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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Mawu Chair in Snow by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak, Fabric, Bouclé

Tiffany Modern Frame for Portrait or Landscape Picture
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver frame. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Plain and flat rectangular surround. With glass, silk lining, and wood laminate back and hinged easel support for...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Echo Single Fin Ceramic Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These otherworldly pieces combine stark, futuristic geometry with the warmth of ancient ceramic vessels. The collection explores the dichotomy between digital repeating planes and an...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

Rosenthal Vintage Wirkkala Ceramic Sculptural Do Not Litter Paper Bags Set of 3
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage set of 3 complete white glazed ceramic crushed bags of white porcelain were manufactured by Rosenthal and designed by Tapio Wirkkala in the 1970s. They are called " The ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Salvador Dali Leda Low Table, Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda low table designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Legs are in a cast varnish brass. Tabletop in brushed and varnished brass. Carrara marble egg on top. Measures: 51 x 190 x 61 H....
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Doug Delind Ceramic Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Doug Delind Raku-Fired Ceramic 2 sided face Sculpture. Signed on side of base. In nice original condition! Face shows some lines in the glaze as seen in ph...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Ettore Sottsass, Shiva Flower Vase, Pink, Glazed Ceramic, Spanish, XXth
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase is sculpture and vase. It is a symbol of Ettore Sottsass and an icon. Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Baccarat Lead Crystal Rectangle Vase, Signed
Located in Ross, CA
Heavy let crystal rectangle Baccarat vase / jardiniere, made in France in the 1980's. Includes the Baccarat stamp on the bottom as well as Baccarat in cursive on the side.
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Wonderful Mid Century Modern Smoke Art Glass Crystal Large Thick Panel Vase
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Mid Century Modern Smoke Art Glass / Crystal Large Thick And Heavy Panel Vase Attributed To Baccarat
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

21st Century Penelope Round Laundry Basket with Leather Canvas Cotton
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Part of Penelope's collections, this laundry basket is designed and crafted exclusively by Pinetti. The elegant and practical round silhouette is beautifully finished with an ecru...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Cotton

Luxury Vase Collection "Love", Porcelain, Handmade Design Handcrafted in Italy
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Special collection of Love's inspirated hearts.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Contemporary Signed Italian Metal Sculpture
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and interesting Italian metal sculpture of contemporary art. The work is presented under an elegant shrine with a wooden base. Excell...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

A set of 5 gold fish handmade in Italy, Ceramic. Choose those or change colors!
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Questi artisti toscani riescono con la loro bravura a prendere ispirazione dalle meravigliose colline toscane ma anche dal prezioso mar Tirreno. Un buon bicchiere di vino e il gioco ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Polished Brass Candelabra by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
Located in San Francisco, CA
A brass candelabra designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn with 9 candle holders.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Modern Italian Murano Barovier Toso Art Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful attributed to Barovier e Toso, small and substantial Modern Italian Murano art glass vase with a controlled bubble design and a pink 'Ombre' coloring with shimmering g...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Large Candleholder, Varnished Silver-Nickel Plated
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Kubbe collection was designed with inspiration from the domes of the courtyards, shops and workshops of the Grand Bazaar, which has been the center of silver-smiting in Istanbul for ...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Nickel

21st Century Ovo Towel Magazine Leather Basket Outdoor Use Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Ovo basket: Compact yet capacious. Fashioned of resistant recycled leather, with tan or black this basket boasts an unstructured silhouette with fl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Rick Owens Cast Bronze Evase Vase Nitrate Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
The iconic bronze Evase vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Each bronze is handcrafted in France...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Ceramic Restaurant Matchbox
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Matchbox Series is composed of roughly 4”x 6” boxes that make direct references to iconic NYC institutions. These boxes come with slide out inserts that are filled with oversized...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Mid century vintage Blenko blue glass jar with stopper.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a large mid-century vintage Blenko blue glass jar with his original stopper. This blue jar has a heavily crackled finish of the surface and i...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Vintage Modernst Japanese Iron Vase c1960s
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic vintage modernist Japanese iron vase with fish motif c1960s. Excellent condition, signed.
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Graduated (9" 7") Pair of Artisan Bronze Garden Balls / Sculptural Spheres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Graduated (9" & 7") Pair of Artisan Bronze Garden Balls/Sculptural Spheres, Late 20th Century A striking graduated set of two hand-crafted bronze spheres, one measuring 9 inches in ...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Signed August Moreau Bronze Cherub and Flowers Vase on Marble Base
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An August Moreau bronze table sculpture. This lovely art nouveau table sculpture features a full cast bronze construction, sitting atop a beautiful tapered marble base. This vase dep...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Mawu Chair in Snow by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Made in France with hand-turned, flared oak legs. Upholstered backrest and seat in a textured cream bouclette fabric (LG.FB-89).
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Rinascimento Humidor
Located in Milan, IT
This iconic humidor is part of Maccarone's Marquetry collection and can hold up to 150 cigars. The design of this humidor, enriched with laser-engraved detail...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Venini Monofiore Balloton Vase in Amber Horizon Thread Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton small vase in amber Murano glass by Venini. Monofiori breaks with tradition in 1970 and then does it again in 2016. But its essen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Menorah Jewish Candelabrum in Blown Murano Glass, Vintage Murano Gallery 1970s
Located in Villaverla, IT
High-End Menorah Jewish Candelabrum in Blown Murano Glass, Vintage Murano Gallery 1970s. This unique Murano glass masterpiece is one of the most...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Ceramic Cartocci Texture White and Gray Tall Vase
Located in Porcia, IT
A testament to superb craftsmanship and creative flair, this elegant tall vase in white is a new take on a Classic decorative object. Meticulously handmade through a long crafting pr...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

32 Ananke Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Ananke Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is glass blown, and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Wonderful French Lalique Coppelia Crystal Rose Garland Brass Dresser Jewelry Box
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Lalique Coppelia Frosted Crystal With Roses & Garland And A Brass Housing Dresser / Jewelry Box
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Rectangular window in flat and plain surround. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back, and h...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cartier Must II ballpoint pen silver plated and palladium 1980s
Located in Paris, IDF
This Cartier Must II ballpoint pen from the 1980s is a rare piece made of silver plating and palladium, adorned with a distinctive engraved motif featuring Cartier's iconic "C". It b...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Vessel 07 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

Clay, Ceramic

Fuente
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Earthy sculptures as spiritual tools—these one of a kind pieces are handmade meditations on balance and inner stillness. Inspired by imagined ancient cultures and sacred rituals, eac...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Fuente
Fuente
$2,510
Set of Five Puthod Cristalli Lead Crystal Perfume Bottles Silver Plated Stopper
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful 20th century Italian collection of five perfume bottles, all with a nice silver plated flower pattern stopper. Nice addition to your vanity room or just for your collection...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

21st Century Leather Tilting Lid Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A cylindrical and contemporary silhouette with subtle detail. Our round metal bin with tilting lid is perfectly sized for use in the bathroom. More than 30 harmonious shades can be paired with our modern bathroom...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Rick Owens Swan Neck Cast Bronze Vase Nitrate Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze swan neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Originally designed in 2012. Each ...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Apollo Torso Sculpture, Small Size, in Resin and Metal Base.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Apollo torso sculpture, small size, in resin and metal base. Apollo is the male emblem of strength and beauty. This small Greek torso is the perfect embodiment of the son of Zeus an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

21st Century Hook Tall Laundry Basket with Leather Cotton Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
An attractive contrast between leather and cotton fabric. Our Hook basket is hand woven, made with eco-friendly, washable, and resistant material suitable also for outdoor use. Th...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Cotton

Venini Ando Time Hourglass in Crystal and Aquamarine by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando time hourglass, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is a limited edition of 49 art pieces (per color) plus an additional 20 P.d.A. a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Murmansk Silver Plated Brass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Murmansk Fruit Bowl in Brass with plated Silver. The "Murmansk" is a fruit bowl is one of the first designs produced by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1982. The sleek bowl is plated silver over brass, and sitting on six stepped legs...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Silver

Frederick Hart "The Tree Graces", Acrylic Illuminated Sculpture 141/395 USA 2003
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A masterful work by celebrated American sculptor Frederick Hart, “The Three Graces” reflects the visionary artistry that established Hart as one of the most important figurative scul...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic

Lacquered Solid Wood Modern Minimal Modular Drawers from Costantini, Baccello
Located in New York, NY
Baccello lacquered solid wood Modern minimal modular drawers from Costantini. Each unit measures 20" x 20" x 5" high. 6 units as shown. Each one...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Sculpture of the Head of Hercules, Small Size, in Resin and Metal Base.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of the head of Hercules, small size, in resin and metal base. Heracles is the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Greek mythology lends him a great many adventures that saw him trave...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Rick Owens Cast Bronze Evase Vase Black Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
The iconic bronze Evase vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Each bronze is hand crafted in France and is signed. Can be used as vas...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Golden Bronze Sculpture of a Flying Eagle Signed Piece by J. Duval-Brasseur
Located in Miami, FL
Superb movement for this bronze sculpture by J Duval Brasseur. The elegant curved lines and the shape of the base give a strong feeling of this flying eagle. Very unique piece by th...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Aluminum Cast Abstract Sculpture "Introspect" on Marble Base by James C. Myford
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning large aluminum cast abstract sculpture "Introspect" on black marble base by noted sculptor James C. Myford, circa 1983. #2520 The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 11" W x 7" D x 29.5" H; the marble base measures 7" W x 7" D x 1" H. The sculpture is signed and dated by the artist on the base.   James C. Myford (1940 - 2014) Myford's interest in aluminium began in 1970 when he attended a workshop sponsored by Alcoa at the art centre in Pittsburgh. "I fell in love with aluminium as a material." Myford then began creating contemporary aluminium sculptures by using the casting process. He had the first one-man art exhibit of his works in Pittsburgh in 1972. The eighteen pieces of work produced for the show ranged from twelve inches to four feet. Several of these pieces were purchased by Pittsburgh art...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Bosphore Table Lamp in Pink by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic foot with geometric relief produced by the Jean Roger workshop in Paris. Available in different colors for the foot, and different fabrics for the oval lampshade...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Modern Chrome Brass Picture Frame, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A chrome and brass picture frame, '70s Modern design period, circa late-20th century, 1970s. Frame can sit vertically or horizontally; frame can also hang from wall (brass loops on b...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Chrome

"Freevolle" Lady Lamp, Gold Lampshade, Brass Body
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
FREEVOLLE Twist and go! The Freevolle Lady lamp captures a quiet elegance, with its refined curves, delicate and airy silhouette, it moves with grace—strik...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Three-Stone Mill Wheels as Modern Table Sculptures, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
The stone mill wheels are attached to wire stands with iron bases lined underneath with padding. Measures: Two with the height of 15.25".
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Iron, Wire

Froxfield Clock, Walnut
Located in London, GB
The Froxfield clock in Walnut. A unique limited edition floor clock created by Comitti designer Edmund Barker using selected timbers and contemporary styling. The design is inspired ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

GMT-MASTER Store Display Wall Clock in Stainless Steel Green Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
GMT-Master Store Display Wall Clock. This is a very decorative wall clock depicting the wristwatch. The wall clock has been crafted in Switzerland with parts made up in stainless st...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Aluminum

Cartier 925 Sterling Silver Table Picture Frame Very Sober and Elegant
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
CARTIER 925 Sterling silver table picture frame very sober and elegant.
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Bronze Sculpture by Rob Cerneüs
Located in Asaa, DK
Bronze sculpture by Dutch sculptor Rob Cerneüs (1943-2021) Figurine depicting a woman with flowing garments. Signature on base.
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Onyx Stone Trinket or Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rectangular vintage trinket box made from polished green onyx stone, featuring natural banding and soft earthy hues of green, beige, and honey tones. The box has a smooth, ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Rick Owens Cast Bronze Duck Neck Vase Nitrate Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze duck neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Each bronze is handcrafted in Franc...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1950s Plaster Anatomic School Study of a Human Hand
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A unique piece of academic art, this vintage plaster sculpture is a school study of a human hand. Dating from the 1950s, it was likely used in an art class or a medical school for an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sicilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Sculpture of Venus in Resin and Metal Base, Medium-Sized Model.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of Venus in resin and metal base, medium-sized model. Venus is the goddess of love, seduction and beauty in Roman mythology. She is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Aph...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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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