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20th Century Italian Murano Glass Coffee Table

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20th Century Italian Murano Glass Coffee Table in the Style of Danny Lane
By Danny Lane
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian green tinted coffee table made of hand blown Murano glass and
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large Blue Molten & Bent Glass C-Shape Base Glass Top Coffee Table
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Daum
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern cobalt blue molten and bent art glass C-shape base wide square coffee table
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Art Glass

20th Century Eugenio Quarti Coffee Table in Brass and Murano Spiral Glass '30s
By Eugenio Quarti
Located in Turin, Turin
Italy and all over the world. The table has a structure in brass, feet are in very special murano Glass
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Murano glass coffee table by Albano Poli for Poliarte
By Poliarte, Albano Poli
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
A very stylish and rare table/ coffee table by glass master Albano Poli for his company Poliarte
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Murano Glass

Late 20th Century White Murano Art Glass and Brass Set of Two Oval Coffee Tables
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
Set of two off-white textured Murano Art Glass & Brass "Yin & Yang" Coffee Tables. The tables have
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 20th Century Brown & Orange Murano Glass W/ Brass Finishings Cocktail Table
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
The Murano art glass is imitating the wood briar perfectly. Though the glass brightness makes this
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Venetian Mirrored Glass Coffee Table by S.A.L.I.R.
By Salir
Located in Pembroke, MA
Venetian coffee table made of Murano cut glass by the Italian company S.A.L.I.R. Murano ("Studio
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

Max Ingrand Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, Mod. 1774, Italy, circa 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Coffee table manufactured in Italy by Fontana Art, Model 1774, designed by Max Ingrand, circa 1958
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Maison Jansen Style Mid-Century Brass and Chrome Bicolor Vitrine Coffee Table
By Maison Jansen
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning square vitrine coffee table in polished brass and chrome with sliding glass tabletop and
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Large "Torcello" Coffee Table by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Skokie, IL
Tobia and Afra Scarpa large "Torcello" coffee table for Stildomus, Italy, 1960s. The 'Torcello
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Barbini Murano Purple Amethyst Gold Flecks Handle Italian Art Glass Pitcher Vase
By Alfredo Barbini, Weil Ceramics and Glass
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown amethyst purple and gold flecks Italian art glass pitcher shape
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano Aqua Blue Gold Fleck Handle Italian Art Glass Pitcher Flower Vase
By Alfredo Barbini, Weil Ceramics and Glass
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown aqua blue and gold flecks Italian art glass pitcher shape
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

Materials

Gold Leaf

20th Century French Fontana Arte Beveled Murano Glass Sofa Table by Max Ingrand
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern French, Italian sofa table made of hand blown beveled Murano glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Metal

Murano Paperweight Blue Red Ribbons Italian Art Glass Egg Shape Circa 1960s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
great display piece on any desk, vanity or coffee table. Mid-century era. Hand-Made in Italy circa 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Sommerso Aqua Green Corroso Texture Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful large vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso aqua green Italian art glass flower vase, with
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Murano Pink Opalescent Gold Flecks Quilted Italian Art Glass Pitcher Flower Vase
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown opalescent pink and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mid-Century Italian Pulled Feathered Two-Tone Red and Clear Glass Vase
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, hand blown glass console vase was crafted in Italy, circa 1950. The vintage piece
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Modern Murano Art Glass Blue and Clear Apple Sculpture Paperweight
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Barbini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid Century Modern Murano art glass in turquoise and clear apple fruit glass sculpture or
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Italian Art Glass Minimalist Murano Sommerso Teardrop Sculptures, 1950s
By Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in VALENCIA, ES
Mid-Century Modern exquisite pair of Murano ¨sommerso¨ glass teardrop sculptures. Crafted with
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass, Sommerso, Art Glass

Murano Italian Art Glass Bowl Emerald Green Large Centerpiece circa 1950
By Archimede Seguso, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Emerald Green Large Murano Italian Art Glass Bowl centerpiece circa 1950
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Green and Clear Italian Art Glass Flower Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso, Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Murano Green and Clear Italian Art Glass Flower Paperweight. Italian Mid-century Murano Blown Art
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Crystal

Huge Vintage French Style Mid Century Murano Pearl White Glass Bottle, 1960s
By Formia Murano
Located in VALENCIA, ES
A stunning Mid Century French style Murano glass huge bottle in a pearl white color with a fabulous
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Pair of Fontana Arte Mid-Century Sofa or Coffe Table by Max Ingrand
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Rome, IT
A Pair of Rare Extraordinary Mid-Century modern Italian sofa table made of hand blown beveled
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Cut Glass

Murano Glass Handkerchief Draped Bowl in Pink Green and Pearlized Finish
By Murano 5
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful large transparent Murano glass vessel. The rim of this piece is scalloped in varying
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Alfredo Barbini Murano Sommerso Pink Italian Art Glass Fruit Bowl Centerpiece
By Alfredo Barbini, Weil Ceramics and Glass
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso pink Italian art glass ribbed surface decorative bowl
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and very unusual, vintage Murano hand blown multicolor millefiori flowers Italian art
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Murano Red Orange Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Figurine Paperweight
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Galliano Ferro
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear body with spots Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass, Glass

Murano Red Orange Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Sculpture
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Galliano Ferro
Located in Kissimmee, FL
make a great display piece on any desk, coffee table or curio cabinet. Mid-century era. Measurements: 3
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Uranium Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Italian Blue Murano Art Glass Bowl after Barbini
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in New York, NY
A substantial Italian Murano art glass bowl or ashtray in the style of artist Alfredo Barbini
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Mosaic Color Spots Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass High Heel Shoe Sculpture
By Murano 5, Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM)
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano handblown multi-color murrine mosaic design Italian art glass kitten heel shoe
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Blue Yellow Black Bowl Art Glass Decorative Dish Signed Murano ICET Venezuela
By ICET Murano
Located in Kissimmee, FL
desk, dresser or coffee table. Use it as a catchall, or candy dish. Mid-century era. Measures: 6
Category

Mid-20th Century Venezuelan Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass

Murano Red White Spot Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Sculpture
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM)
Located in Kissimmee, FL
reads "Decora Imports - Made In Italy - Genuine Venetian Glass From Murano" in blue and silver. The
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Murano Blue Multi-Color Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
By Galliano Ferro, Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto
Located in Kissimmee, FL
clear glass inside. Would make a great display piece on any desk, vanity or coffee table. Mid-century
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Glass

Murano Red White Spot Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Sculpture
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto
Located in Kissimmee, FL
display piece on any desk, coffee table or curio cabinet. Mid-century era. Measurements: 4" tall x 4" long
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Red Orange Gold Flecks Chevron Pattern Italian Art Glass Fish Figurine
By Galliano Ferro, Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red orange, white and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Postmodern Walnut Coffee Table Top Cristal Fumè, Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian Mid-Century Post Modern massive walnut centre coffee table, top cristal fumè, designer A.&T
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables

Materials

Crystal

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Blue Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
design. Would make a great display piece on any desk, vanity or coffee table. Mid-century era. Measures 3
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Purple Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
retains an original "Made In Italy - Murano Glass" silver and black label on the side. The floral
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Murano Vintage Millefiori Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pedestal Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
desk, dresser or coffee table. Mid-century era. Measures 8" tall x 3 3/8" wide at the base.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Black Bullseye Murrine Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, vintage Murano hand blown multi-color murrine with black Italian art glass mosaic
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Murano Barbini Copper Aventurine Flecks Italian Art Glass Pinched Waist Lighter
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous vintage Murano hand blown glittery copper Aventurine flecks Italian art glass corseted
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Green White Italian Art Glass Crown Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown green and white twisting ribbons Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Toso Murano Green Orange Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Paperweights
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
display piece on any desk, vanity or coffee table. Mid-century era. They measure 3" wide x 2 3/4" tall.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Glass

Murano Venini Bianconi Red Coral Flame Italian Art Glass Vintage Paperweight
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown red coral flame or "Fiammati Corallo" Italian art glass egg
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Blown Glass

Murano Vintage Millefiori Murrine Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
different shades. Would make a great display piece on any desk, vanity or coffee table. Mid-century era
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine, Sommerso

Murano Vintage Scramble Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Large Paperweight
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Aureliano Toso, Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
. Would make a great display piece on any desk or coffee table. Mid-century era. Measures: 5 1/4" wide x 3
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Yellow Blue Italian Art Glass Fish Figurine Paperweight
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow, cobalt blue and orange Italian art glass puffer
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Cobalt Blue Flowers Italian Art Glass Tall Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown cobalt blue flowers Italian art glass paperweight. Documented
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Salviati Murano Sommerso Emerald Green Italian Art Glass Owl Figure Sculpture
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso dark to lighter emerald green Italian art glass owl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Salviati Gaspari Murano Uranium UV Green Italian Art Glass Abstract Sculpture
By Luciano Gaspari, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown vaseline yellow green with aqua green paint stroke Italian art
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Blue Orange Ribbons Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Egg Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown blue, orange, white and bubbles Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Fratelli Toso Murano Sommerso Red Blue Italian Art Glass Fruit Paperweights
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful set of vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red, blue and clear Italian art glass apple and
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Sommerso, Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Italian Abstract Modernist Faceted Tall Red Berry Color Murano Glass Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A bright berry red color curvy tall Murano glass vase. With a wide base, cinched top, and sprawling
Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Murano Oggetti Clear Orange Swirl Seashell Italian Art Glass Snail Sculpture
By Oggetti, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, vintage Murano clear glass and orange swirl seashell Italian art glass snail sculpture
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Blue Octopus Swimming Fish Italian Art Glass Aquarium Block Sculpture
By Cenedese, Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM)
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Italian art glass double fish and octopus aquarium block
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano White Yellow Daisy Flower Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and yellow daisy flower Italian art glass paperweight
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Dino Martens Murano Sommerso Sapphire Blue Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
By Aureliano Toso, Dino Martens
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso sapphire blue to clear Italian art glass fish on base
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Ribbon, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Dino Martens Murano Sommerso Champagne Purple Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
By Aureliano Toso, Dino Martens
Located in Kissimmee, FL
balanced on a clear glass base. Would make a great display piece on any dresser, coffee table, or display
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Ribbon, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Archimede Seguso Murano Pink White Opalescent Italian Art Glass Perfume Bottle
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent white and pink Italian art glass perfume bottle
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Luciano Gaspari Salviati Murano Smoky Green Italian Art Glass Abstract Sculpture
By Luciano Gaspari, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
desk, coffee or console table. Mid-century era. Measures: 8 3/4" tall x 8 3/4" long x a little over 3
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

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20th Century Italian Murano Glass Coffee Table For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal 20th century Italian murano glass coffee table for your home. A 20th century Italian murano glass coffee table — often made from glass, murano glass and metal — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 20th century Italian murano glass coffee table — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right 20th century Italian murano glass coffee table, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Art Deco styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made 20th century Italian murano glass coffee table over the years, but those crafted by Maurice Barilone, Danny Lane and Eugenio Quarti are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a 20th Century Italian Murano Glass Coffee Table?

A 20th century Italian murano glass coffee table can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,500, while the lowest priced sells for $1,850 and the highest can go for as much as $23,420.

A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture

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.

Finding the Right decorative-objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation. Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.