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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Semi-Matte Polished Stainless Steel Umbrella Storage Stand For Small Space
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Plec Umberella Stand is one of the secrets in our catalogue. It’s been in production for more than 20 years and remains just as current and functional as its first day. Elegant a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Eric Schmitt (*1955), Osselet Chairs, 1996
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural " Osselet " side chairs by Eric Schmitt. Patinated bronze frames and cognac leather seats.
Category

1990s French Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Luxurious Silk Rug with Grey Crocodile Skin Design by Doris Leslie Blau
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Silk Rug with Grey Crocodile Skin Design by Doris Leslie Blau Size: 6'0" × 9'0" (182 × 274 cm) A fine hand-knotted silk rug with modern crocodile skin design, in shades ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Silk

New Modern Cigarettes and Cigar Ashtray in Black Marble, creator Chiossi Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Tuscan sculptor Michele Chiossi, has found in marble a medium to describe modernity with its myths and symbols, creating the Contemporary collection. An emoji can be a tray; an emoji heart, not necessarily pierced by an arrow, can be a place of creativity in the kitchen, a chopping board or a working surface; a dash; a zigzag; granting the marble a moment of levity, becoming vertical in a vase; reflecting an ideal image of ourselves. Unique objects to be experienced as a couple, to gift to friends, jewels of our daily lives. Time and smoke pass, ashtrays remain. As everlasting as marble, as elegant as a concentric circle of smoke spreading through the air. Chiossi revisits the most Classic of living room...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Marcel Duchamp Thonet Readymade "Porte Chapeau"
Located in Sharon, CT
Thonet manufactured this object (11022) around the turn of the century and was illustrated in their 1904 catalog (see photo). In 1917 Duchamp hung one from the ceiling of his New Yor...
Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Modernist Handblown Smoked Murano Glass Starburst Chandelier in Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist Sputnik chandelier was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Artemide Lineaflat Dimmable Mini Dual Light in White by NA Design
Located in Hicksville, NY
Wall or ceiling mounted luminaire for direct, indirect or direct/indirect lighting. Extruded aluminium body in textured white or textured anthracite finish with aluminium end caps m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Yaacov Agam Art
Located in Weesp, NL
Art Yaacov Agam Signed and numbered 25/27 from the Meissner Galerie in Hamburg Measurements: H 33 x W 23 x D 4 cm. Agam's first solo exhibition was at the ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

"The Second World War, " by Winston Churchill
Located in Austin, TX
The Second World War by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A vintage edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Second World War, for which he was a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Contemporary Ceramic Cartocci Texture Print White Bowl
Located in Porcia, IT
The contemporary allure of this stunning sculpture will elevate the design of any interior with its handcrafted, unique, and minimal silhouette. A captivating piece inspired by every...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Armchairs, Italy, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Inox steel frames featuring wraparound backs upholstered in dark brown leather, the seats and backs upholstered in the original crushed velvet with leaf pattern. These chairs were de...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Dora Maar Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Serve Surrealism. Our larger-than-life Dora Maar Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl is the grand head-turner every dining experience deserves. Inspired by Dora Maar, the French photographer, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Murano Glass Black Sputnik Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Wonderful sputnik Murano chandelier with multiple smoked "Triedi" stems shooting out from a brushed nickel sphere. This piece is iconic and will be a show stopper in your home. This ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Cosmos Coffee Table by Studio Superego, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Coffee table model Cosmos in transparent plexiglass with agate disks of different colors and with brass legs designed by Studio Superego for Superego Editions. Superego editions was...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Agate, Brass

Round side table wooden base scagliola art top handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Cupioli produces a large range of coffee or side table. This model is manufactured with a scagliola art top supported by sober lacquered wooden base. The small size make it suitable ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Scagliola, Wood

Hand Painted Leather 20th Century Mirror
Located in Toronto, CA
Unusual 20th century wall mirror, circa 1980. Hand painted leather over wood frame. In absolute mint condition, with no fading, cracks or scratches. This is a wonderful piece with stylized images of trees and village houses. Similar in style to some early Picasso paintings.
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Schumacher Freeform Black Linen Pillow
Located in New York, NY
The face of this 20" x 20" pillow features Freeform in black, paired with Piet Performance Linen in Noir on the back. Freeform features a dynamic scrolling, curvilinear pattern print...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Linen

Palwa Gilded Brass and Crystal Glass Encrusted Pendant Lamp
Located in Berlin, BE
Palwa gilded brass and crystal glass encrusted pendant lamp, model S107. The lamp is handmade and in excellent condition and float every room in a beautiful warm light. It is fitted ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Fornasetti Silk Cushion Peccato Originale Original Sin
Located in MILANO, IT
The Fornasetti cushions will add to each room an unexpected detail thanks to the most iconic Italian atelier designs. The decoration features a snake holding the forbidden fruit in its jaws, and surrounded by hand painted leaves. It is inspired by the biblical original sin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Silk

Pao 2, table lamp in glass and wood, Arteluce, Italy 1993
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful high table lamp, model PAO 2, with a satin-finished glass base, base in laquered wood and shade in soft white opaline. Designed by Matteo Thun (Italy 1952) for Arteluce, ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Salvador Dalí Cajones Sculpture Linen Shade Lamp
Located in Barcelona, ES
A standing lamp taken from Dalí’s drawings for Jean Michel Frank. With this, Dalí introduced the little drawers at the base of the lamp, an idea he alread...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Contemporary artwork Aldine Engelman sixties the Netherlands
By Adine Engelman
Located in UTRECHT, NL
Beautiful, very big painting by Adine Engelman. Born in Rotterdam 1937 - died Haarlem 2015. Education in Rotterdam art academy and Haarlem at atelier ‘63. Was born as a man and wen...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Rare Emaux de Longwy Ceramic Boule Vase by Garouste and Bonetti Limited 1 of 5
Located in Miami, FL
This Boule vase “Ornament “ is a rare limited edition numbered 1/5 by Elizabeth Garouste was born in 1949 in Paris and Mattia Bonetti in 1952 in Lugano (Switzerland). They pooled their work from 1980 to dedicate themselves to the creation of pieces of furniture and interior decoration. They start with the decoration of the Palace that Fabrice Eamer asks them to design. Then shortly after, the Néotu Gallery publishes them. Their furniture, baroque and barbarian, surprises, made up of heterogeneous and unusual materials, such as rock, hammered bronze, raffia, leather, skin, logs and glass ... They are at the instigation of fashion "barbaric". For their work, they use references such as the Middle Ages, Africa, through the poetry of Cocteau, the Venetian baroque and neoclassicism. They have also been edited by the “Waiting for the Barbarians” galleries, David Gill, Kréo, Lou Fagotin...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

419-G Hand Crafted Golden Promise Fronds Tray- 22kt Gold Detail by Helen Prior
Located in New Paltz, NY
419-G Hand Crafted Golden Promise Fine Fronds Tray With 22kt Gold Detail by Helen Prior A delicate hand-crafted tray, organic in shape with a torn clay edge in natural speckled ston...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pair of Signed limited Edition Photography Books by Mel Roberts
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of signed Mel Roberts first edition photography books. From 2000 and 2001. Both books are hand signed. In great condition.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Sabine Marcelis Pink Resin Candy Cube Contemporary Square Side Table, Rotterdam
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sabine Marcelis Candy Cubes series Manufactured by Studio Sabine Marcelis Rotterdam, 2017 High polished single cast resin Measurements 50 cm x 50 cm x ...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

Cast Bronze Cassette Tape
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary bronze classic cassette tape, meticulously cast from life, transforms an obsolete piece of technology into a timeless object of intrigue. At first glance, it baffle...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pierre Frey Large Bolster Cushion
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A beautiful handcrafted bolster cushion in classic fabric by The House of Pierre Frey. The bolster cushion is made with piping and fitted with zipper. The size is perfect for a k...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric

orange table lamp "Miss Pack" from Alvino Bagni for Tacchini, 2000s
Located in Saarburg, RP
MISS PACK table lamp This fabulous orange "Miss Pac" (Miss Pack) table lamp is made of glazed ceramic and was designed by the well-known ceramist Alvino Bagni around the year 2000....
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Modern Landscape Nesting Coffee Tables Marble Brass Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Landscape Coffee Tables, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Granite, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Contemporary Art-Inspired Round Bedside Table Nightstand Wood Marquetry
Located in Porto, PT
Austria Bedside Table is the perfect choice for a luxury bedroom design. A modern nightstand table made in marquetry and can be customized to meet your style and favorite wood colors...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Dedar Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Pink Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Art Deco Stone Coffee Table Calacatta Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Stone Coffee Table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Stone coffee table lives up to its name featuring an exuberant stone texture with beautiful, in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Contemporary Oval Rug with Geometric Pattern in Green Hues and Beige in Wool
Located in Porto, PT
Tapis Shaped #030 also known as Zaid is a round rug by HOMMÉS Studio x TAPIS Studio. Its oval shape is ideal to add movement and liveness to a rectangular room. Zaid fragmented shape will make all eyes lay on the floor, so be sure that every detail has its own allure. This rug is the missing link...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Natural Fiber, Synthetic, Wool

Modern Bordeira Coffee Table, Calacatta Marble, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bordeira coffee table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Bordeira modern coffee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Onyx, Travertine, Carrara Marble, Brass

Organic Modern Bordeira Coffee Table, Pink Onyx, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bordeira coffee table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Bordeira modern coffee ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Marble, Travertine, Onyx, Stainless Steel, Brass

Modern Caju Lounge Chair, Swivel, Pink Mohair, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Caju Swivel Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Caju lounge chair stands as a trendy furniture piece that personifies the orga...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Side End Table Jewel Square Crystal Glass Collectible Design Handmade Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The side table 'Cascata' is made up of 219 crystal glass elements assembled by hand one by one. This table shines like a jewel. 'Instant of a perpetual flow, motionless water in a c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Bowl Vase Vessel Centerpiece White Calacatta Marble Collectible Design Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
Bowl sculpted by hand from a solid block of Calacatta marble. Polished finishing. Dimensions: Big L 56 x W 27 x H 12 cm. Medium L 45 x W 22 x H 10 cm Small L 35 x W 17 x H ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Modern Chiado Console Table, Leather Oak Root, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chiado Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Chiado console table honors Lisbon’s historic quarter, cap...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

21st Century Contemporary Minimal White Velvet Bench With Black Lacquered Base
Located in Porto, PT
Fifih Bench is a luxury bench upholstered in velvet and wood base. A contemporary design bench is perfect for minimalist and modern interior architecture ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood

Modern Armona Coffee Tables, Shadow Onyx, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Granite, Carrara Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Set of Mushroom Sculptures in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom Sculpture (Set of 2) Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang ...
Category

2010s Modern Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Modern Aire Coffee Table, Nero Marquina Marble, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Aire Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Onyx, Carrara Marble, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

Modern Chiado Console Table, Red Leather, Stone, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chiado Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Chiado console table honors Lisbon’s historic quarter, cap...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Onyx, Granite

Pair of Polish Chrome and Lucite Side Table by Leon Rosen for Pace
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of polished chrome and new 3/4” thick lucite top occasional tables designed by Leon Rosen for Pace in the 1970s. The frame is in original condition, shows minor wear consistent ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Suelo Modern Side Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo modern side chair is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The lounge chair's silhouette is simple, modern, and slee...
Category

2010s North American Modern Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Zen Fire Pit by AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Zen fire pit by AK47 Design. Steel fire pit Ø1800 mm. Zen is a wood-burning outdoor fire pit with a round steel crown and built-in brazier. Stone, g...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Handcrafted Wood Sideboard by Sebastiano Bottos, Italia
Located in Pordenone, IT
The "Cortina " contemporary sideboard by Sebastiano Bottos is handcrafted using an innovative technique that allows wood panels contortion by means of a shaped canvas consequently ob...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Fantasma, Floor Lamp, Flos, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Fantasma A floor lamp, the internal metal frame covered with a sprayed resin coated shade. Produced by Flos. Circa 1964. Italy. Note One lamp in the collection...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Groove Series Low Pod Pendant, Modern Handmade Glass Lighting
Located in New York, NY
These hanging lights feature an embedded groove that offers a precise, machine-made quality to offset these otherwise wholly handmade creations. Whether showcased individually, as an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

French Petit Beurre Serving Platter, Advertising Object
Located in Antwerp, BE
French serving platter or tray for LU Petit Beurre Nantes. A glazed ceramic platter in the shape of a Petit Beurre Biscuit from the 1950s. Petit beurre biscuits are known all around the world. This vintage tray was made as an advertising object - publicity object - collectable object and also perfect to presentate petit beurre biscuits, chocolates and other delicacies. It was made in France - Marque Déposee par Génerale Biscuit Creation Formes et Sculptures. Vintage ceramic trays...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Massimo & Lela Vignelli Pair of "Intervista" Chairs in Vermillion Leather 1989
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1989 by husband and wife design team Massimo and Lela Vignelli for Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau the Intervista chair is the modernist designer's interpretation o...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery

Contemporary Ceramic Vulcano Corteccia Texture Lilac Low Vase
Located in Porcia, IT
Dynamic and chic, this versatile vase will diffuse a sophisticated aura into a modern living room or entryway decor. The elegant form of the conical Sil...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Amazing Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 45 delicious hand-blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. the price is item...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

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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