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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Ottoman Leopard Print 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Ottoman print number 2. Multi-color Giclèe print on 100% cotton paper. Ottoman personage against a ground of architecture and tropical flora. Bluette passepartout. Wide wood fashion ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Paper, Wood
1980s Francisco Toledo Mexican Modernism Mixed Media Animales Artwork
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Famed Mexican Artist FRANCISCO TOLEDO (1940–2019) the Latin American Master of combining diverse materials for mixed media.
Scorpions, Grasshoppers and Crickets.
No...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Other
Raul Monje, Patinated Brass Bronze Metal Wall Art Mexico
By Raul Monje
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
an abstract patinated brass bronze wall art by Raul Monje 2003 Mexico.
Framed 29.5x 21W x 1.75 D
Art: 24 .13 x 15.75 W.
Original Preowned unrestored Condition.
refe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Amazing Raffaello Micromosaic Canvas White Diamonds Gold Silver Jet
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
Large Brass-Framed Wall Art
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large brass-framed multi-media wall art on a mirror base.
Signed R. Bushong.
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Mix Roses Framework with Case Set Arrangement, Flowers, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
Life is a perpetual cycle with no beginning and no end: everything is, becomes and evolves according to its own nature. The universe does not admit of “nonexistence”: everything, eve...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Paul Slapion, Mixed-Media Abstract Painting, circa 1985
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul Slapion (American, 20th century) mixed-media abstract painting
Title: In Each of Us...All of Us #10
circa 1985
A fine mixed-media painting created with many layers of glass, ink and oils.
Visually stunning optical art.
Dimensions 16 inches x 20 inches.
Frame dimensions 20.25 inches x 16.25 inches.
Very good vintage condition. Lightly distressed frame.
Signed verso with the original "OK Harris Gallery...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Paint
Paul Slapion 'American, 20th Century' Mixed-Media Abstract Painting, circa 1985
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul Slapion (American, 20th century) mixed-media abstract painting
Title: In Each of Us...All of Us #2,
circa 1985
A fine mixed-media painting created with many layers of glass, ink and oils.
Visually stunning optical art.
Dimensions: 16 inches x 20 inches.
Frame dimensions: 20.25 inches x 16.25 inches.
Very good vintage condition. Lightly distressed frame.
Signed verso with the original "OK Harris Gallery, NY" label.
The OK Harris Gallery was an art gallery located at 383 West Broadway...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Paint
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
Light Coming on the Plains by Cameron Zebrun 1987 Mixed-Media Oil on Wood Panels
Located in Dayton, OH
Light coming on the plains by Cameron Zebrun 1987 mixed-media oil on wood panels
Cameron is a Renaissance man inspired by the natural world to create sculpture, photographs, paint...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Other
Vaporwave Style Kenny Dasch Sophisticated Lady Pencil Signed Print, 1988
By Kenny Dasch
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This vintage 1988 pencil signed serigraph, “Sophisticated Lady,” perfectly captures the spirit of the divine feminine. The female figure stands in bold...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
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
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
Itinera Res Venere Wall Mirror by Atlasproject
By Atlasproject
Located in Manocalzati, Avellino
Itinera Res Venere
Combining the stunning Antique Mirrors mirrored glasses with the warmth of hand finished natural materials, the Res mirrors...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stainless Steel, Brass
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
Dariel Studio Low Blue Candleholders in Laminated Metal for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Graceful geometry characterizes this pair of blue candleholders by designer Thomas Dariel. For this project, he defined space with slender curved ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Clepsydra I 90 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 while ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Stainless Steel
"Black to Color 2" Optical Art
Located in New York, NY
"Black to Color 2" wall-mounted optical art encased in acrylic by Leonard Janklow. Signed. From the private collection of the Coral Springs Museum o...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Gerard Diaz French Iris Pencil Drawing
By Gérard Diaz
Located in Roma, IT
This drawing is a view of a garden.
In the background, we see a high base topped by a statue of a 19th century figure along with other architectural ruins.
Central to the composition...
Category
1990s French Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
"Dayglo Square Float" Optical Art
Located in New York, NY
"Dayglo Square Float" wall mounted optical sculpture encased in acrylic by Leonard Janklow. Signed.
Category
1990s American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Bert Stern Marilyn Monroe Silkscreen and Serigraph Custom Framed Vintage
By Bert Stern
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
Robert Patrick Painted Acrylic over Vinyl Textile Fiber Art, 1991
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Signed by Robert Patrick painted acrylic over vinyl textile fiber art, 1991.
Category
1990s American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Fabric
Pablo Picasso Large Ceramic Plate, Tormented Face 1956 C117
Located in London, GB
Pablo Picasso Tormented face. Ceramic plate 1956.
Large unglazed light earthenware charger with raised design from the “Tormented Face” series . Produced by Madoura in 1956. Numbered...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Pierre Cardin Portrait by Yoshi Takata Black and White Photography
By Yoshi Takata
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait of Pierre Cardin.
Signed and stamped on back (see photo)
The artist’s dedication is on the bottom right.
Yoshi Takata was an artist, born in 19...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
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.
The outcome is always unsuspected. Eac...
Category
2010s Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Resin
Composition by Lars Englund, Sweden, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Composition by Lars Englund, Sweden, 1980s.
Aquarelief.
Measures: H 76 cm/ 2' 6 1/2"
W 33 cm/ 13".
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Plastic
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
2003 Abstract Painting Bronze Metal Wall Art by Raul Monje
By Raul Monje
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Raul Monje abstract art in patinated bronze metal, 2003
The artist used a sheet of brass as the canvas- colors and the shapes intentionally done with chemicals that changed color of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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, Stainless Steel, 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
Paul Slapion 'American, 20th Century' Mixed-Media Abstract Painting, circa 1985
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul Slapion (American, 20th century) mixed-media abstract painting
Title: In Each of Us...All of Us #9,
circa 1985
A fine mixed-media painting created with many layers of glass, ink and oils.
Visually stunning optical art.
Dimensions: 16 inches x 20 inches.
Frame dimensions: 20.25 inches x 16.25 inches.
Very good vintage condition. Lightly distressed frame.
Signed verso with the original "OK Harris Gallery, NY" label.
The OK Harris Gallery was an art gallery located at 383 West Broadway...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Paint
Katrina King Modern Abstract Painting on Steel, 2010
By Katrina King
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Interesting abstract modern art painting on steel or metal by Katrina King. "Abstract Arrangements" series made with hand-colored paint. Painted on a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Clepsydra II 90 by Atlasproject Wall Mirror Brown Leather Black Marquinia
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, Stainless Steel
Carpet Leaf Fenice, Handwoven Wool, Italy
By VG New Trend
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The "Fenice" carpet, in the characteristic shape of a leaf, is made of finely crafted pure wool, offering the feel of natural materials and creating the illusion of the rustle of a b...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Large Scale Geometric Abstract Painting by Dee Brown
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large scale geometric abstract painting by Dee Brown
Fantastic original acrylic on canvas by Dee Brown.
The painting is in good vintage condition with a few minor scuff marks c...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Artwork wall Panel scagliola decoration Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
Prometheus a Greek mythological figure is represented in this panel.
To this hero, a friend of mankind, are linked some ancient myths that had luck and spread in Greece.
Prometheus i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Schumacher Clements Ribeiro Deco Diamonds Geometric Dove Wallpaper Panel Set
By Clements Ribeiro, Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
A modernist collage of geometric shapes, this extra-large wallpaper design creates a striking, mural-like effect. It is packaged as two 12’ panels.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
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
Panel with Eye, White Color and Eye in Chrome Finish, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
A watchful eye, attentive and eager to involve and to get involved. An eye ready to take suggestions, inspirations and ideas coming from the outside and turn them into lifestyle.
...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Schumacher Clements Ribeiro Deco Diamonds Geometric Carbon Wallpaper Panel Set
By Clements Ribeiro, Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
A modernist collage of geometric shapes, this extra-large wallpaper design creates a striking, mural-like effect. It is packaged as two 12’ panels.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
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
Silk, Polyester
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
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
Silk, Polyester
Finely Framed and Matted Lithograph by Barbara Wood Woman with Hat and Flowers
Located in Stamford, CT
A finely framed and matted lithograph by Barbara A. Wood woman with hat flowers.
From Columbus, Ohio, Barbara Wood is a painter of modernist figures, es...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
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
Large Woodblock Print by Gregory Amenoff
Located in New York, NY
Very large format wood block painting mounted in a carved black and gilt frame. Signed.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Abstract Painting Acryl on Canvas in Black-Grey-White by Guillermo Aritza 1991
By Guillermo Arizta
Located in Salzburg, AT
Modern abstract painting in black and white colors signed on backside Guillermo Aritza, black shadow gap frame silvered on front view.
Born 1949 in Mexico, living since 1985 in Paris...
Category
1990s French Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Painting from the 1940s, Red, Blue and Yellow Color, MidCentury Art, New Frame
Located in New York, NY
Decorative painting from the 1940s. Red, blue and yellow. Children playing on a bicycle.
Framed in a beautiful gold frame with a linen liner.
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Buba, Duster Metal Handler and Feather
By Clan Milano
Located in Barlassina, Monza-Brianza
Duster coat with striped metal handle with engraved logo.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
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
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, C 1977, On Canvas, New Frame
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 a...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Painting scagliola portrait made in Italy , tribute to Kandinsky available
Located in Rimini, IT
In this wall panel handmade by Cupioli Lodovico the artist wanted to pay tribute to Wassily Kandinsky, re-interpreting his painting with our scagliola inlay technique, creating a pl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Vintage Modern New York Skyline Mirrored Wall Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish vintage modern wall art features mixed metal, acrylic, and mirror to create a New York City skyline effect with twin towers, Empir...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Mirror
Tile Panel Prisma Handmade Decorative
By Theia Tiles
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...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Wood
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
'Helsinki' Sign Designed by Jan Svenungsson, Copper, Unique, Sweden, 1991
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sign designed by Jan Svenungsson,
Sweden. 1991.
Copper.
Unique.
Dimensions:
H: 16 cm/ 6 1/4"
W: 40 cm/ 15 3/4"
Category
1990s European Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Copper
Anotherview n.14 On the Ganges During Monsoon
Located in Milan, IT
ANOTHERVIEW is an ongoing project that takes place in between interior design and video art. It transforms your home into a nomadic place, where virtual window leads to unexpected la...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Iron
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
Curtis Jere Mixed Metals Pom Pom Starburst Hanging Wall Sculpture Vintage
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Miami, FL
This Curtis Jere wall sculpture has dangling rods ending with balls as the tips meet a starburst of brass as the pom pom. It is mixed metals with chrome at the bottom and brass at the top. This Curtis Jere vintage...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass, Chrome
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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