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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: 20th Century
Anthracite Black Leather Coupe Sofa
Located in London, GB
A very bold and unusual anthracite black leather coupe sofa by Kai Kristiansen for Bramin Mobler, Denmark, circa 1970's. A solid statement design. Soft anthracite leather with feathe...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Krosno Crystal Bowl, Poland 1980s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Vintage Krosno Crystal Bowl, Poland 1980s
Category

1980s Polish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

1971 Black “Parentesi” Suspension Floor Lamps by Achille Castiglioni Pio Manzu
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of 1970’s Black “Parentesi” suspensions floor lamps by Achille Castiglioni Pio Manzu. Can be adjusted by moving up and down on the suspended cable. In original vintage c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

John Widdicomb Burlwood and Brass Writing Desk, USA c 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful burled wood desk, with brass curved bar-form legs and brass recessed pulls. Three shallow drawers. The desk has been refinished and all brass polished and lacquered. The d...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Ribbon Chandelier W/ Brushed Nickel Frame
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Ribbon Chandelier with a brushed nickel frame is a masterful example of modernist Itali...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Six Silver Plated Malachite Water Goblets by Emilia Castillo for Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage set of six water goblets designed by Emilia Castillo and manufactured by Los Castillo. The pieces were manufactured in the early 1990's at the Los Castillo workshop located i...
Category

1990s Mexican Modern Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Silver Plate

Vintage Italian Figural Snail Pill Box in White Metal
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual miniature pill box in the shape of a very detailed snail. These were made in Italy circa 1970-90s usually of 800/1000 silver or alpaca/argentan/German silver (an alloy of zin...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Tall Vintage Amber Vase, Italian, Art Glass, Flower Sleeve, Decorative, C.1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a tall vintage amber vase. An Italian, art glass flower sleeve with decorative pattern, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Striki...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois Plexiglass and Aluminum Chess Game Set, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist Michel Dumas Chess Set with Original Board, France, circa 1970 Designed by renowned French designer Michel Dumas and retailed by Roche Bobois, this striking chess set is a ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

“Dinosaure” by Le Corbusier
Located in Berlin, BE
"Dinosaure" by Le Corbusier. Signed in pencil and numbered 2/100.⁠ ⁠ Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (1887 – 1965), known as Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Large Brass Wave Chandilier designed by Hugo Gorge, from the 1950 s, Austria
Located in Vienna, Austria
Beautiful lamp designed by Hugo Gorge in the 1930's. The Wave Chandelier, embodies the elegance of the Viennese Modern Period of the 1930's This version is from the 1950's, it has ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Modern Console Table of Brass, Chrome, and Glass by Romeo Rega
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Italian Modern rectangular two-tiered console table of stylish brass and chrome by the celebrated modern designer, Romeo Rega, featuring a top with inset glass over four angle...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Harris Rubin McGavin Walnut Steel Tall Demilune Console Sideboard Entry Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Harris Rubin McGavin console / hall / entry / side table or sideboard. Made of walnut featuring modern demilune / bowfront form with tall tapered steel b...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Wonderful Modern Ralph Lauren Large Polished Nickel Round Glass Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Modern Ralph Lauren Style Large Polished Nickel Round Glass Lantern Fixture With 10 Candelabra Internal Lights, Accompanied By Chain Canopy And Mounting Hardware
Category

20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Mobelfabrikken Toften Teak End Table with Tile Top
Located in Soquel, CA
Mobelfabrikken Toften Teak End Table with Tile Top Solid wood table with four tiles inlaid in the top. All of the tiles have the same pattern, eight circl...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Teak

5.2x8.6 Ft Distressed Floral Patterned Area Rug in Green, Handmade in Turkey
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Our over-dyed rugs are all hand-knotted vintage pieces that are recreated in our workshop to cater to a wider range of interior design choices from modern to coastal, from industrial...
Category

1960s Turkish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Italian Murano Candy Sculptures
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of nine (9) Italian Murano candy sculptures, in a rainbow of colors, in the Modern style, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. Each beautiful candy is hand-crafted....
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Scandinavian Ekornes Stressless Recliner White Lounge Chair + Ottoman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration Scandinavian modern Ekornes Stressless lounge chair white + ottoman. White leather in wood base. Dimensions: Chair 39.5" H x 31.5" W x 26" D. Seat arm 21.5" ...
Category

Late 20th Century Norwegian Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Jean Lux (20th Century) French Aubusson Tapestry, Atelier Pinton - N° 1490
Located in Paris, FR
Artist: Jean Lux (20th Century) Era: 20th Century Style: Design 50s-60s Condition: Perfect condition Material: Wool Width: 215 cm Height: 170 cm Depth: 0.5 cm Located a stone's thro...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

4 Modern Leopard Upholstered Nailhead Parsons Rolled Back Oak Side Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of four vintage dining side chairs featuring Leopard fabric with rolled back, nailhead trim, and square tapered black painted legs. DIME...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Wave Chandelier in Brass with Silk Shades, Design, Oswald Haerdtl, Austria 1934
Located in Vienna, Austria
Wave Chandelier designed by Oswald Haerdtl around 1934, in polished brass with five silk shades. The fixtures on this version tilt slightly inward , silk has been used to recover th...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

5.2x8.7 Ft Blue Area Rug for Contemporary Interiors, Handmade in Turkey
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Our over-dyed rugs are all hand-knotted vintage pieces that are recreated in our workshop to cater to a wider range of interior design choices from modern to coastal, from industrial...
Category

1960s Turkish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Rare Early Silas Seandel Ortega Dining Table in Cut Brazed Welded Bronze 1973
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hand crafted and studio-made in NYC by Silas Seandel, this table is made of 13 hand-cut solid bronze arcs all welded together into the form you see here. Each arc was meticulously br...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

6.5x9.8 Ft Gray Overdyed Vintage Rug for Modern Interiors. Handknotted in Turkey
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Our overdyed rugs are all hand-knotted vintage Turkish rugs, carefully restored and reimagined in our workshop to suit a wide range of interior design styles — from modern and minima...
Category

1960s Turkish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Rimadesio Wall Unit Console Mirror Italian Minimal Design 1980s Blach White
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rimadesio wall unit console mirror Italian minimal design 1980s blach white . presents a console with white drawer, two black shelves, and a clothes h...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

1990 s Thomas O Brien Vintage Modern Black and Chrome Task Lamp
Located in San Carlos, CA
Discover the epitome of contemporary design with our exquisite floor lamp from the renowned designer, Thomas O'Brien. This stunning piece hails from O'Brien's exclusive "Vintage Mode...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Hedwig Bollhagen Ceramic Vase with Tiger Motif, Signed and Dated 1939
Located in Kastrup, DK
Hedwig Bollhagen (1907–2001) Unique ceramic vase by renowned German ceramicist Hedwig Bollhagen, created in 1929. The piece is signed with her monogram “HB” and dated 6 October 1939....
Category

Mid-20th Century German Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fontana Arte, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Ettore Sottsass Mirror Ultrafragola for Poltronova
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass was a 20th-century Italian architect, noted for also designing furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting, home and office wares, as well as numerous buildings and interio...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Opal

Sterling Silver Gold-Plated Square Photo Frame with Translucent Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square photo frame in 9251000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché. Modern contemporary style. Cut glass. Blue velvet panel. External dimensions 10...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Custom Made John Saladino Brown Mohair Sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric Pillo
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A John Saladino high back sofa. This is a gorgeous modern accent sofa. This piece is upholstered with a beautiful brown mohair fabric all over. The fabric is in really good condition...
Category

20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair

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 Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Large Round Wood Cross Base Dining Table In The Style Of Bruno Matteson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This striking round dining table, crafted in the style of Bruno Mathsson, showcases a refined balance of form and function. The expansive circular top features a beautiful radial woo...
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Matteo Grassi MG15 Mart Stam Mocca Leather Cantilever Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Matteo Grassi MG15 Mart Stam Mocca Leather Cantilever Dining Chairs, Set of 6 Beautiful set of 6 pcs. vintage leather Matteo Grassi MG15 dining chairs in a rich Mocca Mousse color ( in Italy the color is called "testa di moro"), crafted to perfection by renowned designer Mart Stam in 1980. These exceptional chairs boast a tubular cantilever chrome...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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

1940s Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Collection Modern Design Game Table
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern “Paldao” Game Table designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, 1940s. Burl wood in contrasting colors and tapered wooden legs wrapped in muted green leatherette adorned wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Hannah Wilke Retrospective Book with Drawing and Signature
By Hannah Wilke
Located in New York, NY
Hard bound first edition monograph on pioneering feminist artist/performance artist Hannah Wilke. Titled "Hannah Wilke: A Retrospective," it was published in 1989 in conjunction with...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

De Sede Ds 76 modular black leather sofa
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
This sofa comes from the original first owner, who purchased this playful 8-piece modular set in the early 1970s. As the Swiss company De Sede is renowned for its use of premium-qual...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Effetre Murano Egg Lamps
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant pair of mid-20th century Italian Effetre Murano egg lamps showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Murano glass artisans. Each lamp features an opaque white glass shade ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Tiffany Co. Sterling Silver Table Bell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage silver table bell. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. Marked to the clapper. Simply a wonderful Tiffany design! Date: 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

6x9.6 Ft Modern Area Rug in Brown, Turkish Wool Carpet, Handmade in Turkey
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Our over-dyed rugs are all hand-knotted vintage pieces that are recreated in our workshop to cater to a wider range of interior design choices from modern to coastal, from industrial...
Category

20th Century Turkish Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Pair of armchairs, sofa and pine table
Located in Lugo, IT
Sofa two armchairs and coffee table in pine. Sofa W 140.5 H 65 D 84 centimeters Armchair W 81.5 H 65 D 84 " " Coffee table 80/80 H 50.5 "...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Modern Large Crackled Glass Cigar Ashtray
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice modern large and heavy crackled glass cigar ashtray, circa 1990s. The piece is unsigned and in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 6.625"W x 6.625"D ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Cigarette Box Rectangular for table blue enamel on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular with rounded corners table box for cigarettes in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent enamels on a radial guilloché an...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Caithness Glass Ascension Paperweight by Alastair Macintosh Scotland, Ca 1980
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Caithness glass paperweight named "Ascension", designed by Alastair Macintosh and dating to the last quarter of the 20th century. The paperweight has a cone, egg shaped form, having colours including blue swirl with orange net to the centre and medium bubble and smaller controlled bubbles, making a very distinctive design. The Caithness Glass Company began making paperweights circa 1962 Paul Ysart,Colin Terriss,Alistair Macintosh,Margot Thomson Inns Burn where some of Caithness makers designers of Caithness glass paperweights. The makers mark is etched to the base with CAITHNESS ASCENSION SCOTLAND and a scratched edition number alongside as per the images. This paperweight weighs about 500 gram. Caithness glass The company was founded in 1961 by Robin Sinclair and initially only made bowls, vases and drinking glasses. After Paul Ysart joined the company a year later, that paved the weigh for Paperweight production, with regular factory production starting in the late 1960s. In 1974 the first millefiori and lampwork paperweights...
Category

20th Century Scottish Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

George Nakashima, Freeform Coffee Table, English Walnut, Studio USA 1971
Located in High Point, NC
A unique and sizable coffee / cocktail table in the "sled-shape" style. Produced by Nakashima Studio, New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States. Dated 1971 Executed in English Walnut...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rounded Vase by Patrick Nordström for Royal Copenhagen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rounded vase with greenish flecked glaze. Made during Nordström's time at the Danish factory. Signed PN with Royal Copenhagen wave mark and 1920 date on base.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

70s Picasso Coffee Table or Library Book First Edition Paris France
Located in New York, NY
A collectable, first edition (English), 'Picasso', an art coffee table or library book, 1974, New York, New York and Paris, France. A great piece to add to a collection or to start o...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Foil

Franco Bettonica, Ikebana, Small Vase, Gabbianelli, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
Franco Bettonica (1927-1999) Ikebana A white ceramic flower holder, of rectangular shape surmounted with a white grid. Produced by Gabbianelli, Italy. 1960s. Literature Catalogo ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Ligne Roset Modern Yellow Leather Sofa or Loveseat
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Modern sofa or loveseat By Ligne Roset France, Circa 1970s Measures: 69"W x 35.5"D x 32"H. Seat height: 16". Arm height: 20". Very good original vintage condition.
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

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 Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Pair of Bombay Company Stained Fruitwood Wall Cabinets
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Bombay Company Stained Fruitwood mirrored and glass Wall Cabinets. Measures 20.5"W x 5.75"D x 25"H
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Ligne Roset Fireside “Neo” Lounge Rocking Chair and Footrest
Located in Miami, FL
Ligne Roset “Neo” fireside rocking chair and footrest with original canary yellow fabric by Alban-Sebastian Giles . Use with existing fabric or have r...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Foam

Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale from 1980, Table Clock that LIVES ON AIR
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale Ref. 5855 Switzerland Gold-plated and lacquered brass Year of manufacture 1980 Dimensions: H x W x D: 28 x 22 x 16 cm Description: Atmos Royale Ref...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Handwoven Vintage Swedish Rölakan Tapestry Monogrammed Éva Németh
Located in Dallas, TX
78731 Vintage Swedish Scandinavian Tapestry, 03'11 x 05'09. Signed by Weaver: Eva Nemeth (Hungarian Textile Artist - Mid-century Designer). Abrash....
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

20th Century Louis Vuitton Suitcase Classic Monogram Canvas 60s
Located in Turin, Turin
Timeless suitcase by Louis Vuitton from the 60s with rounded edges and a double zipper. It is easy to carry with its comfortable rounded handles and bears a removable ID holder. It i...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Milo Baughman White Fabric Curved 3 Piece Modern Sectional Sofa
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Milo Baughman 3 piece sectional sofa. This is a classic Baughman style sofa featuring a stunning, chic white textures fabric upholstery. This curved sectional consists of t...
Category

20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Baccarat "Harmonie" Champagne Bucket or Wine Cooler, circa 1980
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous top-notch champagne bucket or wine cooler by Baccarat, beautiful thick heavy crystal with a simple linear cut decoration. Each of the handles is made from gilded bronze...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

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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