The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
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Early Production Aino Aalto glass Jug Pitcher, Karhula, modernist 1930's
By Aino Aalto
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A rare original 1930's early Production clear Pressed glass Aino Aalto Jug / Pitcher, for Karhula Glassworks. Designed in the mid 1930's, exhibited at the Milan Triennale in 1936 an...
Glass
Vase in Murano Glass attributed to Aureliano Toso 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible big Murano vase bicolor with bubbles and "costolato" perfect conditions
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso vase in Murano glass with applied glass
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso circa 1950 with applied glass.
Murano Glass
Salviati Pair of candlesticks in Murano glass attributed circa 1930
By Salviati
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of candlesticks in Murano glass attributed to SALVIATI circa 1930
Murano Glass
$330Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Clear Crystal Mg Roadster Decorative Model Car / Paperweight
Located in Milano, IT
Little but realistic miniature model of a classic MG Roadster from the late 1970s/early 1980s. It is made in pressed clear glass, and is rich in details, to the point it even shows t...
Crystal
Vase in Murano Glass by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano vase by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso 1950.
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso vase in Murano glass "Opalino Costolato" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano vase circa 1950 in "Opalino Costolato".
Murano Glass
Bowl in Murano glass in style Venini circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bowl in Murano glass style Venini circa 1960
Murano Glass
Gio Ponti bootle in Murano glass circa 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Gio Ponti bootle in Murano glass by Venini circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass by Silvanni to Fratelli Toso 1990
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass from 1990 made by Silvanni to Fratelli Toso
Murano Glass
Dino Martens Italian Multicolor 1950 Murano Glass Center Piece
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece in Murano glass by Dino Martens circa 1950 fazzoletto model with applied glass and venturina. Fantastic.
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass bicolor attributed to Fratelli Toso circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big vase bicolor in Murano glass attributed to Fratelli Toso circa 1950
Murano Glass
Dino Martens Italian Multicolor 1950 Murano Glass "Fazzoletto"
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible multicolor vase with applied glass attributed to Dino Martens 1950 fazzoleto model.
Murano Glass
Dino Martens par Aureliano Toso Murano glass circa 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible Murano vase from the fifths attributed to Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso
Murano Glass
Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass original from the fifths by Seguso Vetri dArte. Perfect condition.
Murano Glass
Ansolo Fuga Murano Glass transparent and Blue 1950 vase
By Ansolo Fuga
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano glass by Ansolo Fuga circa 1950 vase.
Murano Glass
Murano Vase by Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, circa 1952
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Rare original vase by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso repertoire in the book Dino Martens by Marc Heiremans model 5412.
Art Glass
Seguso Vetri D'Arte 1950 Murano vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano blue vase with 50 by Seguso Vetri dArte
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass by Seguso Vetri d'Arte 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass by Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1950
Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier "Primavera" center piece circa 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece in Murano glass by Ercole Barovier "Primavera" circa 1930
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso "coronato oro" circa 1950 big vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big Murano vase by Archimede Seguso 1950 "costolato oro" with applied collar.
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass attributed to Ercole Barovier circa 1955
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass attributed to Ercole Barovier in rubi glass circa 1955.
Murano Glass
$124Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage European Handblown Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments, 12 Pcs
Located in Boca Raton, FL
4 sets vintage European mercury glass handblown handpainted Christmas ornaments-3” balls, made in old Herman tradition.12 pcs total.
Mercury Glass
$80 / set
Vennini Glass Shades Originals
By Bf Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A great find of Glass shades that came from 4 or 5 Large Chandeliers in an Los Angeles Restaurant that closed .They have been packed up and in storage ove...
Glass
Seguso. Vetri dArte Murano Glass green "Corroso" vase circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano vase by Seguso Vetri dArte "Corroso" circa 1950
Murano Glass
Zecchin Martinuzzi circa 1930 Murano glass
By Zecchin Martinuzzi
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass original to the period attributed to Zecchin Martinuzzi circa 1930.
Murano Glass
Tall Barovier&Toso vase in Murano glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso Murano glass tall vase hand molded circa 1950
Murano Glass
Center piece in Murano glass by Ercole Barovier 1950 "cordonato oro"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece in Murano glass by Ercole Barovier circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso vase in Murano glass with gold and applied glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso with gold and applied glass. Fantastic.
Murano Glass
Bowl Barovier&Toso in Murano Glass for Cigars circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Rare bowl for cigars in Murano glass attributed to Barovier e Toso, circa 1950.
Art Glass
Murano vase by Archimede Seguso circa 1950 with cornucopia.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass with gold and cornucopia applied by Archimede Seguso circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Center Piece in Opaline Glass, circa 1850
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Special rose france opaline center table piece.
Opaline Glass
Daum Nancy pair of french glass candelabra circa 1950
By Daum
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Perfect pair of french candelabra in transparent glass for two candles
Blown Glass
Archimede Seguso 1950 Center piece "costolato oro"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece in Murano glass with gold in intense blue by Archimede Seguso circa 1950
Murano Glass
Napoleone Martinuzzi VENINI c 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano vase Napoleone Martinuzzi to Venini circa 1930
Murano Glass
Barovier&Toso Murano Glass green vase circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso green with air bubbles Murano Glass circa 1950
Murano Glass
Large Archimede Seguso italian bicolor 1950 Murano Glass Cornucopia
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bicolor with gold cornucopia by Archimede Seguso in Murano glass circa 1950, fantastic.
Murano Glass
Large Venini Murano Glass Light Coralo 1950 Vase
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big vase i Murano glass attributed to Venini circa 1950
Murano Glass
Fulvio Bianconi Murano glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano multiopalined vase with hole in the center.
Murano Glass
Multicolored Pressed Glass Vase Signed Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Multicolored pressed glass Vase like face signed KOSTA BOda.
Art Glass
Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso Murano circa 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso circa 1950 with applied glass and gold.
Murano Glass
Dino Martens Murano glass multicolor vase 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Dino Martens Murano glass multicolor with two mouths circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Ansolo Fuga 1950 Murano glass bottle.
By Ansolo Fuga
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bicolor bottle in Murano glass attributed to Ansolo Fuga 1950
Murano Glass
Vase in Blown Glass Attributed to Fulvio Bianconi, circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Vase in blown glass attributed to Fulvio Bianconi from Murano with hole in the center for a good grip.
Glass
Wine carafe of hand-blown borosilicate glass from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The wine decanter is an organically shaped hand-blown borosilicate glass carafe. The Pok collection celebrates the artistry of hand-crafted beadwork made by the Pokot women in Northwest Kenya. Influenced by the hand-carved African gourd...
Blown Glass