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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Atmos Clock Cal. 548 Atlantis Moon Phase by Jaeger-Lecoultre for AEG
By Jaeger-LeCoultre, AEG
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
A fine and rare late 20th century Swiss rhodium plated 'Atlantis' atmos carriage, travel, table or desk clock with moonphase Jaeger LeCoultre, Caliber 548 The wedge-shaped glass case...
Metal
Mid Century Vintage Cartier Paris French Quartz Quadrant Traveling Alarm Clock
By Cartier
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very stylish vintage Cartier ladies or gentleman’s folding gold-plated quadrant travelling alarm clock by famous jeweler and luxury goods maker Cartier, Paris, second quarter of th...
Silver, Bronze, Steel
Mid Century Vintage Cartier Paris French Quartz Quadrant Traveling Alarm Clock
By Cartier
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very stylish vintage Cartier ladies or gentleman’s folding gold-plated quadrant travelling alarm clock by famous jeweler and luxury goods maker Cartier, Paris, second quarter of th...
Silver, Bronze, Steel
Porsche Design Titan Chronograph by IWC ref. 3700 series
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a original very collectable IWC Porche Design Titanium Automatic Men's Watch. Swiss Manufacture 42 mm Mechanical Movement. Calibre 7750. Year 1980. PORSCHE DESIGN TITAN CHR...
Other
Porsche Design Titan Chronograph by IWC ref. 3700 series
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a original very collectable IWC Porche Design Titanium Automatic Men's Watch. Swiss Manufacture 42 mm Mechanical Movement. Calibre 7750. Year 1980. PORSCHE DESIGN TITAN CHR...
Other
$2,850
H 1.25 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Vintage Cartier Tank Francaise Travel Alarm Clock, Gilt Brass, 1990
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Cartier “Tank Francaise” Folding Travel Alarm Clock Paris, Circa 1990 An elegant and timeless vintage Cartier travel desk clock, model Tank, crafted in gilt brass and blue e...
Brass
Rare IMHOF Bronze Enamel Alarm Travel Clock
By Arthur Imhof
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 15 jewels Swiss round clock. It depicts an enamel round frontal panel painted with a colorful beautiful bouquet of flowers framed by gilded bronze Roman numerals dial. In t...
Bronze
Art Deco Table Clock Jaeger LeCoultre
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Art Deco Table Clock Jaeger LeCoultre Origin: Switzerland Materials: Gilt bronze and acrylic 8-day winding (mechanism) Excellent condition – Working Mid-Century Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 18 cm Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the most prestigious and renowned Swiss watch manufacturers in the world, founded in 1833 in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Renowned for its technical innovation and craftsmanship, the brand has developed more than 1,200 calibers and boasts inventions such as the atmospheric clock and the famous Reverso model. Jaeger-LeCoultre Art Deco...
Bronze
Movado Desk Clock Designed by Yaacov Agam Galaxy Series Limited Edition
By Movado, Yaacov Agam
Located in New York, NY
Movado Desk Clock designed by Yaacov Agam. Yaacov Agam is one of the founders of the Pop Art movement. This limited edition "Galaxy" series is numbered 231/250. Overall excellent ...
Metal
Travel Alarm Clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s Excellent original condition Brass and painted hart cover Still working It is marked Germany on the front of the clock. Tw...
Brass
Travel Alarm Clock from "Emes", Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock from "Emes", Germany, circa 1960s Original condition.
Metal, Brass
$2,373
H 2.96 in W 2.96 in D 1.19 in
Vintage Cartier Paris Cased Palladium Plated Desk Alarm Clock 20th Century
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
A cased Cartier square Art Deco style, travel desk clock with alarm. It has a quartz movement and a palladium plated metal rectangular case, circa 1990 in date. The silvered clock h...
Onyx, Quartz, Metal, Silver
$2,800
H 2.75 in W 2.75 in D 2.36 in
Cartier Alarm Clock, Lapis Lazuli & Gold, Mid-Century Modern, Swiss
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's lapis lazuli and golden metal with manual winding. Clock case numbered 7503 07516. With original case, lined with r...
Lapis Lazuli
Jaeger-LeCoultre Mystery Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Jaeger-LeCoultre mystery clock in a Lucite case with beautiful chinoiserie decoration featuring a bird in flight and standing on a gilded stepped bas...
Lucite
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s Excellent original condition Brass with a green faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it h...
Brass
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Excellent original condition Brass with a brown faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it has two jewels. Measures: Open: Height 8cm x wide 8cm x deep 8 c...
Metal, Brass
Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with green faux leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3cm,...
Brass
Negretti & Zambra Brass Pocket Barometer
Located in Astoria, NY
Negretti and Zambra Brass Pocket Barometer, early 20th century, with silvered clock face, marked "Negretti & Zambra / London", in red leather case monogrammed "G.C.C." to front and m...
Brass
Vintage Silver Travel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage silver travel clock. Roman numerals quarter. Marked on the base. This artwork is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any art...
Silver
Sold
H 0.79 in W 1.97 in D 1.19 in
Modern Travelling Clock by Van Cleef & Arpels Foldable in Case and Original Box
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Modern travelling clock by Van Cleef & Arpels foldable in case and original box.
Acrylic
Van Cleef & Arpels Travel Clock
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautiful "la collection" Van Cleef & Arpels , Paris travel clock with stand. Has label and the serial number 820.PO6 37402 in the back. Made of brush...
Steel