Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

31
to
2
20
9
31
31
31
931
362
246
104
72
69
53
48
39
38
31
31
26
21
14
14
10
9
59
115
20,606
95,193
530
5,103
11,523
15
89
287
406
898
1,899
3,783
2,994
1,764
10
6
6
4
4
22
6
5
5
5
2
1
1
1
1
Style: Modern
Period: 1910s
Antique George V Sterling Silver Photograph Frame (1911)
By E.F. Braham Ltd
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver photograph frame; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique George V sterling silver photograph frame has a rounded rectangular form with an incurved, domed upper portion and a plain rectangular internal window. The surface of this George V silver photo frame is plain and embellished with a paralleling embossed decorated border to the rim. This antique silver photograph frame...
Category

1910s English Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Composition by Knud Kyhn
Located in Berlin, BE
Composition by Knud Kyhn, 1917 Watercolour on paper. Sheet size 30×38 cm, signed and framed. Knud Kyhn (1880 - 1969) was a Danish painter, illustrator and ceramic sculptor who is es...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Composition by Knud Kyhn
Located in Berlin, BE
Composition by Knud Kyhn, 1915 Watercolour on paper. Sheet size 30×38 cm, signed and framed. Knud Kyhn (1880 - 1969) was a Danish painter, illustrator and ceramic sculptor who is es...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Large English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1914
Located in New York, NY
George V sterling silver box. Made by Sampson Mordan in London in 1914. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Cover hinged with tapering tab and gently curved top. Ceda...
Category

1910s British Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

English Modern Sterling Silver Box with Scottish Agate Thistle
Located in New York, NY
English Modern sterling silver box, 1919. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover curved and hinged with short tab; on top inlaid agate in form of stylized thistle in rondel. Silver l...
Category

1910s British Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Capriccio Model Porcelain Sculpture by Ferdinand Liebermann for Rosenthal
Located in Milan, Italy
Porcelain, with polychrome glazes; figure of a boy riding an ibex on a tiered moulded round base. Underglaze green company signet Rosenthal Selb-Bavaria. Biography German sculptor F...
Category

1910s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early sideboard, model 814, by Leopold & John Stickley
Located in San Francisco, CA
An oak sideboard with four drawers, two doors concealing open storage and a plate rail. Retains original makers mark “The Work of L. & J. G. Stickley which was used between 1912 and ...
Category

1910s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Landscape with Trees  by Alfred Henry Maurer
By Alfred Henry Maurer
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Landscape with Trees  by Alfred Henry Maurer, New York School, Gouache on Paper, Circa 1915. A dynamic Modernist rendering of trees and a wall in a landscape setting in hues of green, violet, sienna and yellow. Signed in pencil in the lower left corner “A / H Maurer”. The image measures 20-3/4 inches x 17 inches. Simple wood frame and glazing measuring 21-3/4 inches x 18  inches. Condition: Slight yellowing of the paper and other minor signs of age otherwise excellent condition. Provenance: Private Collection, New York Biography from The Phillips Collection of American Art: ALFRED HENRY MAURER (1868–1932) One of the first American painters to reflect the influence of European modernism in his painting. Born in New York, Maurer studied in 1884 at the National Academy of Design, New York, where he became recognized as an accomplished painter of portraits inspired by those of James A. M. Whistler and American impressionist William Merritt Chase. From 1897–1914 Maurer lived in Paris where he became acquainted with fellow Americans Arthur Dove and Gertrude and Leo Stein. It was in the Stein’s salon, a well-known meeting place for Americans and modern French artists...
Category

1910s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Office Chair No.6150 by Adolf Loos for Thonet
Located in Kleinburg, ON
The Secession office chair no.6150 is a classic piece of furniture designed by the influential Austrian architect and designer Adolf Loos in the early 20th century. It was executed b...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Japanese Impressionist Painting of Trees in Snow By S Kitayama Dated 1912
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressionist painting of a trees in snow on a wooden board in period carved gilded frame. It is signed on the bottom right hand corner S Kitayama and dated 1912. Further inscription in Kanji on the back of the frame. Frame measures 17 x 20 1/2 inches Painting measures 9 1/4 x 12 3/4 inches Frame is original to the painting and of the period. The painter is most likely Seitaro Kitayama (Japanese, 1888-1945), an important figure in late Meiji period credited with being the father of Japanese animation before Walt Disney started his company. The painting style is impressionism which was keenly followed by a new generation of Japanese artists who either traveled to Europe for training or received Western publications on artists and gallery shows at home. Kitayama, Seitaro was born on March 3, 1888 in Wakayama, and died on February 13, 1945. In 1911, Kitayama became an apprentice to Tojiro Oshita and, while studying painting, also helped out with editing the art magazine Mizue. He soon moved to Tokyo and established the Western Art Guild of Japan and published Contemporary Western Art. He later joined the Fusain Art Group as a manager where he would support young western-style artists such as Ryusei Kishida and Sohachi Kimura by providing art supplies, in addition to holding exhibitions and publishing catalogues. On the other hand, he entered the Nikkatsu Mukojima Studio in 1916, proposed the inclusion of illustrations in intertitles, and made this his work. It was there that one of the first Japanese animations...
Category

1910s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paint, Acrylic

Pot by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handmade blue pot by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg. Each piece is unique and decorated with the Sgrafitto technique that was developed by Ekberg himself. ...
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

European Modernist Carpet, circa 1910
Located in New York, NY
During the early 20th century many European designers sought to create whole house experiences for their clients. Every detail, from the furniture, textiles, carpets and even flat-wa...
Category

1910s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Silver Bell Inkstand, Dated 1913, a & J Zimmermann, Birmingham
Located in London, GB
Silver bell Inkstand, dated 1913, A & J Zimmermann, Birmingham Large bell shaped inkstand with clear glass liner. This particular inkpot is 6 inches high with a diameter at the bas...
Category

1910s English Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of Six Side Chairs or Dining Chairs Attributed to Francis Jourdain
Located in New York, NY
A set of six chairs (sold individually) with modernist lines typical of Francis Joirdain's work circa 1910-1920. Removable wicker seat. $1200.00 per chair.
Category

1910s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Wicker

1910s, Central European Wood Black Patinated Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
A black patinated wood side table from Central Europe, produced circa 1910. A chic side table from Central Europe, pulling styles from the past and pre...
Category

1910s European Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Painting 'Vela' P. Fragiacomo, 1910s circa
Located in Vicenza, VI
Oil painting on panel by the artist P. Fragiacomo, around the 1910s. The work entitled 'Sail' depicts a small sailboat in the middle of a sea with a figure on board from behind, a t...
Category

1910s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paint

Oil Painting Landscape Au in Klosterneuburg Max Kahrer 1919 Classical Modernism
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Artwork "Au in Klosterneuburg (paradies)" painted by Max Kahrer 1919 Classical Modernism oil on wood signed Max Kahrer studied at the Vienna Akademy of ...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Oil Painting Landscape Sitft Klosterneuburg Max Kahrer 1919 Classical Modernism
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Artwork Sitft Klosterneuburg painted by Max Kahrer 1919 Classical Modernism oil on canvas signed Max Kahrer studied at the Vienna Akademy of fina arts un...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Lake George Vintage Photograph, circa 1910
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual photograph, circa 1910-1920 where the letters Lake George are made of cutout photographs. Original frame-really a unique object with character and timeless character. Lak...
Category

1910s North American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Beautiful Antique Three-Legged Side Table Rosewood Claw Feet
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful antique three-legged side table rosewood claw feet. Please check out all the details.
Category

1910s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Wood

Copenhagen Harbor, Otto Olsen, Denmark, 1913
Located in Bronx, NY
Copenhagen Harbor by the Danish artist Otto Olsen on an original gilt frame, view of the storage buildings across the canal detailed in brownstone with red ...
Category

1910s European Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Acrylic

Wittmann Kubus Sofa by Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Black leather tufted loveseat or sofa designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956). Sofa is tufted all the way around. Quality leather. Has black painted wood legs. Wittmann Kubus...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Original Oil On Canvas California Artist Edward Holslag Landscape Countryside
Located in Toledo, OH
Beautifully executed original oil on canvas by California artist Edward Holslag. Painted in 1915 with rich warm tones depicting a countryside landscape ...
Category

1910s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Hans Kieweg Art Nouveau Figural Vanity Mirror for Fraureuth
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This oval vanity mirror is decorated with a large 23-inch ceramic female figure statue with Art Nouveau floral patterns. A large tray in front of the mirror is decorated with an orga...
Category

1910s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Kurdish Persian Accent Rug with Boteh Pattern in Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
72613, antique Kurdish Persian Accent rug with boteh pattern in traditional style. This hand-knotted wool antique Kurdish Persian accent rug with a traditional style features diagonal rows of large-scale boteh, or paisley motifs. Smaller red boteh decorate the backdrop. It is enclosed with three meandering floral borders, flanked by decorative barber pole subsidiary guard bands. This small Persian rug is suitable for traditional, transitional, or modern interiors or a rustic farmhouse look. The pattern is dense and delicate, filling an interior with eye-popping colors in an endearing design. Used as: Entry rug, foyer rug, entryway rug, Persian kitchen mat...
Category

1910s Persian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Gouache on Plate, Still Life, Constructivist School, circa 1915
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Gouache on plate. Still life. Constructivist school, circa 1915. Unknown artist. In very good condition. The plate measures: 27.5 x 20.5 cm. The frame measures: 5.5 cm.
Category

1910s Unknown Vintage Modern Furniture

Misia Sert's Bookplate by Pierre Bonnard
By Pierre Bonnard
Located in New York, NY
Misia Sert, a musical prodigy who once played the piano on Franz List’s knee, grew up to be a beauty, and remained the apogee of chic until she died at seve...
Category

1910s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Dining Table with Extension Leaves Attributed to Francis Jourdain
Located in New York, NY
French modernist table attributed to Francis Jourdain, considered to be the "father" of French modernism. Each leaf is 20". Total length is 91".
Category

1910s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A Coat Rack by Adolf Loos designed for Café Capua
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Coat Rack by Adolf Loos designed for Café Capua. Unmarked. 16 1/4 x 15 1/4 base
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Walter Sickert, Engraving, Mon Bon Dodo, Circa 1910
By Walter Sickert
Located in Toronto, CA
A wonderful engraving in red by Walter Sickert, 1860-1942, Published by Carfax and Co., London, in the early decades of the 20th century. Engraving in re...
Category

1910s English Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Gustav Stickley Chest of Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A nine drawer oak dresser with iron pulls.
Category

1910s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

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.

Recently Viewed

View All