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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$19,370 / item
Dos Gallos Custom X Console Cabinet in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom console or cabinet, with three doors and interiors shelves. Can be made in any configuration, size and finish and in a variety of woods. Shown here in Walnut with a medium dis...
Walnut
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Bookcase Storage Self-Standing Italian Walnut Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #6 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #6 wall unit is boldly defined by th...
Marble, Metal
$1,361Sale Price|20% Off
Oak French Henri II Cabinet, Late 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful and high quality Henri II cabinet. Striking French design from the late 19th century. Solid oak with original solid brass handle on the dr...
Brass
Cabinet D'Architecture No. 12 by Eileen Gray for Classicon
By Eileen Gray
Located in Ravenna, IT
This piece is number 12 of the now closed edition of 25. The cabinet has several drawers of different sizes for storing tools and documents and has a folding shelf to provide a writi...
Steel
Tall French Barristers Filing Cabinet, Notaire’s Bookcase
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
This is a traditional French Cartonniere, the top section holds 10 removable brass fitted box files. The main body of the cabinet is made in pine and it has a two-door shelved cupbo...
Pine
Contemporary Sagaría Sideboard Double-Sided Glass Italian Walnut Green Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #1 is a sideboard, designed by Sagaría. The clean geometry and the authentic eloquence of the material, the fluted glass mixed with the honed Guatemala marble, are the intr...
Marble
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Self-Standing Italian Walnut Wood Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #4 is a sideboard and storage unit with shelves, designed by SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the rigorous yet playful tubular framing narrative along with the...
Marble, Metal
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Cocktail Cabinet Viennese Straw Italian Walnut
Located in San Polo, Parma
BONDO is a storage and cocktail cabinet. Designed by SAGARÍA Both familiar and unique. the narrative of the geometric wings covered in Viennese woven-straw, the rounded contours tha...
Walnut, Straw
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Bookcase Storage Doble-Sided Metal Wood Pink Blue
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #5 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #5 wall unit is boldly defined by the two round painted-metal plates to serve as anchor to the wall. The verticals are rounded pipes customizable in height , while the four shelves and storage units can also be set at various heights upon request. The high can be adjusted during assembling. The Maximum high is 270cm. Edges: extra gloss blue lacquer Top: honed Calacatta gold marble Frame: powder coated metal canapa extra matte Body: extra gloss pink...
Metal
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Cocktail Double-Sided Cabinet Italian Walnut Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
BONDO is a storage and cocktail cabinet. Designed by SAGARÍA Both familiar and unique. The narrative of the the rounded contours that curve gracefully around the sides and the hidde...
Marble
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Double-sided Glass Marble Italian Walnut
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #2 is a double sided fluted glass sideboard, designed SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the clean pattern of the tambour along the discrete technical solutions ...
Marble
3-drawer cabinet of lacquer carved wood and steel from SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The Mini Aid Wellness Cabinet from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, was initially imagined as a large-scale med...
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Bookcase Storage Doble-Sided Metal Wood Red White
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #5 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #5 wall unit is boldly defined by th...
Marble, Metal
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Double-Sided Glass Italian Walnut Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #1 is a sideboard, designed by SAGARÍA The clean geometry and the authentic eloquence of the material, the fluted glass mixed with the Calacatta gold marble, are the intrinsi...
Marble
Contemporary Sagaría Bookcase Storage Self-Standing Italian Walnut Black Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #6 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #6 wall unit is boldly defined by the ...
Marble, Iron
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Double-Sided Sideboard Wood Marquiña Marble Black
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #2 is a double sided wooden sideboard, designed SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the clean pattern of the tambour along the discrete technical solutions are th...
Marble
6-drawer cabinet of lacquer carved wood and steel from SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The All Aid Wellness Cabinet from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, was initially imagined as a large-scale medi...
Stainless Steel
Country Estate Four Drawer File Tall
Located in Annville, PA
A superb piece of craftsmanship this high quality Country Estate Four Drawer File from Niagara Furniture is made with figured burled wood. The edge of the top is a lovely shaped soli...
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the spirit of French provincial craftsmanship, where everyday fur...
Oak
French Armoire in Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Armoire in Oak and Brass, Late 19th Century Rooted in the provincial elegance of the Belle Époque This tall oak armoire, dating from the end of the 19th century, embodies the...
Oak
Tall Art Deco cabinet – France 1930
Located in Girona, Girona
Tall Art Deco cabinet in solid mahogany and burr mahogany with 4 doors opening to 2 storage compartments, patinated nickel-plated metal handles. French polish. France circa 1930.
Metal, Nickel
$5,283
H 86.62 in W 41.34 in D 20.87 in
Elegant Italian Cabinet Bookcase Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Italian bookcase cabinet with brass finishes in excellent vintage condition. attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s.
Mahogany
Tambour Door File Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century style rolling door cabinet with shallow drawers. Great for home or office storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Provincial Painted Oak Buffet, France, 19th Century Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the sp...
Oak
Yawman & Erbe Oak File Cabinet, c.1910
By Yawman Erbe
Located in Savannah, GA
A Yawman & Erbe oak modular file cabinet, circa 1910. Three parts; top section with smaller drawers on left and larger divided drawers on right. 33 ¼ inches wide by 18 ½ inc...
Oak
Antique Rustic Oak Cabinet, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This charming antique rustic cabinet is crafted from solid oak and features a beautifully timeworn patina. The compact form, paneled sides, and hand-forged iron hinges reflect honest...
Wood
$7,199 / item
H 30.32 in W 75.6 in D 19.69 in
Quadra Solid Wood Sideboard, Walnut, Briar in Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
An elegant, stunning sideboard finely crafted in Italy with passion by expert hands. It's composed of three doors in premium solid walnut with fine root veneer, each piece is unique,...
Copper, Steel
Architectural French Modern Storage Cabinet by Jean-Louis Godivie
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by architect and furniture designer Jean-Louis Godivier during the 1980s, this striking French modern cabinet is a sculptural statement that seamlessly merges architecture w...
Metal
Architectural French oak bookcase / cabinet from the 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking and highly architectural French oak bookcase from the 1950s, most likely a unique, one-off piece by a skilled cabinetmaker. Executed entirely in solid oak, the design is d...
Oak
Japanese Brass-Mounted Yew Wood Cabinets, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Japanese brass mounted Yew wood cabinets, a pair, with engraved bass mounts and hinges to the three short drawer over two door cabinet above a single drawer on bracket feet. Dealer...
Brass
Sold
H 34.85 in W 23.63 in D 3.94 in
Walnut German Gründerzeit Wall Cabinet or Miniature Cabinet, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Gründerzeit wall cabinet or miniature cabinet. Striking German design from the 1890s. Solid walnut and walnut veneer with original brass key plates and b...
Brass
Chinese Carved Aromatic Wood Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese carved aromatic wood cocktail cabinet, the rounded rectangular top and drop front opening to reveal a fitted bar above a two-door cabinet, with concealed curving doors to cor...
Wood
Sold
H 59.45 in W 36.62 in D 15.75 in
Brass and Chrome Renato Zevi Vitrine Showcase with Glass Doors, Italy, 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Renato Zevi showcase, Italy, 1970s. Smoked glass doors with chrome and brass framing and crème lacquered side panels. The cabinet is provided with three smoked glass shelves. Me...
Brass, Chrome
Italian 1830 Sorrento Cabinet Marquetry
Located in Barcelona, Cataluna
Sorrento marquetry cabinet, circa 1830. There is a very similar one in the marquetry museum in Sorrento. The cabinet is to be exempted, all of it is full of marquetry of many woods....
Wood
Renato Zevi Étagère, Italy, 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Display cabinet by Renato Zevi, Italy, 1970s. Smoked glass doors with chrome and brass framing and crème lacquered side panels. The cabinet is p...
Brass, Chrome
Architectural Dutch Sideboard
Located in Dronten, NL
1930s modernist sideboard designed according to the "International Style" design principles: the expression of volume rather than mass, the emphasis on balance rather than preconceiv...
Beech, Mahogany
Oak Early 20th Century Tea Cabinet with Beveled Glass
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful and rare International Style tea cabinet. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak with glass top. Four doors with original beveled glass. In good original condi...
Metal
Early 20th Century Guatemalan Cabinet or Wardrobe with Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cedro (tropical hardwood) cabinet or wardrobe with Asian inspired carved designs on doors. Interior features four shelves and two drawers. Shows normal signs of wear considering its ...
Hardwood