Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Barware

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

3
2,096
15
2
to
321
1,407
660
2,113
2,107
2,113
977
553
270
148
142
141
138
44
40
23
21
17
14
14
5
5
4
9
2,087
17
17
1,616
326
3
7
13
291
353
239
31
1
1,069
884
361
264
241
1,108
821
765
467
184
88
77
62
61
49
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Christofle Silver Plate Ice Bucket in the Talisman Pattern with Brown Enamel
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Silver plate wine / champagne bucket by Christofle in the "Talisman" pattern., having brown enameled bar handles with silver capped ends on central curved stems from the sides of a t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate, Enamel

Vintage Glo-Hill Chrome "Traffic Light" Spirit Measure/Jigger w/Bakelite Handle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage "Traffic Light" spirit measure / jigger, the cylindrical chrome measure with three plastic 'lights', green, yellow & red, each above the engraved words "SAFE", "CAUTION" & "D...
Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Chrome

Set of 4 Vintage American Eagle Rocks Glasses by Cera Glassware.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Four vintage rocks glasses by Cera, decorated as a teal and red parade drum with a spread-wing eagle holding a stars and stripes shield on the front and with a shield on the back.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Nutcracker Vienna Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Nutcracker Vienna Around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Mid Century Silver Fade Roly Poly Cocktail Glasses - Set of 6
Located in Vallejo, CA
A beautiful set of 6 mid century silver fade roly poly cocktail glasses. Each glass decorated with metallic silver that fades to clear at the bases. Made in the Dorothy Thorpe styl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

1960s Mercury Glass Roman Centurion Coasters in Caddy - 9 Pieces
Located in Draper, UT
1960s Mercury Glass Roman Centurion Coasters in Caddy. It includes eight coasters and one caddy with handle. Each coaster has an embossed head of a Roman soldier or centurion - (a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Mercury Glass

Signed David Marshall Solid Brass Wine Holer, Spain 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful wine holder in solid brass. This rare piece was designed by David Marshall and is signed on the handle. It was produced in Spain during the early 1970s. This charming win...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Galatix Hand Made Burma Teak Tea Service Set 6 & Tray
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern Galatix hand-made Burma teak tea service set of 6 glass inserts, 6 Burma teak cup vessels, and a Burma teak serving tray....
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Teak

Large Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Square Wheat Engraved Tray - Signed Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A stunning large mid-century modern solid brass serving tray. This Italian piece is square, with rounded edges. It is created from solid brass and is hand etched with a wheat motif a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Cigarette Dispenser Maple Execution, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Cigarette Dispenser Maple Execution, circa 1950s The opening on top for the cigaretts is 7,4cm Wood polished
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Wood, Maple

Pineapple Ice Bucket, Silver Plate Extra Large, Portugal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This a beautiful Pineapple Ice Bucket, Silver Plate Extra Large, from Portugal. Very big, 20" tall by 9" across. The lid sits on the rim and has a small peg that adapts into a whole ...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Four Vintage Cera Parade Drum Rocks Glasses with Eagle and Shield Design
Located in Nantucket, MA
Four vintage rocks glasses by Cera, decorated as a teal and red parade drum with a spread-wing eagle holding a stars and stripes shield on the front and with a shield on the back.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 4 Vintage Rocks Glasses in the 22k Gold "Canella" Pattern by Culver, LTD.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Four vintage rocks glasses in the "Canella" pattern by Culver, LTD. in 22 karat gold on clear glass with a design of woven cane pattern having a textured and raised surface.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Bottle Holder Around, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle Holder Around, 1950s Original condition Bottle is not included (it is only for the Photoshooting).
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

1960s Brass Black Leather Hip Flask Spain
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Spanish Gold Brass or Plated Black Leather Flask Decanter Secret Bottle Label underneath. 6 h x 4 x 1.25 d Made in Spain Preowned original vintage condition See images provided.
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of Two French Giant Champagne Wine Bottles, Gordon Rouge and Chauvenet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Two Oversized Bottles from Gordon Rouge GH Mumm and Co. and Francoise E. Chauvenet. These vintage bottles are perfect for display either in a home or on a bar in a store or restauran...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Large Italian Murano Art Glass Clown Decanter Bottle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Large Hand Blown Italian Murano Glass Clown Decanter Bottle 13.5” . Amazing colorful hand blown Murano glass clown decanter with hat and bow tie. This Italian hand blown Mura...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Sintzenich Old Fashioned Glasses w/Nautical Flags and Suggestive Meaning
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage set of 4 old fashioned bar glasses in clear glass, each painted with a different nautical flag. To the left of each flag is the letter/word meaning and below each is a sugges...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Rattan, Black lacquered Metal and Faux-leather Bottles Rack
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This bottles rack is made of rattan, black lacquered metal and faux-leather. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Vintage Silver Plate Spirit Measure / Jigger of Double Bell Form, Marked Kirk
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage silver plate spirit measure / jigger of double bell form with a ring centered between the two sides. Marked Kirk / Steiff inside one of the measures.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Bottle, Salvador Dali for Rosso Antico Ltd, Italy 1970s, set of three
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Bottle, Salvador Dali for Rosso Antico Ltd, Italy 1970s, set of three Rare trio of liquor glass coloured bottles in surrealistic style designe...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Six "METH" Mid-Century Highball Glasses w/Fishing Lures in 22k Gold and Enamels
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of six vintage highball glasses of clear glass with white frosted interior and decorated with a design by Robert Meth in 22 karat gold and colored enamels, having fishing lures h...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Cut Crystal Champagne Coupes; Set/5
Located in Malibu, CA
Intricately cut crystal champagne coupes with blown glass stems.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Culver Frosted Rocks Glasses with Anchors Between Bands of Flags
Located in Nantucket, MA
Six mid-century rocks glasses decorated in blue and white having large anchors between two bands of nautical flags all on a frosted ground.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Brass "Porthole" Ice Bucket Marked "Nauticalia / Made in England"
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Brass ice bucket of cylindrical form with a "Porthole" top, having a hinged glass lid in brass frame with working screw and nut locks enclosing a removable aluminum liner. Marked on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Mathieu Mategot Style Leather and Pony Fur Bottle Holder Wine Rack, France 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant bottle holder or wine rack, whose design is attributed to French designer Mathieu Mategot (1910 - 2001,) features a typical 1950s work with leather and pony skin fur fro...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Ice Bucket Raffia and Golden Metal, France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Champagne and Ice Bucket from the 1970s. Made with braided raffia and gold metal. The inside is made of white plastic. Manufacturer is Kraftware Company NY City. Beautiful patina...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Gold

Six Vintage Rocks Glasses with a Parrot in a White Scrollwork Cage by Cera Glass
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of six vintage rocks glasses by Cera Glassware decorated with a colorful parrot in a white scrollwork cage on clear glass.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 8 Fred Press Highball Glasses, Party Set with 2 Each of 4 Colors
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of eight Fred Press designed highball glasses consisting of 2 each in four colors having clear circles with white borders on a colored ground with a woven texture below a band of...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener, Vienna, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Blue Murano Glass Ice Bucket with Gold Glass Handles, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Ice Bucket in blue Murano glass with gold glass handles. This gorgeous piece was made in Murano, Italy in the 1960s. This ice bucket is made in an incredibly vibrant blue g...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Christian Dior Set of Six Coasters Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass, Italy 1970
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful set of six octagonal coasters in faux tortoiseshell lucite and brass borders in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Ice Bucket Apple Shaped in Faux Carey and Metal, Mauro Manetti Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Apple Ice bucket, brass, Lucite, Spain, 1960s A highly decorative faux tortoiseshell, metal plated and aluminum ice bucket or wine cooler in the manner of Mauro Manetti. Use it in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Brass

1960s Italian Burlwood Silver Chrome Ice Bucket Italy
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1960s Italian Vintage Burlwood Silver Chrome Ice Bucket Made Italy After Milo Baughman Handsome Mid-Century Modern burl wood and metal ice bucket with handle. Ice b...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair of Gold Painted MCM Pump Glass Decanters
Located in Weymouth, MA
Pair of mid-century glass pump decanters with painted gold floral design.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

MCM Sterling Silver "Stoplight" Jigger / Shot Glass by Gorham
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare MCM sterling silver "stoplight" jigger / shot glass by Gorham, circa 1950s. The piece is in good condition and measures 2.25"D x 2.5"H. The jigger has 1oz, 2.5oz and 3.5oz ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Sterling Silver

American Art Deco Chrome "Penguin" Ice Bucket by West Bend Manufacturing
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Art Deco chrome "Penguin" ice bucket by West Bend Manufacturing, circa 1940s. The design features three bakelite handles and an embossed penguin design on the perimeter of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Chrome

Gucci, Italy - Nautical Anchor Bottle Opener c.1970/1980
Located in Bath, GB
A rarely found Italian chromium bottle opener in the form of an anchor signed on the underside by " Gucci Italy". Dating to c.1970/1980 it remains in excellent condition. 3 3/4" x ...
Category

Late 20th Century Vatican Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Chrome

MCM Yellow Glass-Snap Mugs by Corning - Set of 4
Located in Vallejo, CA
A set of 4 mid century "Glas-Snap" mugs by Corning. Each is made of glass that snaps into a yellow plastic base. Great mid century design with the bases acting like coasters to prote...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Vintage Cobalt Opalescent Italian Opaline Vase on Foot from Florence, 1960s
Located in Verviers, BE
Opaline di Florence (Empoli) opalescent Italian art glass vase the late 1950s or early 1960s.  Beautiful hand-blown opal and hand-applied one foot Measures: 27 cm tall, diameter 20 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Vintage Mid Century Silver Plate Ice Bucket
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage Mid Century Silver Plate Ice Bucket. In good vintage condition with some minor blemishes. 6" D body of ice bucket only 7....
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Georges Briard Gold Leaf Old Fashioned Frosted Cocktail Glasses Set of 4
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Georges Briard Gold Leaf Old Fashioned Frosted Cocktail Glasses. Set of 4 Mid Century Modern old fashioned glasses designed by Georges Briard and feature a gold leaf Japanese style t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Art Glass

Gucci, Italy - Handsome Fox Head Bottle Opener c.1970
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome and whimsical bottle opener made from silver plated metal, designed by the Iconic fashion house of Gucci, Italy. One side of the base is struck "Gucci" and the other side...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

French Cut Crystal Port Decanter With Handle, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This wine or Port decanter dates to the 1950s or 60s. Its many cut edges are beveled softly. It can contain around 0.7 liter. Very reminiscent in style to similar designs from Saint-...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

MCM Silver Fade Ombre French Carafe Decanter & 8 Stems Style Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage mid-century modern beverage serving set of eight silver fade ombre French stem glasses and one carafe or decanter in the style of Dorothy Thorpe but unsigned. Beauti...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid Century Danish Modern Screw Nut Cracker 1970s
By Quistgaard Tjorn, Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly cool and functional Danish modern screw nut cracker by Dana Plast. This piece is cool and brings a cool, minimal retro feel with its aesthetic. Utilitarian and chic. Mid...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Plastic

Carl Auböck Bottle Opener "Shoe", Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Shoe shaped bottle opener, Austria, 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Culver Fairway 22k Gold Decorated Glasses - 4 Rocks and 4 High Ball/Collins
Located in Kennett Square, PA
Mid century barware classics in pristine condition! Set of 8 - 4 rocks and 4 highballs. Wonderful Culver graphics - black and 22k gold decoration on frosted panels in whimsical golf ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Italian 1950's Ice Bucket
Located in London, GB
Elegant ice bucket for barware in Murano blown glass, brass and bamboo with matching spoon in brass with bamboo handle. Dimensions Spoon; 21 x 5.5 x 3 cm. Dimensions Glass container;...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Georges Briard Set of Six Rock Glasses Green and Gold
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Georges Briard Mid-Century Modern Glasses Barware - Set of 6 Elegant exquisite vintage set of six rock glasses designed by Georges Briard. They will create a dramatic display...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

CULVER Mid 20th Century "Pisa" Crackled 22k Gold Highball Glasses - Set of 8
Located in Charlotte, NC
A set of eight mid 20th century highball glasses by Culver Glass, their "Pisa". Clear glass in the cocktail highball form with 22-karat gold decoration. The "Pisa" design is crackled...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Gold

Elegant Whiskey decanter in chrystal glass with silver mounting from 1944
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Whiskey decanter in chrystal glass signed by Strombergshyttan’s Glass factory, Smaland, Sweden with silver mounting from 1944=S8. The decanter is heavy and has a simple and ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver

1970s Modern Square Glass Ice Bucket Style of Cristal de Sèvres
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Crystal Glass Ice Bucket Silver Plate Handle Square shape with curve around edges. Clean modern lines Unmarked. Attributed design style Cristal de Sèvres 10.25 to top, 7 h to glass ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Ice box holder with box by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini
Located in Lugo, IT
Icebox by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini. Never used Good conditions. Thank you
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Plastic

Silver Plate Cocktail Shaker as a Fire Extinguisher
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming large mid-century silver plated cocktail shaker in the form of a fire extinguisher. The Extinguisher has been extensively engraved, which only enhances the unique ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver Plated Ice Bucket With Brass Buckle Detail c.1960
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb mid-20th Century silver plated ice bucket. The bucket is adorned with a brass belt buckle detail and offers ample space to accommodate a bottle of champagne. It serves as an...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

1950s Mid-Century Modern Goatskin and Brass Thermos Carafe by Aldo Tura
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A thermos carafe designed by Aldo Tura, it has been manufactured in Milano in the Fifties by Macabo, it's in vintage conditions with signs of use and age visible on there photos. Thi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage mid century modern Italian pink coasters and matching set
Located in Houston, TX
Italian marble coasters, in good condition. The coasters measure approximately 3" in diameter. The base is approximately 3.75" wide x almost 2" thick x slightly over 1.5" high
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Marble

Mid-century Modern barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern barware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage barware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern barware made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original barware, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Culver Ltd., Georges Briard, and Aldo Tura. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for barware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $495.

Recently Viewed

View All