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Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

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Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray/Dish, Bullicante (controlled bubbles) & Aventurine
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray/Dish, Bullicante (controlled bubbles) & Aventurine If you like shimmer
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray/Bowl with Gold Polveri (Barbini or Toso suspected)
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray/Bowl with Gold Polveri (Barbini or Toso suspected) Good vintage
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray W/Snuffer by Galliano Ferro - Has Original Label
By Galliano Ferro
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray w/Snuffer by Galliano Ferro - has original label. This is a two piece
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Flavio Poli Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray
By Poliarte, Flavio Poli
Located in Conversano, IT
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Italy 1970. Classic geometric ashtray in hand blown Murano
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray
Flavio Poli Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray
H 3.55 in W 2.76 in D 5.91 in
Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray / Vide-Poche by Giulio Radi for Avem
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Giulio Radi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This ashtray / catchall is made in murano glass with murrines and silver leaf
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Silver Leaf

Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray or Trinket Bowl by Avem Attributed to Dino Martens
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Dino Martens
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. It is made in murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Sommerso Orb Blue Art Glass Ashtray
By Andromeda Murano
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass bowl or ashtray. Italian Murano Sommerso
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Murano Glass Bowl / Dish / Ashtray / Catch-All
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Murano Glass Bowl / Dish / Ashtray / Catch-All There are fine gold specks on the inside
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Aquamarine Bullicante Murano Glass Ashtray - Trinket Bowl
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. Made in aquamarine bullicante Murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Clown Ashtray in Colored Glass, 1970s
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Colorful Murano ashtray in shape of a clown. Hand-made in Murano Italy during the 1970s, probably
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass

Vintage Murano Clown Ashtray in Colored Glass, 1970s
Vintage Murano Clown Ashtray in Colored Glass, 1970s
Free Shipping
H 5.91 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Murano Sommerso Orb Blue Art Glass Vintage Ashtray Italy
By Andromeda Murano
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass bowl or ashtray. Italian Murano Sommerso orb
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Murano Venetian Handblown Art Glass Cobalt Blue Ashtray
By Andromeda Murano
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous Vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass flower shaped bowl or ashtray. Sculptural
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Glass Archimedes Seguso? Cenedese? Opaline Vintage Bowl/Ashtray
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Warrenton, OR
Murano Glass Archimedes Seguso? or Cenedese? Opaline Vintage Bowl/Ashtray. About 5" by 4.24 x 1.75
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

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

Vintage Murano Glass Barovier & Toso Gold Polveri & Bullicante Bowl / Ashtray
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Murano Glass Barovier & Toso Gold Polveri & Bullicante Bowl / Ashtray A beautiful, dynamic
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Vintage Murano Art Glass Venetian Sculpture of Gondolas Ashtrays Italy
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass sculpture of gondola boats one red, one green
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Vintage Midcentury Murano Glass Ashtray in Frosted Glass with Blue Accents
Located in Milano, IT
Many are the different types of glass created by master makers on the Venetian island of Murano
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass

Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s A heavy Murano art glass ashtray
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Vintage Pink Opaline Murano Glass Dishes, Bowls or Ashtrays 1970s
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese Venetian Mid-Century vintage modern pretty Murano opaline pink colored / coloured glass
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Black Murano Glass Ashtray - Trinket Bowl by Fratelli Toso
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. Made in polychrome Murano glass canes. It is a vintage piece, therefore it
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

1990s Serenella Art Murano Bulicante glass vintage ashtray/pocket emptier.
By Serenella Arte Murano
Located in Caprino Veronese, VR
inclusion. Hand-marked at the base Serenella Art Murano. A vintage ashtray is always a must for quality
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Gold

Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Turquoise and Green Glass Bowl / Ashtray Vintage
By Flavio Poli
Located in North Miami, FL
This large chunky vintage Italian Murano glass bowl by Flavio Poli is layers of luscious sommerso
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Mid-Century Murano Glass Ashtray in Frosted Glass with Blue Accents
Located in Milano, IT
Many are the different types of glass created by master makers on the Venetian island of Murano
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Glass Barovier & Toso Gold Polveri & Bullicante Vintage Bowl or Ashtray
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Warrenton, OR
Murano Glass Barovier & Toso (assumed) Gold Polveri & Bullicante Vintage Bowl/Ashtray/Dish. We
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass, Glass

Vintage decorative Murano bowl/ashtray in green and blue “Sommerso” glass
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage decorative Murano bowl/ashtray in green and blue “Sommerso” glass with included bubbles
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Iridescent Cornflower Blue and White Murano Glass Trinket Bowl - Ashtray
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
and white hand-blown glass. This trinket bowl / ashtray looks like a geode. It might show black
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Black and Multicolored Murano Glass Clown Trinket Bowl / Ashtray, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. A Murano glass clown bowl / ashtray, with a cased body. The hands serve as
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Cenedese Vintage Pink Pair of Opaline Murano Glass Dishes, Bowls, Ashtrays 1970s
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
glass round circular dishes, bowls or ashtrays. Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Italian glass and perfect
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cenedese Vintage Pair of Purple Murano Glass Dishes, Bowls or Ashtrays 1970s
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare pair of Venetian Mid-Century vintage modern Murano purple colored / coloured glass round
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Beautiful Murano Glass Bowl Catchall or Cigar Ashtray Vintage, Italy, 1980s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous hand blown Murano art glass piece with Sommerso and bullicante techniques. A beautiful
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass

Seguso Vintage Springer Style Square Black Murano Glass Bowl Dish Ashtray 1980s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Karl Springer
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Petite Karl Springer style black colored / coloured square vintage mid-century modern Murano glass
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Purple Murano Glass Ashtray-Catchall by Ercole Barovier mod. "Porpora"
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. Made in purple Murano glass with gold leaf. This is a piece of the "porpora
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Italian Ashtray, Massive "Uranium" Murano Glass, Yellow and Green Hues
Located in Milano, IT
For how magical it might seem at first glance, Murano glass is mostly a matter of chemistry. Color
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Brown Murano Glass Ashtray / Catchall by Fratelli Toso with Murrines
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. Made in Murano glass with murrines and silver flakes. It is a vintage piece
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Silver Leaf

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Blue Green Art Glass Ashtray Catchall
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Blue Green Art Glass Ashtray Catchall (Price is per piece
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass

Murano Art Glass Manta Ray Tortoise Spotted Bowl Ashtray Vintage 1960s
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Murano Art Glass Manta Ray leopard, tortoise spotted bowl in amber and a dark espresso-brown colors
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Vintage Murano Opal & Gold Aventurine Art Glass Bowl Ashtray Fratelli Toso I
By Fratelli Toso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Large Mid-Century Modern Fratelli Toso Murano Art Glass Decorative Bowl Ashtray. A
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Petite Murano Sommerso Glass Ashtray Purple and Clear, Vintage, Italy, 1970s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous hand blown Murano art glass piece. A beautiful minimalist ashtray, Venice, Murano, Italy
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art 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
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese (attributed) heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl or ashtray, circa
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano 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 Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

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

Vintage Art Glass Large Ashtray or Bowl by Barbini, Murano Italy 1960's
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Art Glass large Ashtray or Bowl or Vide Poche, signed Barbini Murano, Italy 1960's. Alfredo
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass

Venetian Murano Seguso Art Glass Vintage Cased Red and White Ashtray Italy 1960
By Archimede Seguso, Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Double Cased Red and White Venetian Murano ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO Art Glass Ashtray Italy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass

Cenedese Vintage Mid-Century Pink Opaline Murano Glass Dish Bowl or Ashtray 1949
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
glass round circular dish, bowl or ashtray. Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Italian glass and perfect for
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Peach Pink Thick Murano Glass Ashtray, Catchall with Gold Leaf, Italy
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s - 1960s, in the style of Barbini. Made in thick peach pink Murano glass with
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Sommerso Glass Cigar Ashtray Dark Pink and Clear, Vintage, Italy, 1970s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous hand blown Murano art glass piece. A beautiful brutalist and organic ashtray, Venice
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Italian "Sommerso" Murano Bowl/Ashtray in Red and Orange Faceted Glass
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Universally regarded as one of the most prolific and capable designers of Murano glass vases and
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Cut Glass, Art 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
Antonio Da Ros for Cenedese large heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl or ashtray, circa 1975
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Petite Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray Blue, Pink, Clear, Vintage, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous hand blown Murano art glass piece. A beautiful minimalist ashtray, Venice, Murano, Italy
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass

Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Vintage Grey & Blue Murano Glass Bowl or Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Single midcentury, vintage 'Opalino' Murano glass bowl designed by Antonio da Ros (1936-2012) for
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Blue Ashtray Cube Murano Glass Label V. Nason & Italy, circa 1970
By Vincenzo Nason & Cie
Located in Rome, IT
The item is composed of two pieces: a cube and the ashtray, both in Murano glass. Signed with the
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Glass "Tutti Frutti" Ashtray / Vide-Poche by Giulio Radi for Avem
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Giulio Radi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This ashtray / catchall is made in Bizantine zanfirico murano glass with
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass, Murrine

Seguso Vintage Thick Round Pink 'Scavo' Murano Glass Bowl or Ashtray circa 1980s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Karl Springer
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
ashtray by Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano, Italy, circa 1980s. Elegant in form - rather minimalist but with
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Seguso Vintage Thick Round Amber 'Scavo' Murano Glass Bowl or Ashtray, C. 1980s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
ashtray by Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano, Italy, circa 1980s. Elegant in form - rather minimalist but with
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Seguso Vintage Thick Round Pink 'Scavo' Murano Glass Bowl or Ashtray circa 1980s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning soft pink 'a Scavo' white colored / coloured round circular glass bowl, dish or ashtray by
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Bowl / Ashtray in Sommerso Glass in the style of Flavio Poli 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
red glass with the "Sommerso" technique. The style of this vintage glass bowl is inspired by the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

1950s Murano Art Glass Ashtray Pair Controlled Bubble Italy
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Murano Art Glass Bowls Ashtray Trinket Italy set of two controlled bubble 2 h x 4.75 x 4.75
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Art Glass

unique Murano Glass "Green" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: murano glass bowl, ashtray element. Origin: Murano, Italy. Decade: 1970s. This
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Mod Colorful Hexagonal Nesting Murano Ashtrays Attributed Flavio Poli- Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mod Colorful Hexagonal Nesting Murano Ashtrays Attributed Flavio Poli- Seguso Italy, Circa 1970s
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

Large Murano Glass "RED-GREEN" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

unique Murano Glass "Yellow" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

1.7kg Murano Glass "RED-YELLOW" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray

Materials

Murano Glass

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Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the vintage murano glass ashtray you’re looking for. Each vintage murano glass ashtray for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using glass, murano glass and blown glass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect vintage murano glass ashtray — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A vintage murano glass ashtray made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Modern — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made vintage murano glass ashtray over the years, but those crafted by Andromeda Murano, Cenedese and Antonio da Ros are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray?

Prices for a vintage murano glass ashtray start at $145 and top out at $874 with the average selling for $350.

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.