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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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.
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Dafne glass cabinet in dark Tay and leather inside
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Showcase with elegant linear design. The exterior structure is embellished with dark Tay (VE49B) upholstery and rounded corner detail. The interior features fine details, leather-cov...
Leather, Glass, Wood
$2,554 / item
Form 1 by Radu Abraham
Located in Geneve, CH
Form 1 by Radu Abraham A limited series of 10, currently at nr. 2 Materials: Mahogany wood, ash wood, glass Dimensions: 34 x 20 x 160 cm. Base made out of a masive block of mah...
Glass, Ash, Mahogany
4-Door Display Cabinet 4 Doors in Oak, Design C. Lecomte, 100% Made in France
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This Vitrine belongs to the STELLA collection designed by Christophe Lecomte in Vendée, France. Graduated from the famous BOULLE design school in Paris, Christophe navigates very easily between emotion and function and follows 2 permanent benchmarks: elegance and ergonomics. With STELLA, Christophe decides on a range that can use the most beautiful classic French essences as a fine and slightly naturally pink cherry and a harder, more resistant and straight oak wood. The proposed lines for STELLA evoke a relationship between the past and the present. Structures first seduce with their contemporary straight, rectangular or square shapes, then the whole is softened with the addition of curves. The 2 glass doors open with a "push-release" pressure and give access to a 73...
Oak, Lacquer
Set of 2 a Thrust Sculptures by Scattered Disc Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 A thrust sculptures by Scattered Disc Objects Limited edition 8+4 AP. Dimensions: Item 2: D 28 x W 21 x H 135 cm Item 3: D 37 x W 23 x H 133 cm Material: Travertino...
Marble, Carrara Marble
$5,050 / item
Cornisa Shelfs by Lluís Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
Cornisa Shelfs by Lluís Clotet & Oscar Tusquets Dimension: D 26 x W 250 x H 6 cm Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most function...
Aluminum
$2,972 / item
Hypostila Shelfs
Located in Geneve, CH
Hypostila Shelfs Dimensions: Flat shelf 15.5 cm (max. 250 cm in a single piece). Flat shelf 25cm (max. 250 cm in a single piece). Length of vertical s...
Aluminum
$4,597 / item
Da Pa Vermelha, Shelve by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Da Pa Vermelha - shelve by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 80 x 30 x 205 cm Materials: Digger, carbon steel and concrete. Shelf built from an articulated shovel, a hand tool widel...
Concrete, Steel
$16,068Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Vitrine Display Case Walnut Wood White Lacquer Brushed Stainless Steel
By João Faria, EMOTIONAL OBJECTS
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Mikado Collection is inspired by the game "Pick a Stick" we used to play in childhood. Tubes of thick stainless steel, which remind us of the Mikado sti...
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel
$27,492Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Large Vitrine Display Case Ebony Macassar Black Lacquer Brushed Brass
By João Faria, EMOTIONAL OBJECTS
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Mikado Collection is inspired by the game "Pick a Stick" we used to play in childhood. Tubes of thick brass, which remind us of the Mikado sticks game, ...
Metal, Brass
$28,328Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Large Vitrine Display Case Black Oak Wood Black Lacquer Brushed Copper
By João Faria, EMOTIONAL OBJECTS
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Mikado Collection is inspired by the game "Pick a Stick" we used to play in childhood. Tubes of thick copper, which remind us of the Mikado sticks game,...
Metal, Copper
$18,297Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Vitrine Display Case Black Oak Wood Black Lacquer Brushed Copper
By João Faria, EMOTIONAL OBJECTS
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Mikado Collection is inspired by the game "Pick a Stick" we used to play in childhood. Tubes of thick copper, which remind us of the Mikado sticks game, are cut at precise angles...
Metal, Copper
Pair of Tall Display Cabinets on Corinthian Pillars with Built in Lights
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning of 170cm tall display pillars with lights on Corinthian pillar bases A very good looking and decora...
Wood