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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R. Wallace & Sons Crystal & Sterling Silver Sugar Shaker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Sterling Silver and cut Crystal Sugar Shaker, by R. Wallace & Sons of Wallingford, Connecticut, circa 1902. Wallace & Sons began sterling production in 1871. The crystal body is ...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Mexican Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Sipping – Stirring Straws, Set of 4
By Taxco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of four hand made Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with ridged shell shaped bowls. Mexico, Circa 1940s. The bowls are shaped as stylized...
Sterling Silver
International Royal Danish Sterling Silver Gravy Boat on Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From a Philadelphia estate, a Royal Danish pattern sterling silver gravy boat on stand, made by International Silver in Meriden, Conn, date marked 1939. The international Silver Com...
Sterling Silver
MacLaren’s Imperial Milk Glass Cheese Jar & Sterling Silver Server Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A scarce serving set made up of a MacLaren’s Imperial Milk Glass cheese jar set into a Sterling silver holder with a lid and serving spoon, circa 1900-1920. MacLaren’s Imperial Chee...
Sterling Silver
Attractive Set of 12 Demitasse Spoons & Sugar Tongs .925 in Fitted Fanshaped Box
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An attractive set of 12 demitasse spoons and sugar tongs in fitted fan-shaped box, by Thedeodor Olsens in Bergen, Norway. Done in .925 sterling silver with different colored guilloch...
Enamel, Silver
Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Napkin Rings by Arte de Mexico, 1930s
By Arte de Mexico
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of Estate Sterling Silver napkin rings, Mexico, circa 1930s. 925 quality silver. Heavy weight, beautifully hand made with rolled rims. No engraving. 1.5 inches in Diameter...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Continental European Sterling Silver Jack End Knife Rests, Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of four sterling silver knife rests, with traditional cast Jack-style ends, circa mid-19th century, showing unidentified Continental ...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Austrian 900 Sterling Silver Jack End Knife Rests, S/4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of four Austrian Sterling Silver knife rests, with traditional cast Jack-style ends, circa mid 19th Century. The long, tapered cen...
Sterling Silver
1900s Paye & Baker Sterling Silver Art Deco Mechanical Plunger Pickle Fork
By Paye & Baker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An Art Deco period sterling silver Plunger pickle fork, showing the mark for Paye & Baker Manufacturing Co., North Attleboro, Massachusetts, operating from 1901 – 1920. The mechan...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Sterling Silver Napkin Rings Set by Gorham & Wallace, 1920s
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of four vintage wide band Sterling Silver napkin rings, various makers, circa 1920s – 1930s. Wonderful examples: A super heavy ring is engraved with the initials ‘...
Sterling Silver
Estate Silver Long Handled Pastry Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A marvelous estate find, a heavy, hand-made, silver pastry server, circa early 20th century. The server is a large and impressive piece with a purity of 875. 875 is roughly equivale...
Silver
Vintage Sterling Silver Napkin Rings Set by Frank Whiting, 1920s-1930s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of four vintage Sterling Silver napkin rings, various makers, circa 1920s – 1930s. Wonderful examples: A ring is engraved with the initials ‘MSL’ showing two inse...
Sterling Silver
Artisan Sterling Silver Maritime Fishing Theme Lemon Fork
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A charming one of a kind, Artisan made Sterling Silver Lemon fork with a Maritime seafood theme, circa early- mid 20th Century. The three-tined fork features a handle modeled as a...
Sterling Silver
Mexican Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Sipping – Stirring Straws, Set of 5
By Taxco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of five hand made Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with abstract leaf shaped bowls. Mexico, Circa 1940s. The bowls are shaped as stylize...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Whiting Oval Twist Salad Servers, issued 1880
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of sterling silver salad servers by the Frank M. Whiting Company, founded in 1878 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. In the Oval Twist pattern issued in 1880, a gorgeous pair...
Sterling Silver
Dominick & Haff Charles II Pattern Sterling Silver Beaded Cocktail Forks, set/6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six sterling silver cocktail forks in the Charles II pattern, from Dominick and Haff, patented in 1894. Dominick and Haff began in New York in 1872, and earned a reputation as an innovative designer of silver wares...
Sterling Silver
$2,226Sale Price|20% Off
Salimbeni Purse Cigarette Case Two-Color Enamel Stripes Blue and White
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Purse cigarette case, oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-color enameled stripes. Early 20th century English style. Measures 9 x 4.3 x 2.6 cm. Weight 96 g. ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame Silver Sterling Enameled on guilloche Red and Green Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large rectangular photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloche in two colors, in a modern contemporary style. External cm. 18 x 22,...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage Hazorfim Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers, a Pair
By Hazorfim
Located in Miami, FL
Made in Tel-Aviv, Israel and acquired in the late 1980s, this is a classic and traditional set of .925 Sterling Silver salt and pepper shakers created by Hazorfim - the collaborativ...
Silver
Pair of American Art Deco Sterling Silver Napkin Rings
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Art Deco sterling silver napkin rings, ca 1925. Each: Concave and faceted with molded rims. Fully marked including stamp for New York maker Clarence A. Vanderbilt and no. 84....
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver & Glass Vanity Jars, Set of Five
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of five antique sterling silver and glass vanity jars. Various repoussè floral designs. each sterling lid is stamped sterling. Large j...
Sterling Silver
Set of Five Sterling Silver Demitasse Spoons
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple and elegant set of five sterling silver demitasse spoons, circa 1940s. The set is in very good vintage condition and each spoon measures...
Sterling Silver
Set of Six Silver Napkin Rings
Located in London, GB
Set of Six Silver Napkin Rings, London 1989. The central polished band bordered by textured sections with a brushed finish. Weight: 495.4g
Silver
$2,485
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 12pcs. Sterling Silver & Box Cake Spatula & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 12 gilded inside antique valuable floral handle sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. A cased set of 1915 12 x silver ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Duck Napkin Ring by Crisford & Norris, 1913
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver duck napkin ring; an addition to our christening silverware collection. This exceptional antique George V sterling silver napkin ring has been realistically modeled in the form of a duck. Either end of the napkin ring is embellished with embossed and applied decoration reproducing the fine details of the ducks plumage and anatomical features. The duck’s head is further ornamented with the original gem set eyes. The surface of this duck napkin ring is embellished with the contemporary engraved initials 'M.R'. Condition This antique silver animal napkin ring...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Duncan & Scobbie Antique Boxed Sterling Silver Napkin Rings
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive set of six antique George V English sterling silver napkin rings - boxed; an addition to our dining silverware collection. This exceptional set of antique George V silver...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique International Sterling Silver Mounted Cut Glass Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Neoclassical style cake plate or serving dish. In sterling silver and cut glass. By the International Silver Company. Stylistically similar to International's 'Wedgwood' pat...
Sterling Silver
Bunny Sterling Silver Sugar Container
Located in Milan, IT
Sterling silver sugar bowl in the form of a small bucket, from which a curious bunny playfully peeks out. Entirely handcrafted by the artisan silversmith atelier Fratelli Lisi in Flo...
Sterling Silver
12 Japanese Sterling Ice Tea Spoons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a complete set of twelve ice tea / mint julep spoons. Each set of six come in the original case. The case has hinges on the side and...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Tea Set
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are thrilled to offer you this sterling silver tea set by Gorham Silversmiths, hallmarked 1874. This one hundred and fifty years old set has been ...
Sterling Silver
$759 / item
H 2.37 in Dm 2.17 in
Antique Silver Salt Shaker, A Pair of Salt & Pepper Shakers Crystal Bowl
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Gilt Bronze and Glass Salt Cellars, Antique English Tableware A charming pair of antique gilt-bronze salt cellars, each with a delicate leaf-shaped base and curved handle, su...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 4.38 in W 1.25 in D 0.69 in
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver Baby Set "Royal Danish" by International
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century sterling silver baby set “Royal Danish” by International. Fork & spoon. Marked: U.S.A., Royal Danish, International Sterling. 1.40 troy oz. Very good used condition;...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver and Baltic Amber Honey or Jam Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sterling silver serving spoon, set with a piece of Baltic Amber, Russia, circa 1980s. The honey-colored, tear-drop shaped piece of amber is bezel set between two leaves. A twig fo...
Sterling Silver
Estate Sterling Silver Wide Band Napkin Rings, mixed set of four
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of four vintage wide band Sterling Silver napkin rings, various makers, circa 1920 - 1930s. Wonderful examples: One ring is engraved with the name ‘Mellie’ inside a...
Sterling Silver
Estate Sterling Engraved Napkin Rings, mixed set of four
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A mixed set of four Estate Sterling silver napkin rings, circa late 19th to early 20th century. A nice grouping, each ring of similar size with beaded or banded rims. The rings are...
Sterling Silver
Estate Sterling Silver Rectangular Napkin Rings, mixed set of six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of six Estate Sterling Silver napkin rings, various makers, circa 1930s. The six rings are all rectangular in shape, five rings are monogrammed: Howard, Ariel, FLW,...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Estate Sterling Silver Napkin Rings, mixed set of four
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of four Estate Sterling Silver napkin rings, Gorham Silver Company, circa 1930s. An assembled set of narrow band napkin rings, two bearing monograms – Joanne, and the initials...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.5 in W 1.5 in D 7.75 in
Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Leaf Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six hand made Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with leaf shaped bowls. Circa 1950s. The bowls are shaped as three pointed leaves nice...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.25 in W 1 in D 7 in
Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with heart leaf shaped bowls. Circa 1920 -1925. Silver ovals are soldered in place to the sippin...
Sterling Silver
Stieff Rose Pattern Sterling Silver Teaspoons, set of 5
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A group of five sterling silver teaspoons made by Stieff, in the Rose pattern, a popular pattern first issued in 1892. Known for their superior quality silver flatware, Steiff opera...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.25 in W 1 in D 8.25 in
Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Heart Bowl Stirring Straws, Set of 12
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of twelve Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with heart or leaf shaped bowls. Circa 1920 -1925. Silver balls are soldered in place to th...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.25 in W 1.25 in D 8.25 in
1950s Mexican Matador Sterling Silver Long Iced Tea Spoons, Set of Four
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Mexico, a set of four Sterling Silver stirring spoons, circa 1950s. The long spoons show spiral twist stems terminating in diamond shaped end pieces embossed with the high relief image of a matador swinging his cape in front of a bull. Perfect for stirring sugar or simple syrup into a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade. Marked: Hecho en Mexico – Sterling 925 – with the Eagle stamp...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.25 in W 0.5 in D 3.5 in
Sterling Silver & Lapis Lazuli Cocktail Hors d'Oeuvres Picks, Set of Six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six, Sterling Silver cocktail or hors d’ oeuvres picks with oval Lapis Lazuli stones, circa 1960-1970. Showing a charming hand made quality, the pieces have twisted stems, ending in sharp double-pronged picks. The lovely blue, flat cabochon...
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver