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Mid-Century American Collection

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Collection (UNITED STATES, ca. 1933–65)
Mid-Century Modern Furniture Collection (UNITED STATES, ca. 1933–65)

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American 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.

Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the pieces on 1stDibs demonstrate, the mid-century modern American period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Period: 1950s
Floral Print Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa of English inspiration, retaining the original dark olive, coral, brown and beige mock-Asian floral print linen upholstery, on straight dark walnut legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Arthur Umanoff Desk Clock, George Nelson & Associates, 1950s
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Houston, TX
George Nelson & Associates table clock. Howard Miller Clock Company, USA. Rosewood, steel. Measures: 4.25 W x 3 D x 5.5 H inches. Signed with decal manufacturer's label t...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

Writing Desk by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

Low Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low slipper chair with the original faux alligator texture yellow upholstery.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Upholstery

Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern dining chair designed by Eero Saarinen. This chair features an upholstered seat on a white enameled cast iron pedestal base. Upholstery varies. Manufactured by K...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Acrylic, Upholstery

Storage Bench by Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A powder blue bench with hinged seat cushion in original stripped upholstery. Interior storage. Includes matching petite pillow.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Drop Tambour Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and uncommon drop tambour front cabinet of bleached walnut having recessed finger pulls, the cabinet with drawers, shelves and vert...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Prototype Domino Clock
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson office, designed by Irving Harper for Howard Miller. This is the only clock and was never produced. Purchased from Howard Miller Executive.  
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Wood

Frank Lloyd Wright Chair from Price Tower, 1956
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Houston, TX
Frank Lloyd Wright. Chair from Price Tower, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA , 1956. Aluminum, upholstery, plywood, rubber. 24 D x 35 H inches. Early...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Aluminum

Square Raffia Mirror by Edward Womley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square mahogany wall mirror with a woven raffia boarder.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany, Glass, Raffia

Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A dining chair with an upholstered seat and white enameled cast iron pedestal base.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Iron

Fabulous Restored Pair of Cane Back Armchairs in the Style of Robsjohn--Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent club chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely Installation Read...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Leather, Walnut

George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nelson Marshmallow sofa, model 5670 Manufactured by Herman Miller A great example of an iconic form.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Chrome, Stainless Steel, Steel

Drop-Leaf Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A mahogany drop-leaf table with ebonized gate-leg base. Measures: Console table depth of 16.5" deep when closed.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany

Ash Aniline Red DCM by Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare aniline dyed red ash DCM chair with satin chrome frame. By Herman Miller with original foil tag.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

Tambour Door Console by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare curved front console in rich grained rosewood with a single drawer and slatted tambour storage.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany

A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and elegant king size headboard in darkened mahogany having channeled upholstery, adjustable back rests and two pairs of drop-down arms.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery

Rare Woven Front Credenza by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare woven front credenza with walnut strips interlacing unique rectangular rods. Four (4) drawers with brass pulls over four sliding doors with interior drawers and shelves.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Brass

Maxwell Royal Settee
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A tall and sculptural settee with tapered wood arms and back, often attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Designed by Maxwell Royal in the 1950's. Hig...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

World Globe by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate world globe designed by Edward Wormley for Rand McNally, USA, circa 1950. Features a rotating globe mounted on a walnut base with brass capped legs. Marked "Rand McNally...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with a lower shelf and singe drawer on cylindrical dowel legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany

Magazine Box Low Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with magazine boxes on the ends.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

A Faceted Table With Inlays By Andrew Szoeke
By Andrew Szoeke
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare eight sided table by Andrew Szoeke. Made of walnut and exotic wood veneer inlays on top forming a sunburst pattern.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Walnut

Set of five prints after Norman Rockwell
By Norman Rockwell
Located in NYC, NY
Set of five prints depicting illustrations by the all-American artist, of Scouting interest. Famed for his Life Magazine covers, Rockwell devoted a large number of his works to Sco...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Coquina Stone Column Table Lamp Attributed to Samuel Marx
By Samuel Marx
Located in East Hampton, NY
Wonderful solid natural coquina stone column lamp. Shade is Not included .
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Stone

Edward Wormley for Drexel Drop-Leaf Precedent Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel's Precedent collection. The drop leaf table measures 50" x 28" when folded and 70" x 50" when fully extended.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Ash

George Nelson Steel Frame Group Rolling Table / Cart
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and unusual George Nelson for Herman Miller table on rollers from the Steel Frame Group, made by Herman Miller. White lamina...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

Pair of Paul McCobb step side tables with drawer from the Predictor Group.
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare pair of Paul McCobb Predictor Group end table manufactured by O'Hearn of New England. The Predictor Group was only in production from 1951 to 1954.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Side Board
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb side board for Calvin-The Irwin collection walnut case, finished on back, walnut body and travertine marble top, accordion folding d...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Travertine

Paul Laszlo Cocktail Table
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Paul Laszlo custom table of dark stained mahogany. Shaped elements joined to form and abstract "H" shape. Thick, curved glass top insets into the structure. Paul Laszlo met...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Paul Laszlo Cocktail Table
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Architectural cocktail table by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Dark stained mahogany top floating on two rectangular side supports. Recently refinished and signed on underside.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Walnut

Paul Laszlo Chair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Custom designed pull-up chair by Paul Laszlo. Dark stained mahogany frame, with recessed grip detail on the back. Upholstered with wide ribbed teal fabric on seat and back.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Donald Deskey Fireplace Set
By Donald Deskey, Bennett Co.
Located in New York, NY
Seven piece fireplace set by Donald Deskey for Bennett. Black iron and polished brass set. Includes fire screen, andirons, fire tools and stand. Andir...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Mahogany and Brass Table by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Inlaid brass edged coffee and end table model no. 7012 in mahogany with three drawers by Paul McCobb, American, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Florence Knoll Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503. Features five drawers one for files. Modesty panel shows st...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Metal

Florence Knoll Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503. Features five drawers one for files. Modesty panel shows steel reveal details. (Ten mor...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Metal

Pair of Wardrobes in Mahogany and Leather by Harvey Probber 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully outfitted wardrobes/chests of drawers in mahogany, doors with inset leather and brass bands, by Harvey Probber, American 1950s (label in drawer reads "designed by Harvey ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Brass

Taliesin Cabinet by Frank Lloyd Wright
By Henredon, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately mahogany "Taliesin" cabinet of rectilinear form resting on a cruciform base having two doors with recessed pulls and expressive encircling Greek key embellishment.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Wood

Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and well proportioned eight (8) drawer cabinet in ebonized mahogany, having distinctive laminated end pulls, on tapered dowel legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Mahogany

Highback Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A high backed, button-tufted lounge chair in the original black leather upholstery with mahogany legs and side stretchers.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Walnut Low Table
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut low table having a long rectangular top with raised end rails resting on a six-legged base with turned legs and stretchers. The legs attach ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Walnut

Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An architectural and substantial armchair having an exposed walnut "A"-shaped frame supporting an upholstered seat and generous floating and curving back.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

1950s Adjustable Wall Lamps by Gilbert Watrous for Heifetz
By Gilbert Watrous, Heifetz
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative, uncommon and spare pair of wall lamps having chromed arms with adjustable lacquered conical shades. The arms are attached to circular patinated steel mounting plates b...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

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