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Modern Decorative Objects

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Bronze Sculpture Female Torso, XXth century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This refined bronze sculpture, embodies quiet grace and spiritual depth. It depicts a kneeling, armless figure—serene, introspective, and timeless. The soft, matte bronze surface ca...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Tea, Red and Gray by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Cosmos vase, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is made of three vases that create a sphere when united. Crystal version is available ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Lladró The Guest Small Figurine by Jaime Hayon, Numbered Edition
Located in New York City, NY
White, yellow and gold glossy porcelain figurine created by Jaime Hayon for the collection The Guest by Lladró Atelier with a white base attached to the piece. This piece is renowned...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Octagonal Glass Box in Emerald w/ Brass Fittings
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully colored and elegant Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Octagonal Glass Box in Emerald W/Brass Fittings originates from Italy during the 21st Century. Features an octagonal ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Christian Dior Sterling Silver Multiple Views Picture Frame with Bow Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning sterling silver picture frame was crafted for The Christian Dior Interior Collection circa 1980. With its three oval perspectives, the multiple-view frame can show a fa...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

New modern Flower Vase in Red Marble, creator Karen Chekerdjian Stock
Located in Milan, IT
The value of change in a simple act. Karen Chekerdjian’s new creation puts design front and centre: from one foundation, multiple possibilities. Whether empty or filled with flowers,...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pila Bowl Irish Green, Blue Onyx Verde by Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
To juxtapose marble’s natural veining, the Pila Bowl references the work of modernist architect Paul Rudolph. Reflecting the tension between built and organic forms in contemporary design, this stacked bowl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Pair of Disk Trays, African Walnut, Signed by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of disk trays - African walnut - Signed by Arno Declercq Made in African walnut, sanded and finished with varnish Measures: Large 43 cm wide x 43 cm long x 9 cm high / 17” wid...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Single Teak Wood Root Sculpture on Modern Steel Base
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful hand-carved sculpture from a single reclaimed teak wood root. Beautiful on both sides. Set on a modern black steel base. Own an Andrianna Shamaris original. Andrianna Sha...
Category

2010s Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Modernist Spice Brown Calf Leather Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
This luxury modernist leather picture frame was expertly crafted in England circa 1970. The piece features fine-grain calf leather in a warm, spice-brown color. The easel and back ar...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Supersport 40 Cigars Humidor
Located in Milan, IT
From the Yacht collection, Supersport is the smallest humidor of Maccarrone's collections. Metal accessories are in chromed brass and high gloss grey ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Bucket Natural Tan Leather Candleholder, Spring Flowers Citrus Candle 21 Oz
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
We introduce our leather candleholder’s collection designed at our atelier, hand-made by leather artisans using top grade European cowhides that become sub-product from food industry...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Glass

Signed Murano Art Glass Jar with Lid by C. Rachke, Italy, 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vibrant Murano art glass jar with lid is a signed and dated work by C. Rachke, created in 1992. Hand-blown in Italy, the piece features a rich amber body with dynamic swirling r...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Tiffany American Modern Sterling Silver 16-Inch Vase
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1908. Tall and tapering ovoid bowl; concave neck and turned-down rim and raised foot. Reeded rims and shoulder. Ful...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cucumber Ceramic Flower Vase, by Martine Bedin from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Cucumber flower vase was originally designed by Martine Bedin in 1985 for Memphis. An object not thought for simple use but for a long contemplation, the ceramic vase is a true c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Debbie Low Vase Black Gold by Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
Channelling the raw and rebellious energy of New York’s post-punk scene, the Debbie collection pays tribute to the legendary Blondie frontwoman with a mix of rock-and-roll audacity a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Caldera Vase Clear By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
A modern exploration of light and form, the Caldera Crystal Vase is inspired by Carlo Scarpa’s Tomb of Brion. In either clear crystal or with a warm umber centre, this stem vase is b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Hand Carved Rosewood Hammerhead Shark
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine carved hammerhead shark executed in vividly grained exotic hardwood on naturalistic stand.
Category

1990s Canadian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Zebra Wood

Contemporary Picture Frame Handmade Blue Crystal, Brass and Gold by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Crystal photo frame of excellent craftsmanship and artistic quality. The crystal has been hand sculpted and has an intense and brilliant blue fi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Brass

1 of the 2 Beautiful Baccarat Clear Crystal Candelabras for 2 Candles, France
Located in Rijssen, NL
A crystal masterpiece of beautiful proportions, this candleholder crystallize the extraordinary know-how of the Baccarat craftsmen. The different cuts in the crystal produce a magic ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Bomb Pop Handmade Modern Glass Sculpture Contemporary Art
Located in New York, NY
Have the tastiest dessert in town this summer with this new Bomb Pop inspired by the classic frozen treat. Bands of red, white and blue color are added to a hot bubble before blowin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

24KT gold bathroom design round dish tidy tray
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Dish in 24KT gold bath metal design .
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate

New Modern Flower Vase in Marble, Creator Karen Chekerdjian
Located in Milan, IT
The value of change in a simple act. Karen Chekerdjian’s new creation puts design front and centre: from one foundation, multiple possibilities. Whether empty or filled with flowers,...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Casa de Familia Ceramic Bottle by Josep Maria Jujol
Located in Geneve, CH
Casa de Familia Ceramic Bottle by Josep Maria Jujol Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 28 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Over a century ago this sculptural bottle was designed in glass. Now, a new, weightier version is reimagined in ceramic. A new and improved more durable version in ceramic. Its tactile relief and tapered silhouette are more evident. Josep Maria Jujol (1879–1949) is one of the greatest yet least known figures in Catalan architecture. He embraced a number of artistic disciplines with the same impressive imagination; he was an architect, a painter, sculptor, and graphic artist, among other things, and was Gaudí’s closest and keenest collaborator. After working with the maestro, Jujol experimented with many styles to establish his own creative universe, far removed from the conventions of the time. The Casa de Familia bottle, designed in 1912 for the orphanage of the same name, is a simple and humble piece that demonstrates his artistic ability. Only one photograph of the original model still exists, cleverly taken in front of two mirrors to show the work in full, now faithfully reproduced by BD and made to last for centuries to come. BD Barcelona In 1972, a group of young architects and designers from Barcelona started BD. Our aim was to produce and market furniture...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Alioth Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alioth Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1983. The Venetian glass vase features blue fusions and black threads. Signed on the base. Ettore Sottsass was b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Yellow, Green and Pink by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Cosmos vase, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is made of three vases that create a sphere when united. Crystal version is available ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Vintage Monumental Woven Leather And Wood Hinged Box Rattan Style
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage very large and monumental hinged box with a patinaed brass lever is woven leather and wood in a rich golden color. This does resemble rattan. The hinges nor the brass op...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Vessel 05 in Smooth Stoneware Clay. Handmade by Jade Paton for Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
For the La Terra collection, Lemon collaborated with renowned artist Jade Paton. Jade creates contemporary sculptures out of clay. Her main source of inspir...
Category

2010s South African Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Peach color ceramic vase handmade 24kt gold butterfly sculptures made in Italy
Located in Recanati, IT
'Alidoro' is a handmade ceramic vase, finished with a matte glaze in a delicate peach hue. The butterflies, also handcrafted in ceramic and adorned with 24kt gold using the third-fir...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate

Anodized Aluminium Sculptural Room Divider / Sculpture
Located in toronto, CA
Modular sculptural divider, use one or link them together to create a beautiful installation. The sculpture itself has slight movement to create bea...
Category

2010s North American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum, Cut Steel

Loet Vanderveen Penguin Bronze Sculpture Signed Numbered
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Loet Vanderveen (Dutch, 1921-2015). Artistic black and gold penguin bronze wildlife animal sculpture. Original Loet Vanderveen bronze penguin sculpture....
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Wheel Thrown Flower Stamped Buncheong Vase by Jason Fox
Located in Burbank, CA
Wheel Thrown Flower Stamped Buncheong Vase by Jason Fox American Contemporary Ceramic Artist Jason Fox shows his love of Korean Pottery and Buncheong Ware with this Flower Stamped...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware

Hand Blown Murano Vase in Green
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Experience the luxurious allure of this exquisite Murano glass vase, a testament to the masterful craftsmanship and rich heritage of Venetian artistry. Handcrafted by skilled artisan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Guardian Luxury Safe by Döttling
Located in New York, NY
Around the world, Döttling luxury safes find homes among select connoisseurs and enthusiasts of the finest locksmith artisanry. They originate from the Döttling manufactory in Sindel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Suede

A Striking Set of Four Venini Murano Glass Vases, Signed and Dated from the 1980
Located in CABA, AR
This stunning collection of four small Venini Murano glass vases offers a beautiful representation of the iconic Italian glassmaker's artistry. Each piece is a testament to the skill...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Piastra Art Glass Sculpture by Leonardo Cimolin for Berengo Collection Murano
Located in London, GB
"Piastra" a unique art glass block sculpture on a black enamelled metal pedestal by artist Leonardo Cimolin executed in Murano for the Berengo Collect...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Bronze Animal Statue in the style of Rembrandt Bugatti Sculpture
By Rembrandt Bugatti
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
The Elephant Begging bronze sculpture in the style of Rembrandt Bugatti is a remarkable example of early 20th-century animal art.The animal in a playful pose, capturing both movement...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Gucci Ceramic Catchall with Gilt Box, Italy 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and refined, this ceramic catchall by Gucci dates to the 1980s and reflects the brand’s iconic blend of luxury and functionality. The deep green glaze is accentuated by the c...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Black Lucite and Brass Decor Picture Frame, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning modernist picture frame was designed in Italy. The rare piece was expertly crafted circa 1970. The photo frame boasts a refined minimalist form featuring a thick black ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Brass

New modern Fruit Bowl in Red Marble, creator Karen Chekerdjian Stock
Located in Milan, IT
The value of change in a simple act, in stock. Karen Chekerdjian’s new creation puts design front and center: from one foundation, multiple possibilities. An essential shape and clas...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Brazilian Modern Black Steel Abstract Table Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Modern black steel table sculpture. Artist unknown. Brazil circa 1980s.
Category

Late 20th Century Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

James Bearden Containment Box #2
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural "Containment" box, a vessel in blackened steel, dyed bronze, and red glass enamel by American artist James Bearden. Number 2 in a series. Top lifts off revealing an abstra...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel, Bronze, Enamel

Cigarette Case red lines and and hand-engraved finishing Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Vertical cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enameled red stripes and hand-engraved finishing. In a modern contemporary style. Measurements cm. 6 x 2.3 cm high. 11. ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

21st Century Almeria Magazine or Shoes Leather Basket Handwoven in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
This masterfully hand-woven basket belongs to our iconic Almeria collection. Made of eco-friendly leather, that is washable, resistant to light and water, it's suitable for indoor and outdoor use as well. This small size perfectly works as a magazine holder. Perfect also as a blanket, shoes holder...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Sculpture with Erotic Theme by Gerhard Henning
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sculpture with erotic theme. Man and woman By Gerhard Henning, 1880-1967 Made in plaster, circa 1900-1920. Not signed Gerhard Henning, was a Danish-Swedish sculptor. His name was Nilsson before he took the name Henning. The art historian Peter Hertz mentions the name change in his book "Gerhard Henning" from 1931. In it, Henning's Sketches of Women...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Contemporary, modern, green marble vase, carved by hand, bygone vase FORMAR
Located in 中西區, HK
Timeless material, classic shape & modern craftmenship Give these vases a unique texture following each piece’s natural veins and pattersn immitating the timely erosions we seldom fi...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Eclipse Box by Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The unique Solar collection conjures the spirit of the mystical universe. Natale’s solar candles encompass mysticism and pairs it with clean architectural lines in an evocative and e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Travertine Marble Bowl, Italy 1970s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian '70s Modern Postmodern period travertine marble bowl vide-poche catchall, circa 1970s, Italy. Great as a standalone piece or as a vide-poche catchall. With makers' mark an...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Travertine, Marble

Hand-Blown Murano Modern Fluid Vase in Onyx Black with Bubbles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Commanding attention with its statuesque 22-inch form, this hand-blown Murano vase is a striking statement of modern glass artistry. The onyx-black core, bold and refined, rises thro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Baccarat Structured Hibiscus and Clear Crystal Vase, France
Located in Rijssen, NL
A crystal masterpiece of beautiful proportions, this vase crystallize the extraordinary know-how of the Baccarat craftsmen. The different cuts and vibrant hibiscus colour in the vase...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary Photo Frame in 24kt Gold plated Brass and Handmade Blue Crystal
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
24 kt gold plated brass photo frame. The frame is embellished with entirely handmade blue glass. Each crystal is set into the metal seat individually with extreme care and attention....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Brass

1980s Modern Pink, Green and Clear Murano Glass Bowl By Nason Moretti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A fruit bowl or centerpiece designed and manufactured in Murano in the Eighties by Nason Moretti in good condition overall, it's labeled and marked.T he bowl is crafted from high-qua...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Yoichi Ohira 1996 Murano Italy Crescita Abstract Vase in White Lattimo Art Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Rare vase designed by Yoichi Ohira (1946-). An unique one-of-a-kind piece of Art-Glass, created by Yoichi Ohira at the Murano island, in Venice Italy, back in the 1996. This wonde...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Salta Round Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Circular/Organic Shape Coffee Table Black Modern/Contemporary Blackened Steel
Located in Bronx, NY
TABLE NO. 7 J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 Cut from ⅜” solid steel, these abstract shapes work together to create a contemporary design that is both unique and luxurious. Finished with a n...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Casa Planter No2
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Casa Planter No 2 in Dripped Dark Pink Designed by Project 213A in 2023 Artisanal planter created by skilled artisans in Project 213A's own workshop. Hand-sculpted ceramic with text...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Casa Planter No2
Casa Planter No2
$960 / item
Wonderful R&Y Augousti Shark Skin Bone Picture Frame
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful R&Y Augousti Shark Skin & Bone Picture Frame
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Faux Leather

Large Hollóháza Porcelain Vase, Art Deco Motifs and Gold Border, Mid-20th C
Located in København, Copenhagen
Large Hollóháza porcelain vase. Art Deco motifs and gold border. Mid-20th century. Measures: 30 x 16 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.
Category

Mid-20th Century Hungarian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

1982 Howard Miller Limited Edition Mahogany Hourglass II Mantle Clock
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this 1982 Howard Miller Limited Edition Mahogany Hourglass II wall Mantle Clock. Hour glass II has a secret link with the futu...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Other, Iron

Signed Feliciano Bejar Green Cut Glass Sculpture, circa 1990
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cut glass and brushed aluminum table sculpture by Feliciano Béjar (1920-2007), Mexico, 1990's. His art sculptures dating from the 1960's through 1990's uses glass ground with either...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative objects 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 objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative objects 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 objects, popular names associated with this style include Venini, RAAQUU, VG-VGnewtrend, and Mosche Bianche. 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 objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $6,718,000 while the average work can sell for $1,174.

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