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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Pink, No Frame, C 1975
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 an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Asian Picture "Ever Lasting Happiness"
By Chin-Chai Chang
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This captivating Asian picture titled “Ever Lasting Happiness” beautifully captures the spirit of joy, abundance, and harmony through traditional ink and watercolor artistry. The pai...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Painting by Peter Keil "the Lady" Black White, C 1987, Acrylic, New Wood Frame
Located in New York, NY
Painting by Peter Keil, circa 1987. Acrylic on Paper, matted and framed with a black and gold wood frame. The art work is called "The Lady". Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist ...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Gorgeous Blue Sellier Silk Scarf by Erre France
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous Erre Paris silk scarf in mint pristine condition. Erre Foulards 100% Silk Square 34" x 34” Scarf. Designed by Terry Pheto and Princess Charlene of Monaco. Great gift 100 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Tone Plane II Epoxy Resin Modern Wall Sculpture / Decor Beige Brown by Facture
Located in New York, NY
Tone Plane II by Facture Resin, Aluminum, Wood W 40 × H 60 × D 1.75 in W101.6 × H152.4 × D 4.45cm A large rectangular wall object features a soothing hue transitioning between Quinc...
Category

2010s Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Elena Bond Hand Embellished Giclee Art Titled "Storm on the Plaza"
Located in Miami, FL
A fine decorative piece of art by Elena Bond, titled "Storm on the Plaza", created 2009. Hand embellished giclee on canvas. Professionally framed, th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Uzbek Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Chrome

Car Mirror by Gijs Bakker for Droog, 2006, Signed and Numbered 10/10, Excellent
Located in Kansas City, MO
Car Mirror designed by Gijs Bakker for Droog. Photograph mounted on mirrored plexiglass and aluminum. Signed and numbered to reverse 'G. Bakker 10/10'. This work is number ten from t...
Category

Early 2000s Danish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Painting by Peter Keil, "the Lady", Fall Colors, Acrylic, Modern, Framed, C 1987
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

1980s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Milano Jade 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

Painting by Peter Keil, C 1959, The Lion Face", Acrylic on Paper, Framed, C 1959
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

1950s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Danish Contemporary Artist Oil On Canvas Painting, By Lars Dan
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Lars Dan Painting, "Detritus Blaa Rec1", Thick Oil Piant On Canvas Signed Lars Dan 2011
Category

2010s Danish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

From the Far West Carpets and Textiles of Morocco Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
From the Far West Carpets and Textiles of Morocco Fiske, Patricia L. and Pickering, W. Russell and Yohe, Ralph S. in black cloth covered board ...
Category

1980s Moroccan Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Painting by Peter Keil, Pink and Orange Painted on Board, C 1972, Modern Art
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 an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Original Hand Painted Disney Tinker Bell Large Art Plate by Elisabete Gomes
Located in Tustin, CA
Collectible large, hand made tinker bell and the Disneyland Magic Kingdom castle original art plate by Disney artist, Elisabete Gomes. Ceramic plate fe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Fun Set of 3 Hans Richter 1961 Artcraft Plaster Negative Relief Sports Plaques
Located in San Francisco, CA
A true time capsule of 1961, the 3-dimensional plaster negative relief plaques depicting a golfer, bowler and tennis player all engaged in their sport and all from the perspective of...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plaster

"Eb Flo" Kite by Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Silk, Bamboo, Paint

Painting, Midcentury, Color Collage of Flower Motif, Signed, On Paper, C 1950
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful midcentury painting. A very decorative color collage of flowers. The painting is signed PL and named Monachez. The painting has a red original frame. The painting has a wa...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Curtis Jere Wall Sculpture Herd of Running Gazelles
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Tin with gold highlights, a wall-mounted sculpture of a herd of running gazelles. Wall sculpture designed by Curtis Jere. Each gazelle is about 24 in.  
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

Garden - Acrylic silkscreen ink on canvas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multidisciplinary artist, designer, photographer, and founder of her eponymous brand of wallpapers, tiles, and home textiles, Aimée Wilder presents Shadow Wildling, a new series of large-format silkscreened paintings. This debut fine art edition draws inspiration from Aimée’s textile design background to explore tessellation, positive/negative space, mathematics, fractal dragon curves, and nuanced color relationships.  These new paintings, however, reverse the usual role of patterned designs within interior spaces. Rather than an all-over application of patterned wallpaper, which fills the space floor to ceiling, each Shadow Wildling work distills a pattern onto the single plane of a large painting, intended to create the perfect focal point for today’s modern interiors. Commissions for new editions in custom sizes and colors available. Garden 2021 Acrylic silkscreen ink on canvas...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Vintage Geometric Brass, Glass Block Suspended Cube Sculpture ByJoan Lehman 70 s
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing vintage sculpture by the noted glass artist and philanthropist Joan Lehman has forms of an inverted triangle and a square with a glass cube bl...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

One of One Detroit Artist Billy Couch Dodge Challenger Fine Art Print
Located in Ferndale, MI
Giclee fine art print one of one ever printed as artist proof. Series was never produced. Image of 1970s Dodge Challenger.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Gloria Kates Original Oil Painting
Located in Miami, FL
A mixed media figurative painting by Gloria Kates. Born in New York, 1929 Gloria Haberman. Offered for sale is a figurative abstract painting on canvas by the American artist Gloria Kates (1929-unknown). The painting was part of a prominent Palm Beach, FL. estate, we were fortunate to be able to acquire it and so can you. Kates used great impasto texture techniques that create movement along with the use of strong hues. The painting is framed, wired and ready to hang. More about the Artist: Gloria Kates studied classical piano at the Juilliard School of Music, 1935-40, and the Manhattan School of Music, 1940-46. She also studied music theory in 1942-46. She was an art teacher at the Barns...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Gloria Kates Original Oil Painting
Gloria Kates Original Oil Painting
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Moonlit Elsewhere
Located in London, GB
Hand-embroidered matt sequins with natural pearls, aluminum shards, and fabric manipulations.
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Aluminum

Moonlit Elsewhere
Moonlit Elsewhere
$2,341 Sale Price
20% Off
Jerusalem Art Framed by Obolski Israel
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Jerusalem art framed by Obolski Israel.   
Category

Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Contemporary ceramic Pierrot Totem by Studio Kartini
By Kartini Thomas
Located in Paddington, NSW
Kartini Thomas is an American ceramicist who uses playfulness to combine sweet monstrosities and peculiar forms. Her atypical sculptural corpus draws inspiration from two sources: he...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint, Ceramic

Milano Powder Blue 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

Gypsy Antiques from the Hollywood Antique Store
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Signe from the famous Gypsy antiques in Hollywood.
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plywood

Drawing by Manuel Viana, Lithography in Black and White, Limited Edition 1970s
By Manuel Viana
Located in Salzburg, AT
Drawing by Manuel Viana, lithography in black and white, limited edition 135/300 signed Handcrafted wooden frame with white gilt decoration, non-reflecting glass Biography: The art...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Crayon

Oil on Canvas by José Herrera
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oil on canvas by José Herrera (Spanish, 1943-). Signed and dated 1973. Original stainless steel frame. A beautiful piece.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stainless Steel

Milano Cloud 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

Ying - Acrylic Silkscreen Ink on Canvas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multidisciplinary artist, designer, photographer, and founder of her eponymous brand of wallpapers, tiles, and home textiles, Aimée Wilder presents Shadow Wildling, a new series of large-format silkscreened paintings. This debut fine art edition draws inspiration from Aimée’s textile design background to explore tessellation, positive/negative space, mathematics, fractal dragon curves, and nuanced color relationships.  These new paintings, however, reverse the usual role of patterned designs within interior spaces. Rather than an all-over application of patterned wallpaper...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Zen - Acrylic silkscreen ink on canvas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multidisciplinary artist, designer, photographer, and founder of her eponymous brand of wallpapers, tiles, and home textiles, Aimée Wilder presents Shadow Wildling, a new series of large-format silkscreened paintings. This debut fine art edition draws inspiration from Aimée’s textile design background to explore tessellation, positive/negative space, mathematics, fractal dragon curves, and nuanced color relationships.  These new paintings, however, reverse the usual role of patterned designs within interior spaces. Rather than an all-over application of patterned wallpaper...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Milano Malva Matte 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 Forest Matte 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

Vintage Signed Harvey Parks Acrylic Painting Custom Framed Pinks, Grays, Black
By Parks (Artist)
Located in North Miami, FL
This theatrical fantastic vintage acrylic horizontal painting by the noted Harvey Parks is in a beautiful new custom frame. It could be a scene at an oper...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

James Gahagan Abstract/Expressionist, Watercolor Painting on Paper, Signed, Date
By James Gahagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
James Gahagan was an American abstract ? expressionist artist/painter , also known as colorist.The size of the work by itself is 9 x 12 inches also signed LR, Gahagan 61. Has the ori...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Milano Pacific 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

Milano Ocre 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

The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson: Official Publication by Harley-Davidson, Inc. Bolfert, Thomas C. Published by Harley-Davidson Inc. Milwaukee, 1989 The Big Book Of Harley-Davidso...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Al;an M Hunt English Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas Wren Song Bird 2006
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This beautiful Painting titled “The Wren Song” by English Artist Alan M Hunt, early Twentieth Century. Complete with its original modern frame. Signed l...
Category

20th Century British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Collection of Three Modern Abstract Drawings Signed Geza, Manner of Franz Kline
Located in Miami, FL
Very decorative collection of modern abstract drawings signed Geza and dated 1988. Attributed to Geza Skobel. Geza Szobel (1905-1963) is a Hungarian painter naturalized French. He ...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Milano Kakhi 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

Original David Hockney Etching of Celia Birtwell
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Original David Hockney etching of Celia Birtwell, iconic British textile designer and fashion designer, signed, numbered 13 of an edition of 75, dated 1...
Category

1960s English Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Milano Cloud 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

Wall Panel Modern Grey Artwork Handmade in Italy by Cupioli Available
Located in Rimini, IT
Painting texturised scagliola artwork handmade in Italy by Cupioli available Decorative wall panel handmade by the artist manufactured using the scagliola technique. Tha Coloured Abs...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Scagliola

Milano Forest Matte 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 Frost 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

Leather wall decoration, 3D map of the city NY
Located in Torino, IT
The NY map is an object of art and wall decoration, made of genuine leather, 3D effect made by hand painting. The map can be hung as a simple picture, having a polycarbonate structur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Milano Mineral 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

Painting from the 1940s, Mid-Century Art, Blue, Chocolate White Colors, Golden
Located in New York, NY
Decorative painting from the 1940s. Painting has a beautiful gold frame with a linen liner.
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Milano Rose 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

Milano Fire 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

Lithograph Framed Under Glass, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lithograph framed under glass, 1990. Lithograph framed in an elegant frame under glass, circa 1990. H: 84 cm, W: 63.5 cm, D: 2 cm
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

Milano Powder Blue 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

Erwin Walter Burger "Fish" Wall Panel
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Erwin Walter Burger "Fish" wall panel
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Milano Nude Matte 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 Malva Matte 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

Painting, Portrait of a Lady, Charcoal, Large Scale with Wide Gold Frame, C 1960
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, midcentury, large portrait of a lady, circa 1960. Charcoal on paper with a very decorative gold frame.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Gudrun Lauesen, Stone Mosaic Artwork, Signed
By Gudrun Lauesen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gudrun Lauesen 1917 - 2002. Decorative artwork set in stone mosaic with a scene of a rooster and chickens. Different colored stones applied to cement. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Cast Stone

Tile Panel Milano Missori in Terracotta Handmade Decorative
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

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.