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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Outdoor Dining Table with Oil-Treated Massive Oak Logs Ideal for Large Families
Located in Cairo, EG
Outdoor dining table with Oil-Treated Massive Oak Logs Ideal for Large Families. Gather up and share a fun meal while enjoying the beauty of summer joie de vivre. Our For The Love of Nature...
Oak, Pine
CraftAssociates Table, Liberty Modern Farm Table, Reclaimed Oak
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Table, Liberty Modern Farm Table, Reclaimed Oak This farm table is expertly crafted. The table is constructed from reclaimed oak by hand, not machine. The walnut is ...
Oak, Reclaimed Wood
French rectangular extendable Dining Table - solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This rectangular dining table is made of Cherry wood and designed by Christophe Lecomte a French Designer. Christophe likes to combine right contemporary lines with smooths curves un...
Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
Extendable dining Table in Solid Oak with 2 extensions - 100% Made in France
Located in Landivy, FR
This rectangular dining table belongs to the STELLA collection designed by Christophe Lecomte in Vendée, France. Graduated from the famous BOULLE design school in Paris, Christophe n...
Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
19th Century Solid Oak Farm Table
Located in Brecht, BE
a french oak farmhouse table, closed the dimensions are 148 x 79 x 74 cm high, open 300 cm x 79 x 71 cm high, as pure as it gets, ready to ...
Oak
Bespoke French Oak Pugin Table
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
In an Arts & Crafts style, rectangular or circular, with semi-circular carved supports; available in a number of wood finishes and top thicknesses; with concealed or exposed bolts; made to order in 6-8 weeks; prices from £7,500 for a 200 cm long rectangular table...
Oak
Antique Cherry Tapered Leg Oval Drop Leaf Table
Located in Billingshurst, GB
Antique Cherry oval drop leaf dining table. Table centre with Leaves down measures 25" in width. This wonderful table has great original colour and patination. The base is original a...
Cherry
Custom Farm Table in Reclaimed Heart-Pine, Built to Order
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This made-to-order dining table built is made in hand selected, reclaimed heart-pine. Size shown here: 120 x 43 inches. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los Angeles wor...
Reclaimed Wood
$19,000 / item
H 30 in W 42 in D 142 in
Iris Farm Table in Reclaimed Pine, Custom Made by Petersen Antiques (expandable)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This table is seen here in 112" x 42" with two 15" extensions, expanding the table to 142". It can be built with or without extension leaves. We use hand selected, vintage heart pi...
Pine, Reclaimed Wood
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 78.75 in D 33.5 in
Country French Provincial Oak Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming country French provincial farmhouse dining table or harvest table crafted from solid oak hardwood. The country table features a massive 2 inch thick solid plank top supporte...
Oak
English Farm House Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th century English farm house table with a good thick scrubbed pine top and a painted base. 1850. Clearance: 63cm Overlay: 3cm Internal reference: H Code: 9024 Dimensions:...
Pine
On Hold|$11,800
H 29.25 in W 107.25 in D 31 in
19th Century French Oak Farm Table with Classic Joinery, 1880
Located in Solebury, PA
A magnificent 19th-century French oak farm table of substantial dimensions has acquired a rich, warm patina and mellow character over time, reflecting the gentle wear and history of ...
Oak
Large Antique Solid Oak Slab Top Trestle Farm Dining Conference Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Arts & Crafts Large Antique 3" Thick Solid Oak Slab Top Trestle Farm Dining Conference Table. Phenomenal piece of solid oak carpentry skill example. Due to t...
Oak
Large Dining Table by Silvio Coppola for Bernini
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A striking and substantial dining table designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, crafted in richly grained solid walnut. Produced circa 1968, the design is a modern reinterpretation o...
Walnut
$4,800Sale Price|29% Off
H 31 in W 79 in D 31 in
19th Century French Provincial Farmhouse Fruitwood Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Classic 19th century country French Provincial farmhouse dining table with storage drawers. The table is constructed from frui...
Iron
A Rustic French Oak Farm Table, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This exquisite French oak farm table, dating to the 19th century, exudes timeless charm and sophistication. The table’s elegantly bleached finish highlights a beautifully worn patina...
Oak
Christian Liaigre Holly Hunt Ebonized Oak Courier Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Minimalist modern perfection is Christian Liaigre's interpretation of the farmhouse dining table. The courier table was designed for Holly Hunt and handc...
Oak
Vintage Pair Tessellated Horn Side Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Enrique Garcel style tessellated horn tables.
Horn
17th Century French Door Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
17th century French dining table made of a church door.
Wood
Sold
H 30.12 in W 70.87 in D 31.7 in
Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen Dining Table Six-Drawer with Scrub Work Block Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage style kitchen or dining table with scrub work block top and three drawers either side ...
Wood
Oval Metal Base and Wood Top Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Distressed oval oak top dining table on metal base. Elegant and rustic at the same time, the wrought iron base has two three leg pedestals connect...
Iron
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Courier Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt modern courier farm or harvest dining table. Features an ebonized walnut finish and massive x fo...
Walnut
Sold
H 28.75 in W 83.47 in D 59.26 in
Rare Classic Vintage Robert Mouseman Thompson Solid Oak Refectory Dining Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this very rare stunning vintage Classic Robert Mouseman Thompson lar...
Oak