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Herman Miller Black Plywood Eames Dining Chairs

Pair early DCW Dining Chair in black by Charles & Ray Eames, Herman Miller 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Vorst, BE
discontinued between 1954 and 1994). Made of plywood, refinished in black (as original). The Eames DCW Chair
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Plywood

Early Eames DCM Birch Plywood Dining Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice set of early 1950s DCM chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. These are
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Eames DCM Herman Miller Dining Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Eames designed DCM (Dining Chair Metal). Chairs This pair of chairs are currently in later
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

1970s Herman Miller Eames DCMU Chair with Black Fabric Upholstery 8x Available
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames DCMU Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This model was
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 16 Saddle Leather DCM Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, circa 1971-1981. This version was developed in 1969 in an effort to
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Plywood Dining Chairs Charles + Ray Eames
By Charles Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
classic California design Herman Miller manufacturer mixed woods, birch, ash and walnut
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

4 DKX-2 Wire Bikini Shell Chairs X Bases Hot Pink Bikinis Eames Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
covers designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. They are in wonderful vintage restored
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Dcms by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, Set of 6
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Saint Paul, MN
The chair that started it all. Masters of molded plywood, the Eames adapted their dining chair wood
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eames Herman Miller Oval Conference Dining Table Universal Segmented Cherry
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) Eames for Herman Miller racetrack oval conference or
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ta...

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Eames Herman Miller Oval Conference Dining Table Universal Segmented Laminate #2
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) Eames for Herman Miller racetrack oval conference or
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Walnut Wood Shell Dining Chairs by Charles Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A complete set of molded plywood dining chairs designed by Charles Eames and produced by Herman
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Eames Herman Miller Round Table Universal Base Casters & 36” Blonde Laminate Top
By Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Mid-Century Modern Eames for Herman Miller table with aluminum universal 4 prong
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Eames Herman Miller MCM Aluminum Group Tables Contract Base Black & White
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Vintage Eames Herman Miller MCM Aluminum Group 4 Prong Contract Base White Laminate Top Table
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Set of Two '2' Herman Miller LCW Lounge Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames, USA
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Deland, FL
and Ray Eames for Herman Miller has been reimaged in matte black; offered for your consideration as a
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

MCM Eames Herman Miller Natural Oak 60" Round Top Tables Black Universal Base
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern Eames for Herman Miller 60” round tables comprised of light
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

MCM Eames Herman Miller Natural Oak Round Universal Base Table w/ Gromet Hole
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern Eames for Herman Miller 60” round tables comprised of light
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

DSS-TA dining height side chair stacking base tablet arm by Ray & Charles Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
-ta chairs with white laminated tables and black fiberglass shells, desigend by ray and charles eames
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Red & Black DCW Armchair, 2004
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in London, GB
The DCW chair was originally released in 1946, with Herman Miller taking over the manufacture of
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Plywood

Eames Herman Miller Dark Cherry Round Top Table Universal Pedestal Base
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Eames for Herman Miller round top table with universal pedestal base and dark cherry
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

1 Midcentury H Miller Eames Fiberglass Stool with H-Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
Herman Miller Eames vinyl fiberglass stool on H base An unusual version of this classic shell in
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Chrome

Set of 6, Mid Century Cow Hide Upholstered Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Eames. In the manner of the Herman Miller DCW chair, the history on these Thonet chairs is unmatched
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Cowhide

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2018 Jean Prouvé Fauteuil Direction Dining Chairs by Vitra 12x Avail
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single Fauteuil Direction dining / side chair designed by Jean Prouvé and produced by Vitra in 2018. Multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chai...
Category

2010s German Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Multiple Industrial Galvanitas S16 Dining Chairs in Various Colors, Netherlands
By Galvanitas
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Functional / Industrial Galvanitas S16 plywood chairs in the style of Prouvé. Frames are made of folded sheet steel and seat / backpanel of resin plywood. Various colors, quantities ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
By Juliana Lima Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought with three feet. The upholstered se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Charles Ray Eames Chairs
By Charles Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
Eames for Herman Miller, rare upholstered LCM's original factory upholstery with tacks on underside. Few of these were ordered and were usually custom.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Charles Ray Eames Chairs
Charles Ray Eames Chairs
H 26.5 in W 23 in D 22 in
Danish Midcentury Teak double bed with Cane headboard by Hans Wegner for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegantely shaped double bed model GE 701 designed by Hans Wegner in the 1960s and produced by Getama. The headboard is made of woven cane and has floating side tables with black gla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Cane, Teak

Early Eames Walnut DCW for Herman Miller / Evans 'B'
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early Eames DCW side chair in finely grained bent walnut ply from the iconic team of Ray and Charles Eames. Built after WW2 using techniques developed during war production and swi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

A Pair of Charles Eames LCW's Early Original Examples Evans
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare pair of early production (5x2x5 screw mounts) Charles Eames LCW (lounge chair wood). Original analine black finish in very good condition. Back shockmounts replaced. Priced to...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Side Chairs

Materials

Ash

Early LCW Lounge Chair stained red by Charles & Ray Eames, Evans Plywood, 1950s
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company
Located in Vorst, BE
LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) chair created by Charles and Ray Eames around 1945. Chair sold by Herman Miller, but produced by Evans Plywood in 1948-1949. The 5-2-5 screw arrangement bene...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Maurice Calka for Leleu-Deshays, "Boomerang" Desk, France, 1970
By Maurice Calka, LeLeu Deshays
Located in New York, NY
“Boomerang” desk designed by Maurice Calka for Leleu. Marked: "CREATION M. CALKA EDITION LELEU DESHAYS" This desk was exhibited in the museum show "Leleu 50 ans de mobilier et de d...
Category

20th Century French Desks

Materials

Metal

Set of Six Stainless Steel Cantilever Dining Chairs by Brueton, 1980s
By Brueton
Located in Hamburg, PA
A stunning set of six dining chairs by Brueton, circa 1980s. The cantilever chairs are classic Mid-Century Modern design. The dark cobalt blue mohair is in very good condition and th...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Charles and Ray Eames, LCW Lounge Chair, circa 1960
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Belmont, MA
Charles and Ray Eames. Iconic LCW lounge chair in black stained plywood, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, Manufactured by Evans / Herman Miller. The veneer and chair is in good o...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Plywood

"First" Chair by Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Michele de Lucchi was one of the cofounders of the Milano Design Group Memphis, which emerged at the end of 1980 around the central figure of Ettore Sottsass. The group’s very first...
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

"First" Chair by Michele De Lucchi
"First" Chair by Michele De Lucchi
H 35 in W 24 in D 20 in
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Postmodern Burl, Leather & Steel Sofa
By Saporiti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Saporiti sofa in it's original fabric is meticulously constructed of stainless steel, burl panels and leather arms and full back. This item needs to be reupholstered. We can reu...
Category

Late 20th Century European Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid century Florence Knoll Sofa #57 Parallel Bar System - needs upholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Vintage circa 1960 Midcentury Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System sofa Model #57 three-seat sofa with arms. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Int. USA. Solid Steel frame and is in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Armchairs in Custom Tan Tweed
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Culver City, CA
One of Knoll's most popular designs for the past 70 years, Eero Saarinen's executive armchair is about as timeless and chic as it gets. This current set of 10 we have available are u...
Category

Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Early Walnut Eames DCWs Dining Chair Wood for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous pair of early Eames DCW dining chairs in walnut. An ergonomic dining chair that is attractive as is comfortable to lounge in, like its brother the LCW. These iconic dining c...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Recent Sales

Vintage Midcentury Eames for Herman Miller Black DCW Dining Chair, 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This original vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCW dining chair is expertly crafted
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Ash, Plywood

Vintage Midcentury Eames Black Dcw Plywood Dining Chair, 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This original vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCW dining chair is expertly crafted
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

First Generation Eames for Herman Miller DCM
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First generation DCM chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Molded ash plywood
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Charles & Ray Eames Early 1953 DCM Maple Side Chair Dining Set by Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic and early 1950s DCM side chair set in maple veneer plywood. Good or fair vintage condition
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eames Herman Miller Oval Conference Dining Table Universal Segmented Laminate
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) Eames for Herman Miller racetrack oval conference or
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Pair of Eames PSC Orange Vinyl Upholstered Pivoting Side Shell Chairs
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous pair of Herman Miller Eames pivoting side shell chairs on contract base or PSC chair
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Dining Chairs with Scissor Legs by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Eames and learned this at the Herman Miller factories. Manufacturer: Pastoe Model: FE30 Period
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Eames Ctw Coffee Table in Beech for Herman Miller, circa 1950
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in San Diego, CA
This 3rd Generation Eames CTW Coffee Table for Herman Miller was made in 1950. This table consists
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Beech

FE30 Chairs by Cees Braakman for PASTOE
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Extraordinary set of 4 FE30 dining chairs with scissor legs. The yellow gold backs are original
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Teak

FE30 Chairs by Cees Braakman for PASTOE
FE30 Chairs by Cees Braakman for PASTOE
H 31.11 in W 23.23 in D 22.45 in
Rosewood Black Leather Early 1960s Eames 671 Ottoman for Eames 670 Lounge
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Oakland, CA
The iconic early 1960s rosewood / black leather 671 ottoman designed by Ray and Charles Eames and
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Aluminum

Exceptional Brazilian Rosewood Dining Set by Cees Braakman, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
have been refinished. The chairs have been re-upholstered in high quality black faux leather. The
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Rosewood

Exceptional Brazilian Rosewood Dining Set by Cees Braakman, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
have been refinished. The chairs have been re-upholstered in high quality black faux leather. The
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Rosewood

Round Brazilian Rosewood Dining Set by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
. The backs and seats are made of Brazilian rosewood molded plywood. The chairs have been re
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Rosewood

Rare Cees Braakman Sideboard, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
manufacturing companies such as Herman Miller. From this study, he was inspired to experiment with molded
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Metal

Rare Cees Braakman Sideboard, circa 1950
Rare Cees Braakman Sideboard, circa 1950
H 26.78 in W 61.03 in D 17.72 in
Charles and Ray Eames Metal Leg Dining Chair DCM for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Ferndale, MI
Charles and Ray Eames dining chair metal ( DCM ) for Herman Miller. Blonde laminate plywood seat in
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Charles and Ray Eames DCW Chair by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
Iconic 1960s Herman Miller DCW dining chair in black dye ash plywood. Great all original condition
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash

Charles and Ray Eames DCW Chair by Herman Miller
Charles and Ray Eames DCW Chair by Herman Miller
H 28.75 in W 19.69 in D 22.05 in
1946, Ray & Charles Eames for Herman Miller, DCM in Painted Black Version
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Three DCM chairs in black by Eames produced by Vitra. Priced per piece. The chairs show some traces
Category

Vintage 1940s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Eames Herman Miller Aluminum Group Conference or Dining Table Rosewood and Black
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Eames for Herman Miller. This one has a rosewood colored veneer top with black band and a black
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Eames Herman Miller Natural Oak Round Top Table Black & Alum Universal Base
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern Eames for Herman Miller table comprised of light natural oak
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Eames Herman Miller Oval Conference or Dining Table Universal Segmented Base
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Eames for Herman Miller racetrack oval conference or dining table with universal segmented
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

MCM Eames for Herman Miller Segmented Black Base Table Rectangular Top
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Classic Eames for Herman Miller segmented base table with black base and table edge, rectangular
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Exceptional and Very Rare Dining Set by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
inspired by the plywood techniques used by Charles and Ray Eames and learned them at the Herman Miller
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Chrome

Charles Eames DCM Aniline Black Dining Chairs 1951
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Berkeley, CA
Beautiful set of four molded plywood 'DCM' dining chairs designed by Charles Eames for Herman
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

White Ash Herman Miller Eames Molded Plywood DCM Dining Chair Black Metal Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
Herman Miller DCM molded plywood dining chair designed by Eames. This particular example is in a great
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Pair circa 1953 Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Dining Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Pair circa 1953 Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Dining Chairs with walnut veneer plywood
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Charles and Ray Eames DCW Chair for Herman Miller
Located in Richmond, VA
The DCW plywood chair designed by the Eames represents one of the major achievements in modern
Category

20th Century American Side Chairs

Materials

Rubber

DCW Dining Chair Wood by Charles and Ray Eames for Evans
By Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company
Located in Cologne, DE
Early production of the legendary plywood chair by Charles and Ray Eames (design 1945). The chair
Category

Vintage 1940s American Chairs

Six DCM Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
Black stained plywood on chrome frame dining chair metal. Manufactured by Herman Miller.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Modern Dining Room Chairs

Six DCM Charles Eames for Herman Miller
Six DCM Charles Eames for Herman Miller
H 29.5 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
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Herman Miller Black Plywood Eames Dining Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs available for sale. The range of distinct herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs — often made from metal, wood and aluminium — can elevate any home. Herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. mid-century modern herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs are consistently popular styles. Many herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs are appealing in their simplicity, but Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller and Cees Braakman produced popular herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs that are worth a look.

How Much are Herman Miller Black Plywood Eames Dining Chairs?

Prices for herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, herman miller black plywood eames dining chairs begin at $700 and can go as high as $35,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,800.

A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture

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.