist Silver Plate Cocktail Shaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
This modernist three-sectioned cocktail shaker was crafted by the renowned silversmith Cesa 1882 in Italy in the 1960s. The beautiful modernist design showcases a geometric pattern a...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Cartier Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, French handmade sterling silver rectangular picture frame from luxury Maison, Cartier, in the Modern design style, circa mid-20th century, France. Frame can sit horizont...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wassily Style Leather Chair in the Manner of Marcel Breuer
Located in Austin, TX
A fine, comfortable Wassily style lounge chair from France featuring bands of stitched leather attached to a seamless tubular chrome frame, inspired by Marcel Breuer’s original desig...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1960 Piero Fornasetti Italian Design Flower Metal Brass Gueridon Side Table
Located in Brescia, IT
Side Table Piero Fornasetti Italy, 1950 lithographic transfer print on lacquered metal Brass Frame Paper label on the bottom Wear consistent with age and use (shown in the pictures)
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Anfibio sofa bed Alessandro Becchi Giovannetti reupholstered
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Anfibio Sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti around 1971, is a design icon that embodies the innovative essence and versatility of 1970s furniture. This extraordin...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Razzia, Original Louis Vuitton Classic Car Race, Bagatelle, Talbot Lago, 1993
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Artist: Razzia Title: Concours automobiles classiques avec Louis Vuitton – Bagatelle 11-12 septembre 1993 Date: 1993 Size (w x h): 39.2 x 55.7 in / 99.5 x 141.5 cm Materials and Tec...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

4 Vintage Hickory Chair Jessica Charles Mann Half Arm Tufted Club Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of four vintage Jessica Charles for Hickory Chair Co Mann half arm dining chairs featuring a slightly flared form with tufted upholstery, half arms...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Pair of Italian storage bedside tables black and white
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of 1980s Bedside Tables or Storage Stools – Modernist and Essential Italian Design This elegant pair of vintage 1980s bedside tables or storage stools in black and white, made i...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Peter Keil, Untitled Portrait - II
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Peter Keil, Untitled Portrait - II, Berlin, 1970s Oil on Board, Unframed,Artist Board 39" x 27" This captivating piece, titled "Untitled Portrait - II," was created by the distingui...
Category

20th Century German Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Peter Keil, Untitled Portrait - II
Peter Keil, Untitled Portrait - II
$1,160 Sale Price
20% Off
Appliqué à volet wall sconces (sold individually)
Located in Montréal, QC
Appliqué à volets wall sconces by Massive/Philips. Enameled aluminium. 40 watts max E-14 European bulb recommended or higher if LED/CFL. MULTIPLE COLORS, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. Please ...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Wool Velvet Kangaroo Chair Vintage
Located in Potts Point, NSW
This vintage French lounge chair combines timeless craftsmanship with understated elegance. Crafted in France, it features a sculptural solid wood frame with a warm, rich patina that...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Damien Hirst Copper "Pharmacy" Fragment
Located in New York, NY
Damien Hirst wallpaper fragment from the famed Pharmacy restaurant in London. Fragment shows variuos pills and bottles all printed on copper metalli...
Category

20th Century English Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

French 9-Piece Serpentine Sectional Sofa Attributed to Étienne Fermigier, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
This rare nine-piece serpentine sectional—attributed to French designer Étienne Fermigier, 1970s—channels the modular exuberance of postmodern living. Each bulbous module retains its...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Mondrian Mid-Century Modern Bookcase, Unique Piece
By Piet Mondrian
Located in Miami, FL
Mondrian Mid-Century Modern bookcase, unique piece. In the taste of Mondrian, 1940.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Suspension "Jonathan" design de Nino Zussino pour Candle de Fontana Arte Italie
Located in London, England
La suspension "Jonathan" est une œuvre emblématique conçue par Nino Zussino pour la célèbre marque Candle Fontana Arte. Fabriquée en métal et en verre noir côtelé, sa silhouette cont...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of Vintage American Handmade and Painted Duck Decoys
Located in Germantown, MD
Elegant pair of Vintage American Handmade and Hand Painted Duck Decoys in good vintage condition, measuring 15" in width, 4" in depth and 5.5"in height fo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Baccarat Crystal Lidded Candy Dish or Crystal Mustard Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
A very good quality Baccarat crystal lidded candy dish or mustard bowl. This serving piece is in perfect condition, still has the original sticker...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

High Back Model 1207/5-119 Chair by Axel Larsson for Bodafors
Located in San Francisco, CA
High Back Model 1207/5-119 Chair by Axel Larsson for Bodafors High back easy chair by Axel Larsson for Bodafors. The seat and armrests feature graceful curves and off white cotton w...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Elegant Gueridon By Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant birch gueridon by Nordiska Kompaniet. Elegant tripod base, pie edge top in birch.
Category

1930s South American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Birch

Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, reminiscent of a Classic sculpture museum. Olot has been a hub for sculpture and rel...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Maitland Smith Embossed Leather Stacked Books Trompe-l'œil Coffee Table, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive trompe-l'œil leather book coffee table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990, that would make a fantastic conversation starter for any spa...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of Two Red Leather Chester Sofa by Poltrona Frau, 1993
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The Chester sofa features a spring system made with hand-placed conical steel springs, secured to jute straps on a seasoned beech frame. The seat padding is made of rubberized horseh...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Leather Tucroma Chair by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, Signed
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Original vintage chrome framed Tucroma chair with soft leather cushions, designed by Guido Faleschini. Great price for this collector item. Custom shipping quotes available for U...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Montblanc Meisterstuck Fountain Pens, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Montblanc Meisterstuck Fountain Pens, with 14K gold two-tone nibs, marked "4810 / 14K / Montblanc / 585" in burgundy resin body, each with original black resin and gold-tone ...
Category

20th Century German Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold

Italian modern table lamp Tecla by Noti Massari for Leucos, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern table lamp Tecla by Noti Massari for Leucos, 1970s Table lamp model Tecla with a round base in white glass. It features a decorative red glass ring and a white plastic...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Pascal Mourgue “Calin” Chair + Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s for Ligne Roset, professionally steam-cleaned. It features a reclinable back. There is wear on this piece including water stains, blotches, and sun fading. It has been price...
Category

1990s French Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Signed Jere Chrome Raindrops Wall Sculpture 64"
Located in Toledo, OH
Vintage chrome raindrops wall sculpture by Jere. 64" long x 30" tall circa 1970's.
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

The Sovereign’s Garden: A Timeless Bakhtiari Masterpiece of Persian Prestige
Located in Dallas, TX
76853 Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug, 04'11 x 06'05. In the realm of Persian artistry, few textiles capture grandeur and authority as compellingly as this hand-knotted wool antique Ba...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

12 Art Deco Lalique Cherub and Rope Motif Plates
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
12 Art Deco Lalique cherub and rope motif plates, a rare find, twelve vintage Lalique plates in excellent condition.
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Karl Springer Attributed Pair of Free Form Coffee Tables 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of Free Form Coffee Tables in mirrored polished stainless steel with inset black glass tops attributed to Karl Springer, American 1980's. These tables are beautifully m...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Tiered Palmette Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Palmette chandelier with clear Murano glass leaves arranged in two tiers and mounted on chrome finish metal frame / Made in Italy Diameter: 25.5 inches / Height: 18 inches pl...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Mies van der Rohe for Knoll MR 30/5 Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare pair of Mies van Der Rohe for Knoll MR 30/5 lounge chairs constructed from tubular chromed steel frames and with their original brown saddle lea...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Norman Foster - Leather Lounge Chairs by Thonet, A 903PF, 1999
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Norman Foster Lounge Chairs, Model A 903PF for Thonet Stunning A 903PF lounge chairs, designed by celebrated architect Norman Foster for Thonet. These chairs showcase Foster’s hallm...
Category

1990s German Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Cyclade Slipper Chair by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt, USA 1990's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Cyclade slipper chair designed and manufactured in the 1990's by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt. The chair has a solid wood frame with a dark walnut finish and it is upho...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Late 20th Cent Modern to Postmodern Southwest Style Textured Plaster Floor Lamp
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible vintage modern to postmodern southwest style textured sculptural plaster floor lamp with its original beige linen-like coolie shade. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The lamp has been rewired by our experienced staff. We haven’t discovered any chips, cracks, or chiggers in the plaster body, but the shade does have a small stain. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1980’s Cassette tapes, muscle cars, big hair, and plaster floor lamps like this are just a FEW fabulous memories from the 80’s! This is a lovely modern to postmodern floor lamp comprised of a sculptured off-white textured plaster hourglass body with light green southwestern...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Large Staff "Cross Oyster" Flush or Wall Mount Lamp
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceiling or wall light model oyster, German design by Rolf Kru¨ger for staff. Design, circa 1968. Construction made of white lacquered steel sheet, covers white-lacquered, equipped wi...
Category

1960s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of 'Benjamin' Stools by Lisa Norinder for IKEA, 1990's
By IKEA
Located in Bern, CH
Pair of IKEA Benjamin plywood stools designed by Lisa Noringer, 1990's. Made of plywood. Stackable and can be used either as a stool or side table. Modern iconic designs from Ikea. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Christian Dior Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Christian Dior Paris sterling silver picture frame boasts an oval shape featuring the iconic CD logo stylized form. The piece was crafted in France circa 1980. The back...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Christofle Modern Silver Plated Glacette Champagne Wine Chiller Ice Bucket w Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Christofle Modern Silver Plated Glacette Champagne Wine Chiller Ice Bucket with Removable Ice Packs in Box and Wrapping. Circa Late 20th Century. Mea...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Rare 'Karate' Swiveling Fiberglass Shell Chair by Michel Cadestin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Karate' swiveling fiberglass shell chair by Michel Cadestin. This iconic chair was designed circa 1970 by Michel Cadestin for French furniture manufacturer Airborne. Referred ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Ross Lovegrove Bluebelle chair Y2K style design space age
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
White and transparent combination chair. Ross Lovegrove designed it in 1996 for Driade. This chair is a chair that Ross Lovegrove redesigned from George Nelson's DAF chair. Highly ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Newly Redone Pair of L-Shaped Sofas by Giulio Minoletti (Attributed)
Located in San Francisco, CA
A striking and rare pair of L-shaped sofas attributed to Italian architect and designer Giulio Minoletti. Defined by their low-back profile and sculptural curved edges, these pieces ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Eight McGuire Rattan "Cracked Ice" Dining Chairs
Located in Hamburg, PA
An elegant set of eight McGuire "Cracked Ice" Dining Chairs with hand-crafted raw-hide leather binding and caned seats. This impressive set of chairs was designed by John and Elinor ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Cane, Rattan

Sterling Silver Gold-Plated Square Photo Frame with Translucent Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square photo frame in 9251000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché. Modern contemporary style. Cut glass. Blue velvet panel. External dimensions 10...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Karl Springer Style Modern Snakeskin Embossed Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie snakeskin embossed tea table or occasional side table In the manner of Karl Springer USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 30"W x 27"D x...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Zeus Chair by Ron Arad for Zeus United Kingdom / Italy, 1992
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Rare Ron Arad Hotel Zeus Chair, 1990s A striking fusion of industrial design and sculptural artistry, this rare Hotel Zeus Chair by Ron Arad is a true collector’s piece. Manufacture...
Category

1990s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Onos Fixture With Side Counter Weights by Florian Schulz
Located in Rijssen, NL
Fantastic Florian Schulz counter balance pendant by Florian Schulz. Design period: 1970-1979, production period: 2022. The lackered brass pendant is suspended with his own brass ball...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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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