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Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

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

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.

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1,580
1,270
1,250
1,130
1,066
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900
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616
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Tall Round Mid Century Green Ceramic Outsider Studio Pottery Rope Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful rich verdigris green handmade rope vase. This piece stands at nearly 7" tall and is created from fired clay. The neck of the vase is made from clay coils that wrap all th...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Gustavsberg Stig Lindberg SILUR Vide Poche Keep All Dish Bowl Stoneware Ceramic
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Stig Lindberg Silur Stoneware Bowl Designed by the renowned Sig Lindberg in Sweden, this Silur pattern Gustavsberg bowl, made from high-quality gl...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Hans Hansen Danish Modern Cigar Box in Rosewood and Sterling Silver, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
One-compartment Rosewood box for playing cards, jewelry, cigars, cigarettes etc. Its manufactured by the Danish Silversmith Hans Hansen circa 1950-60. The corners, hinge and lid-mech...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Cigarette Dispenser with ashtray england 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Cigarette Dispenser with ashtray england 1960s Original condition
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Berit Johansson Art Glass Vase by Murano 1970s Sweden
Located in Den Haag, NL
Berit Johansson is a Swedish artist born in 1945. She studied at the Bernby Artist School in 1963 and the School of Art Metal & Industrial Design (HKS) from 1964 to 1969. Her artwork...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Black White Stripes Italian Art Glass Sculptural Fazzoletto Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown white and black Italian art glass fazzoletto flower vase. Created in the manner of Dino Martens and the Venini company. The vase has ba...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Mid-Century Modern Murano Italian Glass Sculpture of Antelope
Located in New York, NY
Very large mid-century hand-blown Murano glass sculpture depicting the bust of an antelope in clear glass with amber colored horns. With its original paper label from the studio, Al...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Double Side Two Fish Aquarium Sculpture, Murano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass sculpture. Showing two fish in a reef. Colors are different shades of blue, red, green and clear. Created in the manner of desi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Three Jere Attributed Oversize Wall Hanging Kitchen Tools
Located in Ferndale, MI
Set of three large wall hanging kitchen tools. Great restaurant or home decoration.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice heavily glazed pottery vase for your collection
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Jerry Meatyard (1929-2016) Abstract Modernist Metal Sculpture
Located in Sarasota, FL
Lovely minimalist sculpture by Jerry Meatyard.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice pottery vase for your collection
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice large vessel for your collection
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Heavy Bronze Vase with Copper Details
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Handmade vase in bronze.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1960s Small Red Willy Guhl Rectangular Concrete Planter
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Crafted by willy guhl in switzerland during the 1960s, these rectangular concrete box planters exhibit a rich red hue adorned with a beautifully aged patina. Measurements: 23.5" l x...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Cement

Fontana Arte Wood & Glass Box , Italy / C.1940
Located in Montréal, QC
Fontana Arte, founded in Milan in 1932, is well-known for its innovative lighting and furniture designs that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern style. Today, the company...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Cut Glass, Walnut

Signed Alfredo Barbini Murano Italian Art Glass Leaf Bowl
Located in Sarasota, FL
Signed Barbini murano glass bowl with a central leaf decoration. Excellent condition, signed to underside.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Bronze Sculpture of Ratapoil after Honoré Daumier, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture of Ratapoil after Honoré Daumier, 20th century. Bronze sculpture of Ratapoil after Honoré Daumier, 20th century. H: 34cm, W: 14cm, D: 11cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1950s Italian Murano Red Black & White Glass Vase Attr. Carlo Moretti
Located in London, GB
1950s Italian Murano art glass vase attributed to Carlo Moretti. A red glass vase overlaid with a black abstract pattern with a white encased interior. Typical style of Moretti. I...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Peter Bramhall Signed Studio Art Glass Orb Vase
Located in Sarasota, FL
Signed 1980 Peter Bramhall art glass vase. Very unusual vase form by Bramhall. Signed to underside.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Aluminum sculpture Bertil Englert Sweden 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
Impressive aluminum sculpture on a steel base by Bertil Englert Sweden 1970 Was in a garden
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Op Art Orrefors Vase Signed Numbered 1972 Orange Ribbon
Located in Melbourne, AU
An Orrefors Art Glass crystal vase, signed ‘Orrefors Expo 231-72 Olle Alberius’ (Olle Alberius, 1972). Colour and shape combine to give this vase a punchy Op Art effect. Inside t...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Joel Edwards (1923-2007) California Signed Studio Pottery Large Scale Vase
Located in Sarasota, FL
Large scale pot by Joel Edwards. Lovely piece with great stature.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Brown tiny neck vessel no. 35
Located in Culver City, CA
Wheel-thrown tiny neck vessel in beautiful dark brown/gray and cream colors. Made from light stoneware, this piece serves as a testament to the timeless beauty of heirloom pottery, b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

mid Century Modern Solid Rosewood Hand Carved Catch It All Freeform Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful raw live edge solid rosewood, catch it all bowl circa 1980's great looking smoth piece.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Large 1970s Mid-Century Artisan Nude Female Form Hand-Carved Wood Sculpture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Late 60s or early 1970s Mid-Century Modern organic hand-carved standing abstract nude female form sculpture. Tall sculpture at 27.63" of a nude female with long following hair, arms ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Large Scale Triple Vase Joel Edwards California Studio Pottery
Located in Sarasota, FL
Large scale pottery vase by Joel Edwards of California. Unusual three neck vase. Signed to the underside.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice pottery vase for your collection
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Orient & Flume Iridescent Art Glass Pulled Feather Jack in the Pulpit Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Outstanding iridescent pulled feather art glass Jack in the Pulpit vase by the renown glass artists at Orient & Flume. The front features a beautiful and vibrant iridescent gold. Th...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Bird-Shaped Wood Sculpture By YG / C.1980
Located in Montréal, QC
Designer / Brand : Signed YG Design Period : 20th Century Material : Maple Wood Condition : Good original condition , vintage. Dimensions : Height 26 in / Width 17.5 in / Depth ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple

1970's California Pottery Flower Vase Glazed
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful tall ceramic vase , circa 1970's well balanced piece signed beautiful glazed and earth tones. no chips or cracks.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice piece of studio pottery for your collection
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice pottery vessel for your collection
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

ONE OF THREE STUNNING WHITEFRIARS VASES WiTH ORNATELY CRAFTED BODIES - SMALL
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale stunning small Whitefriars glass vase with abstract body This vase is one of three, it’s the small, the other...
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Wood-Turned Hand Sculpted Vase in Solid Teak & Burlwood, USA, 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an artfully crafted Mid-Century Modern wood-turned vase hand-carved from a solid block of mesmerizing burlwood with out-of-this-world swirling woodgrains. The top piece ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak, Burl

Marei Keramik Fat Lava vase, 1970s
Located in HEILOO, NL
Vintage ceramic Fat lava vase produced by Marei Keramik, West Germany. 1970s. Beautiful jug vase in a fire brigade red gloss glaze with thick dark brown rough decor. High 19 cm. n...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

A. Seguso Whale Sculpture in Murano Glass with Gold Dust, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic whale-shaped Murano mouth-blown glass sculpture with gold dust inside designed by Archimede Seguso in Italy during the 1960s. shaped paperweight made mouth-blown Murano gla...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Maitland-Smith Bronze and Mother of Pearl Turtle Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming vintage turtle sculpture or object of art crafted in bronze with a mother of pearl shell. Signed Maitland-Smith on the bottom.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Great Matt glazed pottery vessel
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Cartier Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Square Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Square window in wide, flat, and plain surround. With glass, silk lining, and wood laminate...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-Century Chinese Pewter and Brass Duck Shaped Trinket Box
Located in Glasgow, GB
A pewter and brass trinket box made in Hong Kong during the mid-20th century. An iconic and utilitarian duck-shaped box that represents prosperity and fortune. The duck's body is ...
Category

1960s Hong Kong Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Mid-Century Italian Handmade Sommerso Murano Glass Vase
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage Italian handmade Sommerso vase handmade of multi-colour layers Murano glass is asymmetric form. Signed/engraved on the base.
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin, 1930s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian glass vase by Vittorio Zecchin, 1930s. Dimensions: H= 24 cm; D= 12 cm.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

VTG Scandinavian Art Glass Lion Figurine Design Lisa Larson / Skruf attributed
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A beautiful Scandinavian design crystal lion figurine probably designed by Lisa Larson for Skruf.
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Hermès Stirup Clip Travel Alarm Clock
Located in Munich, DE
Hermès clip Table watch in brass with a Quartz-movement comes with the original box, leather etui and fabric sack.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice Tall Pottery vase for your consideration
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Large Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Great Pottery bowl with multiple options for use.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Gunnel Nyman - Nuutajärvi - "Serpentine" vase - 1957
Located in Helsinki, FI
- Gunnel Nyman " Serpintine" vase - Nuutajärvi - Signed : Gunnel Nyman Nuutajärvi Notsjö 1957 - Great example of her mid 20th century art glass design
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Piero Fornasetti Milano Porcelain Jewelry Pin Dish Vide Poche Gold Pattern
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage small dish by Piero Fornasetti decorated with a gilt rhombus pattern. Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) was a versatile and innovative Italian artist and designer. He is best k...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair of Hand Produced Midcentury Padouk Candleholders 1960s
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
A pair of exceptional quality candle holders from the 1960s. Made from solid Padouk, with metal candle holder inserts and baize to the underside of each holder. Very well produced. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Padouk

Stiffel Enamel Brass Candlestick Lamps with Dupioni Silk Shades
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Lighting Acquisitions Of A Pair of Vintage Stiffel Enamel...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Photo Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell and Brass, Christian Dior, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century photo frame in tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This charming piece was made in Italy during the 1970s and is attributed to a Christian Dior production. T...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1953 hand painted signed Art Glazed Ceramic Plate by Salvatore Meli Rome Italy
Located in London, GB
This is 1953 Art glazed Ceramic Charger Painted with two stylised blue figures suggesting dance movement on an off white background with earth brown and grass green soil with a touch...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

20th Century English Vintage Leather Rhinoceros Footstool by Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage English leather footstool, accent in the shape of a rhinoceros from Dimitri Omersa, in good condition. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 197...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Angelo Garzio Stoneware Planter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown stoneware planter by Italian American artist Angelo Garzio, c.1970, USA. This planter features a square vessel with rounded sides showcasing a circular incised pattern. T...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Studio Pottery Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Nice studio pottery vessel to add to your collection.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

C2 Rainoldi over 37 inch Beech Wood Pinocchio 1980s Italy
Located in Den Haag, NL
Once upon a time, Master Geppetto created a beautiful little boy from a log of wood. The little boy suddenly came to life and was named Pinocchio. Pinocchio is basically a good littl...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Beech

Mid Century Modernist Rectangular Chrome Bookends by Smith Metal Arts
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of modernist chrome bookends by Smith Metal Arts. These sizeable pieces of chrome are captivating as they are commanding. Their styling is simple timeless. Aged chrom...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Chrome

Mid-century Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Scheurich Keramik, Bitossi, and Rörstrand. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $847.

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