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Modern Decorative Art

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Contemporary Mirror, Three-Dimensional Wall Fan, Silvered Glass Slabs, brass
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Stunning now, stunning forever. Crafted to stand the test of time, our mirrors become family heirlooms for future generations that can be passed down and cherished for years to come. Unparalleled reflections of its timeless and mystery silvering, a deep dive into glass life, that both honors and reimagines Sabrina Landini's contemporary vision. This wall...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

20th Century, Spanish Hyperrealism Oil on Canvas, Landscape, Signed
Located in Valladolid, ES
An outstanding painting by Jesus Maía Lazcano. The work, entitled de la forma constructiva y del desarrollo, is part of the series “Del Orden Natural”, which was exhibited in 1995. ...
Category

1990s Spanish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Fall Colors, 1977, Oil on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Pair framed vintage print of drawings by Diego Rivera
By Diego Rivera
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of vintage prints of Diego Rivera's drawings of indigenous Mexican children. Framed on linen board in a pair of period frame. In print sign...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Dennis Sakelson Abstract Painting
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful abstract painting from American artist Dennis Sakelson. Stark, bold, organic lines bring a sense of movement to any room. Please confirm item...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Studio Made Concrete & Gold Gilt Relief Art Tiles, Set of Four, Hand Signed
Located in Ferndale, MI
A set of four concrete square tiles with four individual gilt relief designs within a center square. A male facial profile, a moon face, an up close of an eye and brow, and a male torso form...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Concrete, Gold Leaf

Painting by Hanoi Artist "The Muse", Red and Black, Large Black Frame, C 2007
Located in New York, NY
Decorative large painting by Hanoi artist, "The Muse", circa 2007.
Category

Early 2000s Vietnamese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting from the 1940s, Mid-Century Art, Golden, Blue, Chocolate & White Colors
Located in New York, NY
Decorative painting from the 1940s. Painting has a beautiful gold frame with a linen liner.
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, New Frame, On Canvas, C 1977
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Large Framed Black and White Action Photographic Prints of World Polo League
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., black and white photographic prints, matted and framed under glass. A pair of polo action shots that capture the intensity of play and the agility of player and polo pony al...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Ghidini 1961 Single Butterfly Coatrack in Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Coatrack in stainless steel The single butterfly coat hanger is both playful and elegant and gives to customers the possibility to embellish in a bra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghidini 1961 Single Butterfly Coatrack in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Coatrack in stainless steel The single butterfly coat hanger is both playful and elegant and gives to customers the possibility to embellish in a bra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern Framed Snakeskin Shadowbox
Located in New York, NY
Modern monumental custom framed snakeskin in a long shadowbox. The animal is likely a boa constrictor and is in great condition with some age-related wear to the frame.
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Animal Skin, Wood

Painting, "the Golden Lady", Painted on Silk Fabric, Modern Contemporary Art
By Hanneke De Neve
Located in New York, NY
Decorative painting by Hanneke De Neve, Holland, circa 2016. Acrylic on silk fabric. Framed in a beautiful gold leaf wood frame with a linen liner.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Acrylic

Heart Shaped Kintsugi White, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Heart, Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in which certain parts become containers. Here then are hearts made into porcelain powders...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Signed Acrylic on Canvas Landscape Painting of Trees and Shadow in Wood Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Trees on a horizon in green hues with shadow and neutral sky. Acrylic on Canvas. Art work is set in a wood frame. Paintings of this genre are a compliment to any setting and add a...
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

Modernist Wall Rug, Hand-Hooked, after Mallet-Stevens
Located in New York, NY
A hand-hooked modernist style wall rug, original design after Robert Mallet-Stevens. The initial rug kit was purchased and put together by the original owner with colors of his own c...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Resin Art Round Panel
Located in Westport, CT
Resin art panel colored with pigments and ink multi-layered process which result in an organic expression of shapes. The outcome is always unsuspected. Each piece is unique and canno...
Category

2010s Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Resin

Painting by William Kozar, Modern Contemporary Art, Silver Color Painting, 2008
By William Kozar
Located in New York, NY
Decorative silver painting by William Kozar, 2008, Canada.
Category

Early 2000s Canadian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silver

Large Framed Drawing of a Baby Rhino Head
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Captivating large drawing of a baby rhino's bust or head framed in a thick giltwood frame. Appears to be charcoal with pastel signed by artist on right bottom and labeled "For David ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper, Plexiglass, Giltwood

Vintage Metal Wall Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eye-catching piece of wall art combining different shades of metal and textures to interesting effect. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Blossom, a Piece of 3D Sculptural Cream Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Blossom: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of cream leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 21 x 21 inches or 54 x 54 cm. Th...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Wave. A Piece of 3D Sculptural Gold Leather Wall Art.
Located in Margate, GB
Wave: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of gold leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 21 x 21 inches or 54 x 54 cm. This pie...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Disks, A Piece of 3D Sculptural White Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Disks: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of white leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 21 x 21 inches or 54 x 54 cm. One, s...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Resin Art Panel
Located in Westport, CT
Resin art panel colored with pigments and ink multi-layered process which result in an organic expression of shapes. Measure: diameter: 39.75". The outcome...
Category

2010s Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Resin

Thomas Eriksson Cross Cabinet with Glossy Varnished Finish for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed to store medicine, the cross cabinet by Thomas Eriksson is wall-hanging, available with a glossy varnished finish, in red, orange, green, blue a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Painting, Portrait of a Lady, Charcoal, C 1960, Large Scale with Wide Gold Frame
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, midcentury, large portrait of a lady, circa 1960. Charcoal on paper with a very decorative gold frame.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Niels Helledie, Denmark, Unique Face Mask in Hand-Painted Stoneware
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Niels Helledie (b. 1927), Denmark. Unique face mask in hand-painted glazed stoneware. 1980s. Measures: 18 x 18 cm. Depth: 9.5 cm. In excellent cond...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stoneware

Jama Cement Painting, 1966
Located in Jersey City, NJ
An ebony wood framed cement painting by artist Jama. Signed by artist and dated 1966. Measures: Width 29.75cm length 19.75 cm depth 2.22 cm.
Category

1960s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Unique, Large Decorative Meissen Mural, Wall Decoration by Prof. Heinz Werner
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique. Large decorative Meissen mural, wall decoration by Prof. Heinz Werner. Painted porcelain plates. Modern design. Signed and dated. Meissen swords stamp. The mural is very hea...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

Modern Ignis Wall Sculpture Piece Patagonia Stone Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ignis Wall Art Piece, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Like a glowing, mysterious light, Ignis stands for the inner fire. In the seductive Pa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Onyx, Stainless Steel, Gold Leaf

Vintage Modern Colored Glass Wall Art, Signed, circa 1986
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This colorful modern wall art features a vibrant palette, depicting two women and a series of thoughtful abstract designs. The scrolled glass art blends colors and shapes in a truly ...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Modern Unity Wall Art Sculpture Piece Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Unity wall art piece, contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Unity wall piece represents the strength that rises when the whole stands together thr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass, Fiberglass, Paint

Stunning Bas Relief by Alicia Penalba in Metal Alloy
Located in Beirut, LB
Sculpture by Alicia Penalba, bas relief in metal alloy, signed Alicia Penalba, dedicated from the back, dim: 60 x 60 cm. Penalba arrived in Paris in 1948, with a scholarship from t...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Hardy Strid, Swedish Artist, Abstract Composition, 1960s / 70s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hardy Strid (1921-2012), Swedish artist. Enamel on sheet metal. Abstract composition. 1960s / 70s. The sheet metal measures: 33 x 25 cm. In excellent con...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Modern Rossim Wall Art Piece Marble Brass Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Rossim Wall Art Piece, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Inspired by the Rossim Valley in the heart of the Serra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Statuary Marble, Onyx, Brass, Stainless Steel

Mirrored Modernist Metal Wall Sculpture by Deidre Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modernist wall sculpture by D. Selig features mirrored glass mounted on steel. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Steel

Weave, a Piece of 3d Sculptural Putty Coloured Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Weave: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of putty coloured leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measuremen...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Wave, A Piece of 3D Sculptural Cream Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Wave: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of cream leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 29 x 45 inches or 114 x 74 cm. T...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Modern Treason Wall Art Sculpture Piece Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Treason wall art piece, contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Like a crumpled up piece of paper, Treason embodies ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass, Fiberglass, Paint

Large Autumnal Citrus and Vessels Abstract Still Life Oil Painting, Framed
Located in Morristown, NJ
Francois Heaulme (French, 1927-2005), Large framed still life with oranges, pottery and bottles, signed lower left. Dimensions: 57"h x 37.5"w (sig...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Alfama Wall Art, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Alfama Wall Art, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Alfama wall art has an exclusive hand-painted design by Greenapple, inspired by the P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Freedom Wall Art, Swarovski Crystals, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Freedom Wall Art, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Wall art with Greenapple exclusive design p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Alfama Wall Art, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Alfama Wall Art, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Alfama wall art has an exclusive hand-painted design by Greenapple, inspired by the P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Kingfisher, Colored Pencil Drawing with Blue, Orange, Brown, Matted & Framed
Located in Chicago, IL
The Kingfisher is bird often first noticed by its wild rattling call as it flies over rivers or lakes. It may be seen perched on a high snag, or hovering on rapidly beating wings, then plunging headfirst into the water to grab a fish. Artist Sylvia Beckman captures the Kingfisher with all its glorious plumage and brilliant colorings This drawing is matted and framed. Sylvia Beckman Kingfisher colored pencil on paper Measures: 13 H x 8 W in 33.02 H x 20.32 W cm SUB029 Sylvia Beckman, b. 1938, Detroit, MI Education University of Michigan, School of Arch. & Design University of Wisconsin, Botany Private apprenticeship in stone sculpture, bronze, gilding and painting Exhibitions 2017 “Coming Attractions”, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 1997 S.O.F.A. exhibition, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 1997 Monumental Bronze Sculpture Commisson, Olbrich Park, Madison, WI 1994 Sculpture, Olbrich Botanic Gardens, Spring Display, Madison,WI 1994 Paintings & Drawings, North Seas Gallery, Charlevoix, MI 1994 Paintings & drawings, Olbrich Botanic Center, Madison, WI 1988 Monumental Stone Sculpture...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Modern Ignis Wall Sculpture Piece Patagonia Stone Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ignis Wall Art Piece, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Like a glowing, mysterious light, Ignis stands for the inner fire. In the seductive Patagonia granite...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Onyx, Granite, Carrara Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel, Gold Leaf

Les Cimes, Customizable, Digital Printing, Mural Decor, Isidore Leroy
Located in Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
All our products are custom made. The price per square meter is 77$. The price shown is for a 350cm wide by 250cm high wall To get to the top. These immaculate landscapes, these g...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Tony Sheets “Molokai Dream” 1995, Signed
By Tony Sheets
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pastel over watercolor impressionist ocean landscape titled “Molokai Dream” by American artist John Anthony “Tony” Sheets (b. 1942). Cool pastels, crosshatched and layered in de...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vicenç Orsolà Sculpture Exempt AEM-501 Red Black Wood
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sculpture AEM-501 made by Vicenç Orsola circa 2007 in Barcelona. Painted wood In great original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Sheep Headboard by Studio AHEAD
Located in San Francisco, US
Sheep Headboard designed by Studio AHEAD. This puffy and soft sculptural object could be used as a headboard or independent piece of art. It is upholstered in custom cream merino wool felt from Northern California sheep. The shape of the headboard is inspired by the smooth lines of stones found on Muir Beach...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wool, Felt

21st Century Skateboard Marcantonio Wood Inlay Scapin Black
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Old Skull Board Old Skull Board/ Life After Life Board è una tavola da skateboard decorativa, disponibile in due varianti colore e con un disegno intarsiato simbolo della continui...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plywood

Thomas Eriksson Cross Cabinet in Red Glossy Metal for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed to store medicine, the cross cabinet by Thomas Eriksson is wall-hanging, available with a glossy varnished finish, in red, orange, green, blue a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Tejo Handmade Decorative Tile Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, res...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Exceptionnel stairs "Cité radieuse" by Charles Edouard Jeanneret, Le Corbusier.
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Exceptional staircase called Cité radieuse by Charles Edouard Jeanneret called Le Corbusier (1887-1965) Uprights in larch, eleven steps in exotic wood. ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Iron

Large Scale Wall Mounted Leather Bricks, United States, 1980's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Large Scale Wall Mounted Leather Bricks Panel, United States, 1980's. Leather over wood and framed in steel.
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Steel

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Lisbon Portugal" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "PRAÇA DO COMÉRCIO LISBON PORTUGAL" motif finely painted. Quantity: 143 tiles Tile mural size: 76.7"W X 64.9"H (195cm X 165cm) Tile size: 5.9"W X 5.9...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint, Clay

Framed John Smith's Beer Sign, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Framed John Smith's beer sign. An old advertising sign for the famous Pale Ale Beer which is dated 1976. It's English beer of the brewery John Smith's ...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Other, Tin

Modern decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative art 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 decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative art made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Horst P. Horst, Gordon Kadonoff, and Diane Love. 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. Prices for decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1 and tops out at $197,823 while the average work can sell for $2,196.

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