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Modern Furniture

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Place of Origin: Japanese
Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Pottery Pink Panther Mounted Box
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful, Japanese licensed Pink Panther Collection lidded box distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic box is of large oval form with a fitted slightly domed cov...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th Century Japanese Gold Maki-E Decorated Jubako (Stacking Box)
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Gold Maki-e decorated Jubako (stacking box), Japan, early 20th century. The background urishi lacquer over wood. Natural scenes with a few figures; tea scene on top surface under a f...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Silver Plate Flatware Classic Rim pattern 8 Table Settings plus Serving pcs.
Located in Miami, FL
Silver plated flatware in the Classic Rim pattern with 8 table settings + serving pieces. There are 5 pc. setting of silverware for 8 people (no soup spoons, 40 pcs.), each compris...
Category

1990s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Takeshi Kawashima - Titled #3, 1968 Signed Serigraph on Paper 27/100
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern serigraph in colors on paper titled "#3" Takeshi Kawashima. Hand signed in pencil on the lower right. Titled with an annotation of 27/100 on the lower left. Published in 196...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Ceramic Figural Bell
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful, Japanese licensed Pink Panther Collection handled ceramic bell with a Pink Panther handle distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic bell has a round bell...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Japanese Shoji Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Phenomenal sliding door cabinet. Versatile piece. Can be used in bedroom or living room or dining room. Made in Japan. 4 adjustable shelves. Two sliding doors. Ships from Phil...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Legless Floor Chair Japanese Modern Style Bentwood Chair
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Legless floor chair in the Japanese modern style. In tradition Japanese style, floor chair is set on traditional Tatami Igusa floor along with tabl...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Muji 2.5 Seater Chair Japanese Contemporary Style Bentwood Chair
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Muji 2.5 seater chair. Kenta Hirai created it with the technique "Free form lamination." It has characteristic streamlined combined back and seat. Made of Yoshino cedar which is a f...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Nobuyoshi Araki Signed Limited Edition Sexual Desire Portfolio I Complete Set
Located in Studio City, CA
A very engaging and alluring set of fifteen photographs by famed controversial Japanese photographer and contemporary artist Nobuyoshi Araki from his 2000 highly sexually charged Sexual Desire Portfolio I. Araki is best known for his provocative works that merge elements of eroticism and fine art, frequently exploring themes of intimacy, sexuality, and the fleeting nature of life. This limited edition portfolio (only 30 in total were published) comprises the complete set (quite rare as few complete sets exist today) of fifteen offset prints on watercolor paper and is published by Taka Ishii Editions, Tokyo. The collection of photographs is based on his 1996 exhibition Serie Sexual which was first presented as a large wall installation...
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Rare Prewar First Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Moon at Magome Kawase Hasui
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Umagome no tsuki (Moon at Umagome) from the series Tokyo Nijukkei (20 Views of Tokyo), is inarguably one of the most beloved works by Japanese artist Kawase Hasui (1883-1951) create...
Category

1930s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Japanese Woodblock Print Evening at Tago Bay by Kawase Hasui
Located in Atlanta, GA
This print by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), entitled Evening at Tago Bay (Tago no ura no yube), from the series Selected Views of the Tokaido Road (Tokaido fukei senshu) was created in S...
Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage Japanese Ceramic Lidded Vessel c1970s
Located in Oakland, CA
Absolutely stunning tapered turned studio clay vessel with a beautifully sculpted lid. Amazing glaze work with cascading puffy drips. Really a handsome piece. Signed by maker.
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Clay

Ryohei Tanaka Thatched Roof Etching Japan 1979
Located in Oakland, CA
Incredibly detailed Ryohei Tanaka etching of a thatched roof c1979. Beautifully framed and matted. Signed in pencil by artist. Ryohei Tanaka (1933-2019) was world renowned for his i...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Zen Japanese Oak Daybed with Woven Wool Cover and Shearling Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Japanese daybed exemplifies minimalist elegance with clean lines, a low profile, and warm natural wood tones. Its understated design blends effortlessly into both modern and tra...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Limestone

UAC Geoffrey Vintage Pink Panther Hugging a Lamp Post Figure
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful vintage UAC Geoffrey Pink Panther figure hugging a lamppost, probably drunk, produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1981. These figures are licensed by t...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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 Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Pottery Beaker Shape Mug
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful, licensed Pink Panther Collection handled pottery beaker shaped mug distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic mug is of cylindrical form with a pinched ce...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Kumiko Teak Room Divider
Located in San Francisco, CA
Four-panel teak folding screen featuring traditional Japanese kumiko joinery with hemp leaf (asanoha) geometric pattern. Kumiko is an intricate woodworking technique where thin woode...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Toucan Table Lamp by H.T. Huang
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Some small scratches and details of use, for more photographs or video on request
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Toucan Table Lamp by H.T. Huang
Toucan Table Lamp by H.T. Huang
$320 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Sterling Silver salt shakers / cellars , pumpkin / flower lotus , Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of salt shakers , can be used as pepper as well . Marked Japan . Pumpkin or lotus flower style .
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Fitz and Floyd Porcelain Gilded Desert or Appetizer Shell Plates Set / 4
Located in North Miami, FL
These delightful vintage hallmarked Fitz and Floyd porcelain gilded shell plates serve the entertaining purpose for desert, appetizer or salad plates. The design are different shell ...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Pottery Pink Panther Character Mug
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful, Japanese licensed Pink Panther Collection character mug formed as the head of the Pink Panther distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic mug is formed as...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Pottery Pig Money Box
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful, Japanese licensed Pink Panther Collection pig form money box straddled by a figure of the Pink Panther distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic pig stan...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

United Artists Three Vintage Japanese Pink Panther Resting Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful collection of three vintage United Artists Pink Panther resting figures produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1982. The figures are licensed by the Unit...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Tiffany "Box and Bow" Porcelain Crystal Trinket Boxes by Tiffany Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of iconic Tiffany "box with bow" crystal and porcelain trinket boxes by Tiffany & Co. circa 1990's. The pair are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Isamu Noguchi Akari Lamp BB-3 55-D
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Two available. Purchased in 2000s. Iconic floor lamp by Noguchi. Ships from Philadelphia.
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Architectural T-Back Chairs Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome pair of occasional chairs. Limited. Solid Japanese oak wood construction with dowel peg joinery. Lightly refinish natural with wool boucle. Solid and sturdy fine condition. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

UAC Geoffrey Vintage Pink Panther Chef and Postman Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful group of two vintage UAC Geoffrey Pink Panther Chef and Postman figures produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1981. The figures are licensed by the Unit...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

United Artists Vintage Japanese Pink Panther Ceramic Vase
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful Japanese vintage ceramic Pink Panther vase produced under United Artists license and dating from around 1981. The ceramic vase stands raised ...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

UAC Geoffrey Vintage Japanese Pink Panther Ceramic Picture Frame
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful Japanese vintage UAC Geoffrey ceramic Pink Panther picture frame produced under United Artists license and dating from around 1981. The ceramic frame is of small rectang...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Yasuaki Sasamoto, "Dulton" Psyche Mirror , Li Qian Production, circa 1970, Japan
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Yasuaki Sasamoto, "Dulton" Psyche Mirror , Li Qian Production, circa 1970, Japan A modernist design by sasamoto in 1970’s. It is admired for its workmanship and simplicity. Made of c...
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Steel

Yoshitomo Nara, Too Young to Die, Japanese Glazed Porcelain Ceramic Ashtray 2002
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and highly coveted large finely glazed ceramic ash tray/ low bowl by famed Japanese Pop artist Yoshitomo Nara (奈良 美智, 1959- ) titled "Too Young To Die". The wonderful ima...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Woodblock Print Chuzenji Temple at Utagahama Beach by Kawase Hasui
Located in Atlanta, GA
This woodblock print by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), entitied Chuzenji Temple at Utagahama Beach, was created in Showa 6th year, 1931. The work depicts a red Torri gate leading to the v...
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Spiral6 Kenta Hirai Japanese Contemporary Bentwood Sculpture
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Kenta Hirai created it with the technique "Free form lamination." This sculpture mixes free formed wood sculpture and branch. Wood materials are Yoshino Cedar...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Prewar Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Honmon-ji Temple Ikegami Kawase Hasui
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pre-war fine print by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) depicts the approach to the famous temple in Tokyo Ikegami Honmon-ji on a snowy day. Created in 1931, the image captures the serene a...
Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Low rocking Chair Japanese Modern Style Bentwood Chair
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Bentwood rocking chair in the Japanese modern style. Made of Yoshino cedar which is a famous wood grown in the Yoshino district in Japan. It has characte...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Japanese Modernist Ceramic Ikebana
Located in Oakland, CA
Spectacular modernist Japanese ceramic ikebana c1970s. Incredible form and still retains the original kiln label. Beautiful matte blue glaze.
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

UAC Geoffrey Three Vintage Pink Panther Seated Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful collection of three vintage UAC Geoffrey Pink Panther seated figures produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1981. The figures are licensed by the United ...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1979 Ibanez Base Electric Guitar MC-900DS
Located in Newfoundland, PA
This 1979 Ibanez MC-900DS neck through laminated light and dark wood. It was purchased by me on February 13, 1980 for $445, I played it maybe 5 times and put it in a closet and it sa...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Harewood

UAC Geoffrey Five Vintage Pink Panther Sporting Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful collection of five vintage UAC Geoffrey Pink Panther sporting figures produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1981. The figures are licensed by the United...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

UAC Geoffrey Three Vintage Pink Panther Standing Attitude Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful collection of three vintage UAC Geoffrey Pink Panther attitude figures produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1981. The figures are licensed by the Unite...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Modernist Lucite Brass Table Alarm Clock by Bulova
Located in Bradenton, FL
A modernist Model 2RA007 table alarm clock made by Bulova in Japan. A transparent Lucite body holds the blue clock face and wind-up mechanism and is set in...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brass Japanese Vase
Located in San Francisco, CA
A tall brass ikebana vase with a thin neck. Signed.
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Svago SV 395 Zero Gravity Recliner Heated Vibrating Massage
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A commanding presence and technological elegance combine in the Svago ZGR Plus Model SV-395 Zero-Gravity Recliner, a chair designed to offer not just comfort but restorative luxury. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather

Iron pot -Contemporary Japanese Crafts
Located in 加須市, 11
Made of iron, this pot looks as if it has simplified the concept of a vessel and converted it into pixels. The pipes used in industrial products are carefully processed one by one wi...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

ICHIMATSU by Blue Tip atelier
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Title : ICHIMATSU Japan / 2020s Size : W 1480 x H 1480 mm Each part is dyed with indigo to express a checkered pattern that collapses. This quilt is made with Woven fresh linen. Hand-quilted with cotton thread. Hand dyed with indigo. [Blue Tip atelier...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Linen

Muji Wallmirror Japanese Contemporary Style Bentwood Sculpture
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Muji wall mirror. Kenta Hirai created it with the technique "Free form lamination." It has characteristic streamlined combined back and seat. Made of Yos...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

UAC Geoffrey Vintage Pink Panther Soldier and Policeman Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful group of two vintage UAC Geoffrey Pink Panther Policeman and Soldier figures produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1981. The figures are licensed by the...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Japanese Studio Craft Wood Stool
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic vintage Japanese studio craft stool. Incredible details, and the concave top makes it comfortable to sit on. Stunning wood grain throughout the entire piece.
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Wooden Coat Rack / Reproduction of European Hanger Rack
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Wooden coat rack inspired by an antique display fixture from a French boutique. The combination of brass pipes and wood is beautiful. Made to order (de...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

United Artists Five Vintage Japanese Pink Panther Figures
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful collection of five vintage United Artists Pink Panther figures of various form produced under license in Japan and dating from around 1982. The figures are licensed by t...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Balloon Mirror H220430 Satoshi Itasaka Hanging Mirror
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Balloon bench designed by Satoshi Itasaka of h220430 This is hanging mirror installed to ceiling. Made up of 7balloons and mirror. Balloon is FRP, thre...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wire

Floor Lamp Mod. BBX3-70XN from the Akari Series by Isamu Noguchi
Located in New York, NY
Floor Lamp with White Washi Paper Lampshade, Designed by Isamu Noguchi. This floor lamp features a delicate white washi paper lampshade, a bamboo shaft, and a spherical cast iron base. The paper shade is marked with a red sun and crescent moon, along with the facsimile signature of I. Noguchi. The Akari (Japanese for “light”) series has been designed by Isamu Noguchi since 1951, with new models added over 35 years. Inspired by traditional Japanese chochin...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

"Barringer" slide coffee table by Atilla Kuzu for Conde House
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Contemporary modern - extendable coffee table Measures : Close : 100x100cm H : 30cm Open : 123x145cm H : 30cm The table conceals storage compartments. Handcrafted in Japan, it is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Einosuke Hiratani Modernist Still Life Japan 1970s
Located in Oakland, CA
Really gorgeous silkscreen print by well listed artist, Einosuke Hiratani c1960s/70s. This was purchased in Japan, and does have the original gallery exhibition frame. This is a smal...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

Isamu Nogouchi "Akari 3A" Table Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904-1988) "Akari 3A" Table Lamp, with bulbous washi paper shade and patinated steel tripod base, marked "I. Nogouchi" to the shade with original black box. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Vintage Set of 16 Imperial Garden, 4 Flowers Small Plates Fitz and Floyd, 1979
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A entertainer's dream. A 16 pc set of vintage 1979 set of "Imperial Garden" plates by legendary makers and style icons, Fitz and Floyd. The set contains 4 pieces each of 4 different flowers. 1. Lily. 2. Chrysanthemum 3. Daisy 4. Tuplip In 1979 when these were made, they were called "salad plates" but now the modern host/hostess uses these as buffet/ hors d' oeuvres plates. Rare to have 16 pieces of the same iconic set that sold out worldwide. Many plates of the set odf 16 are as new (unused). There are some that show VERY light use that have been used very seldomly and well taken care of. We have an extensive collection of vintage Fitz and Floyd china...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Leather Trunk Contemporary Wardrobe Travel Trunk by Shigeru Uchida
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Luxury style wardrobe trunk case with wheels designed by Shigeru Uchida. Aluminum body upholstered with red leather, inside wood is bubinga. Never used condition. Displayed at exhi...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Akashi-Awaji Pottery Modernist Manipulated Volcanic Drip Glaze Vase
Located in Wilton, CT
This Akashi-Awaji pottery vase, dating to circa 1930, exemplifies the modernist direction and innovative glaze work characteristic of late Awaji ware, particularly after the Sanpei k...
Category

1930s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Isamu Noguchi Akari Table Lamp c1980s
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage Noguchi Akari table lamp model UF1-FF c1980s. Nice patina on paper. Signed
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Rug Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. 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.

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