Mid-Century Modern Andirons
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Pair of Roccoco Style Decorative Ormolu Fireplace Chenets Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of early 20th century highly decorative bronze ormolu (gilt metal) chenets in the Rococo style.
These Chenets or fire dogs are in the typical Rococo design of scrolling fol...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of French Midcentury Brass & Iron Fireplace Andirons
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
These sculptural brass and wrought iron fire dogs were designed and manufactured in France in the 1950s to 1960s. The brass rings have been polished and the iron elements were restor...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Donald Deskey Iron, Brass Blade Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of blackened iron andirons with a polished brass streamlined blade. Designed by Donald Deskey.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Brass Horse Andirons, Screen, Log Holder and Tools, Complete Set
Located in Esperance, NY
Vintage brass horse andirons, screen, log holder and tools - complete set
Measures: Screen: 31.25” H x 38” W x 5.5” D
Andirons 17.25” H x 4.25”...
Category
1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass
Large Bronze Andirons in the Style of Pierre Legrain, France 1960's
By Pierre-Emile Legrain
Located in New York, NY
The largest version of these stunning andirons, they stand at 24" tall and would make any fireplace stand out. The bronze part is a solid piece and is shaped like a stylized flame, p...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Pair of Graphical Andirons from Iron and Brass Chrome, France, circa 1940
Located in Vienna, AT
Very elegant French late Art Deco, early midcentury andirons made from forged iron, brass and nickel details.
Very reduced, graphical andirons in good condition with signs of rust...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Brass, Wrought Iron
Spectacular Pair of Danny Alessandro Fireplace Andirons Chrome Brass Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular pair of Danny Alessandro andirons in chrome and brass.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Arts & Crafts Modern Chrome Andirons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
A very modern take on a pair of hand forged Andirons that are chrome over iron. Tall sleek and elegant. Signed Cahill?
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Donald Deskey Andirons and Wall Mounted Fireplace Tools by Bennett
Located in Hanover, MA
An original five piece set of modernist Art Deco andirons and matching fireside tools designed by Donald Deskey and produced by Bennett-Ire...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Raymond Subes, Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French, Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of wrought iron. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Polished Brass Twisted Arrow Style Andirons, Vintage Pair
Located in East Hampton, NY
These simple and yet classic designed andirons in a polished brass with twisted neck and spade finial.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Brass
Pair of Custom Modernist Minimalist Polished Nickel Rectangular Andirons
Located in New York, NY
This refined pair of andirons were custom fabricated by artisans in New York State, exclusively for us. They feature a minimalistic rectangular front panel presented in polished nick...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Andirons by Donald Deskey
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of sculptural patinated bronze andirons having simple diagonally cropped tapered blades projecting vertically from footed cast iron bases.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Mid Century Fireplace Tool Set by Bennett Attributed to Deskey
Located in New York, NY
Great midcentury fireplace tool set signed Bennett, design attributed to Donald Deskey. This set is in exceptional clean, ready to use o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of Vintage Cast Iron Horse Head Andirons USA 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of cast iron horse head andirons. USA, circa 1950. Black finish, brass accent.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron
Pair of Cast Iron and Wrought Ironandirons, French, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of cast iron and wrought iron. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron, Iron
Donald Deskey Style Andirons, Brass Buckles and Wrought Iron
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey style andirons, brass buckles and wrought iron. Handsome pair of modernist andirons with square brass buckle fronts, semicircle bases and wr...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass
Stylish Pair of Mid-Century Modern Andirons or Firebogs
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Lovely pair of Mid-Century Modern andirons.
Inspired by an opening flower, these heavy wrought iron andirons open up to reveal a polished hand hammered "floating" shiny ball.
Nice ...
Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Modernist Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Pair of modernist wrought iron andirons, French, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Neoclassical Style Brass and Iron Andirons, French, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful pair of neoclassical style andirons are made of brass and iron. This is an interesting design, French work, circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Donald Deskey Iron and Brass Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Modernist andirons in blackened iron with a polished brass blades. Designed by Donald Deskey for Bennett. Mint restored.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
H-Form Cast Iron Andirons and Fire Log Basket by William H. Jackson Co.
Located in Hanover, MA
This is an original set of cast iron H-form andirons or chenets labelled Wm. H. Jackson Co. together with the original cast iron fire log basket. Late ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Modernist Chromed Steel and Iron Andirons, French, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful pair of modernist andirons are made of chromed steel and Iron. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Steel
Wrought Iron Rustic Andirons, Midcentury, France
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of wrought iron rustic andirons.
The condition is good with minor signs of rusting due to material use.
Dimensions: Height is 14.96" x 11.41...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron
Donald Deskey Andirons, Brass, Signed Bennett
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey andirons, brass, signed Bennett. In original unrestored condition. The brass elements have a warm, naturally aged patina with minor discoloration and slight corruption ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass
Pair of Twisted Wrought Iron Andirons, French, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of a twisted main part with ball on top. With their look, they can both be used for an old fire place as for a contemporary one. They are French, circa ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Donald Deskey Nickel Blade Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modernist andirons in blackened iron with a polished nickel blades. Designed by Donald Deskey for Bennett. Mint restored. On display at 200 Lexington...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Nickel
French Vintage Ornamental Andirons Made from Brass Iron
Located in Vienna, AT
Nice pair of andirons from France, circa 1950s, made from iron and brass with handmade embossed ornaments. The condition is good with patina to the brass.
Measurements are 14.96"/4....
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Brass
Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of wrought iron andirons are very elegant and made of a very good quality. It is a french work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Selection of Modern Fire Tools
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Modern Fire Tools, circa 1950s-1960s. From left to right as seen in the first photo, they are:
1) Italian hand-hammered iron fire tools, Italy, circa 1950s. They measure 38" H x 10" W x 9" D and are priced at $1600 for the set.
2) Sculptural Firestarter, designed by George Nelson for Howard Miller, American, circa 1950s. It measures 12" H x 6.5" W and is priced at $850.
3) Chrome and Lucite fire tool...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Metal
Mid Century Modern Virginia Metalcrafters Modernist Nickel Plate Andirons 1980s
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenal, pair of cast brass with nickel-plated andirons, by Virginia Metalcrafters, circa the 1980s. In excellent condition. The dimensions of each are...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Nickel
Pair of Brass Andirons Attributed to Donald Deskey
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of midcentury fireplace andirons. We're reasonable sure they were designed by Donald Deskey. Brass portions have been polished. The...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Steel
Donald Deskey Andirons for Bennett, Nickel Chrome and Wrought Iron, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey andirons for Bennett, nickel chrome and wrought iron, signed. Nickel-plated brass tapered blades with newly restored matte black wrought iron shanks. Deskey's design wa...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron, Nickel
Art Deco, Modernist Flat Bar Helix Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury andirons with twisted flat bar polished nickel elements resting on black iron backs.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Nickel
Brass Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish Mid-Century Modern set of andirons in polished brass and black iron date to the 1950s and have been professionally polished and will make a great look for your fires thi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of Modernist Wrought Iron Andirons, French, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of modernist wrought iron andirons have pure lines and are very elegant. Very nice quality with rivets. French work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Fire Place Tools, Midcentury Lucite, Italy, Lucite and Polished Chrome, C 1960
Located in New York, NY
Decorative mid-century fire place tools, circa 1960. Made of polished chrome and lucite. Made in Italy.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Chrome
Donald Deskey Iron and Brass Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century andirons in blackened iron with a polished brass blades. Designed by Donald Deskey for Bennett. Mint restored.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of French 1950s Modernist Cast Iron Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modernist cast iron andirons.
France, 1950s.
Dimensions: 10 W x 16 H x 17 D.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Brass Fire Tool Andiron Set
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1950s sculptural brass fire tool set, with original patina. Can be polish polished for additional cost. Set Includes Fire tools , Andirons and log holder.
Tools 35.5 h x 1...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Scroll Andirons in Polished Brass
Located in New York, NY
Scroll-design andirons in polished brass with black iron log holder. USA, circa 1950. Brass features original patina.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Chromed Steel Andirons Attributed to Francois Monnet
Located in Stamford, CT
An interesting pair of chromed steel andirons attributed to Francois Monnet.
Unique backing.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Brass Art Deco Modern torqued Andirons and Fire Tools Set, Deskey Style
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique designed solid brass in the Art Deco style andirons and fire tool set. in the style of Donald Deskey. The andirons and tools are in a brushed satin brass finish. These tools a...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Donald Deskey Style Andirons, Geometric, Brass Buckles
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey style andirons, geometric, brass buckles. Handsome pair of andirons with square brass buckle decorative fronts and wrought iron shanks.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of Heavy Brass or Bronze Andirons
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice scroll details heavy brass or bronze andirons. Measures: 27" Tall.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
A Pair Of Sea Horse Andirons by Oscar Bach
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylized, sea-horse andirons by Oscar Bach.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Pair of French 1940s Hand-Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of French 1940s hand-wrought iron andirons / fire dogs in the modern neoclassical spirit.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Chrome Andirons
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Chrome andirons.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Pair of Post-War Brass Cylinder Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Post-War Design brass andirons with a center tall cylinder surrounded by 2 smaller cylinders. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass
Sculptural Bronze Andirons
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and expressive pair of midcentury polished bronze andirons fashioned from conjoined flaring and twisting narrow planes of bronze attached to a blackened iron base. Made ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron, Bronze
Modernist Donald Deskey Andirons and Tools
Located in Water Mill, NY
Iron and brass andirons and tools by Donald Deskey for Bennett.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Rare Pair of Horse-Shaped Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Unusual pair of wrought iron fire dogs with stylized horses.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Wrought Iron
Chrome Dancing Flames Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Chrome Dancing Flames Andirons. Probably dating to the 1950's but they have an Art Deco feel to them. Heavy twisting bands of chrome bars mimic the flames of a fire. In very good ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Modernist Andirons Fire Dogs, 1940s
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful pair of modernist stylized dog andirons. Literal fire dogs. Iron. 1940s.
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron
Pair of Cast Iron Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An excellent pair of cast iron andirons. The andirons feature a patinated Arts & Crafts style front design with a sphere finial atop each. A perfect comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Iron
Pair of Andirons with Brass Ring Detail
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These modernist andirons feature a curved front facing wrought iron bar topped with a brass sphere and square ring. A perfect compliment to your home fireplace.
Dimensions
6” width ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of Modernist Brass Ribbon Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass andirons. The andirons feature two ribbon like twisted fronts with varied heights with a curved base.
Dimensions
7.25" width x 6" depth x 25" height.
Condition
Good ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Brass
Set of Mid-20th Century Modern Wrought Iron Gilted Andirons by Gilbert Poillerat
Located in North Miami, FL
Set of mid-20th century Modern wrought iron gilted andirons by french metalworker and decorator Gilbert Poillerat
By: Gilbert Poillerat
Material: iron, metal, wrought iron
Technique...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-century Modern andirons for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern andirons for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage andirons created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern andirons made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original andirons, popular names associated with this style include Donald Deskey, Bennett Co., Virginia Metalcrafters, and Afra & Tobia Scarpa. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for andirons differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $395 and tops out at $12,500 while the average work can sell for $2,728.
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