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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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.
649
368
86
to
58
245
117
368
368
368
1,563
383
368
318
313
205
198
179
133
102
74
72
52
50
45
43
26
22
4
364
8
81
226
2
1
5
14
26
61
68
40
Height
to
Width
to
100
98
72
71
70
171
130
115
49
29
20
5
4
4
3
Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Modern
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Fall Colors, 1977, Oil on Canvas
By Peter Keil
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
Ron Schmidt Brutalist Metal Nail Art Signed Sculpture, circa 1980
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Ron Schmidt Metal Abstract Nail Art Sculpture, circa 1980. This piece is in very good original condition. Hand signed.
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Steel
Claes Oldenburg Lithograph, Pop Art, Hot Water Bottle, Pencil, Numbered, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Pop Art lithograph by the well known artist Claes Oldenburg ,pencil signed LR, numbered 26/100. Titeled on plate London 66(.image size along is 7.5 X 5.5 inches.) Framed.
Category
1960s British Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Daniel Van Der Putten Oil Painting Irish Castle Snow Scene Mallow Cork Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb traditional oil painting by living Artist Daniel Van der Putten, depicting an Irish rural snow scene near Mallow in County Cork, a view of a ruin building known as Castle Monp...
Category
Late 20th Century Irish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Glass Artist's work "Barabas" Signed S.Bonnamour"
Located in Brussels , BE
Mondrian color inspiration.
Category
20th Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
"Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century "
Bernard Buffet framed poster, Maurice Garnier Gallery, exhibition from February 1 to March 29, 1980, Mourlot printing house....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
"Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century "
Bernard Buffet framed poster, Galerie Matignon, exhibition from February 1 to March 29, 1980, Mourlot printing house.
Franc...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Elvis Presley Giclee on Canvas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and dramatic pop-art inspired giclee of Elvis Presley was created by the artist M. Eisner and was acquired from a Boca Raton, Florida estate.
Note: The gold surround/b...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Signed Large Format Acrylic on Paper Work by Bernyce Alpert Winick, USA c 1980
Located in Norwalk, CT
This large works by Bernice Alpert Winick is acrylic on paper shown in its original frame. Great size: framed dimension 65.25" X 45.5".
Bernyce Alpert Winick (1922-2022) known to...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
Vintage 1970s Horse Portrait, Needlepoint Embroidery in Brass Frame
Located in East Quogue, NY
This striking 1970s hand-embroidered horse portrait has a red and black flame abstract background.
The item is offered framed. The wool yarn colors are vivid and bright.
The embro...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Claes Thell Swedish Hoganas Modernist Wall Plaque
By Claes Thell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Claes Thell (Swedish, 1943-2019) was one of Sweden’s leading ceramic artists of the 20th /21st Century. He worked as a ceramicist at the Hoganas factory before starting his own studio where he gained recognition as an artist who experimented with both shapes and glazes leading to unique stoneware pieces. Examples of his work are in the National Museum in Stockholm.
An unusual modernist Swedish ceramic wall...
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
Swid Powell - Robert Mapplethorpe Porcelain Plates, Orchid - Flower - Calla Lily
Located in GRONINGEN, NL
Black and white porcelain collectors plates by Swid Powell and Robert Mapplethorpe. The set contains the plates ''Orchid'' - 1987 , "Flower" 1986 and ''Calla Lily'' - 1984. All have ...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage 1970s Tiger Portrait, Needlepoint Embroidery in Brass Frame
Located in East Quogue, NY
This striking 1970s embroidered tiger portrait has a striped green-toned grassy abstract background.
The item comes framed in a thick brass frame. It is signed "LS '78." The wool y...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Richard Florsheim Signed “Evening Tide” Oil on Board Painting
Located in Indianapolis, IN
An oil on board painting by the American artist Richard Florsheim (1916-1979). Titled Evening Tide, this abstract work depicts a snaking shoreline with calm waters and a deep blue sk...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Lithograph by Pierre Olofsson - Modern Composition - Sweden 1995
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by Pierre Olofsson, dated 1995. This particular lithograph is part of Olofsson's own edition EA (épreuve d'artiste), which constitutes approximately 10% of the original ...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Lithograph by Pierre Olofsson - Modern Composition - Sweden 1995
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by Pierre Olofsson, dated 1995. This particular lithograph is part of Olofsson's own edition EA (épreuve d'artiste), which constitutes approximately 10% of the original ...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Lithograph by Pierre Olofsson - Modern Composition - Sweden 1995
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by Pierre Olofsson, dated 1995. This particular lithograph is part of Olofsson's own edition EA (épreuve d'artiste), which constitutes approximately 10% of the original ...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Lithograph by Pierre Olofsson - Modern Composition - Sweden 1995
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by Pierre Olofsson, dated 1995. This particular lithograph is part of Olofsson's own edition EA (épreuve d'artiste), which constitutes approximately 10% of the original ...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
1969 Silvano Bozzolini Arte Astratta Metallo Smaltato Piatti Set di 3
Located in Brescia, IT
Silvano Bozzolini
Italy, 1969
Set di 3 Piatti
Metallo Smaltato a Fuoco
h 4 cm / diam 46 cm
h 3 cm / diam 40 cm
h 2.5 cm / diam 32.5 cm
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Mexican Newsprint Collage Artist Signed and Dated 1996 Titled "Hombre de Letras"
Located in Miami, FL
Mexican Newsprint Collages Artist Signed and Dated 1996 Titled "Hombre de Letras"
Offered for sale is a pair of Mexican newsprint collages signed bottom right and dated 1996. These...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Large Contemporary Hand Embellished Color Giclee on Canvas signed FABRICE
By Fabrice
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning contemporary piece of decorative artwork by Fabrice.
Mixed media giclee on canvas with embellishments by Fabrice using oil paint and a fine brush.
Hand signed lower righ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Large Hand Embellished Color Giclee on Canvas "Titled "Conversation", Signed
By Fabrice
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning contemporary piece of decorative artwork by FABRICE.
Mixed media giclee on canvas with embellishments by FABRICE using oil paint and a fine brush. Hand signed lower right...
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Unique Decorative Panel, Roger Capron, France 1987
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Large decorative panel consists in 20 glazed lava plates fixed on wood and
executed on order for an italian collector from the Milano area in 1987
This panel with a lively line and ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Lava
Large Oil Painting by Joyce Roybal, Three Young Musicians
Located in Miami, FL
An original oil painting on rice paper of three musicians by listed painter Joyce Roybal (born 1955). Roybal is well known for his whimsical car...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
1980s Beatles Acrylic Wall Art
Located in Pasadena, CA
"1980s Beatles Framed wall art. This wall piece is made from a wood frame and covered in acrylic. Each Face on this wall art has a different color hue from gray, green, red and yel...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Carved wood and resin panel, 1980s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Large carved, modelled and retro-decorated resin panel fixed on wood. The thick geometric modules are laid on two levels, with a curved appendage in the centre. The effect and dynami...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Resin, Wood
Italian modern Topographic geographical map in wood frame of Europe, 1950s-1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Topographic geographical map in wood frame of Europe, 1950s-1990s
Three-dimensional geographical map of Europe on paper. The topographic map presents the states with t...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Panel with Female Figure in Meditative Pose
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Copper panel by Ravi Shing for LightWorks Resource, 1980s-90s. Panel with copper fibers joining patinated copper plates giving space in the center to a stylized female figure in medi...
Category
1990s Philippine Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Copper
Serigraph by Alberto BIASI, dated 1972
By Alberto Biasi
Located in Vicenza, VI
Silkscreen print on paper and plexiglass by Italian artist Alberto Biasi.
The work belongs to the artist's characteristic kinetic artistic production, which through his art implement...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
1970's Stoneware Wall Relief by Peter Tybjerg
Located in Kastrup, DK
Peter Tybjerg, (Danish) b. 1944
One-of-a-kind stoneware wall relief decorated polychrome glaze. Signed and mounted in a iron frame.
Denmark approx. 1970-...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Iron
Signed Andy Warhol Marylin Monroe Lithograph
By Andy Warhol
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Signed Warhol lower middle. Framed measures 49 5/8" h x 39 3/8" w x 2 3/4" d. Picture measures 40 1/4" h x 30 1/4" w.
Condition
As found in estate condition.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Joan Miro Cover of Volume III of the “Journal De Gravure” Etching Framed
By Joan Miró
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Joan Miro Cover of Volume III of the “Journal De Gravure” Etching Framed
Miro, Joan - Journal d'un Gravure
1964-75
Etching in color on black ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Cenedese Aquarium /Fish Tank Murano Glass, Sculpture/Paperweight Attr Licata
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great aquarium, fish tank in Murano Glass, by Cenedese and attributed to Riccardo Licata, well known Murano artist. This is an early piece with a big fish, t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Salvador Dali Divine Comedy Centaur Limited Edition Lithograph
Located in Bradenton, FL
1960's original etching on paper by Salvador Dali of "Centaur Inferno 25" scene from Dante Alighieri's "Inferno." The Centaur, a mythological creature symbolizing the fusion of huma...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Vintage Modern Contemporary Kinetic Art Mobile Wall Sculpture by Amidei 1980s
By Amidei
Located in Troy, MI
Unique wall sculpture by Chicago artist Amidei 1987
Kinetic pendulums with alternating deep red and smoked Lucite discs that oscillate against a white abstract textured canvas
Frame...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Curtis Jere Brass Style Brass & Copper Toned Sunburst Wall Sculpture, 1970's
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Curtis Jeré, William Friedle Style Brass plated Starburst Wall Relief. Featuring a handcrafted radiating circular form, with central three dimensional organic Brass orb, torch cut C...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass, Iron
Limited Edition 3/65 Bill Mack Signed Tribute to Picasso Huge Bronze Picture
By Bill Mack 1
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1984 low Limited Edition number 3/65 Bill Mack a tribute to Picasso bonded bronze picture RRP $100,000 (£78,50...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
Exceptionnel stairs "Cité radieuse" by Charles Edouard Jeanneret, Le Corbusier.
By 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
Pair of Paint Splatter Board with Epoxy Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece is a part of Brendan Bass’s one-of-a-kind collection, Le Monde. French for “The World”, the Le Monde collection is made up of rare and hard to find pieces curated by Brend...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Damien Hirst Silver Metallic "Pharmacy" Fragment
By Damien Hirst
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 silver metalli...
Category
20th Century English Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Modernist Pop Art
Located in Denton, TX
Oak framed with molded plastic Pop art design.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Plastic, Oak
Jacques POUCHAIN enameled wall dish with stylized sun
Located in PARIS, FR
Jacques POUCHAIN (1927-2015)
Beautiful brown-beige enameled wall dish with stylized sun decoration.
France, c. 1960.
Signed.
Collectible ceramic.
Height : 11.8 in - Width : 13 in
...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Framed Signed Handmade Paper, 20th Century
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Framed Signed Handmade Paper, 20th Century.
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Robert Mapplethorpe Botanical Porcelain Plate, Calla Lily, 1984
Located in Downingtown, PA
Robert Mapplethorpe Botanical Plate,
Calla Lily, 1984
Made By Swid Powell
The Robert Mapplethorpe porcelain plate depicts in black and white a Calla Lily made in 1984. It is lithog...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Robert Mapplethorpe Botanical Porcelain Plate, Orchid, 1987
Located in Downingtown, PA
Robert Mapplethorpe Botanical Plate,
Orchid, 1987
Made for Swid Powell,
The Robert Mapplethorpe plate depicts an Orchid made in 1987. It is ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Paul Maxwell "Ridgemont" 1985
By Paul Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acrylic Relief Painting by Paul Maxwell "Ridgemont" - 1985, USA.
Dimensions
60" width x 36" height
Condition
Good vintage condition; professionally cleaned.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint, Canvas
Paul Maxwell "Exterior Concerns" 1985
By Paul Maxwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acrylic Relief Painting by Paul Maxwell "Exterior Concerns" - 1985, USA.
Dimensions
48" width x 30" height
Condition
Good vintage condition; professionally cleaned.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
20th Century Fine Wood Marquetry Decorative Hanging Wall Panel
Located in Germantown, MD
A 20th Century Fine Wood Marquetry Decorative wall panel in great vintage condition. Depict two women with jugs in landscape. Measures 21" in width and ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Hardwood
La Casa Degli Efebi Ceramic Tiles by Giò Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Weesp, NL
Gio Ponti ceramic tiles La Casa Degli Efebi.
New Old Stock beautiful set of ceramic tiles with a famous design made by Gio Ponti in 1923 for cerami...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Victor Vasarely Op Art Framed Serigraph
Located in New York, NY
Op Art serigraph from Hungarian/French artist Victor Vasarely, signed in lower corner and numbered 32/250. The original work is professionally framed in a matte brushed aluminum frame.
Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Johan Adam Linneballe, Sommer I haven III, Mixed Media on Paper, 1993, Framed
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Johan Adam Linneballe, Sommer I haven III, 1993
Mixed technique on paper / Marker and oil pastel
Work signed by the artist and dated (pencil)
Wor...
Category
1990s Danish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Ulrika Hydman Vallien, Composition of Figures, Color Lithography, 1999, Framed
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Ulrika Hydman Vallien, Composition of Figures, 1999
Color lithography
Work signed by the artist, dated and signed P.T (pencil)
Sheet dimensions 65/50
Framed work
Ulrika Hydman Valli...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Italian Modern Aluminium and Glass Decorative Panel with Geometric Pattern 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern square satin aluminium and glass decorative panel with geometric pattern, 1970s.
Painting with square-shaped aluminum frame, with satin finish. Panel designed in glas...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Richard Faralla (1916 - 1996) Red Wood Construction Panel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Duane Richard Raoul Faralla (1916 - 1996) wood construction panel painted red. Dated 1-26-85
About the Artist:
Mr Faralla was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was an alumnus of the San...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large and very colorful abstract painting, Italian, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Decorative wall artwork, made of fabric, with abstract subject and square-shaped light wood frame. Pink-dominated background with numerous multicolored parts and fragments. Ability t...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Golden Record Carat Rec 011/100
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s The Beatles 24-karat gold-plated record, unframed. Limited edition of 100, 11/100 with “Certificate of Authenticity” included. Golden Record on a red Velvet wooden plate. Nice ...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Velvet
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, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative art 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 decorative art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Louise Heighes, Atlasproject, and Peter Keil. 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 $35 and tops out at $191,803 while the average work can sell for $2,184.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
E Renmark
Emmett Kelly
Hummel Plates
Lighting Agostino
Henri Samouilov
Thomas DeDecker On Sale
Original Enameled London Underground Subway Sign
Patria Watch
Schumacher Madame
Une Femme Douce
Tile Mural Peacock
Mac Duggal
Bedlington Terrier
Andre Ducuing
A Keany
Alfred Renoleau On Sale
Adolfo Arenas
Sexton Metal Wall