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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Necklace of Cultured Pearls, Extra Quality 'Akoya Japan'
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful necklace of cultured pearls, extra quality (Akoya Japan) and amethysts. Measure: 11 mm diameter Secure clasp and 18k golden silver hinges. Long: 50 cm.
Gold
Bronze Tripod Censer with Double Ears
Located in San Francisco, CA
Bronze Tripod Censer with Double Ears Chinese bronze censer with a rounded, squat body supported by three short legs and flanked by upright double handles. The surface has a mottled...
Bronze
$1,461 / item
The Merrywing Vase By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Larger quantities available upon request, with 8 weeks production time. Description: Bronze Vase, The Merrywing Color: Bronze Size: 42W x 13D x 11Hcm Material: Bronze Collection: Mi...
Bronze
$1,461 / item
MCR The Gourd Vase By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Larger quantities available upon request, with 8 weeks production time. Description: Bronze Vase, The Gourd Color: Bronze Size: 14Ø x 42H cm Material: Bronze Collection: Mid Century...
Bronze
$1,396 / item
MCR The Cocoon Vase By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Larger quantities available upon request, with 8 weeks production time. Description: Bronze Vase, The Cocoon Color: Bronze Size: 20 x 9 x 25.5H cm Material: Bronze Collection: Mid C...
Bronze
$956Sale Price|20% Off
Modern Chinese Export Enamel Foo Dog Motif Charger with Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Chinese Export enamel foo dog motif charger with stand The profusely enameled portrait plaque of a foo dog, with a Chinese hardwood easel stand...
Brass, Copper
Necklace of Cultured Pearls, Extra Quality 'Akoya Japan'
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful necklace of cultured pearls, extra quality (Akoya Japan) and amethysts. 11 mm diameter Secure clasp and 18k golden silver hinges. Long: 50 cm.
Gold
$1,161 / item
MCR The Stem Vase By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Larger quantities available upon request, with 8 weeks production time. Description: Bronze Vase, The Stem Color: Bronze Size: 10Ø x 38.5H cm Material: Bronze Collection: Mid Centur...
Bronze
Necklace of Cultured Pearls, Extra Quality 'Akoya Japan'
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful necklace of cultured pearls, extra quality (Akoya Japan) and amethysts. 11 mm diameter Secure clasp and 18k golden silver hinges. Long: 50 cm.
Gold
Vintage Crucifix Attilio Biancardi Sculpture in Iron, Italy, 1970
Located in Biella, IT
Attilio Biancardi Italy Biella, sculpture in iron work years ’70 design crucifix vintage, unique work. I enclose in the photo's also on other work of the same autor, this is in th...
Wrought Iron
Chinese Bronze Bell Shaped Censer Mounted With Buddhistic Lions
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Chinese bronze censer of bell shape mounted with two Buddhist lions probably Ming 1368-1644. The censer is formed as a hollow bell with a wide rounded base and is decorate...
Bronze
Pino Vase in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pino vase Antique copper finish Hand repousse Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto shee...
Copper
$895
H 6.88 in Dm 3.88 in
Antique Signed Japanese Meiji Period Mixed Metals Bronze Double Gourd Form Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Japanese bronze vase. From the Meiji Period. With copper and silver floral and vine and butterfly inlay as well a kanji symbol to the neck (possibly a stylized f...
Silver, Bronze, Copper
Large Chinese Enamel Bronze Cloisonne Charger
Located in Norwood, NJ
Large Chinese enamel bronze cloisonne charger. Unusual and rare bronze Chinese Cloisonne charger. The brightly multicolored enamel decoration feature...
Bronze, Enamel
Cast Iron Foo Dog Sculpture
Located in Asheville, NC
This cast iron piece features a statuary male Chinese guardian Lion (Foo Dog) proudly balancing both hands atop an embroidered ball, representing supremac...
Iron
Chinese Bronze Vessel with Tripod Feet, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
This 18th century bronze vessel with tripod feet was crafted by hand in a traditional Chinese shape known as "ding," that dates back to 1600 BC. Tripod bowls were originally used for making religious offerings to ancestral gods. This ding is mounted on a finely carved hardwood...
Bronze
Japanese Bronze Vases Collection of Eight
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Eight Japanese Bronze Vases, Japan, at least circa 1950s, some much earlier. The largest vase measures 12.75"H x 4.25"W. The smallest vase measures 5.25"H x 3"W. They r...
Bronze
Bronze Chinese Mini Censer Set of Three Incense Burners
Located in Somis, CA
A charming trio of antique Chinese miniature solid bronze incense burners, each displaying a distinct traditional form inspired by ancient ri...
Bronze
Japanese Bronze and Champ Leve Censer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Japanese bronze and champleve censer jar. Large elephant handles and a standing elephant finial on the top lid. Six hexagonal sides. Bronze with fine ...
Bronze
Chinese Black Enamel Cloisonné Chrysanthemum Flower Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese black enamel cloisonné and brass ginger jar vase with chrysanthemum flowers, dogwood flowers and a butterfly and beautiful rich colors. Hand crafted on solid brass.
Enamel
Japanese Bronze Vases Collection of Nine
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Nine Japanese Bronze Vases, Japan, at least circa 1950s, some much earlier. The largest vase measures 11"H x 3.5"W. The smallest vase measures 5.25"H x 3"W. They retain...
Bronze
$299 / set
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Four Solid Bronze Antique Chinese Mini Censer Incense Burners Heavy
Located in Somis, CA
A distinctive set of four antique Chinese bronze miniature censers, each finely cast in a different traditional vessel form and remarkably substantial in weight for its diminutive sc...
Bronze
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 44 in W 18 in D 14 in
Suit of Red Lacquer Japanese Fighting Armor of the Late Edo Period
Located in San Francisco, CA
Suit of red lacquer Japanese fighting armour of the late Edo period, (1716-1868). Desirable coral red lacquer is original and unrestored. Composed of a helmet, (Kabuto) breast plate (Do) and shoulder, arm protection (chainmail). Displayed with a later recreation expressive face plate of modern manufacture (nose, mustache). Also displayed with (photos 3 & 4) a period red lacquer partial face plate (Hambo) with replacement throat guards. All of the assembled parts are of same age, quality and color. Old silk and linen sleeve and helmet linings decayed or shredding. The Meiji period wood...
Iron
Japanese Silver Repousse Iris Vase Meiji Period
By Samurai Shokai
Located in Sarasota, FL
Japanese silver repousse vase finely decorated with blown out iris flowers. It is of the Meiji period, circa 1890s. The vase is 5 1/4" tall and weighs 4....
Silver
20th Century Japanese Bronze Champlevé Enamel Vase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Colorful 20th century Japanese bronze champlevé vase with a vibrant enamel decoration. Adorned with zoomorphic motifs in an Art Deco style...
Bronze, Enamel
Radio Vintage Philips B6X72A "D'Annunzio" 1957
Located in Manzano, IT
Radio d'epoca Philips, modello B6X72A, un pezzo di design iconico della fine degli anni '50. Questa radio, nota per la sua eleganza e le sue dimensioni importanti, è un elemento d'...
Metal
Vintage resin and glass trolley, 1970s
Located in Manzano, IT
Fiberglass Trailer Hanging Trolley - Vintage 70's/80's Elegant fiberglass trailer appendix cart, made in Italy in the 1970s, perfect for lovers of vintage design and those looking f...
Iron
Burmese Embossed Silver Presentation Chalice
Located in London, GB
A Burmese embossed silver presentation chalice Burmese, early 20th century Measures: Height 31cm, diameter 16.5cm, weight 937 grams This remarkable and beautiful silver chalice,...
Silver
Modern Dancer Metal Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Dancing figure surrounded by concentrical circles placed atop a black base, which acts as a small stage for her performance. Measures: 4" x 18" x 21.5".
Steel
Chinese Cloisonné Daisy Motif Double Gourd Vases Attributed, Fabienne Jouvine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese cloisonné daisy motif double gourd vases attributed, Fabienne Jouvine, sold individually. Each one profusely decorated with daisy's and rings. One vase with blue background,...
Metal, Copper
Modern Abstract Curtis Jere Asian Boats and Bamboo Brass Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a vintage original signed Curtis Jerè sculpture entitled 'Boats and Bamboo'. The piece is made of brass, featuring an Asian Style boat...
Brass
Sold
H 13 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
Rare Japanese Bronze circa 1930 Hanging Lantern Decorated with Floral Scenes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare solid bronze Japanese hanging lantern A good looking well made and decorative piece, thi...
Bronze
Custom Modern Red Kelly Gale Amen Center Piece
Located in Houston, TX
Large unique custom made modern Kelly Gale Amen coin shaped center piece with a brass base. The tray with a red finish is detachable from the base.
Bronze
Beautiful Japanese Silver Picture Frame with Lily Pads
By Musashiya
Located in New York, NY
Lily pads abound on this Japanese silver picture frame. Frame and window rectangular. The lily pads float on gently stirring water. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinge...
Silver