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Proto Modern

French Empire Style Mirror
French Empire Style Mirror

French Empire Style Mirror

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Its design embodies a restrained architectural elegance with a proto-Modern sensibility, combining classic elements in a clean and refined aesthetic.

Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back
Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back

Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back

Located in New York, NY

Set of four French Early Modern dining chairs. The chairs have a sober, Proto- Modern sensibility with a back splat in the form of perpendicular grid.

Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Vintage 1890s Black Lace-Up Harness Corset with Blush Ribbon Detail
Vintage 1890s Black Lace-Up Harness Corset with Blush Ribbon Detail

Vintage 1890s Black Lace-Up Harness Corset with Blush Ribbon Detail

Located in Atlanta, GA

Designed to contour and shape the torso, the corset reflects the late Victorian fascination with structured femininity while hinting at a more avant-garde, almost proto-modern sensib...

Category

1890s Corsets

Proto Bauhaus Hammered Silver & Copper Vase or Wine Cooler by Hutscheneruther
Proto Bauhaus Hammered Silver & Copper Vase or Wine Cooler by Hutscheneruther

Proto Bauhaus Hammered Silver & Copper Vase or Wine Cooler by Hutscheneruther

By Lorenz Hutschenreuther

Located in New York, NY

Elegant early German modern (Proto Bauhaus) handcrafted vase or wine & champagne cooler in hammered silver with an under-layer of copper / bronze by Hutscheneruther Stamped on rea...

Category

Early 20th Century German Modern Wine Coolers

Materials

Silver, Bronze, Copper

George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895

George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895

By George Hunzinger

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This chair stands as a rare surviving example of American proto-modern design, uniting sculptural presence, technical experimentation, and functional elegance.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Planete
Planete

Planete

Located in San Francisco, CA

(GE) "G-58 Hessehuis" retro, Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium.(GE) "Proto-Astros", Studio Modern Art, Milano, Italy.(OMS) "Gioielli di artisti belgi dal 1900 al 1973, Museo, Pol...

Category

1960s Mixed Media

Materials

Masonite, Paint, Mixed Media

Recent Sales

Moonrise York Harbor, Maine
Moonrise York Harbor, Maine

Moonrise York Harbor, Maine

By Lockwood de Forest

Located in Santa Barbara, CA

His plein air paintings, most of which measure about nine by fourteen inches, show a rare gift for color, a certainty in the way he laid up paint, and an economy of means that gives ...

Category

Early 1900s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Santa Barbara's Channel Islands - Deep Blue Pacific
Santa Barbara's Channel Islands - Deep Blue Pacific

Santa Barbara's Channel Islands - Deep Blue Pacific

By Lockwood de Forest

Located in Santa Barbara, CA

His plein air paintings, most of which measure about nine by fourteen inches, show a rare gift for color, a certainty in the way he laid up paint, and an economy of means that gives ...

Category

1910s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Palm Springs
Palm Springs

Palm Springs

By Lockwood de Forest

Located in Santa Barbara, CA

His plein air paintings, most of which measure about nine by fourteen inches, show a rare gift for color, a certainty in the way he laid up paint, and an economy of means that gives ...

Category

Early 1900s American Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Archival Paper, Oil

Proto Floor Lamp, Brushed Aluminum, Polished and Brushed Brass, Blackened Steel
Proto Floor Lamp, Brushed Aluminum, Polished and Brushed Brass, Blackened Steel

Proto Floor Lamp, Brushed Aluminum, Polished and Brushed Brass, Blackened Steel

By Javier Robles

Located in NEW YORK, NY

JAVIER ROBLES 1ST EDITION Inspired by primordial life forms, the proto lighting collection is a playful aggregating system of rounded segments with diffused internal light and indir...

Category

2010s American Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Proto Table Lamp - red powder coated aluminum, mirror polished and brushed brass
Proto Table Lamp - red powder coated aluminum, mirror polished and brushed brass

Proto Table Lamp - red powder coated aluminum, mirror polished and brushed brass

By Javier Robles

Located in NEW YORK, NY

JAVIER ROBLES 1ST EDITION Inspired by primordial life forms, the Proto lighting collection is a playful aggregating system of rounded segments with diffused internal light and indir...

Category

2010s American Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

1900s French Plaster Sculpture
1900s French Plaster Sculpture

1900s French Plaster Sculpture

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H 14.6 in W 9.4 in D 5.9 in

1900s French Plaster Sculpture

Located in High Point, NC

A black plaster sculpture produced in France, circa early 1900s. A proto-modern plaster sculpture mounted on the wall, looking down and away, like Donatello’s David, at some unseen a...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Busts

Materials

Plaster

Late 19th Century French Bleached Oak Chest of Drawers
Late 19th Century French Bleached Oak Chest of Drawers

Late 19th Century French Bleached Oak Chest of Drawers

Located in High Point, NC

Its straight geometric lines give a feeling of country manor proto-modern.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests o...

Materials

Oak

Proto-Modern Style Plant Stand
Proto-Modern Style Plant Stand

Proto-Modern Style Plant Stand

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H 60 in Dm 29 in

Proto-Modern Style Plant Stand

Located in Katonah, NY

A cast-iron plant stand of stylized, proto-modern form, with one large lower tier and multiple upper swing arms with pot rests, the whole atop an acanthus-leaf tripod base, stamped "...

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Other Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Iron

Swedish Plant Stand
Swedish Plant Stand

Swedish Plant Stand

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H 60 in Dm 29 in

Swedish Plant Stand

Located in Katonah, NY

A cast-iron plant stand of stylized, proto-modern form, with one large lower tier and multiple upper tiers, or "arms", the whole atop an acanthus-leaf tripod base, stamped "Groll Bol...

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Pedestals

early 20th century mechanical recliner
early 20th century mechanical recliner

early 20th century mechanical recliner

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H 41 in W 55 in D 24 in

early 20th century mechanical recliner

Located in Hudson, NY

Mohair velvet upholstery.Extremely comfortable and great for reading. Wonderful proto modern design

Category

Early 20th Century French Chaise Longues

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Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon

Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon

$8,266 / set

H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in

Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon

By Lemon

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Structure: Made from Poplar Burl veneer with solid oak edging, the Park Nightstand is finished with matching veneer on both the exterior and interior. The inside includes an adjustab...

Category

2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

Materials

Wood, Poplar, Burl

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon

By Lemon

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...

Category

2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light

By DBO Home

Located in Sharon, CT

Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Christian Dior Burgundy Satin Ballet Flats 38.5
Christian Dior Burgundy Satin Ballet Flats 38.5

Christian Dior Burgundy Satin Ballet Flats 38.5

By Christian Dior

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Christian Dior burgundy ballet flats size 38.5 perfect condition, no defects worn once

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Shoes

Yves Saint Laurent Coco Brown Form-Fitting Lined Jersey Dress
Yves Saint Laurent Coco Brown Form-Fitting Lined Jersey Dress

Yves Saint Laurent Coco Brown Form-Fitting Lined Jersey Dress

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in New York, NY

Yves Saint Laurent coco brown form-fitting lined jersey scoop-neck dress features a handkerchief hemline on both the dress's hem and also on the bell-sleeve's cuff. Detaile...

Category

1990s Italian Ballerina Dresses

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

$9,896 / item

H 31.5 in W 106.3 in D 39.38 in

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection.  An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Sofas

Materials

Linen

Jane Andre 1950s Full Skirt Dress
Jane Andre 1950s Full Skirt Dress

Jane Andre 1950s Full Skirt Dress

Located in Water Mill, NY

A great black dress by Jane Andre in a cotton linen blend. It has cap sleeves, a drop waist and full skirt. There is fine band around the crew neckline and the drop waistline ending ...

Category

1950s American Day Dresses

Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728

Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728

$1,392Sale Price|20% Off

H 28.25 in W 16.25 in D 18.5 in

Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728

By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet

Located in Basel, BS

Designed by the renowned Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Fledermaus Cafe in Vienna, this single "Fledermaus" Model number 728, aka "Bat" Cafe chair features black u...

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Chairs

Materials

Leather, Faux Leather, Beech

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Sz 44 Black Corset / Bustier Dress YSL
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Sz 44 Black Corset / Bustier Dress YSL

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Sz 44 Black Corset / Bustier Dress YSL

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in San Diego, CA

Drop dead gorgeous vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Rive Gauche' YSL black dress! Quite possibly the most flattering dress I have ever seen! This rare beauty does wonders for the body! Co...

Category

1980s French Cocktail Dresses

Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress
Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress

Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress

By John Galliano, Christian Dior

Located in Water Mill, NY

A gorgeous black silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The body of the dress is made of fine black stretch silk with functional adjustable lacing at the center front and b...

Category

1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Stunning Original 1970s Jean-Louis Scherrer Silk Wedding Dress
Stunning Original 1970s Jean-Louis Scherrer Silk Wedding Dress

Stunning Original 1970s Jean-Louis Scherrer Silk Wedding Dress

By Jean-Louis Scherrer

Located in Berlin, BE

Stunning extremely rare creation by Fashion Icon Jean-Louis Scherrer. The softest liquid pure silk. Long maxi dress designed in the free spirit of the 1970s: Beautiful long cascadin...

Category

1970s French Wedding Dresses

LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded Silk Embellished Evening Gown
LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded Silk Embellished Evening Gown

LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded Silk Embellished Evening Gown

Located in Leonardo, NJ

wedding / bridal / bride Les Habitudes Couture Vintage 1990's Entirely hand-made in England 100% silk Size Medium but fits like a XS/S Excellent Condition, no flaws Measurements in i...

Category

1990s Wedding Dresses

Bill Blass Cross Back Dress 1980s
Bill Blass Cross Back Dress 1980s

Bill Blass Cross Back Dress 1980s

By Bill Blass

Located in Water Mill, NY

A fabulous black jersey dress from Bill Blass. It is semi fitted with a full gathered skirt. The back is bare to just below the waist with the exception of straps which meet at a me...

Category

1980s American Day Dresses

Four chairs mod. Fledermaus, Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s
Four chairs mod. Fledermaus, Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s

Four chairs mod. Fledermaus, Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s

$1,303Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 29.14 in W 16.93 in D 17.72 in

Four chairs mod. Fledermaus, Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Argelato, BO

Four bentwood chairs mod. Fledermaus by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s It is one of the most famous creations of the Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, one of the founding fathers...

Category

Vintage 1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs

Materials

Straw, Bentwood

Custom French Plaster Chandelier in the Style of Jean-Charles Moreux
Custom French Plaster Chandelier in the Style of Jean-Charles Moreux

Custom French Plaster Chandelier in the Style of Jean-Charles Moreux

By Jean-Charles Moreux

Located in New York, NY

An Elegant and Timeless, Custom French Modern Neoclassical Plaster Chandelier / Pendant or Flush Mount Ceiling Light in the style of the French Mid-century architect-decorator Jean-C...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Christian Dior by John Galliano Sheer Bronze Gold Knit Mini Dress 1999 2000
Christian Dior by John Galliano Sheer Bronze Gold Knit Mini Dress 1999 2000

Christian Dior by John Galliano Sheer Bronze Gold Knit Mini Dress 1999 2000

By Christian Dior, John Galliano

Located in Berlin, BE

Christian Dior by John Galliano Fall 1999/ 2000 Extremely sexy dress by John Galliano for Dior - a dress that transcends mere fabric to become an emblem of audacious elegance. This...

Category

1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

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Proto Modern For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact proto modern you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Find abstract versions now, or shop for abstract creations for a more modern example of these cherished works. Making the right choice when shopping for a proto modern may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century. On 1stDibs, the right proto modern is waiting for you and the choices span a range of colors that includes gray, beige, black and blue. Creating a proto modern has been a part of the legacy of many artists, but those crafted by (after) Pablo Picasso, Dimitar Mitov - Komshin, Lucien Clergue, Victor Vasarely and Pablo Picasso are consistently popular. Frequently made by artists working in lithograph, paint and oil paint, these artworks are unique and have attracted attention over the years.

How Much is a Proto Modern?

The average selling price for a proto modern we offer is $2,750, while they’re typically $20 on the low end and $85,000 for the highest priced.