Modern Decorative Objects
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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.
Early 2000s Polish Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
1990s Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Belgian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
Early 2000s Canadian Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Objects
Wood, Cedar
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Leather
Early 2000s German Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s Peruvian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
2010s Saudi Arabian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s French Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
2010s German Modern Decorative Objects
PVC
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Horn, Wood
2010s French Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass, Oak
2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1990s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Quartz, Rock Crystal
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Fiberglass, Plastic
2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Polystyrene
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ebony
20th Century Korean Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
10 On-Point Vessels for Flaunting Your Houseplants and Bouquets
Whether you're a genius gardener or have your florist on speed dial, every stem in your home deserves the best.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.





