Functional Art
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Vintage Regency Gilt Tipped Monkey Light Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
-dimensional piece of functional wall art that adds exceptional character and depth to any high-end interior
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Regency Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
1990s Hand Carved Marble Antique Fireplace of Light-Toned
Located in Marbella, ES
, this fireplace brings warmth, luxury, and harmony to any setting. An authentic piece that fuses art and
Category
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
Scandinavian Modern Modular Brass Candelabra with Glass Shades
Located in London, GB
.
A highly decorative and collectible Mid-Century Modern object, equally compelling as functional
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candelabras
Materials
Brass
Very Long Sculptural Teak Wood Bench, Modern Organic, Stunning Wood Textures
By Asian Modern
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
edges and rhythmic profile create a sense of movement, allowing the bench to stand as a functional work
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Benches
Materials
Teak
Middle Eastern Qajar Vase Converted to a Table Lamp, Late 1800s to Early 1900s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Qajar ceramic and later lighting elements create a harmonious blend of decorative art and functional
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Islamic Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic
French ‘Herbier’ Ceramic Sunburst Wall Mirror by Roger Capron, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
beyond vases and tiles into furniture, crafting tables that were functional works of art. His work
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Ceramic, Mirror
Middle of 19th Century Central Asia Turkmen Chodur Chuval
Located in Sultanahmet, 34
Chavdur Turkmen textile from the mid-19th century. It's not just a carpet; it's a functional work of art
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Central Asian Central Asian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Stella Box Irish Green
Emperador By Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
accent designed to elevate the art of functional display.
Materials: Irish Green & Emperador
Dimensions
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Stella Box Nero
Arabescato By Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
accent designed to elevate the art of functional display.
Materials: Nero & Arabescato
Dimensions: L17 x
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
$390 / item
Stella Box Travertine
Arabescato By Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
accent designed to elevate the art of functional display.
Materials: Travertine
Arabescato
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Vintage Southwest Native American Woven Woven Reed Basket 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
the piece. It serves as both a functional item and a decorative art piece, reflecting the rich
Category
20th Century Decorative Baskets
Materials
Reed
$360 Sale Price
20% Off
France Pebble table lamp by François Chatain, 1980s
Located in Oirlo, LI
has been exceptionally well preserved and radiates both charm and sophistication. It is a functional
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Sculptural Teak Wood Bench, Modern Organic, Stunning Wood Textures
By Asian Modern
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
edges and rhythmic profile create a sense of movement, allowing the bench to stand as a functional work
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Benches
Materials
Teak
Stella Box Blue Onyx
Terreno Gold By Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
accent designed to elevate the art of functional display.
Materials: Blue Onyx & Terreno Gold
Dimensions
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Organic Modern Mario Lopez Torres Style Green Rattan Lamps 1980s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Benalmadena, ES
sculptural silhouette that blends functional lighting with distinct folk art aesthetics. The complex lattice
Category
Vintage 1980s Mexican Organic Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Sultana
Sculptural Dining Table by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
is both functional and a work of art, this Mulhauser Sultana table stands as a testament to the
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
1980s Modern Magazine Rack in Brass and Iron Designed by David Marshall
By David Marshall
Located in Marbella, ES
, merging functionality and art. Ideal for sophisticated spaces, both classic and modern, this magazine rack
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Bronze
Lapiuta wood gueridon by Antoine Maurice
By Antoine Maurice
Located in Paris, FR
approach to design, which combines functional objects and art.Antoine aspires to create unique, handcrafted
Category
2010s French Minimalist Gueridon
Materials
Beech
$5,864 / item
Chrome and Glass Flower Form Center Table Attributed to Frank Stella, USA, 1980
By Frank Stella
Located in Madrid, ES
bold character.
Merging elements of art and functional design, this center table reflects a postmodern
Category
Vintage 1980s American Center Tables
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Valentino Garavani Rose Edition Atelier Crossbody Shoulder Bag
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Rome, Rome
, transforming the bag into a wearable piece of haute couture art. Functional yet luxurious, the bag features a
Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
Two 1980s Iconic Lino Sabattini Minimalist Silver Plated Chandeliers
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
candelabras are a beautiful and functional work of art, providing both ambient lighting and a striking
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Minimalist Candelabras
Materials
Silver Plate
5 x 14 Hand-Knotted Old Heriz Runner Rug – Wool, Bold Medallion Desi
Located in Dallas, TX
than just a decorative accent, this Heriz runner is a functional work of art that tells a story through
Category
Vintage 1980s Persian Other Central Asian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Mid-20th Century Swedish Flat Weave Rug
Located in New York, NY
rug not only a decorative textile but also a functional work of art.
Showcasing the finest materials
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavia...
Materials
Wool
Franz West "HAUS LANGE" Cast Bronze Chandelier (Abstract Form)
By Franz West
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
a long dining table, it would evoke long philosophic conversations about the state of art objecthood
Category
1990s Italian Industrial Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Iron
Dualités Armchair by Antoine Maurice
By Antoine Maurice
Located in Paris, FR
own approach to design, which combines functional objects and art.Antoine aspires to create unique
Category
2010s French Minimalist Stools
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Drinking Glasses by Riihimäki Finland, Set of 6
By Riihimaki
Located in KUTNO, PL
small work of art in functional glass — available in many beautiful shades, from blues and greens to
Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Vintage Murano Candy Bowl with Lid - White and Transparent, Italy, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
timeless highlight for your home! This exquisite glass art combines functionality with style and is perfect
Category
20th Century Italian Serving Bowls
Materials
Glass
Handcrafted Studio Pottery Vessel by Rikki with Unique Brown Glaze
Located in West Hollywood, CA
studio ceramics and stands as a one-of-a-kind piece of functional or purely decorative art.
Measurements
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Urns
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century French Iron
Marble Scale
Located in High Point, NC
workshop pieces from this period. Ideal as a functional objet d’art, it brings historical character and
Category
Antique 19th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Iron
PRIVAT LAMPE I Metal Abstract Floor Lamp (Prototype) / Franz West (Austria)
By Franz West
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Actionism, the piece challenges traditional design by elevating functional objects into art, featuring an
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Industrial Floor Lamps
Materials
Iron
1950s Gio Ponti Style Mid-century Modern Brass Shield Italian Wall Mirror
By Gio Ponti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
materials, and functional design. It is a beautiful and functional piece of art that would complement any
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Brass
1960s Vintage Italian Oversized Sunglasses by Emilio Pucci
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Pucci sunglasses are more than functional—they're wearable art.
They are in very good condition
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Sunglasses
Pair of Picasso "Le Roi Badadakharida" Licensed Tognana, Oil/Vinegar Cruets
By (after) Pablo Picasso
Located in Beirut, LB
, offering a functional piece of art for the kitchen or as a unique decorative object.
The base is clearly
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bottles
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Exceptional Fortuny Textile Pillows from 1940s Italian Villa Draperies
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, and luxurious down-filled inserts, seamlessly blending historic textile art with modern functionality
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Rococo Pillows and Throws
Materials
Cotton, Linen
Pair of Exceptional Fortuny Textile Pillows from 1940s Italian Villa Draperies
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, and luxurious down-filled inserts, seamlessly blending historic textile art with modern functionality
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Rococo Pillows and Throws
Materials
Cotton, Linen
Vintage Rosenthal Studio Line Dinnerware Set Eduardo Paolozzi Design
By Eduardo Paolozzi, Rosenthal
Located in Bastogne, BE
a piece of design history that is both functional and a work of art.
Category
Vintage 1970s German Tableware
Materials
Porcelain
Crystal ashtray, Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Conversano, IT
image of Italian design poised between functionality and lyricism, between applied art and sculptural
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Floor Lamps in Chrome
Brass by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
sophisticated design highlights Springer’s ability to elevate functional objects into sculptural art pieces. The
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Mid-Century Silver Owl Sculpture, Italy, 1960s.
By Raymor, Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Guido Gambone
Located in Malmö, SE
between functional ware and art objects. This period established Bitossi not only as a traditional ceramic
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware
Postmodern Gaston Valet Stand by Marc Sadler for Boffi, Italy 1990s
By Marc Sadler, Riccardo Boffi
Located in Renens, CH
item transforming it from something just functional to an object of art.
Marc Sadler has designed
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
Materials
Metal, Brass
Tankette by Paolo Pallucco
Mireille Rivier
By Paolo Pallucco
Mireille Rivier
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
consider this table more as a piece of art than a functional table.
Info from the original catalogue in
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Carlo Malnati Signed Coffee Table – Sculptural Masterpiece in Wood Inlay
By Carlo Malnati
Located in HAARLEM, NL
abstraction—making it a conversation starter that bridges fine art and functional design.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Side Tables
Materials
Lacquer
1960s Vintage Handcrafted Burl Redwood Chair and Ottoman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
, each piece features naturally twisted, free-form wood sculpted into a striking, functional work of art
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$3,160 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of Four Mid-Century Modernist Polished Brass Sconces by Paavo Tynell
By Paavo Tynell
Located in New York, NY
subtle detailing, characteristic of Tynell's ability to elevate functional objects into works of art
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
France Pebble table lamp by François Chatain, 1980s
Located in Oirlo, LI
functional work of art, ideal for collectors and design lovers who appreciate pieces that are as expressive
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Furniture (Edition of 8), Rick Owens 2009
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Furniture by Rick Owens is a striking art and design monograph that documents the visionary fashion
Category
Early 2000s Books
Materials
Paper
Rare Mid-Century Curved Back Sofa in Book-Matched Walnut signed Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Springer’s legacy, this sofa is both an objet d’art and a functional piece, showcasing his ability to
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
Emilia Castillo Silver-Plated Monkey Pitcher, Mexican Modernism
By Los Castillo, Emilia Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
functional piece of art—perfect for design-forward interiors and curated collections.
The pitcher retains
Category
Vintage 1980s Mexican Modern Pitchers
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Vintage Russell Woodard Flower and Leaf Wrought Iron Dining Set
By Russell Woodard
Located in Omaha, NE
floral and leaf patterns, this set is both a piece of art and a functional outdoor furniture set, perfect
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
$2,471 Sale Price / set
30% Off
1970s Lightolier Brass Waterfall Cage Lamp with New White Glass Diffusers
By Lightolier, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chattanooga, TN
the 1970s, stands as a mesmerizing blend of sculptural art and functional lighting. Its form resembles
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Italian Lacquered Wood Corinthian Column Étagère by Fornasetti, 1996
By Fornasetti
Located in Chicago, IL
fine art met functional design.
His aesthetic blends classical motifs, such as Roman architecture, sun
Category
1990s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood
Pair of Glass and Brass Wall Lights by Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors, Sweden, 1970s
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in Karis, Nyland
. Fagerlund’s work sits at the intersection of art glass and functional lighting, reflecting the ideals of
Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Rare 1986 Limited Edition Gufram Multipli Cactus, Signed
Numbered 1257 of 2000
By Gufram Furniture, Guido Drocco and Franco Mello
Located in Los Angeles, CA
conceptual art and functional design, it stands as both a whimsical Pop Art sculpture and a practical coat
Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Polystyrene
Doris Leslie Blau Midcentury Moroccan Natural Undyed Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
storytelling traditions of Moroccan weavers. Both a piece of art and a functional textile, this rug is ideal
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs
Materials
Wool
21st Century Contemporary Funky Artisan Made Steel Gorilla Chair
Located in Wainscott, NY
combines art, design, and functionality. Imagine a chair that's not just furniture but a striking sculpture
Category
2010s American Chairs
Materials
Steel
Unique Hand-Carved Sculptural Wooden Throne Chair, France 1970s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
influences, the chair works as both functional seating and collectible art furniture that immediately draws
Category
Mid-20th Century French Organic Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Wool, Linen
1970s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Plexiglass Tray by Liar of A. Cavalli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
geometric pattern makes this a functional piece of art, perfect for use as a cocktail or vanity tray, or
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
Materials
Brass
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Functional Art For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic piece of functional art available at 1stDibs. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, steel and brass. Find 9 options for an antique or vintage item from our selection of functional art now, or shop our selection of 21 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of functional art you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. An object in our assortment of functional art made by Art Deco designers — as well as those associated with Mid-Century Modern — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made option in this array of functional art over the years, but those crafted by Jim Rose, Lionel Jadot and JZUZ Livingelements are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Functional Art?
The average selling price for a piece of functional art at 1stDibs is $4,285, while they’re typically $75 on the low end and $34,145 for the highest priced.
Questions About Functional Art
- What are the functions of art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024There are a few potential functions of art, and the specific function of a particular piece depends on its subject matter and medium. In some cases, art tells a story from history, everyday life, mythology or religion. Other times, its purpose is to inspire people to think about or feel something about the message that it conveys. For some artists, the function of art is to express religious devotion or to memorialize the image of someone who is notable. Art also enhances the visual appeal of the spaces where it is displayed. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of fine art.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024One example of functional art is pottery. The term functional art refers to items produced by artisans that have a function beyond serving as decoration. Pottery fits this definition because it can be used to store items, display flowers, serve foods and more. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of pottery.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between fine and functional art is its purpose. Functional art usually has a practical use. Ceramics, textiles and industrial design are examples of functional art. On the other hand, fine art typically exists to tell a story, convey a message or express an idea. Examples of fine art include paintings, prints and sculptures. Shop a wide variety of fine and functional art on 1stDibs.
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