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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set of 2 ceiling lamps Italian manufacture 1970s
By Stilnovo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The set of two Italian-made ceiling lights from the 1970s represents excellence in Italian design and craftsmanship of that era. . Their clean, geometric shape blends harmoniously in...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch
Floor lamp attributed to Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lugo, IT
Floor lamp attributed to Osvaldo Borsani.
Dual ignition
Good Condition
Thank you
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
1958 Set of 4 Herman Miller Eames DKR-2 Wire Bikini Chairs in Yellow Naugahyde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DKR-2 wire dining chairs, designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1951. This particular set of four chairs dates to circa 1958. They have steel wir...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Naugahyde
Ercole Barovier, "Porpora Cup", 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Ercole Barovier
"Porpora Cup", c. 1950
Execution: Cased glass, clear and red
Measure: H : 11 cm (4.33")
Overall very good condition
A piece both highly collectible and decorative at the same time.
Ercole Barovier was born in 1889 into a well-known family of glassmakers.
At the age of 26, he became artistic director of his father's factory, "Vetreria Artistica Barovier...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Cabinet of Curiosities Display Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, elegantly presented within a wood and glass display case reminiscent of a Classic scu...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Marble Pedestal circa 1950
Located in Culver City, CA
Marble Pedestal
France circa 1950
solid marble construction, with cylindrical base. Made from two different species.
16.25”L x 11.25”d x 13.25”h
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Double Sided Sign circa 1950
Located in Culver City, CA
Double Sided Sign
England circa 1950
Hand painted sign with ebonised frame.
25.5”w x 1.75”d x 16.5”h
Category
1950s English Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Glazed Terracotta Wall Mirror, Italy, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Charming vintage Italian wall mirror. Hand-sculpted.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Lucite and Brass Sconces
Located in New York City, NY
Price is per sconce; two available.
Pair of vintage sconces in lucite and lightly patinaed brass.
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Pair of French Maison Bagues Crystal and Gold Gilt Parrot Bird Wall Sconces
Located in Toledo, OH
A stunning pair of crystal and gold gilt wall sconces from Maison Bagues. These sconces offer six arms each and have crystal parrot birds, flower...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
4 French Mid-Century Modern Industrial Iron Stools / Benches
Located in New York, NY
Two pairs of French Mid-Century Modern / Industrial Design stools
Priced and sold by the pair.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Marc Chagall '1887 1985' Plate Signed Modernist Figural Lithographic Print
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) Plate signed modernist figural lithographic print Galerie Maeght Paris France 1952, published in 1959, lithography by Fernand Mourlot France.
Chagall was born in 1887 into a Jewish...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Paper
Italian Midcentury Vanity Dresser in Parchment by Pierluigi Colli, 1950s
By Colli Torino
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is a splendid vanity table or petineuse designed by Pierluigi Colli and crafted in Turin in the first half of the 1900s. The attention to detail is remarkable, with a plethora of exquisite features that elevate it to a true design masterpiece. The panels are adorned with parchment, while the solid maple is expertly carved with intricate designs. The golden frames finished with pure gold leaf add an opulent touch, while the embossed brass lamps...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Maple
Set of 4 Vintage Thonet Bentwood Style Chairs, European Bistro Chairs, 1950s
By Thonet-Mundus, Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Set of four beautiful, wooden Thonet bentwood chairs, in style of the popular model no. 14.
Based on the dimensions, materials, weight and type of screw, they are most probably an o...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
Silvestri, Venice, Italy. Unique ceramic bowl with a cityscape.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Silvestri, Venice, Italy. Unique ceramic bowl with a cityscape featuring female faces. Hand-decorated.
Signed and dated '55.
Perfect condition.
Dimensions: Diameter 24.0 cm x 5.0 cm.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Small side table by Jacques ADNET
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacques ADNET (1900-1984)
Small side table with double trail leather covered \with brass hardware and contrast stitching
Originally designed as a telephone table
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Triangular Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small triangular bowl in hues of dark and light browns with a bright blue accent on the base of the interior and exterior.
Etched on base with the Rörstrand R and 3 crowns, Sweden...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Aldo Londi rare early pottery / ceramic sculpture of bird , for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing modern sculpture of a bird with metal stand by the well known artist / designer Aldo Londi.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
A Lunel wall lamp
By Lunel
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rare large sconce Maison Lunel
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
A Pair of Brass Torcheres Ca' 1950's
By Lightolier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylish vintage brass torchères in Paavo Tynell/Lightolier style. Elegant with nice patina and tarnishing, pull down chain switches. E...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Charlotte Perriand Berger Stool
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful example of Charlotte Perriand's Berger stool--her famous modernist interpretation of the classic tripod wood milking stool.
This particular stool shows considerable wea...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Nude female model in interior, modernist style.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Swedish artist. Oil on canvas.
Nude female model in the interior.
Modernist style. Colourful palette.
Signed Hasse '59.
Perfect condition.
Canvas dimensions: 39.0 cm x 29.0 cm.
Tot...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Leather Stitched Side Table by Jacques Adnet, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Side table with stitched leather legs and wooden table top.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Modernist country landscape.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Modernist country landscape.
Indistinctly signed and dated '57.
Perfect condition.
Canvas dimensions: 65.0 cm x 54.0 cm.
Total dimensions: 76.0 cm x 64...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Large Unique Janine Janet Ceramics Sculpture of a Rooster, Hand Painted, 1950s
By Janine Janet, Illums Bolighus
Located in Odense, DK
A large unique faience figure in the shape of a rooster. Handmade by the artist Janine Janet in the 1950s. Decorated with cream coloured glaze as well as greyish brown glazed feather...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Barovier Flooted Bowl Murano 1950's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare Barovier and Toso double flooted bowl. Gold flecks and stripe decoration, heavy, made ca' 1950. Quite large at 11.5" wide.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
7x10 Ft Handmade Distressed 1950s Turkish Rug in Gray and Taupe, Modern Carpet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage over-dyed handmade Turkish rug in gray and taupe. Finely hand knotted, low wool pile on cotton foundation. Deep washed. Sturdy and can be used on a high traffic area, suita...
Category
1950s Turkish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Tubular Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armchair and ottoman in steel and leather, Europe, 1950s.
Modern tubular armchair and matching ottoman. These items are made of bent tubular steel with black saddle leather upholste...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
Italian Petite Round Glass + Lucite Cocktail Table, Italy Circa 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite Italian round glass cocktail table in the style of Fontana Arte. This cocktail table features a tripod base with sculptural boomerang legs and a round glass top. Natural pat...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Ceramic pitcher Madoura Picasso, limited edition "d'après Picasso", stamped
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic pitcher by Picasso, model created in 1949 and limited production by Madoura until 1970
Zoomorphic owl design
Authentical multiples, 200 pieces
Official stamp "D'après Picasso...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Max Ingrand Dahlia Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Max Ingrand Dahlia chandelier. Polished & nickeled brass, curved glass. 16 Arms, each ending with a candelabra socket. Glass petals alternate betwee...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Leather and Metal Stool, France, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Two Available; Priced individually.
Beautifully patinated oxblood leather stools with blackened metal hairpin legs.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
French or Italian rattan wicker mirror
Located in Lugo, IT
French or Italian wicker mirror 1950s
Small lack of silvering as pictured.
Good conditions.
Thank you
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Traditional Religious Plaster Figure: Virgin of Timeless Elegance
Located in Barcelona, ES
Behold the grace and elegance of this traditional religious plaster figure, depicting the Virgin with timeless beauty. Crafted in a traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Religious Baby Jesus Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a baby Jesus.
Embodied within this exquisite plaster figure, portraying the beloved infant Jesus, is a sacred aura of tradition.
Crafted in ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Pierre Jeanneret Office Cane Chairs Set of 8
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A beautiful set of 8 Pierre Jeanneret floating back office chairs in solid teak. All chairs are in good vintage condition.
The braided canework has been replaced.
These iconic piec...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Teak, Cane
Tubular Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair in steel and leather, Europe, 1950s.
Modern armchair made in Europe in the 1950s. This chair is made of bent tubular steel with black saddle leather upholstery. Beautif...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
Carlo Scarpa Conchiglia bowl Venini
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Glass shell with strongly iridescent surface designed by Carlo Scarpa in the 40ties. Acid signature Venini Murano Italy. Designed between 1942 and 1947 and produced before 1960.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage "Anemone" Crystal Table Clock by Daum, France
By Daum
Located in Morristown, NJ
An attractive vintage 20th c., crystal table clock signed "Daum - France" on the crystal. The quartz clock mechanism also has a stylized Daum signature located below 12 o'clock. At 10' square, the clock has a strong visual presence.
History And Meaning Of Anemones:
It was believed that the flower sprang from the blood of the slain Adonis, who was a lover of the goddess Aphrodite. As such, anemones were often seen as a symbol of love and passion. In Victorian England, anemones were given as gifts to express love and anticipation.
Founded in 1878, Daum Nancy crystal is still recognized for its manufacturing expertise. It owes its fame to master glassmaker Antonin Daum.
Dimensions:
10"h x 10"w x 2.25"d
Condition:
Good, oxidation to metal ring surrounding dial, no visible chips, cracks, or repairs. Clock has not been tested.
Provenance:
The Collection of Olga & Arthur Rankin, NYC. Arthur Rankin was a visionary who wore many hats as a producer, director, screenwriter and animator. He is best known for pioneering the art of “Animagic” — or stop-action animation.
His legacy is etched in the hearts of millions, especially during the holiday season. Rankin/Bass Productions gave us timeless treasures like “Rudolph the...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal
American Oil on Linen Portrait of MSU Student
Located in Chicago, IL
A captivating 1950s American oil-on-linen portrait, a stunning portrayal of a young male student poised at the threshold of his academic journey. Clad in a distinguished green Michig...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paint
1950s French Cocktail Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Indulge in the timeless allure of mid-20th-century French design with this stunning low cocktail table, reminiscent of the iconic style of André Arbus. Crafted with meticulous attent...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Iron
Buffet en chêne travail français 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
TRAVAIL FRANÇAIS 1950
Buffet en chêne ciré patiné à la céruse à corps quadrangulaire ouvrant par trois portes pleines à décor de tête de satyre en bronze doré. Deux petits tiroirs e...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Marc Lalique, France. Colossal and impressive "Haiti" art glass bowl.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Marc Lalique, France.
Colossal and impressive "Haiti" art glass bowl in clear crystal with inclusions of electric blue. Rare model.
1950.
Signed Lalique France. Signature on the bot...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Midcentury Ceramic Centerpiece by Piero Fornasetti, italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milan, Italy
A ceramic centerpiece designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in circa 1950. With original label.
Biography
Piero Fornasetti was an Italian engraver, interior decorator, and arti...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Ingvar Engdahl, listed Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Abstract composition.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ingvar Engdahl (1928-1992), listed Swedish artist.
Oil on canvas.
Abstract composition.
Dated 1956.
Exhibition label on the stretcher.
In excellent condition. Could benefit from a c...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Asian Birds Flower Frogs, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of Asian birds flower frogs for arrangements. Gorgeous pair for your Asian and Boho Chic inspired interiors and table tops.
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Ingvar Engdahl, listed Swedish artist. Oil / canvas. Abstract composition.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ingvar Engdahl (1928-1992), listed Swedish artist.
Oil on canvas.
Abstract composition.
Dated 1958-59.
In excellent condition. Would benefit from cleaning.
Canvas dimensions: 73.5 c...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Mid Century Decorative Carved Valuables Box
Located in Incline Village, NV
Resting on four paw feet and opening via two rear butterfly hinges, this attractive carved box is featured on top with an oval highly carved applique cartouche, monogrammed with the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of pendant lamps attributed to Stilnovo
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of glass lamps attributed to a Stilnovo production.
The height is not equal.
Good conditions.
Thank you
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Advertising Aluminum Ice Bucket Wine Cooler, France 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a stunning French modernist aluminum ice bucket or wine cooler crafted in the 1950s. Specially designed for tall Alsace white wine bottles, this bottle chiller will work with...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Copper
Coat rack attributed to Azucena
By Azucena
Located in Lugo, IT
Coat rack attributed to Azucena.
Good Condition
Thank you
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Valdimir Kagan for Grosfeld House Set of Nesting Tables, Very Rare 1950s, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extremely rare collectors set of nesting tables by Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House (1950's USA), fully restored. This set is signed underneath the center table with original Grosfeld House sticker label, and documented in early Grosfeld House advertisements.
This Mid-Century Modern set of four tables feature a Walnut coffee table with sculptural legs, and three nesting tables that have similar sculpted legs with a formica top and a brass accent leg.
Ideally used as either a coffee table or side / end table that can convert when needed to provide additional surface space for guests, entertaining, arts and crafts projects, and more.
Vladimir Kagan's works have been highly valued by collectors and art / design investors, and his earlier works in the 1950s for Grosfeld House and Kagan-Dreyfuss are among the most sought after by 'purist collectors' like myself. Why do I prize his 1950s works above all else? I can write a short book on this, but one easy to explain reason is that this was a period unlike the rest of his career, where items produced in this time are hallmarked within that period - a distinction that his later works lacked. Essentially, everything post the early 60s blended together with the decades thereafter. A novice Kagan collector is content with anything by Kagan, even items produced by Directional and American Leather Company, but for true connoisseurs of Kagan, simply put: the 1950s was the bees knees.
This table set was acquired along with several other Grosfeld House pieces also designed by Kagan, including a caned desk (now sold to a very famous celebrity client), leather swivel desk chair with sculptural base, rare and coveted four-seat sofa with swiveling lounge chair, small caned...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Luggage Suitcase Pill Box
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Charming, vintage pill box by Tiffany & Co. Rare and out of production miniature box in the shape of a suitcase. One side bears tags that say TOKYO,...
Category
1950s Philippine Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Murano Glass "Love Knot" Table Sculpture in Black, White & Clear Glass
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Vintage Murano Glass Abstract Free From, Swirl Black & White Sculpture. Featuring hand blown, curved, figure eight shape with twist top in Black, White and Transparent Murano glass, ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Set of 6 Concrete Mushrooms, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French concrete garden mushrooms, circa 1950s. Great for use as a unique garden feature. Age has given these unique items a gorgeous patina. Substantial and well made, these decorati...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Concrete, 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.
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