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Modern Globes

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Vintage 1987 Scan-Globe Illuminated World Globe on Lucite Base, Denmark
Located in San Carlos, CA
Vintage 1987 Illuminated Globe by Scan-Globe A/S, Denmark — Lucite Base Bring a touch of Scandinavian modernism and global history into your space with this beautifully preserved vi...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Lucite

1990s Nystrom Sculptural Raised Relief World Globe
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1990s Nystrom Sculptural Raised Relief World Globe 16 h x 13 w x 12 d Original preowned vintage condition Refer to images listed.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Trimline Push Button Rotary Telephones 3 Models Available
By AT&T
Located in Port Jervis, NY
C1970 trimline telephones by 3 different companies. Different colors and the sizes are basically the same they do vary slughtly. All have the necessary cords to plug in. No damage t...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian Mid-Century Crystal Sphere with Bubbles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Mid-Century crystal sphere with air bubbles throughout. Flat on bottom to sit on surfaces.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Globes

Materials

Crystal

Illuminated French Edition Scan-Globe Denmark 1986
By Scanglobe
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful illuminated French edition globe. This piece is magical, glamorous and chic. The aerodynamic lucite base holds the beautiful blue globe that when illuminated reveals in the...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Fiberglass, Lucite

Large Sculptural Belgian Globe Floor Stand 1950s
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Large Globe floor stand, metal, resin, Belgium, 1950s. Beautiful globe on a floor stand. The reserved, almost monochromatic color scheme in black ...
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

Contemporary American Rotating Metal Globe on Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary American openwork metal globe rotates along its axis at a tilted angle, mounted on a scroll form metal stand. Wear to finish
Category

20th Century American Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

Large Sculptural Belgian Globe Floor Stand
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Large Globe floor stand, metal, resin, Belgium, 1950s. Beautiful globe on a floor stand. The reserved, almost monochromatic color scheme in black ...
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

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Rare Vintage Mid Century Lucite Bookends with Embedded Sea Shells
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage mid century lucite bookends with embedded shell. These 1960s gems are glamorous, lustrous and enigmatic. Two perfectly proportioned seashell specimens float in luci...
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1960s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Rare Vintage Mid Century Lucite Bookends with Embedded Sea Shells
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Mid-Century Modern Replogle Floor Globe w/ Brass Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Patinated Brass, Original Globe This Mid-Century Modern Replogle floor globe from the 1970s pairs a clean, minimalist brass stand w...
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1970s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Double-sided screen by Siso, Italy, mid-century
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Double-sided screen by Siso, Italy, mid-century This is a charming double-sided screen from the 1970s, created by Siso, which combines functionality and aesthetics in a unique piece....
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1970s Italian Vintage Modern Globes

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Double-sided screen by Siso, Italy, mid-century
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Inlaid Pietra Dura Gemstone Tabletop World Globe on Brass Stand
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage inlaid semi-precious gemstone tabletop terrestrial globe on a brass stand. A labor-intensive, beautiful work with hand-cut and inlaid stones including Tiger's Eye, Jasper, M...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Globes

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Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Malachite, Marble, Brass

Vintage Mid-Century World Map Globe Lamp Light by JRO Verlag Munich circa 1970s
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century fun world map globe table lamp or desk light by JRO-Verlag München. Made in Germany circa 1970, this whimsical lamp would...
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Late 20th Century German Modern Globes

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Mid-Century Modern illuminated glass globe on a satin glass base by Columbia Duo
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern illuminated glass globe on a satin glass base by Columbia Duo, 1960s Dimensions Height: 16.14 in. (41 cm) Diameter: 12.59 in. (32 cm) Very nice, rare Columbia Du...
Category

1960s German Vintage Modern Globes

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Metal

1960s Replogle Comprehensive Illuminated Globe on Walnut Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' globe composed of paper gores over plastic with a cast aluminum half-meridian all mounted to a walnut base equipped with two upright dividers for paper...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Aluminum

Pair of American Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century modern "machine-age design" cast aluminum bookends with geometric form. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century American Modern Globes

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Aluminum

Pair of American Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Bookends
Pair of American Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Bookends
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Replogle Terrestrial Floor Globe
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
This floor globe by Replogle floats within a ring of walnut, supported by four 'turned' chrome stiles, which connect to a base of walnut. The ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Globes

1950s Replogle Glass Illuminated Precision Globe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 10" 'Precision' Globe was manufactured in the early 1950s by Replogle (Chicago, IL) and edited by cartographer, Gustav Brueckmann. Composed of p...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960 s
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional light up floor model globe, by Replogle Globes Inc. The globe is 16 in. in diameter, it features an interior light, and restrain a solid mahogany frame. This example is i...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Globes

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Paper

Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960
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MCM Repogle World Horizon Series Lighted World Globe on Custom Pine Stand
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Repogle World Horizon Series lighted 12” diameter plastic world globe, metal axle, and a custom pine Stand. Beautiful condition with wear as you would expect with a vintage piece. Please see photos, Circa 1950-1980.   See the world in a different light…. this is a fabulous Mid-Century Modern World Horizon Series lighted world globe...
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Mid-20th Century American Modern Globes

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Metal

Previously Available Items
Modernist Design World Vision Globe Blue and Silver Chrome Base Denmark
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modernist World Globe Blue and Silver Stylish Full Vision Circle Metal chrome stainless Atmosphere Globemakers Denmark design 15 h x 12 diameter Preowned original vintage condition ...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

1990s Nystrom World Political Globe Sculptural Relief
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Nystrom division of Herff Jones 1990s Nystrom World Political Globe Sculptural Relief 20 h x 17 diameter Unrestored vintage Refer to images shown.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

1970 s Modern Large World Globe Lamp on Lucite Base
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1970's Modern Large World Globe Lamp on Lucite Base. Beatiful decorative piece for your home.
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Globes

Materials

Lucite

1934 "12 Inch Library Globe" by Replogle, Inc.
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original 12 inch Library Globe made by Replogle Globes Inc, in 1934. An attractive and well preserved globe, it offers viewers a unique look at the world during the inner-war period. Beautifully crafted, the glove is constructed of paper gores over a hollow sphere dressed in plaster. A cast bronze half meridian with accent striping holds the globe atop a later wooden standing base. The globe is colored in yellows, pinks, reds, greens, with a light blue ocean. All text is printed in black, with spellings “according to the U.S. Geographical Board.” It features a beautifully designed analemma, a “Table of Equation showing the difference between clock and sun time, also the sun’s vertical position for each day of the year.” The globe is very detailed, as indicated by its extensive legend. Railroad lines, caravan routes, submarine cables, steamship routes (with small boats), and distances in nautical miles are all labeled, tracking just how interconnected the world was in both trade and travel. A time dial at the top of the globe further emphasizes the point, allowing viewers to tell what time it is in every part of the world based on their own time. Geological features like glaciers, deserts, mountains, peaks, volcanos, swamps, shelf ice, ruins, ocean currents, and waterways are also identified. Country names, capital towns, and new boundary lines are clearly defined, and population is indicated by town markers. Luther Replogle began producing globes in Chicago in 1930. A school supplies...
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1930s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Bronze

Click to enlarge Have one to sell? Sell now Unique Art Table Top Blue Lapis Semi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unique Art Table Top Blue Lapis Semi Precious Gemstone World Globe. Item features inlaid precious and semi-precious stones, cast metal frame, revolving ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Modern Globes

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Stone, Metal

Replogle Globe on Stand World Classic Series Standing Globe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Replogle 16 inch diameter globe on stand world classic series standing. Item features a heavy iron base and frame, wooden accents, fiberglass globe, very nice item, great style and f...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Globes

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Iron

Teal Crystal Ball, circa 1985
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Teal crystal ball, circa 1985.
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20th Century Unknown Modern Globes

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Crystal

Teal Crystal Ball, circa 1985
Teal Crystal Ball, circa 1985
H 4.63 in Dm 4.13 in
1970s Modern Grand World Globe Terrestre Replogle Vintage Black Metal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Grand World Globe Terrestre Replogle Globes Inc circa 1970s Vintage black metal 11 width x 13.5 tall x 9 depth Preowned original vintage condit...
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1970s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Metal

Replogle Illuminating Glass Library World Globe, circa 1960s
Located in Littleton, CO
Replogle 12" illuminating glass globe. It is comprised of coated paper over glass with a brass bracket and wired for electricity. Designed and edited by Gustav Brueckmann...
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1960s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Metal

Hand Blown Cobalt Glass Balls-Set of Four
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of four good size blown glass balls each with a glass loop for hanging. Of course they would also look great in a clear glass bowl. If you are a cobalt blue lover these beautie...
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1980s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Mexican Sterling and Blue Enamel Desk Globe Rattler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful desk accessory, a spinning Mexican sterling silver and enamel globe... as the world turns a rattler makes a noise similar to that of an Asian silver ball.
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20th Century Mexican Modern Globes

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Sterling Silver, Enamel

Modern World Globe in Semi-Precious Stone on Brass Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern world globe in semi-precious stone on heavy brass stand. The globe is made of lapis-lazuli, geodes and mother-of-pearl on top of brass fittin...
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1980s American Vintage Modern Globes

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Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, Brass

Modern globes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern globes 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 globes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern globes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Belgium, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original globes, popular names associated with this style include Ludo Verbeke, and Maitland Smith. 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 globes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $3,897 while the average work can sell for $835.

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