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Modern Decorative Art

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Richard Faralla (1916 - 1996) Red Wood Construction Panel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Duane Richard Raoul Faralla (1916 - 1996) wood construction panel painted red. Dated 1-26-85 About the Artist: Mr Faralla was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was an alumnus of the San...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 1" Available Numbers 2-3-4
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flatbed press and finished with a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Large Portuguese Tile Mural "Ladies by the Lake" Hand Painted Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "LADIES BY THE LAKE" motif finely painted. Quantity: 190 tiles Tile mural size: 59"H X 112.1"W (150cm X 285cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint, Clay

Huge Enamel on Ceramic Grafitti Panel
Located in Miami, FL
This very large grafitti wall art of enameled ceramic tiles pays tribute to the famous American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Bold colors, words, and a skull-like image honor what Bas...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Wall Panel Art Portrait handmade in Italy tribute to Kandinsky available
Located in Rimini, IT
Wall panel scagliola portrait made in Italy , tribute to Kandinsky available. In this wall panel handmade by Cupioli Lodovico the artist wanted to pay tribute to Wassily Kandinsky, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Scagliola, Wood

Portuguese Azulejos Tile Mural "Gentleman" Hand Painted Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "GENTLEMAN" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 70.8"H X 53.1"W (180cm X 135cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Giorgio De Chirico Large thick Glass Slab Engraved with Ettore and Andromaca
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Giorgio De Chirico Large Thick Glass Slab Engraved with Ettore and Andromaca
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Crystal

Epoxy Decorative Wall Clock
Located in İnegöl, TR
Here's a 650round clock for your wall. It's built from tough hackberry wood, and the clock face is smooth with clear marks for hours and minutes. To make it look even fancier, the c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Resin, Wood, Walnut

Epoxy Decorative Wall Clock
Epoxy Decorative Wall Clock
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Little Fan as Wall Sconce or Candle Object Art Glass Silvered and Glass Cup
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Little fan wall sconce lighted with led light on the back side, with candle holder on the front side art glass, Sabrina’s silvering, ivory metal body. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Cenedese Aquarium /Fish Tank Murano Glass, Sculpture/Paperweight Attr Licata
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great aquarium, fish tank in Murano Glass, by Cenedese and attributed to Riccardo Licata, well known Murano artist. This is an early piece with a big fish, t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

1970 Pino Castagna Italian Ceramic Set of 12 Plates
Located in Brescia, IT
Perfect condition Artist sign on the back.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Portuguese Azulejos Tile Mural "Gentleman" Hand Painted Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "GENTLEMAN" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 76.7"H X 47.2"W (195cm X 120cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Custom Carved Buisness Display Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round store sign ready for your start up business! Hand carved to appear as an antique sign, with bright blue paint, and vintage lettering. Please confirm location with vendor NY or NJ
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

1969 Silvano Bozzolini Art Modern Metal Enamel Plate _ set of 3
Located in Brescia, IT
Silvano Bozzolini Italy, 1969 Set of 3 Plate Enamel Metal h 4 cm / diam 46 cm h 3 cm / diam 40 cm h 2.5 cm / diam 32.5 cm
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Abstract Landscape, David Lord, circa 1960
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful abstract landscape. Fabulous muted colors, almost pastel like. Acrylic on canvas laid on board. Antique ebonized oak frame. Unsigned. Free shipping  
Category

1960s English Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Milano Kakhi Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Mid-Century Abstract Oil On Canvas Painting
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Abstract Oil On Canvas Painting
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Abstract Landscape, David Lord, circa 1960
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful abstract landscape. Fabulous colors, almost pastel like. Acrylic on canvas laid on board. Antique ebonized oak frame. Unsigned. Free shipping  
Category

1960s English Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Milano White Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Peter Collingwood M. 164 No. 1 Linen Macro-Gauze Modernist Fiber Art Wall Hang
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modernist linen macro-gauze wall hanging by British artist Peter Collingwood. Embossed signature and number to metal label along the bottom “Peter Collingwood M. 164 No. 1.” Circa ...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Linen

Milano Mustard Terracotta Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Expressionist Watercolor Modernist Movement Still Life, Signed
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Expressionist watercolor Modernist movement still life, signed. Beautiful Expressionist still life watercolor in delicate pastel hues. Painted on paper and layed down in a loose t...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Fine Graphite Drawing of an Iris - Initialed L.T. - Canada - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Fine vintage graphite pencil drawing on paper - featuring an Iris flower in full bloom - drawing contained in a vintage matte - initialed L.T. lower right (unknown/unidentified artis...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian Contemporary Gliceé Ottoman Print n.1 with Black Laquered Wood Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Ottoman print 1. Multi-color Giclèe print on 100% cotton paper. Ottoman personage paired with romantic country views. Bluette passepartout. Black lacquered designer wood frame. From...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Modern Abstract Landscape Painting by Barbara Beretich, Silver Wide, 1980s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Abstract Painting by Barbara Beretich (1936-2018). It is entitled Silver Wide and depicts a moder abstract landscape. It is artist signed and was painted in 1985. Additional infor...
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

1980s Whimsical Rooster Painting Copper Enamel Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Abstract Copper Enamel Wall Art Crowing Roosters blue green 19.5 H x 31.25 W x 1.25 D, Art 24 x 12 wood frame unsigned Original Vintage Unrestored Condition. Refer to images listed.
Category

1980s North American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Shou Sugi Ban Wood Wall Panels, Peaks and Waves
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This piece ships free in the continental United States! Originating in 18th century Japan, shou sugi ban is a particularly striking method of preservi...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Maple

After, René Magritte’s Delusions of Grandeur II, Vintage Replica Oil on Canvas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
René Magritte’s 'Delusions of Grandeur II', Vintage Replica Oil on Canvas Framed by D. Matt Inc., 223 East 80th Street, NY Fresh from a Palm Beach estate, we are pleased to offer th...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Claes Thell Swedish Hoganas Modernist Wall Plaque
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
Claes Thell (Swedish, 1943-2019) was one of Sweden’s leading ceramic artists of the 20th /21st Century. He worked as a ceramicist at the Hoganas factory before starting his own studio where he gained recognition as an artist who experimented with both shapes and glazes leading to unique stoneware pieces. Examples of his work are in the National Museum in Stockholm. An unusual modernist Swedish ceramic wall...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stoneware

Optional Omniscience Snake Got Your Tongue, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture.
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Optional Omniscience & Snake Got You, Diptych, 2019 by Alex Hodge Carved porcelain Overall size: Height: 10 in x Width: 19.5 in x Depth: 0.5 in Optional Omniscience: Height: 10 in x...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Earnest Eve, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture.
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hodge poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values ​​women not only in body, but in wholeness, power, and love. Focusing on the narrative qua...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Milano Olive Handmade Decorative Tile Outdoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

MICHAEL BLAZEK - #15 - Floral Still Life Acrylic Painting - Canada - Circa 2015
Located in Chatham, ON
MICHAEL BLAZEK - #15 - Expressionist floral still life acrylic painting on canvas - featuring areas of heavy impasto - signed on the side - Canada (Chatham, Ontario) - circa 2015. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

ZEVS, Lithograph 30/75, Liquidated Google-logo French Contemporary Office Art
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by the contemporary French street artist ZEVS. Liquidated Google-logo, this is number 30 in an edition of 75. It is 83 x 65 cm (framed).
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Wall Object by Artist Willi Siber
Located in New York, NY
Wall object by artist Willi Siber. Interference lacquer and wood.
Category

2010s German Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Victor Vasarely Geometric Print with Purple Frame, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Colorful abstract lithograph with iconic geometric motif by Victor Vasarely, American, 1970s (Signed and numbered 137/250). Vasarely is widely considered to be the father of Op Art.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Joseph Trippetti Framed Silver Enamel on Copper Plaque Picture Watchmaker
Located in Sarasota, FL
Silver enamel on copper by renowned enamel artist Joseph Trippetti. Signed lower right. Enamel plaque in excellent condition. One small hairline cracks to top of frame as shown. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silver Plate, Copper, Enamel

El Ermitaño. From The Ventura Series. Embroidery thread on canvas
Located in Miami Beach, FL
El Ermitaño, 2019 by Maria Jose Franco Maldonado From The Ventura Series. Embroidery thread on canvas Image size: 27 cm H x 17 cm W Frame size: 40 cm...
Category

2010s Colombian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Textile, Canvas, Thread

Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Platinum Leaf
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum, Platinum

Milano Emerald Handmade Decorative Tile Outdoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

1997 Mary Carothers "Untitled" Aluminum Road Sign Car with Antlers
Located in Dayton, OH
Mary Carothers – Untitled, 1997 – Vinyl on Painted Aluminum (Road Sign). Not many people have spent time in the Arctic Circle for the sake of art or have frozen a car as a statement ...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Marble

Tulip Design Wooden Wall Clock - Wood Wall Design Accessory
Located in İnegöl, TR
TULIP DESIGN WALNUT WALL CLOCK Custom sizes, colours and finishes are available! Here's a 50 inches round clock for your wall. It's built from tough walnut wood, and the clock fac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Resin, Wood, Walnut

The Three Amigos Oil on Board Painting Carnivorous Mammals Otters Steve Burgess
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Painting by Steve Burgess 'The Three Amigos' (Oil on Board). This is a charming painting of an Otter family at play by the water's edge. Steve Burgess's ...
Category

Late 20th Century Irish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Milano Storm Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Milano Ocre Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Ilya Bolotowsky Signed Modernist Silkscreen Vertical Blue Ellipse Series
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly graphic piece, signed by Ilya Bolotowsky (American, 1907-1981) from the early 1970s. Signed Silkscreen part of the vertical blue ellipse blue series. Silkscreen on Rives p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Fabric Tapestry with Tiger Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’. The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality. A constant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Polyester

Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, C 1977, New Frame, On Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Menagerie Lime Blue Silk Scarf, Viya By Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Menagerie Lime Blue Silk Scarf, Viya By Vikram Goyal Step into our enchanting Indian menagerie, where the essence of the jungle intertwines harmoniously with the depths of hum...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Milano Emerald Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Large Contemporary Hand Embellished Color Giclee on Canvas signed FABRICE
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning contemporary piece of decorative artwork by Fabrice. Mixed media giclee on canvas with embellishments by Fabrice using oil paint and a fine brush. Hand signed lower righ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Italian Contemporary Gliceé Ottoman Print n.2 with Black Laquered Wood Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Ottoman prints 2. Multi-color Giclèe print on 100% cotton paper. Ottoman personage paired with romantic country views. Bluette passepartout. Black lacquered designer wood frame. Fro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’. The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality. A constant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Polyester, Silk

Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 2" Available Numbers 1-3-4
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flatbed press and finished with a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Art Glass Lagoon Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
Located in London, GB
A combination of special techniques and process has created glass sheets that capture the timeless and limitless beauty of precious stones, lava rock, as well as dream landscape. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Heljä Liukko-Sundström For Arabia Limited Edition Mother Child Wall Plates
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine pair vintage Arabia porcelain wall plates from the Mother and Child Series by Heljä Liukko-Sundström (b.1938) for Arabia, Finland and mad...
Category

1980s Finnish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

Floral Watercolor Painting
Located in Madrid, ES
This charming and sophisticated wall decoration has been entirely hand-painted on 100% natural cotton paper, using the sumi-e technique inspired by ancient Korean paintings. Particul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Cotton, Acrylic, Paper

Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’. The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality. A constant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Polyester, Silk

Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’. The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality. A constant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Polyester, Silk

Modern decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative art 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 art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative art 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 art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Louise Heighes, Atlasproject, and Peter Keil. 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 art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35 and tops out at $191,803 while the average work can sell for $2,184.

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