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Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Sommerso Barbini Style
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Alfredo Barbini
Located in New York, NY
A substantial vintage Italian Murano hand blown art glass bowl or ashtray in the style of artist
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Blue and Clear Hand Blown Murano Dish
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage hand blown blue & clear Murano glass dish. A great accent piece or bookshelf decor.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass

Italian Murano Art Glass Tazza
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in New York, NY
surmounted by a frosted opaque white glass dish, possibly Seguso. Dealer: S138XX
Category

20th Century Italian Other Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Antonio da Ros Asymetric Murano Glass Sommerso Bowl/Dish, Uranium/Blue
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful uranium Murano glass bowl designed by Antonio Da Ros.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Glass

Materials

Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
geode bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Val Saint Lambert Green Sommerso Core Crystal Ashtray Dish Belgium c.1950
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in London, GB
Val Saint Lambert green Sommerso core crystal ashtray dish Belgium c.1950. Presented in
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Italian Murano Sommerso Flavio Poli Glass Vide Poche with Label
By Flavio Poli
Located in Verviers, BE
Sommerso Flavio Poli glass bowl/dish/ vide poche in vivid colours of brilliant red and green, clear
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Blue Blown Glass Trefoil Murano Style Bowl Dish
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern blue blown glass trefoil murano style bowl dish/ item features thick
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass

Italian Murano Blue and Amythyst Art Glass Bowl Sommerso Barbini
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Alfredo Barbini
Located in New York, NY
A substantial vintage Italian Murano hand blown Sommerso art glass bowl or ashtray in the style of
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass, Art Glass

Faceted Blue Murano Midcentury Modern 1960s Sommerso Diamond Cut Glass Bowl
By Seguso, Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Faceted vintage Italian Murano art glass bowl, dish or ashtray circa
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Italian Blue 'Sommerso' Murano Glass Bowl Maurizio Albarelli Attributed
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Maurizio Albarelli
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Large vintage textured Italian glass bowl or dish attributed to Maurizio Arabella for Seguso Vetri
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass

1960s Strombergshyttan Sweden Sommerso Art Glass Dish in Amethyst
By Strombergshyttan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Strombergshyttan Sweden amethyst sommerso double art purple glass bowl. Measures: 2 tall x
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass, Sommerso

Barbini Murano Glass Olive Green / Yellow Ochre Heart Shaped Bowl Ash Tray Dish
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Soquel, CA
the Sommerso technique. He perfected the way in which thick colored layers of glass were superimposed
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Glass

Barbini Murano Sommerso Pink Iridescent Italian Art Glass Bowl Ashtray Dish
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso iridescent pink Italian art glass folded over rim bowl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

1970s Art Glass Cigar Ashtray Table Sculpture Dish like Murano Sotsass Cenedese
By Ettore Sottsass, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful geometric simplicity, heavy 1970s cut and polished crystal design, clear. No makers markings. There is a ridge at end of tube form for cutting cigar end with a round tipped...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Art Glass

Seguso Murano Sommerso Blue Green Italian Art Glass Lotus Flower Bowl Dish
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green and blue glass Italian art glass Lotus flower
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass

Alfredo Barbini Murano Sommerso Green Orange Ribbed Italian Art Glass Bowl Dish
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green and orange Italian art glass round bowl / vide
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Murano Art Glass Dark Orange Amber Red Clear Blown Glass Catchall Bowl Italy 70s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Murano art glass bowl in dark orange, red, amber and transparent blown glass
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Barbini Murano Sommerso Purple Blue Italian Art Glass Four Leaf Clover Bowl Dish
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso purple and blue Italian art glass 4 leaf clover shaped
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Italian Murano Iridescent Gold Flecks Leaf Dish Barovier e Toso
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Barovier&Toso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Italian Murano vintage hand blown glass small dish is from the late 50's or early 60's. It is a gold leaf
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish, Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Sommerso Glass Decorative Dish Large Red Centrepiece Bowl circa 1960s
Located in Torquay, GB
Midcentury Murano Sommerso large centrepiece dish. Beautiful elliptical shaped bowl with a
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Materials

Glass

Murano Glass Sommerso Dish/Ashtray/Bowl w/Gold Polveri, Seguso/Barbini suspected
By Seguso
Located in Warrenton, OR
Murano Glass Sommerso Dish/Ashtray/Bowl w/Gold Polveri, Seguso/Barbini suspected Measures about 7.5
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Red Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Italian Alexandrite and Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Italian Alexandrite and Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Italian Alexandrite and Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Red Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Red Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese large and heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Italian Murano Red and Clear Sommerso Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
1960-1970. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this heavy piece of glass features two submerged sections
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Italian Alexandrite and Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Large Italian Alexandrite and Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Pair of Lilac & Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowls, Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Murano glass bowls, serving dishes or ashtrays circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Antonio Da Ros Vintage Italian Murano Clear Sommerso Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass features two submerged sections of clear
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Antonio Da Ros Large Italian Murano Clear Sommerso Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass features two submerged sections of clear
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Red Gold Flecks Pulegoso Italian Art Glass Ashtray
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage murano hand blown red, white bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass ashtray
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Pink Bubble Glass Cigar Ashtray by Anchor Hocking Glass Co 1950s
By Anchor Hocking
Located in North Hollywood, CA
tray made by Anchor Hocking Co. Large Heavy Mid-Century Modern pink cranberry Sommerso bubble glass
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Cranberry White Stripe Bowl. Swedish Art Glass, 1950s
By Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta Boda
Located in Kansas City, MO
Swedish Mid-Century Modern cranberry and white striped glass bowl by Swedish glass artist Vicke
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass

Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Seguso Style
By Angelo Seguso, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in New York, NY
designer Seguso, circa mid-20th century, 1950s, Italy. A substantial bowl in the Murano Glass Sommerso art
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Seguso Style
Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Seguso Style
H 2.75 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Archimede Seguso Style Large Blown Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece Purple Black
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Archimede Seguso
Located in Miami, FL
Sommerso, circa 1970. A large shell shaped glass dish, bowl, centerpiece in black and purple from Italy
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Murano Art glass White And Blue with Aventurine speckles
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Fratelli Toso
Located in Toronto, ON
Stunning decorative dish in white, blue, and gold speckled. This bowl is made with a white base
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass

Seguso Murano Sommerso Amber Clear Green Organic Art Glass Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Sommerso free form art glass bowl / ashtray, Attributed to Seguso, Italy, 1960s Stunning
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Barbini Murano Label Sommerso Pink Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl Ashtray
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso pink Italian art glass sculptural decorative bowl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Dino Martens Murano Orange Sommerso Italian Art Glass Double Fish Sculpture
By Aureliano Toso, Dino Martens
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso orange Italian art glass double fish sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass, Sommerso, Ribbon, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Barbini Murano Sommerso Blue Green Iridescent Italian Art Glass Bowl Ashtray
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso iridescent blue green Italian art glass folded over
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Murano Sommerso Blue Gold Flecks Butterfly Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso blue, with hints of green, Italian art glass bowl with
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Murano Sommerso Green Yellow Art Glass Huge Ovoid Centerpiece Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
candy bowl, vide poche, decorative bowl or dish or enjoy it placed with other Murano glass bowls
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Barbini Murano Sommerso Purple Pink Blue Opal Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso amethyst purple, pink, blue Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Blown Glass, Opaline Glass

Murano Vintage Sommerso Blue Green Italian Art Glass Flower Shaped Bowl Ashtray
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso blue green Italian art glass flower shape bowl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Champagne Sommerso Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (2 available as shown). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso champagne
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Decorative Bowls

Materials

Sommerso, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Seguso Murano Sommerso Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flat Catchall Bowl
By Archimede Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green and gold flecks Italian art glass circular bowl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Gold Flecks Green Sommerso Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl Flower Vase
By Barovier&Toso, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (2 available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green and gold flecks
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Gold Leaf

Italian Murano Sommerso Bowl Green Yellow Blue Art Glass
By Angelo Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in New York, NY
A substantial Italian Murano 'Sommerso' bowl in light blue, green and yellow art glass hues
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass, Art Glass

Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Emerald Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Mid Century Murano Candy Dish Collection of Eleven Italian Glass Ashtrays Bowls
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Atlanta, GA
, some with the sommerso technique, some with gold leaf flecks. I will list the descriptions and sizes
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso

Murano Sommerso Green and Amber Art Glass Bowl, Italy, 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in London, GB
Sommerso free form art glass bowl / ashtray Stunning handblown glass bowl with organic free form
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Green Crackle Surface Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Decorative Dish Bowl
By Fratelli Toso, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green, crackle surface and gold flecks Italian art glass bowl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Gold Leaf

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Sommerso Glass Dish For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic sommerso glass dish available at 1stDibs. A sommerso glass dish — often made from glass, murano glass and blown glass — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect sommerso glass dish — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A sommerso glass dish is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern, modern and Art Deco styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one sommerso glass dish that is appealing in its simplicity, but Cenedese, Archimede Seguso and Alfredo Barbini produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Sommerso Glass Dish?

Prices for a sommerso glass dish can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $125 and can go as high as $14,500, while the average can fetch as much as $600.

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.

Finding the Right decorative-objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation. Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Questions About Sommerso Glass Dish
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Sommerso glass is made by dipping colored glass into liquid molten glass in a second shade prior to mouth-blowing the material into the desired shape. The end result is a decorative object that shows off two or more colors. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Sommerso glass.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Sommerso art glass is glassware that has two or more layers of color in the piece that don’t mix together. Associated with Murano glass, sommerso is Italian for “submerged.” Find a collection of Sommerso art glass on 1stDibs from some of the world’s top sellers.