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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Style: Modern
Pair of Polished Bronze Bar Trays by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of polished bronze bar trays by Fakasaka Design
Dimensions: W 63 x D 37 x H 7 cm
Materials: Polished bronze.
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
Arkhè III Sculpture by Lea Munsch
Located in Geneve, CH
Arkhè III Sculpture by Lea Munsch
Signed and numbered on 5
Dimensions: W 30 x 27 x H 56 cm
Materials: Stoneware
Each piece is unique with its own personality and marks. Dimensions va...
Category
2010s French Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
Instinct Meta Sculpture by Lea Munsch
Located in Geneve, CH
Instinct Meta sculpture by Lea Munsch
Signed and numbered on 30
Dimensions: W 50 x 20.5 x H 33 cm
Materials: stoneware
Each piece is unique with its own personality and marks. Di...
Category
2010s French Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
Sardinia
Located in London, GB
Raffia tufting and satin stitch geometric with pink stones.
Category
2010s British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stone
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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 Albanian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Large african style mask
Located in Brussels, BE
Large African style Mask made out of rusty iron.
Please feel free to contact us for any additional information. We would be more than happy to assist you in any way we can.
Negoti...
Category
1990s European Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Iron
Art Glass & Peacock Mosaic Decorative Panel Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
A combination of special techniques and process has created glass sheets that capture the timeless and limitless beauty of precious stones, lava rock, as well as dream landscape.
Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass, Glass
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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
Glass
Wall Hanging Rug 6'7" : Ecological handmade weaving in natural fiber by meriem
Located in LES BERGES DU LAC, TN
All is Good Coming from Nature's Hands. JJR
In Tunisia,
I draw inspiration from its raw materials - earth, stone, fiber, bark, wool, wood - to re-enchant my disenchantment and introduce it into the home.
To ensure my heritage endures, I collaborate with the artisans of La Fibre Artisanale, who draw on ancestral techniques while adapting to today's essential needs:
Living better, simply, sustainably, and luxuriously
Maintaining a connection with nature through vernacular culture
Transforming everyday objects into works of art.
The idea of the circular lace-like woven reed mat immediately reminded me of early cartographies and astrolabes, a scientific heritage I wanted to blend with this earthy rug.
I added gold-painted islands.
My randomly fixed ceramics punctuate the piece with epic adventures, which each client can reinvent like an imaginary Odyssey.
" Meriem Bouderbala "
The CHABKA Wall Deco Rug...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tunisian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Natural Fiber, Seagrass, Rush
Decorative Wall Panel by Newanderthal for Superego Editions, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Decorative wall panel by Newanderthal for Superego Editions.
All made by hand as a sculpture in polyurethane painted with a special paint to obtain a resistant and soft effect like r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Rubber
Stella Benvenuto Handmade Embroidery, Argentina, 2019
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Stella Benvenuto handmade embroidery, Argentina, 2019.
Untitled.
The embroidery was exhibited in her solo show "Between sky and earth" at Calva...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Textile
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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
Art Glass & Artistic Mosaic Wall Decorative Panel Dimension Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
A combination of special techniques and process has created glass sheets that capture the timeless and limitless beauty of precious stones, lava rock, as well as dream landscape.
Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass, Glass
Art Glass Lignin Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
A combination of special techniques and process has created glass sheets that capture the timeless and limitless beauty of precious stones, lava rock, as well as dream landscape.
Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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
Glendalough Valley
Located in London, GB
Shattered crystals, mirrors, natural pearls, and vintage stones on mohair wool.
Category
2010s British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stone, Crystal
21st Century Plate "Portrait V" Kiasmo designer Vincenzo D'alba +Antonio Marras
Located in Ruffano, IT
The series Portrait consists of six plates where the plasticity of the figures merges with the geometries placed in the background. A language where realistic descriptions become dec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
21st Century Plate "Portrait III" Kiasmo designer Vincenzo D'alba+Antonio Marras
Located in Ruffano, IT
The series Portrait consists of six plates where the plasticity of the figures merges with the geometries placed in the background. A language where realistic descriptions become dec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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 divul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Platinum Leaf
By sicis
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum, Platinum
Frame by the French manufactory " DELF - Cadre d' Art - Paris " 20th Century
By Delft
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
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
Original Abstract Acrylic on Board by Rick Orr
By Rick Orr
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Original large abstract painting by American listed artist Rick Orr.
This is an acrylic on board, with a gold leaf wood frame.
Measurements: 53.25” Wide, 29.25” High. 1.25” Deep.
Category
2010s American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Clepsydra VI 80 Wall Mirror Blue and Yellow Leather by Atlasproject
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Clepsydra
As a journey through the time, where lives can cross or never meet, the lines run along the surface of the clepsydra mirrors, approaching the most diverse materials while ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Leather, Mirror
Art Glass & Artistic Mosaic Wall Decorative Panel Dimension Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
A combination of special techniques and process has created glass sheets that capture the timeless and limitless beauty of precious stones, lava rock, as well as dream landscape.
Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass, Glass
Aspects of Flowers Oil on Canvas by Rebecca Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful oil painting of a still life arrangement of flowers simply rendered in oil on canvas by Rebecca Cooperman. Exhibited at Lever House by The Leag...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Graville
Located in London, GB
Metallic beads, silk thread loops with rock crystal, and peridot stones.
Category
2010s British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stone, Rock Crystal
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Glass and Marble Mosaic Mother of Pearl
By sicis
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
Marble, Aluminum
Clepsydra VII 80 by Atlasproject Wall Mirror Blue Leather Brushed Brass
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Clepsydra
As a journey through the time, where lives can cross or never meet, the lines run along the surface of the Clepsydra mirrors, approaching the most diverse materials whil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal, Brass, Copper
Convergence Limited edition sculpture, cast in Marble Resin by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Convergence is a limited edition, wall mounted, abstract sculpture which draws on my recurring theme of movement with sleek flowing lines. It emerged from a series of sketches influe...
Category
2010s British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Teasel a Piece of 3D Sculptural White Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Teasel:
A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of white leather woven together by Louise Heighes.
Measurements are 11.6 x 14 inches or 29.5 x 35.5 cm
T...
Category
2010s British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Leather
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
Eclipsis II 80 Wall Mirror Marquinia Marble and Brushed Brass by Atlasproject
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Eclipsis I
The fascinating performance of the moon casting its shadow onto Earth inspired this mirror by Atlasproject. The typical geometries of the design and the refined materials...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Brass, Metal
Clepsydra I 80 by Atlasproject Wall Mirror Blue Leather Calacatta Gold Marble
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Clepsydra
As a journey through the time, where lives can cross or never meet, the lines run along the surface of the Clepsydra mirrors, approaching the most diverse materials whil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Stainless Steel
Little Monster Wall Lamp by Kajsa Willner, 2022
Located in Limhamn, SE
Two imaginative travellers: Little monster and Mr. Strictly was brought forward to the exhibition As seen by in Paris at gallery 3537 on commission by Rimowa. The pieces use light, p...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Sheet Metal
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Dimension Colors Customizable
By sicis
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
21st Century Plate "Portrait I" Kiasmo designer Vincenzo D'alba +Antonio Marras
Located in Ruffano, IT
The series Portrait consists of six plates where the plasticity of the figures merges with the geometries placed in the background. A language where realistic descriptions become dec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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
Marble
Italian Murano Glass Decorative Panel by Alfredo Barbini
Located in Milan, Italy
Murano glass decorative panel designed and produced by Alfredo Barbini in 1980.
Signed and with original labels.
Biography
Alfredo Barbini ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Murano Glass
Meridiana "Leonardo" Perpetual Calendar Nava Confalonieri Design Cuts, 1978
Located in Biella, IT
perpetual calendar Meridiana "Leonardo" by Studio Paolo Nava Milano production in 1978
by Giulio Confalonieri design and exclusively version for Cuts Torino 1982,
very rare,...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Beatrice Cenci Canvas Micromosaic White Diamond Topaz Jet Gold
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Contemporary Design, Crystal Rock Wall Piece, by Andredottir & Bobek
Located in copenhagen, DK
One-off a kind - Contemporary Design, Crystal rock wall piece, embody the surface of roscks and stone.
Made by the art and design duo Andredottir & Bobek
They have in this collec...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Foam
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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
Tannic Acid Plate, Steel Wall Piece
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A steel plate is treated by hand in a rotating movement with Tannic Acid from Oak. Different shades of blue become visible on the steel by the intensity of tannic acid.
Tannic Ac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Steel
Art Glass Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable Solid Finish
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Special slabs available
Two-sided
Curved
Extra treatments
Temper glass
Non-slip finishing
Special glasses
Borosilicate glass
Finishings
Chrome, Opalescent, Satin
Us...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass
Beautiful Handmade Artistic Mosaic Merilyn Wind Bespoke Options Available
By sicis
Located in London, GB
This colourful pop inspiration mosaic is an ode to the popular and unique Marilyn Monroe. The diva is still one of the most emblematic actresses of the big screen. Surrounded by mult...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Giovannozzi Home, Wall Sculpture, Marble and Metal Brass Finish, Italy
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
- Sculpture in metal and marble with various dimensions, created by Michele Arcarese Architect together with Giovannozzi.
- Inserts in marble type "ONICE FANTASTICO"
- Metal struct...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Clepsydra VI 90 Wall Mirror Blue and Yellow Leather by Atlasproject
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Clepsydra
As a journey through the time, where lives can cross or never meet, the lines run along the surface of the clepsydra mirrors, approaching the most diverse materials while ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Leather, Mirror
Giovannozzi Home, Wall Sculpture, Marble and Metal Brass Finish - Italy
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
- Sculpture in metal and marble with various dimensions, created by Michele Arcarese Architect together with Giovannozzi.
- Inserts in marble type "ONICE FANTASTICO"
- Metal struct...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Peter KLASEN (1935 - …) , « Experiment I » , 1972
By Peter Klasen
Located in Paris, FR
Peter Klasen is a German artist who settled in Paris in 1959. He joined the international Avant-Garde in Paris, fleeing post-war defeated and divided Germany. He is among the artists...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
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
Clepsydra IV 90 Mirror by Atlasproject Brushed brass Black Marquinia marble
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Clepsydra
As a journey through the time, where lives can cross or never meet, the lines run along the surface of the Clepsydra mirrors, approaching the most diverse materials while ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
Itinera Res Lunare III 80 Mirror by Atlasproject White Calacatta Gold
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Itinera Res Lunare III
Combining the stunning antique mirrors mirrored glasses with the warmth of hand finished natural materials, the Res mirrors will be ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Stainless Steel
Colourful Handmade Artistic Mosaic Merilyn Wind Bespoke Options Available
By sicis
Located in London, GB
This colourful pop inspiration mosaic is an ode to the popular and unique Marilyn Monroe. The diva is still one of the most emblematic actresses of the big screen. Surrounded by mult...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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
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
Art Glass Waves Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
A combination of special techniques and process has created glass sheets that capture the timeless and limitless beauty of precious stones, lava rock, as well as dream landscape.
Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass
Amazing Artemisia Gentileschi Micromosaic Canvas White Diamonds Jet Gold
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
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.