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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: Mid-20th Century
Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
"Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century " Bernard Buffet framed poster, Galerie Matignon, exhibition from February 1 to March 29, 1980, Mourlot printing house. Franc...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
"Framed Poster - Bernard Buffet - France - 20th Century " Bernard Buffet framed poster, Maurice Garnier Gallery, exhibition from February 1 to March 29, 1980, Mourlot printing house....
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Richard Florsheim Signed “Evening Tide” Oil on Board Painting
Located in Indianapolis, IN
An oil on board painting by the American artist Richard Florsheim (1916-1979). Titled Evening Tide, this abstract work depicts a snaking shoreline with calm waters and a deep blue sk...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

1969 Silvano Bozzolini Arte Astratta Metallo Smaltato Piatti Set di 3
Located in Brescia, IT
Silvano Bozzolini Italy, 1969 Set di 3 Piatti Metallo Smaltato a Fuoco h 4 cm / diam 46 cm h 3 cm / diam 40 cm h 2.5 cm / diam 32.5 cm
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

1950s Modern French Wall Sign for Coffee
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s French wall sign for coffee. Great wall decoration in modern style; a sign in bright blue color with a red band and a kind of ribbon with the Jihair ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Other

Claes Oldenburg Lithograph, Pop Art, Hot Water Bottle, Pencil, Numbered, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Pop Art lithograph by the well known artist Claes Oldenburg ,pencil signed LR, numbered 26/100. Titeled on plate London 66(.image size along is 7.5 X 5.5 inches.) Framed.
Category

1960s British Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Exceptionnel stairs "Cité radieuse" by Charles Edouard Jeanneret, Le Corbusier.
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Exceptional staircase called Cité radieuse by Charles Edouard Jeanneret called Le Corbusier (1887-1965) Uprights in larch, eleven steps in exotic wood. ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Iron

Original Geometric Abstract Gouache on Paper, Geneviève Claisse, Fr. 1969
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Original Geometric Abstract Gouache on Paper, Geneviève Claisse, Fr. 1969 Geneviève Claisse Geometrical Gouache original work on paper, 1969. Galerie...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Pair of Paint Splatter Board with Epoxy Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece is a part of Brendan Bass’s one-of-a-kind collection, Le Monde. French for “The World”, the Le Monde collection is made up of rare and hard to find pieces curated by Brend...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Modernist Pop Art
Located in Denton, TX
Oak framed with molded plastic Pop art design.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plastic, Oak

Jacques POUCHAIN enameled wall dish with stylized sun
Located in PARIS, FR
Jacques POUCHAIN (1927-2015) Beautiful brown-beige enameled wall dish with stylized sun decoration. France, c. 1960. Signed. Collectible ceramic. Height : 11.8 in - Width : 13 in ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Cenedese Aquarium /Fish Tank Murano Glass, Sculpture/Paperweight Attr Licata
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great aquarium, fish tank in Murano Glass, by Cenedese and attributed to Riccardo Licata, well known Murano artist. This is an early piece with a big fish, t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

Joaquin Tinta Taller Ecuador Silver Plate Bird Sculpture with Onyx Eyes, Marked
By Joaquin Tinta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful silver plated bird sculpture with 0nyx eyes.
Category

Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of Jean Betourne Floral Limoges Enamel Plaques
Located in New York, NY
Pair framed enamel plaques by the Maitre Emailleur, Jean Betourne of Limoges, France. Each signed. Plaques measure approximately 5 by 13 inches and frame...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Enamel

Large Red Liebig Sign, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Red Liebig Sign from the 1950s. A French porcelain sign - enameled metal sign for Liebig Soup - Liebig Potage, made by A.A.F. Great looking wall decoration in the colors red and white with charming traces by age. Vintage sign - vintage porcelain sign wich will look great in your interior or kitchen, in a soup bar, restaurant, tavern, catering facility etc .... Vintage signs - Vintage wall decoration - vintage wall signs...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Skyscraper Neighborhood with View of the Sea and Park by Rossignol, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage school poster - school chart by Rossignol France. Beautiful design of a neighborhood full of skyscrapers. They have a great view on the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Gaston Chaissac, Lithographic Print, Composition with Face, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Gaston Chaissac, Composition with Face, 1960s Print on lithographic paper Sheet dimensions 64/44 Unframed work Gaston Chaissac (1910 - 1964), was...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Jose Maria Yturralde, Figura Imposible, Serigraph, 1969
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Jose Maria Yturralde, Figure Imposible, 1969 Color serigraphy This work is signed by the artist. It has a title and date Sheet dimensions 35/25 Unframed Jose Maria Yturralde was born in 1942 in Valencia. He was a doctor of fine arts at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and professor of painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Valencia. He is an ordinary member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Carlos in Valencia. In 1968 he was a scholarship holder at the Calculus Center of the University of Madrid. It was then that he started his first computer work. The first Computable Forms exhibition was held in 1969. He has received numerous awards: B.G. Salvi and Premio Europa Ancona, Italy in 1972 and the Juan March Foundation scholarship in 1974 to stay at MIT in the USA, Research Fellow at the Center for Advanced Visual Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1990 he was invited to participate in the Toyama Now International Triennial in Japan. At the invitation of the Union of Russian Artists, he went to Moscow, where he conducted courses and lectures about his works. He received an award in the Valencia Underground wall painting and sculpture competition in 1995. In 1996, he spent a month at the U.N.A.M. Mexico F.D and conducted various activities related to Flying Structures. In 1998 he returned to Mexico to exhibit his work in several museums. Also in that year he was invited to participate in the First European Triennial of Nature in Dragsholm Slot Odsherred, Denmark. He showed the works of Frame the Forest, Hyperweb and Flying Structure. The exhibition of his latest work took place in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Sao Paulo and Paris. He published numerous articles and lectures. He is also the author of books. He was deputy curator at the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca. He developed an artistic style close to science, such as his Impossible Figures. He introduced cyber art...
Category

1960s Spanish 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

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

Film Poster Affiche Le Cameraman, Buster Keaton
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large film poster - film affiche for the movie "Le Caméraman" - Buster Keaton. This yellow film affiche dates from the 1960s and was made for France by Créations Publicitaires OPF Paris. It's a plastic over paper film affiche. The original film " The cameraman " was a mute black and white film from 1928. As these affiche was for outdoor use to make publicity, it is plasticized to be protected for the weather. He's in vintage condition so with traces of use like little holes as it was beeing hung and also some creases so do view all pictures well ! This vintage film affiche is great wall decoration for movie addicts and lovers of old films and also for someone who loves antique cameras...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Other

1940's Oil Painting on Canvas of Rural Scene
Located in Houston, TX
1940's Oil Painting on Canvas of Rural Scene. Rural scene oil painting on canvas in a gilt wooden frame.
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Hans Osswald, Swedish Artist, Mixed Media on Paper, Fish
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans Osswald (1919-1983), Swedish artist. Mixed media on paper. Fish. Mid-20th century. Visible dimensions: 42 x 34 cm. Total dimensions: 51 x 45 cm. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Other

Gudrun Lauesen, Stone Mosaic Artwork, Signed
By Gudrun Lauesen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gudrun Lauesen 1917 - 2002. Decorative artwork set in stone mosaic with a scene of a rooster and chickens. Different colored stones applied to cement. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Cast Stone

Ken Beldin, Wood, Copper, Ceramic, Primitive Art, Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful jewelry box by the known American artist Ken Belgian. He worked in Taxco, Mexico in a modern/primitive style craft . This wooden box ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Copper

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

Betty Gold abstract geometric wood and gold leaf modern sculpture .
By Betty Gold 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful abstract geometric wood leaf sculpture, by the well known Texas/California artist Betty Gold.Signed and numbered 10/15 in black ink.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Ink Drawing Signed Stöteestenen, 1963
Located in London, GB
A framed ink drawing by unknown artist, signed “Stöteestenen 1963”. An abstracted figure sits in the foreground surrounded by marks and shapes setti...
Category

1960s European Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

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

James Gahagan Abstract/Expressionist, Watercolor Painting on Paper, Signed, Date
By James Gahagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
James Gahagan was an American abstract ? expressionist artist/painter , also known as colorist.The size of the work by itself is 9 x 12 inches also signed LR, Gahagan 61. Has the ori...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Blue Geometric Needlepoint Artwork Wall Art styled after Josef Albers
Located in New York, NY
A blue geometric needlepoint artwork wall art styled after German artist, Josef Albers, circa late-20th century. This needlepoint piece is admirati...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Jeanne Grut. Peacock Faience Wall Relief
Located in Kastrup, DK
Jeanne Grut (Danish, 1927-2009) A faience wall relief in the shape of a peacock with butterfly. Very decorative and extremely rare. Polychrome glazed faience on a unglazed background...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Iron

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

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

Michel Anasse abstract metal brutalist surrealist , sculpture, "Musician"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sample of the French artist Michel Anasse in this metal welded surrealist sculpture of the series " Musicians ".
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Dennis Sakelson Abstract Painting
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful abstract painting from American artist Dennis Sakelson. Stark, bold, organic lines bring a sense of movement to any room. Please confirm item...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Painting by Peter Keil, New Silver Wood Frame with Linen Mating, Acrylic, 1962
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

1960s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

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

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

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

Alexander Calder, Original Lithograph 15/90, Les Queles Deqoulinantes 1966
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by Alexander Calder namned Les Queles Deqoulinantes. This is number 15 in an edition of 90. It is 76 x 59 cm (framed), 61 x 44 cm (picture). It is reframed but have the ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage School Chart Bear and Inhabitants of the Carpathians
Located in Antwerp, BE
Old school chart of the Inhabitants of the Carpathians. This vintage school chart was designed by Marinus Adrianus Koekkoek (1873-1944) , a Dutc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paper

Offset Plate Film The Seekers, Land of Fury Film Offset Plate, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Aluminium offset plate for the film The Seekers - Land of Fury - Les Démons des Mers du Sud - De duivels der Zuidzee Film Poster - Movie Poster with cast:...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Original David Hockney Etching of Celia Birtwell
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Original David Hockney etching of Celia Birtwell, iconic British textile designer and fashion designer, signed, numbered 13 of an edition of 75, dated 1...
Category

1960s English Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Film Poster The Seekers, Land of Fury Film Offset Plate, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Seekers - Land of Fury - Les Démons des Mers du Sud Film Poster - Movie Poster with following cast: Jack Hawkins - Glynis Johns - Noel Purcell - La...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Pair framed vintage print of drawings by Diego Rivera
By Diego Rivera
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of vintage prints of Diego Rivera's drawings of indigenous Mexican children. Framed on linen board in a pair of period frame. In print sign...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

"Stonington, Maine" Painting by Janet Sullivan Turner, Oil on Canvas
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Stonington, Maine" Painting by Janet Sullivan Turner, oil on canvas, Signed "J Sullivan Turner" lr, Circa 1965. The painting from the artist's collection signed and named Stonington, Maine. Dimensions: Framed 24 3/4 inches x 30 3/4 inches wide, sight 24 inches high x 30 inches wide. Condition: Good Provenance: The Estate of the Artist Commenting on Turner’s work, Philadelphia art critic, Dr. Burton Wasserman...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

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

"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

Multicolored Geometric Screen Print
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century screen print formed of blocks of garnet, sky blue, and carob. The blocks of colors build onto each other against a warm, ivory background. A lined coat on top of the base...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

“Nightwind” Abstract Ink Drawing by Syd Solomon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A black and white abstract drawing entitled “Nightwind” by Syd Solomon, c.1964. The piece features expressive movements created by long and harsh strokes and curves of dark ink. A na...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint, Crayon

Painting from the 1940s, Mid-Century Art, Golden, Blue, Chocolate & White Colors
Located in New York, NY
Decorative painting from the 1940s. Painting has a beautiful gold frame with a linen liner.
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Abstract Landscape, David Lord, circa 1960
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful abstract landscape. Fabulous colors, almost pastel like. Acrylic on canvas laid on board. Antique ebonized oak frame. Unsigned.  
Category

1960s English Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Hardy Strid, Swedish Artist, Abstract Composition, 1960s / 70s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hardy Strid (1921-2012), Swedish artist. Enamel on sheet metal. Abstract composition. 1960s / 70s. The sheet metal measures: 33 x 25 cm. In excellent con...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

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 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

Wall Sculpture of Little Boy Signed William Westenhaver
Located in Pasadena, CA
An endearing, wood-carved wall sculpture by William Westenhaver depicting a young boy reading a book. It is made of very grainy wood enhanced on some parts with black, pastel red, b...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, 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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