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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Dia Contemporary LED Floorlamp, Solid Brass, Handmade/finished, Art, Sculpture
Located in Torslanda, SE
Dia is a sculptural floorlamp inspired by the heterophony of natural sound. Each frame (or melody) is hand-rolled with all joints cleverly concealed within the circular light source,...
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Playground Murano Glass Table Lamp, Tobacco + Yellow + Ambra, 17 in
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Playground glass table lamp by Oggetti stacks soft, inflated shapes into a playful silhouette. Each form is hand-blown and refined by hand, with tiny bubbles, uneven lines and co...
Blown Glass
Modernist Round 3-Tier Hand-Blown Murano Glass Chandelier w/ Oval Reeded Shades
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural Modernist Round 3-Tier Hand-Blown Murano Glass Chandelier w/ Oval Reeded Shades originated in Italy, 21st Century. The fixture arranges three concentric tiers into a ...
Murano Glass
Flora Floor Lamp by J.M. Szymanski, Hand-Blown Glass & Steel
Located in Bronx, NY
What is the architecture of a flower? FLORA, a lighting collection by J.M. Szymanski, explores a flower's remarkable form. The collection is a link between nature and the built envir...
Steel
Pair of Circular White Paper Mache Rose-Shaped Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Circular White Paper Mache Rose-Shaped Sconces, hand made by artist.
Paper
Modern Sculptural Fabric Pendant Light from Costantini x Studio Mirei, Supernova
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Supernova Modern Collectible Sculptural Fabric Pendant Light from Costantini x Studio Mirei Supernova is an ethereally crafted pendant lamp, sculpted from sustainable banaca fabric,...
Natural Fiber
Established & Sons TIKI Table Lamp in Wild Cocoa matt Finish by Nao Tamura
By Established & Sons, Nao Tamura
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nao Tamura’s characterful, bird-like lamp is robotically carved from milky-white polycarbonate to create a delicate form. Intended to sit in clusters, or ‘flocks’, Tiki suggests a di...
Aluminum
Pair of Dome Pendant Lights by Research.Lighting, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Dome Pendant Lights in Black designed and manufactured by RESEARCH Lighting. Materials: steel & glass Finish: powder coated steel in black Electronics: 1x...
Steel
Pair of Bunch Pendant Lights, Research.Lighting, Black, 5in Glass, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Bunch Pendant Lights designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Steel, Glass, Brass Finish: Powder Coated Steel in black Electronics: 5x G9 S...
Metal
$1,600 / set
Pair 1970s Murano Glass Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage pair of 1970s hand blown glass Murano sconces.
Steel
Pair of Globe Table Lamps, Research.Lighting, Small, 5in Glass, Black, Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Globe Table Lamps in black manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Steel, Marble, & Glass Finish: Black Electronics: 1x G9 Socket, 4.5 Watt LED Bul...
Marble, Metal, Brass, Steel
Customizable Spider 200 parchment ceiling light by Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
Customizable Spider 200 parchment ceiling light by Diego Mardegan Spider 200 ceiling light is made of a brass structure, the arms are painted in opaque ivory colour and are fixed on...
Brass
Handmade Brass Lampshade in Polished Nickel Plate with candle-clip fitting
Located in London, GB
Andrew Kornat Designs offers a custom Handmade Lampshade service for all of the table lamps, wall sconces and candle shades for chandeliers This listing is for a specific handmade B...
Brass, Nickel
Hanging Pendant Light Sculpture by J.M. Szymanski, NYC
Located in Bronx, NY
FLORA NO. 1 - MEDIUM J.M. Szymanski D. 2024 What is the architecture of a flower? FLORA, a lighting collection by J.M. Szymanski, explores a flower's remarkable form. The collection...
Steel
Cone 2 Vanity Sconce, Large, by Research.Lighting, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Cone 2 Large Sconce designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Steel, Brass Finish: Powder Coated Steel in black Electronics: 2x G9 Sockets, ...
Metal
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Italian Venitian Murano Caged Glass Swag Lantern Pendant Light 15"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Venetian Murano caged glass pendant light, circa 1960s. Hand blown by the Seguso glassmakers in Murano / Venice Italy. Dimensio...
Metal
Tenfold Tall Table Lamp, Perforated Metal Diffuser & Sapele Mahogany Wood Base
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalism meets glam. Drawing inspiration from Brutalist architecture and Op Art, the Tenfold Series features perforated metal panels that create a captivating interplay of light and...
Aluminum
Customizable Spider 200 cream silk & parchment ceiling light by Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
Customizable Spider 200 cream silk & parchment ceiling light by Diego Mardegan Spider 200 ceiling light is made of a brass structure, the arms are painted in opaque ivory colour...
Brass
1 of the 5 Blue Lila Ceramic Lamps, Rosettes by Jeanine Keizer, 1990
Located in Rijssen, NL
Unique hand-cast ceramic “rosettes” from Jeanine Keizer’s 1990s Lichtpuntje installation are reborn as sculptural pendant lamps. Each set groups five to seven pieces in harmonising c...
Ceramic
Vintage Finnish Ceiling Lamp with Floral Curved Glass Panels, 1980s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Finnish Ceiling Lamp with Floral Curved Glass Panels, 1980s A charming vintage ceiling lamp from Finland, dating from the 1980s, designed with an elegant flower‑shaped silhou...
Brass
Florentine Style Alabaster Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Murano glass flush mount produced by Massive Leuchten, Germany, in the 1980s. This elegant light features a stunning textured glass shade with a soft, marbled appearance ...
Metal
$840 / item
FLO Pendant PL3
Located in Renton, WA
Defined by length and clarity, the FLO Pendant PL3 brings refined structure to suspended lighting. Its sculptural profile shapes light with intention, creating focus without visual w...
Steel
Pair of Bunch Sconces, Black, Research.Lighting, Wall Lamp, 3in Glass Globes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2x Bunch Sconces designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Steel, Glass, Brass Finish: Powder Coated Steel in black Electronics: 5x G9 Sockets,...
Brass, Steel
Italian Artemide Chrome Milo Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Chrome Milo floor lamp by Italian designer Rodolfo Dordoni for Artemide in 1992. Wire for U.S. it takes one 150w Max light bulb. Pull down on/off switch. In original collection sh...
Chrome
Modern Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Chandelier by Melissa Levinson, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Presenting a breathtaking new sculptural chandelier exclusively by Miamar Home, a masterwork where old-world blacksmith craft meets contemporary quiet luxury. This monumental two-ti...
Iron
La Murrina Vistosi Pink Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Vintage Italy 1980s
By La Murrina
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant vintage Italian flush mount ceiling light, Glass shade made by La Murrina. The gold-plated metal fixture by Vistosi, circa 1980s or earlier. The fixture features a substan...
Metal
Charming Pink Amethyst Murano Glass Leave Ceiling Light or Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure pink amethyst color Murano glass consists of 16 delicious hand blown leaves. The structure is gilt-metal. Five E27 lights spread a magical light. Available 3 items....
Glass
Spider Special 150 Zero Point 5 Ceiling Light Parchment by Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
Bespoke “Spider Special 150 Zero Point 5 A refined ceiling light featuring three handmade parchment shades mounted on a brass frame. Each shade is sewn by hand with ivory waxed threa...
Brass
white Hand-made Ceramic Totem Table Light by Project 213A, textured detail
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
TOTEM TABLE LIGHT, designed in 2023. Artisanal ceramic light with a textured detailing, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature,...
Ceramic
Customizable Spider 180 ceiling light brass parchment design by Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
Customisable Spider 180 ceiling light brass parchment design by Diego Mardegan Italy Spider 180 Edition light is made of a brass structure, the arms are painted in opaque ivory colo...
Brass
$4,457 / set
Pair of Table Lamps in green Murano Glass
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of table lamps in white Murano glass. ( white insert in translucid glass) Hand blown. Signed Bulb E27/E26
Murano Glass
Tenfold Low Table Lamp, Perforated Metal Diffuser & Sapele Mahogany Wood Base
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalism meets glam. Drawing inspiration from Brutalist architecture and Op Art, the Tenfold Series features perforated metal panels that create a captivating interplay of light and...
Aluminum
Decorative table lamp, Majuli in brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Decorative table lamp, Majuli in brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal Table Lamp in brass. Handmade in India. Sinuous forms in a captivating rhythm of deftly woven cane, evoke the dynamic f...
Brass
$1,051 / item
Papel Wall Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
PAPEL WALL LIGHT, designed in 2025. Artisanal ceramic light with a fluid shape, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, shapes ...
Ceramic
$1,234 / item
Papel Wall Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
PAPEL WALL LIGHT, designed in 2025. Artisanal ceramic light with a fluid shape, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, shapes ...
Ceramic
Brass Floor Lamp, Under The Banyan, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Brass Floor Lamp, Under The Banyan, Viya by Vikram Goyal Floor lamp in Brass & Linen. Handmade in India. Echoing ancient whispers of worship, each object captures the essence o...
Brass
$1,369 / set
Papel Wall Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
PAPEL WALL LIGHT, designed in 2025. Artisanal ceramic light with a fluid shape, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, shapes ...
Ceramic
$1,050 / item
Arouca Table Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
AROUCA TABLE LIGHT, designed in 2024. Artisanal table light with a cube ceramic base, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, s...
Ceramic, Linen
Italian Vintage Tole-Painted Sunflower Wall Sconce, 1960s Wrought Iron
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Italian vintage sunflower motif tole-painted wall sconce sprouting stylized flowers lit by three candelabra-base bulbs for ambient lighting. The linear wrought iron fixture has a mod...
Metal
$3,005 / item
Modern brass lamp, Patra, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Modern brass lamp, Patra, Viya by Vikram Goyal Table Lamp in brass. Handmade in India. Crafted from cast brass and adorned with semi-precious stones, this collection pays homage to...
Brass
Modern brass lamp, Darbar B, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Modern brass lamp, Darbar B, Viya by Vikram Goyal Table lamp in Brass & Natural linen. Handmade in India. Resisting conformity, we dance between life's rigid lines and unyieldi...
Brass
$1,370 / item
Modern brass lamp, Leh, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Modern brass lamp, Leh, Viya by Vikram Goyal Table Lamp in Brass & Linen. Handmade in India. Crafted from cast brass and adorned with semi-precious stones, this collection pays...
Brass
Luxury Crystal Table Lamp by Oggetti D'Arte, Modern Italian Design
Located in Calenzano, FI
Experience the pinnacle of artisanal lighting with this stunning table lamp, an exclusive creation by Oggetti d’arte srl. this piece represents the perfect synthesis of technical mas...
Crystal
“Vertige” Sculptural Chandelier, Handcrafted in White Plaster by Benediko
By Benediko
Located in Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
The ‘Vertige’ Chandelier by Benediko Design is a sculptural lighting piece that serves as both functional lighting and an artistic statement. Handcrafted from plaster sculpted over a...
Metal
Sculptural table lamp, Saffron Large in brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Sculptural table lamp, Saffron Large in brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal Table Lamp in brass with embroidered lamp shade. Handmade in India. With m...
Brass
Curtis Jere "Lily Pad" Floor Lamp
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Houston, TX
A sculptural floor lamp by Curtis Jere, dated 1974, featuring two flattened cones and arranged asymmetrically. The lamp is composed of polished nickel-plated metal. To view more of ...
Metal, Nickel
$7,386 / item
Contemporary French Sculptural Plaster Chandelier
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Contemporary French chandelier crafted in plaster, featuring a large sculptural shade with a fluid, organic silhouette. The plaster body is shaped into a series of soft radiating fol...
Plaster
$1,173Sale Price / item|15% Off
Lumina Daphine Led Floor Lamp in Black soft by Tommaso Cimini
By Lumina, Tommaso Cimini
Located in New York, NY
Floor lamp in metal with an articulated arm and a diffuser pivoting on 360°. The base of cast iron always comes black varnished. Available with halogen or LED light source. Two step...
Metal
Large Italian Modernist Murano Starburst Near Flushmount, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
Beautiful sleek blown warm white center bowl inset into a thick brass frame with shooting irregularly blown and hand polished squared spikes with rounded edges in ablush amethyst col...
Murano Glass
Three Tier Chandelier by Research.Lighting, Small Glass, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Three Tier Chandelier in black. The arms on this light rotate, so you can configure the light at install. The light can also be used as a linear fixture depe...
Metal
Dòry Sculptural Linear Chandelier by Silvio Mondino Studio - Brushed / Frosted
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Dòry is a Linear Italian Chandelier designed by Silvio Mondino Studio for Contemporary Interiors. Combining Machined Brass, Hand-Blown Glass...
Brass
Brass table lamp, Oasis Repoussé in patinated brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Brass table lamp, Oasis Repoussé in patinated brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal Table lamp in brass with semi precious inserts & raw silk lamp shade. Handmade in India. Repoussé invo...
Brass
Laurameroni "Swirl" Modern Circular Ceiling Pendant Lamp in brass
Located in Monza, IT
Suspension LED lamp with steel cables, made of a thin spiral acid-etched brass metal strip. FINISH: Acid-etched brass This motion follows the curved line, while the play of reflect...
Brass
$2,455 / item
Brass Floor Lamp, Tiruppur, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Brass Floor Lamp, Tiruppur, Viya by Vikram Goyal Floor Lamp in brass. Handmade in India. Unfurling ceaselessly, India discovers its eternal muse in the realm of textiles. From the ...
Brass
$1,050 / item
Casa Bed Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
CASA BEDSIDE LIGHT, designed in 2023. Artisanal ceramic light with textured finish, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, sha...
Ceramic
Plaster of Paris 12 Light Chandelier with Hand blown Glass Difussers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Avron Royal Chandelier is one of many chandeliers which make up our Plaster of Paris Lighting line. This large scale chandelier features two tiers of six lights. Which provide...
Blown Glass, Opaline Glass, Plaster
$1,121Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair Maitland-Smith Candlestick Form Buffet Lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Maitland-Smith Candlestick-Form Table Lamps with original shades harp and finials.. Measures 9" in with, 8" in depth and 38.5" in height to the top of the finial.
Composition
$1,051 / item
Arouca Table Light
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
AROUCA TABLE LIGHT, designed in 2024. Artisanal table light with a cube ceramic base, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, s...
Ceramic, Linen
John Hutton for Donghia Murano Glass Twist Table Lamp with Gold Aventurine
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Hamburg, PA
An elegant and highly collectible vintage table lamp designed by John Hutton for Donghia. Crafted by master glassblowers in Murano, Italy, the lamp features a gracefully twisted, spi...
Brass
Murano Tesserine Glass Mosaic Mushroom Table Lamp Attributed to TAO, Italy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Murano Tesserine Glass Mosaic Mushroom Table Lamp Attributed to TAO, Italy Provenance: Estate of John Loring, former design director of Tiffany & Co. Consists of a two-piece set, Sha...
Metal
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
Damon Liss and Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects collaborated on this serene getaway for a minimalism-minded Manhattan family of four.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
Wielding her influence on the international scene, founding partner Andrea Cesarman expands the platform for Mexican artisans.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.