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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Whimsical Emilia Castillo Silver Porcelain Salt Pepper Shakers, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and playful pair of salt and pepper shakers by renowned Mexican designer Emilia Castillo, handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico during the 1980s. Each piece combines fine porcelain wit...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver

Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos Fontainebleu, Swiss Made in 1986
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Fontainebleu Switzerland Year of construction 1986 Dimensions: H x W x D: 25 x 20 x 16 cm Description: Atmos calibre 540 in the rare "Fontainebleu" version in a wooden case. Square ring dial with rounded corners. Roman numerals for hours, fine minute track, Breguet hands with counterweights. "SWISS MADE" is printed below the 6. A manufacturer's engraving and the calibre number can be found on the front movement plate. A "Jaeger LeCoultre" imprint can be seen at the bottom right of the front disc. The Atmos Fontainebleu was listed in the collection from 1987. It was available in various versions - with a square or round dial, with a moon phase, with a black lacquered or mahogany case. Although the clock offered here dates from 1986, it was only listed in the 1987 and 1988 catalogues. Ref. 220.030.4 Serial number: 620514 Year of manufacture: 1986. Condition: Freshly overhauled, very good condition of the movement. Flawless case condition. Interesting facts: Generations of inventors have endeavoured to construct a perpetual motion machine - and one after the other was disappointed to discover that their designs did not work. Today we know that it is technically impossible to build a machine that works continuously without consuming energy. Apart from wear and tear, a machine only works as long as it is supplied with energy: Electricity, gas, petrol... Without human intervention and practically without wear and tear, the Atmos does not run without energy consumption, but it is fed by an energy source that can be described as "eternal": It draws its energy from the constant fluctuations in air temperature. The Atmos literally lives from the air. In order to utilise the temperature fluctuations as an energy source, a suitable medium had to be found. The choice fell on ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl) - a substance that dentists know as an anaesthetic. Ethyl chloride has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion between 10 and 27°C, i.e. the volume change is particularly large in this temperature range. The round can...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Artisan Hand-Carved Chinese Rhino Table in Solid Jade 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Hand-carved rhinoceros in solid jade with a newly lacquered table top by Lobel Modern, Chinese 20th Century. The intricacy and artisanship of the carving is completely stunning.
Category

20th Century Chinese Modern Furniture

Materials

Jade

Børge Mogensen Spanish Chair in Solid Oak and Saddle Leather, Early Model
Located in Kastrup, DK
Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1958 for Fredericia Furniture, this iconic piece is crafted from solid oak paired with original light saddle leather, showcasing its timeless elegance. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Oak

Guy LeFevre for Maison Jansen Lacquered Cocktail Table, C 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Designed by noted designer Guy LeFevre who worked extensively with Maison Jansen in the 1970s, this table is one of his signature works. The top is wood with and features deep drawer...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Fratelli Proserpio, Octagonal Dining Table, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Geometric octagonal dining table with a veneered wood top and black lacquered legs, showcasing Italian craftsmanship from the 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Eight McGuire Rattan "Cracked Ice" Dining Chairs
Located in Hamburg, PA
An elegant set of eight McGuire "Cracked Ice" Dining Chairs with hand-crafted raw-hide leather binding and caned seats. This impressive set of chairs was designed by John and Elinor ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Cane, Rattan

1983 Patrick Nagel Mirage Edition Serigraph Piedmont Graphics, Oakland
Located in San Carlos, CA
Fantastic and very rare Patrick Nagel serigraph printed in 1983 by Mirage Editions for Piedmont Graphics in Oakland California. This print is signed...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Tolomeo Mega Terra Floor Lamp by De Lucchi Fassina for Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic example of Italian industrial design, the Tolomeo Mega Terra Floor Lamp was designed in 1987 by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide, blending precision eng...
Category

1980s Hungarian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Coffee table in the manner of Zaha Hadid in resin
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie table basse de forme libre en résine imitant le marbre, travertin.
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin, Wood

Vintage Serving Tray in Lucite Tortoise and Brass, Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Italian oval vintage serving tray in Lucite with tortoise pattern and brass handles. Very good condition with minor scratches.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Afra Tobia Scarpa Monk Set of Six Dining Chairs for Molteni, 1974
Located in New York, NY
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Set of Six 'Monk' Chairs for Molteni, Italy, circa 1974 A highly simplified, sophisticated and solid design by Italian award-winning designer couple Afra & To...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Isamu Noguchi Style Amorphic Coffee Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Isamu Noguchi Style Amorphic Coffee Table, rounded edge triangular glass top above ebonized hinged wood base, marked "Alivar" to the underside of...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

1970s Modern Blue and Green Lime Sommerso Murano Glass Ashtray by Seguso
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This stunning 1970s Murano glass ashtray, attributed to the Seguso manufactory, embodies the vibrant style of the mid-century modern era. Crafted with the renowned Sommerso technique...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Josef Frank round Side Table made for Haus Garten, 1928, Austria
Located in Vienna, Austria
Side table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1928. This sleek table from Frank has a walnut veneered round table top, the legs are slightly curved and are made from beech wood t...
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Beech, Walnut

Vintage 1970s fabric sofa mod. Coronado design Afra Tobia Scarpa
Located in None, IT
Three-seater sofa with metal frame and brown fabric upholstery. Coronado model, design Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear giv...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

USM Haller mobile pedestal with drawers by Fritz Haller Paul Schärer.
Located in Athens, Attiki
USM Haller mobile pedestals with file cabinets by Fritz Haller & Paul Schärer. USM takes its initials in 1885 from its founder, Ulrich Schärer, and Münsingen, the Swiss village wher...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Three Modern Murano Glass Goblets, Blue, Red and Amethys
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three modern Murano glass goblets, completely handmade and mouth-blown. This striking set is made of three complementary goblets, one in c...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Louis Vuitton Monogram Travel Garment Bag
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful Louis Vuitton Garment Bag - holds several shirts and suits with a convenient handle for carrying after folded. The bag also has a hook for hanging over any door for easy...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Damascus Steel Blade Knife Wood Handle
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a knife featuring a Damascus steel blade and a composite wood handle. Damascus Steel: This type of steel is known for its distinctive wavy patterns of banding...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

JMF Occasional Chair Ecart International
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean-Michel Frank design. Limited reissue. Solid wood with wrapped rattan. Original vintage condition. Solid and sturdy. Presents well for any decor as an accent or desk chair..
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Shlomi Haziza Colorful Lucite Prismatic Modern Table Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Shlomi Haziza Colorful Lucite Prismatic Modern Sculpture. Beautiful colors! Square Cube with a drilled out hole sits upon a Clear Lucite Base. Looks good from every angle! Signat...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Jules et André Leleu by Viviane Jutheau
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
High-quality French design and decoration book about the legendary Maison Leleu and designers Jules and André Leleu. The work shows the development of their style from the beginnings...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Linen, Paper

Herman Miller Collection Poster by Linda Powell, 1989 Limited Edition
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A hard to find Herman Miller Collection poster used for the display of classic designs from the company at the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village in the Edsel Ford Design History...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Modernist Green Faux Marble Fiberglass Cocktail Table, 1980s
Located in Harlingen, TX
This vintage 1980's modernist style faux marble composite cocktail or coffee table has been skillfully handcrafted out of fiberglass and given a marble effect green gel coat finish w...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Counter Balance Desk Lamp Hustad Luchten, 1980s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice counter balance Hustadt Luchten Desk lamp Halogen 1980s 2 light modes. Adjustable in all directions. Perfect working lamp.
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

French Blue Murano Glass Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Barovier influenced Murano glass lamps with a Classic design of a fluted teardrop body, orb and saucer base. Hand blown glass is a beautiful vibrant French Blue with a scattering of ...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, reminiscent of a Classic sculpture museum. Olot has been a hub for sculpture and rel...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Modern turquoise blue Amphora pottery vase, circa early-20th century, USA. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimension...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Clay

Vintage 1993 Frank Gehry x Knoll Dark Green Hat Trick Maple Bentwood Side Chair
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Frank Gehry for Knoll "Hat Trick" side chair. This stunning artful furniture designed by Frank Gehry and produced by Knoll features a bentwood construction with a ribbon-like desig...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Maple

Orrefors "Crown" Heavy Crystal Bowl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting heavy crystal bowl by "Orrefors", Sweden. Signed with paper label.
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Capodimonte Sculpture Woman Vamp 1970s Italian Design Gold Black
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Porcelain of Capodimonte 1970s years Donna Vamp , totally handcrafted by skilled and skilled hands that have now disappeared, also painted by hand, with 24-karat pure gold dress, sig...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

W. Beaupre Chain Mail Bust
Located in New York, NY
Futuristic android bust with hand applied chain mail and vintage jewelry findings and tiara from New York artist W. Beaupre. Signed.
Category

20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

CL9 Ribbon Chair by Cesare Leonardi Franca Stagi Firbreglass Color White
Located in Hamburg, DE
Model CL9 ribbon chair by Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi for Bernini / Italy, circa 1961 / Moulded fibreglass seating section on chrome tubular base. Seating base in colour white, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

1970s Modular Sofa by Karl Wittmann after Pierre Paulin
Located in Wien, AT
A sculptural and elegant modular sofa designed by Karl Wittmann after Pierre Paulin, produced by Wittmann, Austria, in the 1970s. This rare and highly collectible piece embodies the ...
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Cyclade Slipper Chair by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt, USA 1990 s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Cyclade slipper chair designed and manufactured in the 1990's by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt. The chair has a solid wood frame with a dark walnut finish and it is upho...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair Late 20th Century Gunlocke Oak and Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Late 20th Century Gunlocke modernist solid Oak and Upholstered Armchairs, guess chairs. Measure 23" in width, 23" in depth, 31" ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960 s
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Royal Blue And White Resin Dice Desk Accessory Or Sculpture Pair Of
Located in North Miami, FL
These bold and great pair of vintage 1980's royal blue and white resin dice sculptures, objects or desk accessories are comprised of resin that looks and feels like bakelite. They ha...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

French modern leather sofa Togo by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern leather sofa Togo by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s Modular sofa model Togo fully padded and upholstered in red-brown leather. The couch has a corner module, a t...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Surrealist Salivasofa Original Prototype Red Lips Sofa By Salvador Dali
Located in Barcelona, ES
In the pioneering year of 1972, the visionary duo of Salvador Dalí and Oscar Tusquets unveiled their very first prototype sofa, a testament to their inn...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Furniture

Materials

Foam

“The Egyptian table” by Mogens Lassen for Rud Rasmussen in Mahogany
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Lassen. The 'Egyptian Table' is a foldable coffee table crafted in mahogany, showcasing a beautiful grain pattern and a beveled edge tabletop. The cross-shaped base not only p...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

MCM to Modern End or Side Table Barrel Shaped Chrome Base Round Glass Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Mid-Century Modern to Modern end or side table with barrel shaped square chrome tube base & round glass top. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vinta...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Gucci Equestrian Gilt Bottle Opener Vintage Barware. Italy 1970´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Gucci Equestrian Gilt Bottle Opener Vintage Barware. Italy 1970´s. This handsome Italian Gucci bottle opener is vintage from the 1970s. It is Gilt ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Rattan shelf
Located in Lugo, IT
Rattan shelf Good condition. Thanks
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Set of 8 Watson American Modern Sterling Silver Highballs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 sterling silver highballs. Made by Watson Company in Massachusetts, ca 1930. Each: Straight and tapering sides with flared rim. Smart and Modern barware based on Ye Olde Col...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pierre Paulin, Mushroom Chair, Artifort
Located in London, GB
A fully reupholstered Pierre Paulin original Mushroom chair model F560 for Artifort, the Netherlands, circa 1960. The chair has its original metal tag label intact. Professionally re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Feldman Lotus Pendent Light Fixture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Feldman Lotus Pendent Light Fixture This light fixture measures: 15 wide x 15 deep x 18 high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detail as possible. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Silver Plate and Crystal Ice Bucket by PM Italy, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian silversmith P.M. Italy designed this exquisite modernist barware silver plate and crystal ice bucket circa 1980. The minimalist chic design boasts a neat round shape with a s...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate

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 Furniture

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

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

Schauer Industrial or Station Clock, Vienna, 1964
Located in Vienna, AT
Four pieces available The clock is in perfect condition, no major scratches, no glass scratched. Flat glass cover, black painted figures an ivory white embossed dish, painted blac...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

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

Bernard Girette puzzle aluminum abstract sculpture, titel Le Pentac .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bernard Girette designer of this aluminum sculpture of 5 components that can be arrange in many different options creating a different sculpture any , time. Title " Le Pentac"
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Suspension Cocoon By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Paddington, NSW
Achille Castiglioni (1918‑2002) was an Italian architect and industrial designer whose creative practice reshaped mid‑20th‑century design. Born in Milan, he graduated in architecture...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

Mexican Ceramic Dish Inset Side Tables, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Mexican Ceramic Dish Inset Side Tables, wood with glass tops. 21.25" H x 14.5" W x 12.5" D. Provenance: From a 60 East End Avenue Estate.
Category

20th Century Mexican Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Vintage Italian Travertine Console Table 1970’s
Located in North York, ON
Add a touch of Italian modern design to your space with this beautiful travertine console table from the 1970s. Featuring a sleek tapered edge, this piece embodies mid-century sophis...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Ralph Lauren Wrought Iron "Sheltering Sky" Round Indoor or Outdoor Table
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless and quality Ralph Lauren " Sheltering Sky" wrought iron round table. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor, the stylish table feature...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Dove Task Lamps by Mario Barbaglia Marco Colombo- A Pair
Located in Denton, TX
A pair of "Dove" task lamps designed by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo for PAF Studio, Italy, 1980s. These lamps have a "dove" shaped body with an adjustable height, an adjustable...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Original Small B&W Male Nude Fine Art Photograph by George Machado NYC, 1994
Located in Palm Springs, CA
One of a series of original black and white photographs being offered for sale for the first time. Taken by Zylos fashion designer/photographer George Machado from his book “Masculin...
Category

1990s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

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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