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Mid-Century Modern Furniture

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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
20th Century Swedish Smoked Glass Ceiling Light, Lamp Attributed to Orrefors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Cenutry modern Swedish ceiling light, lamp made of hand blown frosted glass, attributed to Orrefors in good condition. The round Scandinavian pendant is supporte...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Mid-Century Red Murano Glass, Metal and Neon Table Lamp by Mazzega, 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century red Murano glass, metal and neon table lamp by Mazzega, 1970s Curved red Murano glass table lamp with neon and circular metal bas...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Chairs Set of 6
Located in Cumberland, RI
Available now for your enjoyment and ready to ship is a Set of 6 Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Chairs including an Outdoor Patio Rocker ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Abstract Oil on Rice Paper Painting by French Artist Fandre
Located in Miami, FL
A vibrant mid-century modern abstract oil painting by French artist Fandre. The artwork showcases a dynamic composition of colorful shapes on unique rice paper, signed by the artist ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper, Paint

Three Drawer Rosewood and Walnut Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular rosewood and walnut jewelry chest features three elongated walnut drawers that extend the length of the mixed wood box. The top, bottom and back of the box are finished i...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Near Pair of Woodard Sculptura Lounge Armchairs Restored
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Restored near pair of Sculptura armchair lounge chairs. Totally cleaned down and powder coated silver with new plastic floor glides. Sold as a set (2) One chair is slightly smaller ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Fornasetti Egocentrismo Plates, circa 1960
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Pair of Fornasetti Egocentrismo Plates, circa 1960 Pierro Fornasetti was one of the absolute stars of Italian design in the 20th century. The ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Tuscany Bookcase in Solid Fir, Hand Painted, with Glass on Three Sides
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian bookcase in fir, with two doors, hand painted, with glass on three sides, internal shelves. Very sturdy and elegant. In my warehouse I have two of these bookcases as seen ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fir

Large 'Blagard' Pendant Lamp by Karen Ebbe for Fog & Mørup
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
This 1960s 'Blågård' ceiling light is a superb illustration of the vibrant and innovative design sensibilities of the era. Designed collaboratively by Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen along...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Modernist Night Stand in Oak and black steel
Located in PARIS, FR
The Mayet bedside table consists of a drawer veneered in oak, levitating on a mat black steel base, hand polished and welded. A shelf also hand veneered in oak nests below the drawer...
Category

2010s Romanian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Wonderful Mid-Century Modern Polished Brass Fireplace Fire Place Tool Set
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern four piece polished brass fire place tool set consists of a stoker, shovel, brush and log holder, neatly suspended from a polished brass "T" frame. This ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Travertine and Glass Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian coffee table from the 80's, handcrafted out of travertine. One round travertine plate and one turnable glass plate. The table is made of beautiful travertine.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Linen Textile Swatch 1955 Design 105 Schumacher, Red
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large panel swatch Design 105 dating to Frank Lloyd Wright’s original 1955 collection for Schumacher. Extremely rare original large scale fabric, with surged edges to facilitate long...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Linen

Pair of Kalmar Wall Sconces or Lights Model "Catena" by J.T. Kalmar, Austria
Located in Rijssen, NL
A fantastic and unique pair of Kalmar wall model "Catena" by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1970s. These lights are handmade high quality pieces. Made of large hand-molded...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

MidCentury Macassar and Goatskin Italian Chests of Drawers, 1980
Located in Rome, IT
Perfect bedroom dresser all refinement and style both for the size of the entire design and for the utmost care taken for its entire finish. A simple square design welcomes a Macass...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Goatskin, Macassar

Orrefors Crystal Flush Mount Designed by Carl Fagerlund
Located in Bronx, NY
Very well kept Swedish Orrefors flush mount from the 1970s by Carl Fagerlund, A brass frame with a bottom glass plate hold by a shiny round flat brass disc in the middle surrounded ...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Three Seater Pierre Cardin Modular Sofa in black lacquer and silk, France 1970s
Located in Renens, CH
Pierre Cardin, a trailblazing fashion designer known for his innovative and unconventional approach, extended his creative vision into the realm of furniture design. Pierre Cardin's ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brown and Black Italian Leather Checkerboard Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Italian Art Deco rug from the mid-20th century. A true oddity. Brown and black leather squares alternate in a chessboard (checkerboard) ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Mid-Century Moroccan Transitional in Multicolor Wool Rug by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage mid-century Moroccan rug resembles modern patterns hailing from the Azilal mountain region, often employed both as flooring and wall displays. Originating from Morocco i...
Category

1950s Moroccan Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Set of Six George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller teak and upholstered dining chairs. We also have the matching dining table, please inquire for details. All items ar...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Round Side Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Italian Vertical Teak Wall Mirror by Franco Campo and Carlo Graffi
Located in London, GB
An elegant 1950s sculptured vertical Teak mirror, by Franco Campo and Carlo Graffi.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Hadrill & Horstmann Counterpoise Trolley Lamp Circa 1950
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco counterpoise trolley lamp by Hadrill & Horstmann. Set on a four-legged weighted base with circular fork and flat barrel co...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Large Round Mid-Century Modern Thick Lucite Wall Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large round Mid-Century Modern thick Lucite wall mirror A single thick framed rough cut acrylic or Lucite mirror. The surface on the mirror is rough and individual, due their hand...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Jaw-Dropping Restored Pair of Modern Club Chairs, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert...
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Kent Coffey Designed 'Perspecta' Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brasilia style dresser by Kent Coffey for his Perspecta collection. Sculptural front walnut dresser consisting of three deep center drawers flanke...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Red Allglass Table Lamp Designed by Stefan Tabery, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of opaline glass - Re-polished - Fully functional - Good, original codnition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Canvas Safari Easy Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen
Located in Belmont, MA
Canvas safari easy chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen with loose cushion.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Vintage Ivory Leather Copper Frame Tubular Knoll Brno Chair, Mies van der Rohe
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage Knoll Brno chair designed by Mies van der Rohe with tubular steel frame. This chair has been lovingly restored with a new ivory leather with a frame powder coated in a rust...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Comb by Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant comb hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Horn

Vintage Milky Glass Desk Lamp, Designed by Ivan Jakeš, 1970´s
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Glass lamp made of white milk glass, it was designed by Ivan Jakeš in the early 1970s and was produced by OS Valašské Mezirící. The lamp has a very pleasant dim light and can also be...
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Milk Glass

Mid-Century Modern Ottoman by John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant vintage modern foot stool features black lacquered legs. Unique walnut cross beams connect each leg adding sturdiness and style. The sleek black vinyl top is molded for comfo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer

Midcentury Table by Heritage
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern side table in walnut by Heritage with drawer. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).   
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Limburg Large Midcentury Vintage 1970s Textured Amber Toned Ice Glass Flushmount
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
One of a pair of large 40 cm (16 inch) flush mount light fixtures by Glashütte Limburg, circa 1970s. Featuring a wonderful mouth blown, molded and textured champagne colored / amber ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Italian Chandelier, Brass and Murano Glass, made in Italy 1990
Located in Pambio Noranco, CH
Important Italian vintage chandelier, brass structure and Murano glass shades. Made in Italy by a craftman, handmade. Italy 1990      
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walnut & Crystal Coffee Table Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern walnut centre or coffee table, top cristal fumè, designer A&T Scarpa attributable, Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Bitossi Italian Mid-Century Art Pottery Textured Lamp Base
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish mid-century art pottery lamp base by renowned Italian makers Bitossi and dating from around 1960. The hand-crafted lamp base is of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Mid-Century Coffee Table in Burl Wood by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 60s
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare coffee table designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Burl

Pair of Italian Nightstands, Paolo Buffa Style, 1950s
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Very exquisite set of two beautifully carved nightstands or side tables most probably attributed to Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), Italy, circa 1950s. They feature black glass tops and she...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage Sculpted Oak Armchairs by Madison Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of vintage modern arm chairs feature unique "box" style sides. The beautiful wood grain and floating angled backrest add to the allure. Smooth edges and plush blue upholstery ensure comfort in any modern interior. Made by Madison Furniture Industries...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood, Wood, Oak

Saarinen Style Tulip Small Table Orange Top
Located in Westport, CT
Saarinen design 1960s orange Formica top tulip petite table unsigned, looks to be all original vintage.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Exceptional Colorful Italian Midcentury Floor Light Attributed to Arredoluce
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This is one of the most unique and beautiful floor lights we ever laid our hands on, 1960s. We received this floor light from a couple who bought it in Rome in Italy a long time ago....
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Large Ceramic Vase Hand Painted
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Torquoise Ceramic large vase hand painted in gold 1960. Large vase with gold flowers painted around the whole vase. Tiny crack at the bottom.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Charles Hollis Jones Lucite Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Charles Hollis Jones style Lucite and brass tabletop vanity mirror. 1960's era classic Mid-Century Modern double sided mirror. This gla...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Glass-Topped Driftwood Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This one of a kind coffee table features a base of intertwined driftwood and a glass top for a unique look. The well-preserved wooden base brings a small piece of nature into any hom...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Driftwood

Danish Arm Chairs by Svend A. Madsen for Moreddi, Set of 2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of 2 Danish modern dining chairs designed by Svend A. Madsen, imported by Moreddi, circa 1960s. Armchairs with wonderfully shaped armrests & curved backs for extra com...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Hivo Van Teal Lucite Perfume Bottle Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hivo Van Teal Mid-Century Modern Lucite perfume bottle sculpture.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Arthur Court Rabbit Wine Cooler or Ice Bucket
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing Arthur Court rabbit working in service as a wine cooler or ice bucket. Having floppy ears, stone eyes, and brass hands and feet. Who would ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful pair of vintage modern armchairs with tapered walnut legs and gorgeous blue upholstery. The wonderful design offers maximum comfort...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Naugahyde

Vintage Rya Carpet, Swedish Rug, Colorful
Located in Port Washington, NY
1960s Swedish Rya rug with a colorful, plush wool pile. Size: 4'6" X 6'7".     
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Taos Artist Gene Kloss Original Drypoint, Christmas Eve, Taos Pueblo
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Drypoint etching by famous Taos Artist Gene Kloss (1903-1996). Edition of 75. Titled: Christmas Eve - Taos Pueblo. Image measures: 12" H x 15" W. Unfram...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Donbar Faceted Fireplace in Patinated Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Donbar fireplace, iron, Belgium, 1970s Transport yourself back to the bold and avant-garde spirit of the 1970s with this fireplace by Donbar made in Belgium in the 1970s. Crafted fr...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio Early and Rare Loop Cabinet in Copper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio, ‘Loop’ wall-mounted cabinet, welded copper with applied verdigris patina, steel, brass, painted wood, United States, circa 1968 Made around 1968, t...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Steel

Teak and Leather Uno & Östen Kristiansson Swedish Wall Mirror for Luxus, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Swedish mirror by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus in teak with a leather hanging strap. The frame circulates the glass and is made out of different pieces of wood which were i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mirror, Teak

Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Italian Foldable Table and Four Chairs, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury set, made of bamboo and rattan foldable table and four chairs. It is an Italian production of 1960s and the state of conserva...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Glass

Mid-Century Mpdern Italian Table lamp
Located in Madrid, ES
A MidCentury Italian table lamp.Metal frame, Chromed shaft and black enemeled base.Excellent condition.Free shipping
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Artedi Stone Base Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century coffee table with glass top and marble base. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).   
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Mid-century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Knoll, Fabio Ltd, and J.T. Kalmar. 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.

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