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Modern Decorative Objects

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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1,247
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Style: Modern
Modern Italian Carpathian Burl Wood Humidor with Tasseled Key
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Italian Carpathian Burl Wood Humidor with Tasseled Key Italy, late 20th century  A stunning modern Italian Carpathian burl wood humidor is a testament to late 20th-century cr...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Brass

Sculpture of a Walking Horse, Contemporary Work, XXIst Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a Walking Horse, Contemporary work, XXIst Century. Sculpture of a horse at a walk in the style of the 19th century in composite material and Plexiglas, contemporary scu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Composition

Leather Tray, Medium B Rectangular Tray - Handmade in Brazil - Color: Zinc
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Franco Bucci Italian Black Ceramic Vase Italy c1970
Located in Chicago, IL
A black ceramic vase by Franco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesaro Italy c 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Andre Bloch French Tall Ceramic Vase in Black Glaze c 2010
Located in Chicago, IL
A tall ceramic vase by French artist Andre Bloch. Bloch uses a heavily grogged clay and deep black glaze to create his unique forms. Circa 2010
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Leather Tray, Large A Square Tray - Handmade in Brazil - Color: Saffron
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Leather Tray, Medium A Rectangular Tray - Handmade in Brazil - Color: Clay
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Leather Trinket Tray - Small Square Object Holder - Handmade - Color: Vanilla
Located in Curitiba, Parana
OBJECT HOLDER The Trinket Tray/Object Holder Line can be used as organizers for everyday objects or as your imagination suggests. Made of genuine leather, the Italian border finish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Leather Trinket Tray - Small Square Object Holder - Handmade - Color: Savannah
Located in Curitiba, Parana
OBJECT HOLDER The Trinket Tray/Object Holder Line can be used as organizers for everyday objects or as your imagination suggests. Made of genuine leather, the Italian border finish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Signed Paolo De Poli Italian (Rame Smaltato) Modernist Enamel on Copper Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine large modernist bowl. In copper and enamel. By Paolo de Poli. the world-renowned Italian enameller and painter. The interior decorated in black and red enamels and the exte...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Important Storied Tall Ceramic Pot with Rattle and Fingerprints Toshiko Takaezu
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic ceramic closed-form pot with rattle by Japanese American artist Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922 - 2011). The story: In the 1980s, potter Lola Rae invited Toshika to her ceramic studio and kiln in Ojai, CA to teach a class. Lola Rae had previously worked as a studio assistant for artist Beatrice Wood for eight years. This pot was one of the pieces Toshiko made on site during the class and workshop. Together with the other pot on offer, they stayed in Lola Rae's personal collection until now offered by us Tishu Gallery...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Leather Trinket Tray - Medium Square Object Holder - Handmade - Color: Marine
Located in Curitiba, Parana
OBJECT HOLDER The Trinket Tray/Object Holder Line can be used as organizers for everyday objects or as your imagination suggests. Made of genuine leather, the Italian border finish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Aniela Platter / Circus / Candy / Red by Malwina Konopacka
Located in WARSZAWA, PL
ANIELA can be described in three words: perfect-fruit-plate! Of course, it works just as well for serving sweets or savory snacks. Its wide base and a funny ball-shaped handle gain a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

Leather Tray, Medium A Rectangular Tray - Handmade in Brazil - Color: Wine
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Studio Stoneware Planters Bob Kinzie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome pair of 'Affiliated Craftsman' California design planters. Wheel thrown natural clay on the outside with hand tooled pattern design, and glazed on the inside. No drain holes...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Lalique Frosted Crystal Swimming Swans Pair with Mirror
Located in Countryside, IL
Lalique Frosted Crystal Swimming Swans Pair with Mirror This crystal set measures: 33 wide x 22.25 deep x 10 high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Gaetano Pesce "Senzafine Oval" Pink Bowl, Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, 2000s
Located in Brescia , Brescia
Immerse yourself in the avant-garde world of Gaetano Pesce with this exquisite "Senzafine Oval" bowl, a distinguished piece from the Del Pesce Edition crafted exclusively for Merita...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin, Epoxy Resin

Leather Trinket Tray - Medium Square Object Holder - Handmade - Color: Caramel
Located in Curitiba, Parana
OBJECT HOLDER The Trinket Tray/Object Holder Line can be used as organizers for everyday objects or as your imagination suggests. Made of genuine leather, the Italian border finish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Topography Gen II Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Topography Gen II Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 12.1 x W 24.1 x H 17.8 cm. Materials: Hard maple and walnut. Sculptures will be signed a...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Vintage Multicolor Murano Style Confetti Swirl Art Glass Vase
Located in East Quogue, NY
Elegant vintage multicolor Murano style End-of-Day swirl confetti 1970s bulb-shaped art glass vase with cinched neck and ruffle top. A lovely, colorful, modern piece. Excellent v...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Silver paperweight lens attributed to Miracles
By Argenteria Dabbene, Sabattini Argenteria, Argenteria IL LEONE, Argenteria Coppola, Argenteria Marchetti
Located in Lugo, IT
Silver paperweight lens. Attributed to a production of Miracles Romeo. Non-perfect punch traceable to Miracoli manufacture. Good conditions. Thank you
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Ceramic Monkey jewelry box, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the delightful Monkey Jewelry Box by Love Art Ceramic—a whimsical blend of artistry and functionality, sure to enchant any space with its charm. Hand-sculpted with metic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Bust of Julius Caesar carved on Cipollino Apuan Marble end 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust of Julius Caesar carved on Cipollino Apuan Marble end 20th Century for the bust and white Carrara marble for the head. Italy Turned base in white Carrara marble Original one-...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble

Contemporary Metal Bird Silhouette Decor Minimalist Accents for Modern space
Located in Vilnius, LT
Flight shadows decoration This object symbolizes the dynamic movement of a static form. Visual incompleteness demonstrates the dynamics of the form transformation, the acquisition o...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Deliquesce Vase
Located in Jerusalem, IL
born from the intimate bond between earth and human hands: our Mouth-Blown Glass Vase, seamlessly fused with locally sourced stones. This extraordinary vessel is more than a mere dec...
Category

2010s Palestinian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

"Kelo" Art Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
"Kelo" Italian art glass vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini & Co. Glass, clear, black, white and red. Marked: Venini 90 Sarpaneva (engraved).
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Bust of Octavian Augustus in Breccia Pernice and white Carrara end 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust of Octavian Augustus in Breccia Pernice and white Carrara Marble placed on a turned base in white Carrara marble height 73 cm base included, weight 80 kg Italy 73x55x28cm Go...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble

Cartier American Modern Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver box, ca 1920. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top and overhanging rim. Interior cedar lined. Fully m...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
Located in Milan, IT
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001 Both are fully signed
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair Lucite Sculptures in the style of Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Lucite Sculptural Circles in the style of Charles Hollis Jones. Nice colors of purples and blues. Spheres are highly polished and in nice shape. They are dated and signed,...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite

Seonaidh Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Seonaidh Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: D 8.9 x W 24.1 x H 38.1 cm. Materials: Walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the botto...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Horse Head, Unique Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

20th Century Murano Glass Bottle, Made in Italy
Located in PALERMO, IT
Murano glass bottle, made in Italy. 70's design.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Gaetano Pesce "Half Ball Medium" Bowl, Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, 2000's
Located in Brescia , Brescia
Discover the captivating allure of Gaetano Pesce's "Half Ball Medium" Bowl, a remarkable piece from the Del Pesce Edition for Meritalia, dating back to the 2000s. Crafted with metic...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin, Plastic

Futuristic Horse, Unique Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Ma’at III Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Ma’at III Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition. Dimensions: D 7.6 x W 14 x H 38.1 cm. Materials: Hard maple and walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the bott...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Welcome Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Welcome Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 17. 8 x W 25.4 x H 57.2 cm. Materials: Walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the botto...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Seo of 6 Oyster shell Incenses Holder. From the Oygg series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Seo of 6 Oyster shell Incenses Holder, 2023 From the Oygg series Material : Egg Shells, Jesmonite Dimensions: 30 W x 13.6 D x 0.6 H (cm) Individual size: 10 W x 6.8 D x 0.6 H (cm) W...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Shell, Eggshell

Lithio Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Lithio Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 10.2 x W 12.7 x H 31.8 cm. Materials: Walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the bottom ...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Decorative Carved Valuables Box
Located in Incline Village, NV
Resting on four paw feet and opening via two rear butterfly hinges, this attractive carved box is featured on top with an oval highly carved applique cartouche, monogrammed with the ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Alibeck Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Alibeck Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 7.6 x W 45.7 x H 48.3 cm. Materials: Walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the bottom ...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Macedoine Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Macedoine Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 17.8 x W 25.4 x H 83.8 cm. Materials: Painted black hard maple. Sculptures will be signed and n...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple

Raku Horse, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Jaime Hayon Contemporary Terracotta Set of Gardenias Big Vases
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of gardenias vases by Jaime Hayon Hand turned terracotta within impermeable treatment. Measures: nº 1: 22 x 45 cm nº 2: 22 x 45 cm nº 4: 26 x 37 cm.
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

White and Brown Horse, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Petite Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Petite Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Dimensions: D 7.5 x W 10.2 x H 30.5 cm. Materials: Walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the bottom of the base. Wood grain will v...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Kensho Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Kensho Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 15 Pieces. Dimensions: D 19.05 x W 22.9 x H 119.4 cm. Materials: Painted black hard maple. Sculptures will be signed and n...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple

Brutalist Metal Abstract Sculpture Circa 1970s
Located in Oakland, CA
1970s Brutalist abstract sculpture constructed of welded metal with a rich patina to it. Consisting of 3 boxy angular forms welded in opposing angles and directions, there is texture...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

1980s Tavola Oggetti Rectangular Marble Jewelry Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage, sleek, pair of polished stone bookends, circa the 1970s. This set is constructed of solid, heavy-weight marble and skillfully hand-cut and ha...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Jubokko Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Jubokko Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 10.2 x W 20.3 x H 34.4 cm. Materials: Hard maple and walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbere...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Lamassu Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Lamassu Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 12.7 x W 35.6 x H 53.3 cm. Materials: Walnut. Sculptures will be signed and numbered on the bottom...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Topography Gen II Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Topography Gen II Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition Of 15 Pieces. Dimensions: D 12.1 x W 24.1 x H 43.2 cm. Materials: Walnut. Finished with a soft matte water-based la...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

cabeza abstracta
Located in VALENCIA, ES
Welcome to the very delicate world of Manel Galià. Manel Galià was born in Barcelona into a family of artists and spent his entire childhood in this artistic atmosphere. He spent a lot of time in his father's studio, observing and helping his father. He often applied the first touches to blank canvases, and his father continued the work begun by the child. Moving away from his father's style, Narcis...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Perforated Ceramic Horse, Candle, Centerpiece Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Emese’s Dream Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Emese’s Dream Sculpture by Chandler McLellan Limited Edition of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 14 x W 28 x H 40 cm. Materials: Hard maple and walnut. First edition currently available in ...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Important Storied Tall Ceramic Pot with Rattle and Handprints by Toshiko Takaezu
Located in Atlanta, GA
An important ceramic closed-form pot with rattle by Japanese American artist Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922 - 2011). The story: In the 1980s, potter Lola Rae invited Toshika to her ceramic studio and kiln in Ojai, CA to teach a class. Lola Rae had previously worked as a studio assistant for artist Beatrice Wood for eight years. This pot was one of the pieces Toshiko made on site during the class and workshop. Together with the other pot on offer, they stayed in Lola Rae's personal collection until now offer by us Tishu Gallery...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

2 Horses, Brown, Ceramic Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently painted.. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are unique since they are done without any mold. Ha...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Armor Horse, Silver finish, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative objects 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 objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative objects 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 objects, popular names associated with this style include Venini, RAAQUU, VG-VGnewtrend, and Mosche Bianche. 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 objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $6,718,000 while the average work can sell for $1,174.

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