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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
1997 Mary Carothers "Untitled" Aluminum Road Sign Car with Antlers
Located in Dayton, OH
Mary Carothers – Untitled, 1997 – Vinyl on Painted Aluminum (Road Sign). Not many people have spent time in the Arctic Circle for the sake of art or have frozen a car as a statement ...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 2" 'Available Numbers 1-3-4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flatbed press and finished with a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 1" 'Available Numbers 2-3-4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flatbed press and finished with a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 4" 'Available Numbers 1-2-3'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flat bed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Lithograph Framed Under Glass, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lithograph framed under glass, 1990. Lithograph framed in an elegant frame under glass, circa 1990. H: 84 cm, W: 63.5 cm, D: 2 cm
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

Corona, Sculptural 3D Wall Art, Hand Veneered in Wenge, by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Inspired by the 2015 solar eclipse, Corona captures that magical moment when only the glowing ring of the sun can be seen as the moon blocks out direct sunlight. This mesmerising piece of illuminated wall art...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Schumacher Orissa Wallpaper Mural in Alabaster
Located in New York, NY
Capturing the look of artisanal processes like ikat or shibori, this 12-foot tall panel wallcovering has a soft, watercolor effect and alludes to a lush se...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson: Official Publication by Harley-Davidson, Inc. Bolfert, Thomas C. Published by Harley-Davidson Inc. Milwaukee, 1989 The Big Book Of Harley-Davidso...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

American Contemporary Wire and Steel Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
American Contemporary steel wall plaque with wired geometrical web design patterns
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Steel

Lisbon Tiles Wall Art, Original Artwork, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal
Located in Lisboa, PT
Alfama Wall Art, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. The Alfama wall art is an original artwork, exclusively designed and handcrafted by G...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Chrysanthemum a Piece of 3D Sculptural Pink Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Chrysanthemum: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of pink leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 17 x 17 inches or 43 x 43 cm ...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Yarmack American Post-War Brass and Red Painted Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-War Design brass and red painted wall sculpture of various layers of free-form shapes (signed: YARMACK)
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Modern Dance Painting by Margaret Ware
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning contemporary painting by listed artist Margaret Tcheng Ware. A modern dance trio bathed in natural light. Absolutely beautiful. Oil on canvas. Dimensions 29" x 39 1/2". Fram...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Poul Esting, Tosca, Color Lithograph, Framed
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Poul Esting, Tosca Color lithography Number 22/36 Work with signature and individual number and title (pencil) Work dimensions 50/40 Framed work Poul Esting is a Danish artis...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Fabergé Court Jeweler to the Tsars Hardcover Table Book
By Geza von Habsburg-Lothringen, Alexander von Solodkoff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Faberge: Court Jeweler to the Tsars Book by Solodkoff, Rizzoli 1984. Fabergé: Court Jeweler to the Tsars Fabergé, Court Jeweler to the Tsars by G. von Habsburg-Lothringen and A. von Solodkoff. New York: Rizzoli, 1979. First English edition hardcover with slip case. 171 pp. A book on the history of Carl Fabergé and his work. For more than 35 years, Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920) was purveyor of exquisite creations in jewels and precious metals to European royalty, most notably Russia and England, and to the wealthy of the world. He was a designer of unsurpassed ingenuity and delicacy. He turned out a profusion of jeweled flowers in rock-crystal pots, enameled cigarette cases, desk sets in multicolored gold, silver and platinum, gold sedan chairs and coronation coaches...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Anthony John Padovano Metal/Paint Sculpture, Signed, Dated, Numbered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great modernism sculpture, by the well-known artist Anthony J. Padovano. Dated 1970 and numbered 2/6.signed.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Joan Lehman Geometric Brass and Glass Block Suspended Cube Sculpture Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing vintage sculpture by the noted glass artist and philanthropist Joan Lehman has forms of an inverted triangle and a square with a glass cube bl...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Georg O Wild Duck Carving, Multi Gemstone and 18 Karat Gold Feet, Idar-Oberstein
By Georg O. Wild
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful carving by the well Idar Oberstein artist Georg Wild. Made with multi gemstone and on top of Australian botryoidal phrenite specimen and yello...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stone

Abstract Painting Signed D. Filov
Located in Denton, TX
Abstract painting signed D. Filov. Very retro abstract piece. Beautiful and unique color scheme. This piece has a wooden frame. Great addition...
Category

Late 20th Century West Asian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Abstract Painting Signed D. Filov
Abstract Painting Signed D. Filov
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
Asian Picture "Ever Lasting Happiness"
By Chin-Chai Chang
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Eyes Hand-Beaded Wall Art
Located in New York, NY
Beaded Brilliance. Dazzlingly detailed, our hand-beaded eyes beaded wall art is a truly subversive showpiece at 52 inches wide by 25 inches high. Stret...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Linen, Wood, Beads, Glass

Black ceramic tribal mask - Circa 1950/70
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Original black enameled ceramic mask A hole on the back allowed to hang it on wall Circa 1950/70 DImensions : H 33.5 x W 22 x D 8 cm Good conditions
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

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

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Poul Esting, Carmen, Color Lithograph, Framed
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Paul Esting, Carmen Color lithography Number 21/36 Work with signature and individual number and title (pencil) Work dimensions 50/40 Framed work Poul Esting is a Danish arti...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Gold Leaf 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, Gold Leaf

Life Size Unique Pop Art Wall Sculpture
By Yves
Located in Miami, FL
This eye catching “One of a Kind” pop art piece of a nude figure in a swirl of colors portrays life in color. It is 1 of a 2 piece series.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Fiberglass

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

Curt Hillfon, Amaryllis, Serigraph, 1960s, Framed
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Curt Hillfon, Amaryllis, 1960s Serigraphy Work signed by the artist (pencil) Work dimensions 52/42 Framed work Curt Hillfon (1943 - 2018) was a painter, graphic artist and dra...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Bengt Lindström, Autumn Night, Serigraph
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Bengt Lindstrom, Autumn Night Serigraphy Number 95/200 Work with signature and individual number (pencil) Sheet dimensions 47/62 Unframed work Karl Erik Lindström...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Tile Panel Tejo Colors Handmade Decorative
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, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Charcoal Drawing Black, Beige, Red and White Michel Batlle 1987 Handworked Frame
Located in Salzburg, AT
Polyphem: Charcoal abstract, figurative drawing in black-red-white color on beige paper from Michel Batlle, signed 1987 Handworked frame, with white-gilded decoration, non-reflecting...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

OP-ART 1970 Henry Irving Three Dimensional Optical Art Piece In Painted Wood
Located in Miami, FL
Op-art sculptural painting made by Henry Irving. This is a very decorative piece of art from the op-art movement. The piece is a framed sculpture, created by an American artist, bac...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Dream Of Nordic Nights, B. Diener
Located in Port Washington, NY
Modern sleek painting. Deep and dark accents giving the viewer many opportunities for interpretation.
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Dream Of Nordic Nights, B. Diener
Dream Of Nordic Nights, B. Diener
$1,599 Sale Price
20% Off
Michel Anasse metal abstract brutalist sculpture.Les Bides
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and large metal sculpture by the well known artist Michel Anasse. This is one of the musician series, This is one looks like the bass p...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

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

ZEVS, Lithograph 30/75, Liquidated Google-logo French Contemporary Street artist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by the contemporary French street artist ZEVS. Liquidated Google-logo, this is number 30 in an edition of 75. It is 83 x 65 cm (framed).
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

1995, Danish Ege Axminster Vincent van Gogh "Olive Trees" Wool Rug/Wall Hanging
Located in Morristown, NJ
1995, Danish wool rug depicting "olive grove" by Vincent Van Gogh (1899). This rug was made by Ege Axminster A/S for their 20th century masters collection. The image of "olive grove" was licensed by Van Gogh International B.V. This rug is wonderfully executed and respects the genius of Van Gogh. The colors of this rug are strong and beautiful; browns, various shades of green, pinks, yellows, blues and lilacs are all utilized to wonderful effect. In addition to the work of Vincent Van Gogh, the Ege Art collection has included rugs depicting the art of such greats as Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, Robert Jacobsen, Andy Warhol and Rene Magritte. iEde rugs are an iconic piece of art that is made for your floor. They can be used to define a space and create a vignette that is unique and emphasizes your artistic side. Owning this rug would be a fun and lasting way to enjoy one of the most brilliant artists of all time. About Ege Axminster: Weaving together timeless Danish design, long-lasting quality, natural comfort and progressive sustainable thinking, Ege Carpets craft wall-to-wall carpets, rugs, carpet tiles...
Category

1990s Danish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Schumacher Orissa Wallpaper Mural in Blue & Natural
Located in New York, NY
Capturing the look of artisanal processes like ikat or shibori, this 12-foot tall panel wallcovering has a soft, watercolor effect and alludes to a lush se...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Tokonoma Karma Cabinet by Andrea Branzi for Superego Editions, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Frescoed cabinet (printed fabric) two pieces limited edition, original label, numbered and signed. Exhibit in Triennale of Milano for show Kama. Sex and Design, December 2012. Biogr...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

The Moon Goddess Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Moon Goddess oil painting on canvas. Great colors with a lady under the moon with a cat and owl around her. Very fine contemporary painting, stretch...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

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

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Bert Stern Marilyn Monroe Silkscreen and Serigraph Custom Framed Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This signed Bert Stern vintage silkscreen and serigraph of an abstract Marilyn Monroe is from 1962. It is marked Avant Garde Collectors Proof X111 Red. ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Angel's World the New York Photographs of Angelo Rizzoto. Lesy, Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Angel's World: The New York Photographs of Angelo Rizzoto. Lesy, Michael First edition of this collection of photographs. Quarto, original black cloth, illustrated. Inscribed by Mi...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Curtis Jere Wall Sculpture Herd of Running Gazelles
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Tin with gold highlights, a wall-mounted sculpture of a herd of running gazelles. Wall sculpture designed by Curtis Jere. Each gazelle is about 24 in.  
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

large ceramic dish signed VANDEVILLE, circa 1950/1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
large ceramic dish signed VANDEVILLE, circa 1950/1960
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

André Masson, Femme, 1975, Lithograph
Located in Saint ouen, FR
André Masson, Femme, 1975 Color lithograph on Arches Paper Signed at the lower right part of the artwork. From the series "I dream" Framed Dimensio...
Category

1970s European Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Large White Gold Ceramic Plate Majolica, Decorative Wall Dish, Bowl Deruta Italy
Located in Recanati, IT
Large ceramic plate in white and gold luster, hand painted in Italy and handmade with the pottery wheel. This majolica plate can be used as a centerpiece...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold

Custom Made Letter Sign in Solid Brass by Cain Studio, Made in the USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Custom Made Letter Sign in Solid Brass by Cain Studio, USA Made – the perfect addition to any space! Hand crafted in Los Angeles by skilled artisans with precision an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper, Stainless Steel, Chrome, Nickel

Emerson Woelffer Bonze Sculpture, Abstract Face, Signed, Dated, Numbered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice modern abstract Face, by the well known artist, Emerson Woelffer. Signed, numbered 1/4 and dated 1947.
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Bronze

Frame by the French Manufactory "Delf, Cadre D' Art, Paris", 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Frame, arched and multi-coloured frame moulding; model frame by the French manufacturer DELF - Cadre d' art - Paris Overall dimensions 75 x 65 cm; inlay dimensions 60,5 x 50,5 cm. Inscribed with the original selling price...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Lakeshore
Located in London, GB
Beautiful piece of contemporary art that will be the focal point of the room. Gold metallic embroidery. Gold bullions, pearls crushed, 3D beads, and flat gold metal yarn with hand-p...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metallic Thread

Lakeshore
Lakeshore
$5,114
Hand Made Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid
Located in Miami, FL
Hand Built Abstract Sculptural Glazed Ceramic Box. Fitted Lid Offered for sale is a handmade abstract form ceramic box that is signed and dated by Rexx Fischer. The box is both func...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Fossil
Located in London, GB
Hand-embroidered artwork with 3d sequins forms in multiple applications with a fossil.
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stone

Fossil
Fossil
$3,351
Modern Color Full Glass Sculpture by Theresa
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Modern color full glass sculpture by Theresa.
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Artistic Mosaic Handmade 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

Chrysanthemum: A Piece of 3D Sculptural Cream Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Chrysanthemum: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of cream leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 25.5 x 25.5 inches or 65 x 65...
Category

2010s European Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Luis Vidal Collage "Paper Rabbit", circa 2009, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
Luis Vidal Collage. Very decorative. Unique Piece. Circa 2022, Spain. Very good condition. Modernism is both a philosophical and arts movement that arose from broad transformati...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Moonlit Elsewhere
Located in London, GB
Hand-embroidered matt sequins with natural pearls, aluminum shards, and fabric manipulations.
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Expressionist Portrait of a Woman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Expressionist portrait of a woman that alludes to the Fauvist movement filled with garnet, scarlet and deep brown color fields. Bright green, yellow and blue accents highlight the ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

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.

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