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Mid-Century Modern Buffets

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
Walnut + Brass Credenza by Young Manufacturing Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern walnut credenza/buffet with durable laminate top, three top drawers and two bi-fold doors with shelf storage. A beautiful example of the high quality work from You...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Oak Mirrored Vitrine Buffet Diamond Patterns, Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Vitrine oak buffet, French, circa 1950 Display cabinet with sliding glass doors Solid Oad with carved diamonds patterns Good condition with superb patin...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Oak

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet / Credenza in Mahogany and Walnut
Located in Culver City, CA
This buffet is absolutely stunning! This ebonized mahogany and walnut sideboard / buffet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features heavy brass accents and pulls in a gorgeous chinoiserie feel. A piece like this is so elegant and clean it can really seamlessly inject a modern, refined look into any environment. We currently have this piece in our gallery paired with a brass Mastercraft dining table, accented with brass Paul Evans cityscape dining chairs...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Scandinavian Teak Showcase from the 60's by HW Klein Edited by Bramin
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very nice Scandinavian vitrine from the 60's attributed to designer Henry Walt Klein, edited by Bramin. Structure in solid teak and veneer. It is composed of two sliding glass doors ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Italian Midcentury Style Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian midcentury style sideboard with a brushed oak charter is finish with three frieze drawers with relief inlaid angular centric lines, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Metal

French 1950s Sycamore and Original Fabric Buffet by Suzanne Guiguichon
Located in Long Island City, NY
French 1950s sycamore buffet by Suzanne Guiguichon with two original fabric covered doors, brass and glass knobs.   
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Gio Ponti Italian Post-War Rosewood & Mahogany Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Italian Post-War Design (1950s) rosewood and mahogany wall unit bar with 3 lower commodes and upper cabinet decorative tiles on white lacquered door...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Rosewood, Mahogany, Mirror, Lacquer

Modern Leather Wrapped Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern shagreen embossed leather-wrapped buffet with our dark tempest finish leather with a rectangular top with two open shelves and four cabinet doors with inlaid metal handles. D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Leather

Square Buffet Italian Midcentury Design Solid Teak Black Laminate Brown Cabinet
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Square buffet Italian midcentury design solid teak black laminate brown, with internal and external drawers inside, excellent execution quality. Unfortunate...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Laminate, Teak

Vintage Sideboard with Hutch after Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish two-piece credenza with hutch feature stylish brass drawer pulls, cane front storage cabinets, and a versatile mix of shelf and drawer storage....
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Exquisite Burl Wood Veneer and Brass Italian Commode from 1940's
Located in East Hampton, NY
Probably by Osvaldo Borsani, this charming cabinet with original green glass and tiered glass shelf features original loop ring pulls and keys. Sculptural legs with brass sabots are ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger Weathered Oak, Mahogany Credenza
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern classically styled credenza, buffet featuring a custom weathered oak/driftwood finish with aged bronzed brass hardware. Credenza has 3...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Sideboard Go in Wood and Lacquer
Located in Lisbon, PT
Go sideboard is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in lacquered mdf structure and doors and plywood veneer applications on doors. It features three dimensional ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Sideboard Go in Wood and Lacquer
Located in Lisbon, PT
Go sideboard is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in wood veneer structure, lacquered mdf doors and plywood veneer applications on doors. It features three dim...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Tommi Parzinger Originals Credenza
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic server/buffet by Tommy Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, ca' 1960's. Beautiful brass hardware, key, felt lined top drawer. High quality construction and original warm finish.
Category

1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood

Italy 1950s Cesare Lacca Attributed Dry Bar Cart, Laquered Walnut & Burl Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A Brugnoli Mobili Cantù Dry Bar Cart, laquered walnut in mahogany color, brass thread & burl walnut veneered; cristal top . Lighted interior compartment with a washable plastic-coat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Burl, Walnut

Fabulous Restored Vintage Ficks Reed Chest in Chinese Red Lacquer, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stellar piece is shipped as photographed and described in the narrative: completely ready to install and enjoy. A stunning vintage Ficks Reed eight (8) drawer chest, circa 19...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century 16-Drawer Mahogany and Brass Sideboard Buffet
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century 16-drawer mahogany and brass sideboard buffet credenza Measures: 71.25 wide x 19 deep x 27.25 high Restored vintage condition. Piece is rest...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Sideboard Samoa in Iron Wood, Brass and Lacquer
Located in Lisbon, PT
Samoa sideboard is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte iron wood venner structure and feet, brass applications and lacquered doors. It featu...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Pair of Solid Bronze and Vitreous Enamel Buffets or Bathroom Vanities
Located in Chicago, IL
Jansen inspired custom made pair of solid bronze and vitreous enamel bathroom vanities or buffets, handcrafted in our Chicago Workshop. This particular pair have 4 interior drawers a...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Bronze, Steel

James Mont American Buffet Midcentury
Located in Bridgewater, CT
American buffet midcentury Silvered wood and antiquated mirror.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Retro Vintage 1960 Cocktail Cabinet with Mirror and Glass Shelf and Light
Located in Markington, GB
Super retro vintage 1960 cocktail cabinet with mirror and glass shelf, and has some useful drawer space underneath.
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Teak

Sideboard Form in Various Woods
Located in Lisbon, PT
Form sideboard is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte wood venner structure and feet, combining natural oak, natural walnut, dark walnut and...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Norwegian Rose Marble Top on Pistachio Green Lime Washed Buffet Cabinet
Located in Hanover, MA
A modern custom built white oak sideboard buffet with magnificent Norwegian Rose marble top showing colors of pink, grey and white. Carved giltwo...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Marble

72" Midcentury Rosewood Buffet Table by Robert Heritage
Located in Pasadena, TX
72" Midcentury Rosewood Buffet Table by Robert Heritage A rare vintage 72" buffet by Robert Heritage. This table features stainless steel cantilevered legs and a rosewood case wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Rosewood

Sideboard Form in Natural Walnut Wood and Polished Brass Detail
Located in Lisbon, PT
Form sideboard is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte wood veneer structure and feet, combining natural oak, natural walnut, dark walnut and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Glenn of California Vintage Sideboard Cabinet by Stanley Young
Located in Chicago, IL
Glenn of California vintage sideboard cabinet by Stanley Young. Great scale and proportion. Works well in both larger and smaller interiors. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Scandinavian Teak Buffet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Midcentury Scandinavian teak buffet Four spacious drawers for flatware Three cabinets with four individual shelves Measures: 65" L...
Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Teak

Edward Wormley Dunbar Custom Credenza Rosewood Curved Front
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare credenza designed by Edward Wormley and custom made by Dunbar for Mellin Furniture Galleries, Warren, Michigan, circa 1969. Curved front rosewood doors, walnut case with plast...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Silvio Coppola Buffet Cabinet, Italian, 1960s
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A midcentury Italian buffet cabinet designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini. This walnut cabinet features two end doors revealing adjustable shel...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Ebonized Credenza or Buffet, Handmade in Chicago in Any Dimension or Finish
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning custom hand built and ebonized three-door credenza, or buffet with solid brass ring pulls. This is another creation from our Old Plank Workshop and can be custom made in any...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

Four Doors Sapelli Mahogany and Sicamore Sideboard, Italian, circa 1960
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice sideboard is made of Sapelli mahogany and sicamore wood on a black lacquered wood base with brass elements. This very elegant sideboard has 4 doors opening on a sicamo...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mahogany, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Italian Marble Sideboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage Italian sideboard features a unique floating marble top with a stunning natural wood finish. Six drawers for plenty of storage and organization, while the elega...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Marble

Mid-Century Transitional Raised Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Transitional Raised Buffet is an impressive combination of Renaissance and Neoclassical styling! Hand-crafted from massive planks and timbers...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Oak, Leather

Fine French 1950s Sycamore and Rosewood Sideboard with Original Painted Doors
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fine French mid-century rosewood and sycamore sideboard with original four painted doors and brass details.  
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Pair of Cabinets after Paul Frankl, circa 1940, Made in USA
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Pair of cabinets both with two doors and matching solid brass pulls. One cabinet opens to reveal four centre drawers flanked by a single shelf on either side. The second opens to a s...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood

Italian Modern Glass Top Sideboard in the Style of Paolo Buffa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This exquisite vintage server features beautiful Italian design with unmistakeable Mid-Century style. Unique sculpted legs, floating glass top and elega...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Glass, Wood

South American Au Meuble Rustique Vintage Sideboard
Located in Pasadena, TX
Buenos Aires, Argentina Vintage sideboard from South America Exotic wood with ample storage for bar or china Tapered, ebonized legs see companion Highboy in last photo. ...
Category

1940s Argentine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

Art Deco, Italian Exceptional Bar Cabinet by Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in London, GB
Cabinet in mahogany with doors with brass banding. The doors fold and slide back to reveal the interior. The legs in sabre form are typical of the work of Ulrich. Provenance Galerie Philippe...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mahogany Breakfront Four Shelves
By RWAY
Located in Pasadena, TX
A 5ft multi-use vintage RWAY breakfront cabinet. Two large shelves on top can hold anything from books to memorabilia to non-refrigerated drinks; two sliding doors below reveal anoth...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

Modern Italian Sideboard and Drop-Down Flap
Located in Roma, IT
Sideboard/buffet in mahogany wood, Italian-made from the 1950s On the upper left part, there are two sliding woven rattan doors edged by a dark brown lacquered frame. Also on the upp...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

French Mid-Century Modern "Croissilon" Sideboard / Credenza Attr. to Andre Arbus
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical sideboard, credenza or cabinet circa 1940-1950 attributed to Andre Arbus. The sideboard is a masterpiece of form and materials. It combines modern simplicity and purity with neoclassical cross...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Rattan, Cherry

Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Mid-Century Modern buffet or credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman features three storage drawers and a cabinet behind a pair of double doors. The unit rests on a sculptured l...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

1950s Italian Geometric Buffet
By Roberto Aloy
Located in Hanover, MA
Incredible unicorn! Rare 1950s Italian sideboard with reverse painted marbleized glass top case with geometric faceted door panels and drawer fronts floating suspended by four exoskeletal wood legs with solid brass standoffs, acorn nuts and tapered sabots. Exterior and interior clad in cream colored formica style laminate and embellished with basket-weave printed laminate. 70 inch long x 18 inch deep x 33 inch tall. The only piece similar to this I've seen is a credenza by Roberto Aloi...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Custom Vladimir Kagan Sideboard for JFK TWA Saarinen Terminal
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury tiger maple sideboard / bar with tambour side shelves over two drawers and center with raising mechanism and wine storage. This piece ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Maple

Vittorio Dassi Walnut, Sycamore & Brass Credenza, Sideboard Italy 1960
Located in Miami, FL
Vittorio DASSI long credenza, buffet, sideboard with 5 doors made in the 1960s. Sycamore and walnut with beveled green glass tops. In good original condition Brass ornaments on the d...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Sycamore, Walnut, Glass

1970s Italian Design Style Oak Wooden and Chrome Metal Sideboard
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1970s Italian design style oak wooden and chrome metal sideboard with pure and Minimalist lines, oak wooden with chrome metal outlines and handles. New item, never used.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Chrome

Ronnie Brahms for H. Sacks Wall Mounted Console Server
Located in Hanover, MA
Gracious and at once both neoclassical and modern, this wall-mounted buffet console was designed by the late Ronnie Brahms and produced by the family own...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Sideboard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar for modern 1940s bleached mahogany sideboard, center stepped out, inset oval drawer pulls, center interior with drawers and space to store table pads, end cabinet doors hinged on sides and have curved wood door shelves, on leather plinth base. Original key. To be refinished, custom colors options available. Dunbar quality...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

1945s Commode in Sycamore and Eglomised Mirror by R. Prou
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Commode in sycamore and églomisé mirror consisting of a trunk of slightly trapezoidal shape opening in front by two doors with églomisé mirror and sycamore frames. It rests on a syc...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Buffets

White Marble Dining Table and Bar Unit, Claudio Salocchi for Sormani Italy 1960s
Located in Arosio, IT
Dining table, it belongs to the Ellisse collection by Claudio Salocchi, who developed most of his cutting edge designs for the Sormani Ccompany in Arosio, Italy. Ellisse, together w...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Officina, moden Tv Unit in Mimetica Veneered
Located in Barlassina, Monza-Brianza
Officina, Tv Unit in Mimetica Veneered. Meaning Officina is the Italian name of the auto-repair store. The details are coming from the mechanic environmen...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Metal

Large Carved Wood Cabinet "Hunter" Unique Piece
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Unique piece, amazing cabinet made by a passionate cabinet maker. Really nice carved wood work. Old documentation about it on request.
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood

CHARLES. DUDOUYT Cerused Oak Credenza
Located in Hawthorne, CA
Solid perused oak buffet designed by CHARLES DUDOUYT, a famous French decorator [1885 - 1946]. This piece is part of his last designs. The amazing case piece comes with two cabinet doors that open to the interior of the cabinetry, circa 1946. This highly polished and distinctive cabinet opens to multiple levels of deep shelving.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Oak

Lovely Vintage Asian Altar Table/Console/Buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A particularly Beautiful vintage Altar Table with wonderful scale and detail. The functional size offers the flexibility for the piece to be used a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Wood

Modern Industry Tabac Series Sideboard in Walnut and Blackened Steel
Located in Downers Grove, IL
Solid book-matched black walnut with acid blackened steel accents give the Tabac side board a contemporary, industrial edge, while maintaing Classic midcentury lines and proportions....
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Steel, Metal

Horn Tone Cerused Finished Sideboard Credenza with Folding Double Doors
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern folding double doors four drawers server credenza buffet cabinet. Horn tone finish with copper finished pulls.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Superb Restored Bamboo Credenza in the Style of Milo Baughman, circa 1975
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent chest is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Completely Installation Ready. A fabulous mulit-purpose credenza, circa 1975...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Chrome

Mid-century Modern buffets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern buffets 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 buffets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern buffets made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original buffets, popular names associated with this style include Drexel, Guillerme et Chambron, Kipp Stewart, and Edward Wormley. 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 buffets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $82,000 while the average work can sell for $5,195.

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