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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: 1970s
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Fall Colors, 1977, Oil on Canvas
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

Dorothy Clough Swedish Upsala-Ekeby Horses Wall Plaque
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Dorothy Clough (British, b.1930) was born and grew up in the United Kingdom and attended Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland between 1948-53. With the help of a travel scholarship, ...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

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

Joan Miro Cover of Volume III of the “Journal De Gravure” Etching Framed
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

Curtis Jere Brass Style Brass & Copper Toned Sunburst Wall Sculpture, 1970's
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

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

Paul Purington Butterflies in 2 Lucite Boxes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of lucite boxes with mounted butterflies. Signed by the Artist Paul Purington. Very nice quality! One dated 1979 and the other 1986. Nice bri...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Lucite

René Genis, Lithograph on Bfk Rives Paper, 1970s
By René Genis
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Rene Genis Lithograph on BFK Rives paper Number 54/60 Work with signature and individual number Work dimensions 51/65 Unframed work René Genis was a French painter. Known for...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Midcentury Framed Enameled Plaques - Set of 4
Located in Pasadena, CA
Set of Four midcentury Signed Enamel plaques by MarCo Gaia and Marine Gaia 3 of the frames Measure 12 x 12 and the single largest frame is 13 x 13 to...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Enamel

Painting by Peter Keil, "The Lady", Painted in Paris, Black & White, C 1972, Art
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 by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Pink, No Frame, C 1975
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 where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Curtis Jere Chrome Plated Sputnik Pom Pom Wall Sculpture Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage chrome plated Curtis Jere wall sculpture is from the 1970s. It is not signed that we can see. It is authentic. It is a combination of 5 sea creatures we call sea urchins...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Chrome

Leonardo Nierman "Prismatic City" Modernist Lithograph Signed & Framed MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
"Artist: Leonardo Nierman Title: ""Prismatic City"" Year: 1970s Medium: Lithograph Signed: by the artist in pencil Numbered: Limited edition, 95/250 Beautifully frame with a na...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage Realist Woodland Oil Landscape Painting Signed and Framed
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1970s oil landscape painting. Features a view through the woods on a foggy day showing trees, grassland and a pond. The canvas is signed lower right and framed in wood with c...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Leonardo Nierman "the City Lights" Modernist Lithograph Metropolis Signed Framed
Located in Dayton, OH
"Artist: Leonardo Nierman Title: ""The City Lights"" Year: 1970s Medium: Lithograph Signed: by the artist in pencil Numbered: Limited edition, 95/250 Beautifully frame with a n...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

20th Century Gaetano Pesce for Expansion Decorative Panel Mod. Arcadia, 1970s
By Expansion, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Turin, Turin
Gaetano Pesce's works are generally eccentric, modern and carry a concept of "happening", which is the transformation of the object. Experimenter of different forms and materials, h...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Three Blue Artglass Objects Solboll/Sunball by Timo Sarpaneva Iittala Signed TS
Located in Stockholm, SE
Three blue artglass objects solboll/sunball by Timo Sarpaneva Iittala. Signed TS. Spherical blue objects from the Space age with glass threads inside. Mean...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art 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

Painting by Peter Keil, Pink and Orange Painted on Board, Modern Art, C 1972
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 where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil, C 1976, Framed in Silver Frame, Acrylic on Paper, Large
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

Paco Rabanne Electric Blue Space Curtain for Baumann AG, Switzerland 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Fashion Designer Paco Rabanne Rare Electric Blue and Silver Space Curtain for Baumann AG, Switzerland 1970s
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plastic

Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Orange/Red, C 1975, Signed
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 where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil, C 1979, Wood Frame Black & White, Modern Art, On Board
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 where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Fernandez Arman, Plexiglass, Paint Tubes, Mixed Media, Lucite/Plastic Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Arman sculpture showing paint tubes acrylic and plexiglass structure. He was very well known for musical instrument in parts and accumulation of objects inside clear plexiglass...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Plexiglass

Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Pink & Orange, C 1975, Art
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 where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Painting by Peter Keil New Frame with Linen Matting, Signed on Paper, C 1975
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

Oil on Canvas by José Herrera
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oil on canvas by José Herrera (Spanish, 1943-). Signed and dated 1973. Original stainless steel frame. A beautiful piece.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970 Pino Castagna Italian Ceramic Set of 12 Plates
Located in Brescia, IT
Perfect condition Artist sign on the back.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Pedro Friedeberg Signed Vintage Double Sided "Day & Night" Silkscreen Art
Located in North Miami, FL
The wonderful vintage cusrom framed art work of Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg is exemplified in this dual sided work that is a numbered and signed si...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plexiglass, Paper

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

Rosenthal Studio Line Porcelain Relief Plaque by Natale Sapone 'Limited Edition'
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Stunning wall plaque by Natale Sapone. The plaque is "new" because it has been kept in its original box. The plaque was produced in 1972 in an edition of...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

Ilya Bolotowsky Signed Modernist Silkscreen Vertical Blue Ellipse Series
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly graphic piece, signed by Ilya Bolotowsky (American, 1907-1981) from the early 1970s. Signed Silkscreen part of the vertical blue ellipse blue series. Silkscreen on Rives p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Herbert Fink, Shadow of an Elko, Etching on Paper, 1979
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited edition pencil signed and numbered 6/250 original Fine art etching by the very well listed artist and print maker Herbert Fink. This is signed and...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Large Midcentury Abstract in the Style of Jackson Pollack Oil on Canvas
By (after) Jackson Pollock
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful colors dropped, poured or spilt onto an extremely large cancels which is 5 foot x 8 foot. Unsigned and guessing the age it looks to be 40 to 50 yes old. Stretcher has suppo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

André Masson, Femme II, 1975, Lithograph
Located in Saint ouen, FR
André Masson - Femme II, 1975 Color lithograph on arches paper Signed at the lower center part of the artwork. From the series "I dream" Framed Dimensions: 50 x 66 cm.
Category

1970s European Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Herbert Fink, Lonesome Pine, Etching on Paper, 1979
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited edition pencil signed and numbered 126/250 original Fine art etching by the very well listed artist and print maker Herbert Fink. This is signed a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Max Walter Svanberg Painted Ceramic Tile, for Rorstrand, Signed Titled in Bac
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice painted tile by the well-known artist, Max Walter Svanberg for Rorstrand.
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Kurt Larisch, Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Signed, Dated, Title in Back
By Kurt Larisch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and large painting by the well known Austrian artist, Larch, worked in Mexico for many years. This art work is title in Spanish in back "Luna Congelada" his style is abstra...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Limited Edition "Baj chez Baj" Multiplicata Internazionale, 1972 by Enrico Baj
By Multiplicata Internationale, Multirevol, Enrico Baj 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely incomplete folio featuring 6 of 10 plates from Enrico Baj's mixed-media "Baz Chez Baj" printed edition on wove paper; each print from this limited edition has been signed "B...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Victor Vasarely Geometric Print with Purple Frame, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Colorful abstract lithograph with iconic geometric motif by Victor Vasarely, American, 1970s (Signed and numbered 137/250). Vasarely is widely considered to be the father of Op Art.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Abstract Composition
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Abstract slate sandstone composition by Nicole Cormier (1932-2020) Provenance from the artist atelier.
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Slate, Sandstone

Margaret Smith “Near the Zócalo” Abstract Impressionist Cityscape Oil Painting
By Margaret Smith 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
A signed late 1970s/early 1980s large abstract impressionist cityscape oil painting on board titled “Near the Zócalo”, by American artist Margaret Smith. The Zócalo is the common na...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Original Abstract Painting by Listed Artists Tom Belloni
By Tom Belloni
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful 1976 abstract mixed-media painting by America artists Tom Belloni. The painting has orange, browns and gold colors. The painting is hand signed Belloni and dated 1976 on ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Resin, Acrylic

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

Six Round Framed Silk Screen by Edgardo Giménez, Argentina, 1973
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Six round framed silk screen by Edgardo Giménez. Argentina, 1973. The six are hand signed by the artist. -- Detail of each silk screen in order of the...
Category

1970s Argentine Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Drawing by Manuel Viana, Lithography in Black and White, Limited Edition
By Manuel Viana
Located in Salzburg, AT
Drawing by Manuel Viana, lithography in black and white, limited edition 135/300 signed Handcrafted wooden frame with white gilt decoration, non-reflecting glass Biography: The art...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Crayon

Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, C 1977, On Canvas, New Frame
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

Oil on Canvas by José Herrera
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oil on Canvas by José Herrera (Spanish, 1943-). Signed and dated 1973. Original stainless steel frame. A beautiful piece.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Curtis Jere Mixed Metals Pom Pom Starburst Hanging Wall Sculpture Vintage
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

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

Large Modern French Tapestry by J.L Viard
Located in NYC, NY
A tapestry by French artist J.L Viard for Murmure des Sylves. Tightly woven wool and wool blends. Signed on the front and again the reverse tag with an edition 21 of 100.
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

The Red Dot - Framed Abstract Silkscreen
Located in New York, NY
THE RED DOT. A framed abstract silkscreen printed on the reverse of a sheet of glass. This process makes the image perfect and seamless.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Glass

Signed Philip Perkins Vintage Cubist Painting
By Philip Perkins
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful painting dated 1970 that has great planes of color and field is by the abstract painter, Philip Perkins. His resume is impressive with early studies in Europe with maj...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mirrored Modernist Metal Wall Sculpture by Deidre Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modernist wall sculpture by D. Selig features mirrored glass mounted on steel. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Steel

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

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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