Contemporary Classics, Timeless Design


March 2026

Great interiors are often defined by the details. A beautifully designed glass bowl, a sculptural ceramic form or a characterful bronze can transform a room, bringing personality and design history into a space.

In this feature we explore modern decorative design – objects created during the twentieth century and by contemporary makers whose work continues to influence interiors today. From Art Deco ceramics and modern studio pottery to art glass and small sculpture, these pieces combine artistic craftsmanship with striking form.

At auction, the demand for these kinds of works continues to grow. Well-designed pieces by makers such as Lalique, Moorcroft and Clarice Cliff, alongside works by contemporary studio artists, regularly attract enthusiastic bidding. As recent sales demonstrate, objects that balance artistry, craftsmanship and strong visual design remain highly sought after.

Art Glass: Light, Colour and Modern Form
Few materials transform a room quite like glass. Whether placed on a dining table or catching the light on a window ledge, a well-chosen piece of art glass can introduce colour, texture and movement to an interior in a way that feels both subtle and sculptural.

Modern decorative glass owes much to designers such as René Lalique, whose work helped define the elegance of early twentieth-century design. Lalique became known for combining clear and frosted glass with natural motifs, creating pieces that feel both refined and quietly dramatic.

Collectors today are drawn to glass for these same qualities – its ability to play with light, colour and form. Recent auction results reflect this continued interest. A Lalique Coquilles opalescent glass bowl recently sold for £220, while a limited edition Gillies Jones of Rosedale vase, decorated with red leaves against a frosted ground, achieved £180.

Objects such as these often act as sculptural accents within a room – small but impactful pieces that bring clarity and colour to an interior.

Studio Pottery: The Handmade Aesthetic
Studio pottery has long appealed to collectors who appreciate objects with a visible human touch. Unlike factory ceramics, studio pottery celebrates the individuality of the maker – from the shaping of the clay to the glazing and firing.

Within modern interiors, these pieces often introduce warmth and texture. The surfaces are tactile, the forms sometimes unexpected, and each work carries a sense of personality.

Troika pottery, produced in Cornwall during the late twentieth century, remains particularly admired for its bold geometric decoration and architectural shapes. A square lamp base by Alison Brigden for Troika achieved £220 in a recent auction, demonstrating the continuing popularity of these distinctive designs.

Individual studio artists also attract collectors seeking more contemporary pieces. A sculptural stoneware form by York potter Ben Arnup recently sold for £150, while a ceramic figure titled Muddy Pig by Christine Cummings realised £90.
Displayed on shelves, sideboards or occasional tables, studio ceramics often bring an inviting, handmade character to a space.


Moorcroft: Pattern, Landscape and Colour
For many collectors, Moorcroft represents the meeting point between traditional craftsmanship and modern decorative design. Known for its rich glazes and distinctive tube-lined decoration, Moorcroft ceramics are instantly recognisable.

In interiors, these pieces often act as focal points. Their colours are bold yet refined, and many designs draw inspiration from landscapes or architectural landmarks.

Recent auction results demonstrate the continued demand for these works. A Moorcroft Prestige Whitby Abbey vase designed by Kerry Goodwin achieved £850 in a recent sale, while a smaller Serpent pattern vase realised £95.

Whether displayed individually or grouped within a collection, Moorcroft pieces bring colour and narrative into an interior.

Ceramics That Defined an Era
Certain ceramics are so distinctive that they come to represent entire design movements.

The Art Deco period introduced a new visual language into domestic design. Bold colours, stylised landscapes and geometric forms replaced the delicate ornament of earlier eras, and few designers captured this spirit more vividly than Clarice Cliff. Her vibrant patterns transformed everyday pottery into something playful and expressive. A Fantasque Bizarre bowl in the Summerhouse pattern, decorated with stylised trees and bold geometric borders, recently achieved £110, reflecting the designer’s continued popularity with collectors.


Art Deco figurative ceramics also continue to perform well at auction. A Royal Dux porcelain figure of a dancer by Elly Strobach König, dating to around 1925, realised £180, capturing the elegance and movement that defined the era.


Equally evocative of twentieth-century design is the surreal imagination of Piero Fornasetti. A set of three Tema e Variazioni plates – part of his celebrated series exploring variations of a mysterious female face – sold for £160, illustrating the crossover appeal between decorative art and contemporary interior styling.


Small Sculptures with Big Presence


Finally, there is sculpture – the decorative object that often becomes the quiet centrepiece of a room. Small sculptural works invite close inspection, adding depth and visual interest to shelves, desks and mantelpieces.

Viennese cold-painted bronzes are especially admired for their craftsmanship and lively naturalism. A finely detailed bronze lizard by Franz Xavier Bergman recently sold for £650, demonstrating the continuing popularity of these beautifully executed pieces.

Contemporary sculpture also plays an important role within modern interiors. A marble mackerel by artist Darren Yeadon achieved £160 in a recent auction, illustrating how traditional materials and contemporary craftsmanship can sit comfortably alongside twentieth-century design.

Objects like these often become conversation pieces – subtle but memorable additions to a home.

What links all of these pieces – from Lalique glass to studio pottery and small sculpture – is thoughtful design. They are objects created with care, combining artistry, craftsmanship and strong visual form.

For collectors, they offer individuality. For interior designers, they introduce texture, colour and personality. And at auction, they continue to attract enthusiastic buyers.

If you have modern decorative objects at home – whether art glass, studio ceramics, Moorcroft pottery or small sculpture – recent sales demonstrate the strong interest in pieces of this kind.

Beautifully designed objects have always had a place in the home. Today, they are also finding a very receptive audience at auction, get in touch for your complimentary valuation and start selling with Dugglebys. 
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