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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: 1950s
Painting, Midcentury, Color Collage of Flower Motif, C 1950, Signed, On Paper
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful midcentury painting. A very decorative color collage of flowers. The painting is signed PL and named Monachez. The painting has a red original frame. The painting has a wa...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil Painted in Palma, Spain, C 1959, Acrylic on News Paper
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

1950s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil, C 1959, The Lion Face", Framed, C 1959, Acrylic on Paper
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

1950s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil, Framed Face with Fashion Lady in the Back Ground, C 1959
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

1950s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Tuulikki Pietilä, Lithograph 4/12, Amalfi 1957
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by the Finnish artist Tuulikki Pietilä. This is a view from the Amalfi-coast, this is number 4 in an edition of 12. It is 48 x 36 cm (framed), 30 x 26 cm (picture). It i...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Georges Spiro, Oil on Board Painting, Still Life/ Surrealist
By Georges Spiro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Georges Spiro, 1909-1994. Surrealist /still life painting of the well known Polish/French artist, oil on board, signed., actual size of art work, is 13 x...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

"Bad Day" by George Crionas Lithograph
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary "Bad Day" by George Crionas Lithograph 162/200 from the 1960s and in great condition. The piece is title "Bad Day" and depicts a clown thinking looking out a window....
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Vintage Courrèges Bonjour Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold pop-art style colors and shapes with the Courrèges...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Vintage Courrèges Owl Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges cotton scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold pop-art style owl sitting on the Courrèges Paris logo. Set in a modern espresso teak...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Cotton

Beulah ‘Elsie Sloan’ Stevenson, Abstract Oil on Board Painting, Signed, Dated
By Beulah Stevenson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a beautiful oil on wood board painting by the well known artist Beulah Stevenson. Her works are in major museums and important collections. Labels in back from the Brooklyn s...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold contrasting colors in this beautiful abstract silk vinta...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Silk

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

Erwin Walter Burger "Fish" Wall Panel
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Erwin Walter Burger "Fish" wall panel
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Related Items
Original Peter Keil Framed Acrylic and Pen on Paper
Located in Wichita, KS
This painting is from signed artist Peter Keil and come framed in a black wood frame and new matte. These pieces are unusual and rare. I have another the same size that has green and...
Category

20th Century German Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint, Paper

Antique Signed Janson Belgium Oil on Canvas Painting of Young Boy Smoking
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1930's Belgium oil on canvas of young boy smoking which is part of a suite Please note the delivery fee listed is jus...
Category

1930s Belgian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Peter Robert Keil, 'Pablo Picasso', Paint on Board, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil (b 1942) "Pablo Picasso" Dated 1979 Paint on board Signed bottom and reverse Measures: Framed 33” H x 28.5” W Sight 27.5” H x 19.75” W Signed and framed ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Peter Keil Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Expressionist framed oil on newsprint paper painting, created in the 1950s by Peter Robert Keil in his studio in Palma. Signed 'Keil' on the ...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Original Midcentury Still Life Oil Painting
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Heavy palette floral still life done in primarily blues and greens. Painted by midcentury artist Etta Cien.
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Matisse "Femmes et Singes" Orignal Lithograph, 1954 by Mourlot Freres, Paris
Located in London, GB
Matisse "Femmes et Singes" Orignal Lithograph printed in 1954 by the renowned Mourlot Freres, Paris. This original lithograph was published in a limited edition by Tériade. Matisse's famous painted...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

French Framed Oil on Canvas Still-Life Painting Signed Morin, Depicting Fruits
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French framed oil on canvas still-life painting from the 19th century depicting fruits, signed Morin. Created in France during the 19th century, this oil on canvas painting features mouth-watering cherries and prunes displayed in wicker baskets and flanked with a copper strainer...
Category

19th Century French Antique Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Large Impressionist Oil Painting on Canvas Signed R. Blum
Located in Houston, TX
Large Impressionist oil painting on canvas Signed R. Blum. Beautifully executed antique impressionist oil painting on canvas signed R. Blum. This lovely large oil painting possibly d...
Category

1920s European Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

French Oil on Canvas Painting Streets of Montmartre Paris France Signed
By Edouard Cortès
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful oil on canvas painting titled "Montmartre rue de l'Abreuvoir" signed by G. Denis. This very decorative work of art is painted in the manner of Edouard Cortes that delig...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Midcentury Painting Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Attractive framed painting signed by the artist. Great home or office decoration. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Midcentury Painting Signed
Midcentury Painting Signed
H 41.5 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Fruit Still Life on Board attributed to William Federick Timmons
Located in Redding, CT
Fruit still life on board signed Timmons. Attributed to William Federick Timmons(1915-1985) . Rich colors of blue, red and pink make up this fruit still life composition. The composition consists of fruit in a pedestal bowl and the detailed drapes in the background. Custom framed. This item can parcel ship for $45. William Frederick Timmins was born May 23, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Harry L. Timmins (1887-1963), was a celebrated magazine illustrator and co-owner with Frank H. Young (1888-1964) of a successful Chicago advertising agency called Young & Timmins Advertising Illustration Studios. In 1923 Timmins and Young co-founded the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His father's impressive career brought the family a prosperous and privileged lifestyle, which included pleasure trips to Paris and London. In 1934 he began to commute by Metro North train to New York City, where he studied at the Art Students League on West 57th Street. He also took classes at the National Academy of Design on Fifth Avenue near 89th Street. In 1935 he began to study at the Grand Central School of Art, located on the sky-lit top floor of Grand Central Station Terminal. This was the same station he used for his daily commute. In 1935 he began to sell pen and ink story illustrations as well as painted covers to NYC publishers of pulp magazines. During the second half of the 1930s his work appeared in Western Story, Dime Sports, Clues Detective Stories, Thrilling Western, and All Aces Magazine. He and his wife moved to a home on Spectacle Lane in Wilton, CT. This area of Connecticut had become a popular artist community. He socialized with several artist neighbors, such as Benjamin Kimberly Prins (1902-1980), Tom Lovell (1909-1997), Richard Lyon (1913-2002), Al Parker (1906-1985), Rolf Klep (1904-1981), R. G. Harris (1911-2007). During the 1940s his cover illustrations appeared on pulp magazines, such as The Shadow, Clues Detective Stories, Wild West Weekly, and Astounding Science Fiction. All these were published by Street & Smith. In 1944 the family moved to Darien, CT. At first the artist worked in a rented studio in nearby Norwalk, CT, but after a while he converted a vacant family room into an art studio and worked at home. After the war he drew story illustrations for Family Circle and Liberty Magazine. In 1948 his father, Harry L. Timmins, and his brother, Harry L. Timmins, Jr., moved to California to open a lithography business in Hollywood. During the 1950s he illustrated several books for children that were published by Rand McNally, such as Cowboys, Davy Crockett...
Category

Early 20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint, Wood, Masonite

Contemporary Oil on Canvas Painting of French Storefronts Signed Rossini
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative oil on canvas painting depicting a French street and its storefronts. The blue, yellow, ochre and brown hues are very pleasing to the eye. This well executed oil on ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Previously Available Items
Painting by Peter Keil, Acrylic on News Paper, Painted in Palma, C 1959, Spain
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

1950s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

1950s Painting "Stormy Night" Casein on Paper by New York Artist
Located in Miami, FL
Casein on paper artwork by 1950s unknown NYC Artist depicting a steam ship dealing with a stormy day at sea.  Soft shades of grays and light blues gives a feeling of a serene picture...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Paper

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Antique Ikat
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique Ikat from Bali. Set in a modern two inch natural teak wood box frame. Andrianna Shamaris. The Leader In Modern Organic Design.
Category

1950s Indonesian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Antique Ikat
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique Ikat from Bali. Set in a modern two inch natural teak box frame. Andrianna Shamaris. The Leader In Modern Organic Design.
Category

1950s Indonesian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Reclaimed Wood, Wood, Teak

'The Descent, ' by Doris Klein
Located in Chicago, IL
‘The Descent’, an important oil on canvas by Doris Klein (1918-2002), dating to the 1950s. Depicting five abstracted and color-blocked female nudes hiding ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

'The Descent, ' by Doris Klein
'The Descent, ' by Doris Klein
H 50 in W 50 in D 1 in
Portrait of a Woman in Blue by Ruth Van Sickle Ford
By Ruth VanSickle Ford 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Portrait of a woman in blue seated in a blue wing chair by Ruth Van Sickle actual canvas size is 29.75 x 35.75 Colors are vibrant.
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris, France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage silk black and white Courrèges scarf from Paris France in excellent condition. Set in a modern espresso teak box frame. Andrianna Sham...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition from Paris, France, featuring bold contrasting colors in this stunning fish abstract des...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris, France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition from Paris, France, featuring bold contrasting colors in this stunning abstract design. ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris, France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage silk black and white Courrèges scarf from Paris France in excellent condition. Set in a modern espresso teak box frame. Andrianna Sham...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition from Paris, France, featuring bold contrasting colors in this stunning abstract design. ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris, France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition from Paris, France, featuring bold contrasting colors in this stunning abstract design. ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

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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