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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.
Pine Dining Set by Dom Hans Van Der Laan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Constructed from lacquered pine planks and fastened using hinge nails, this rare Dom Hans van der Laan (The Netherlands 1904-1991) dining set features straight corners and beveled in...
Metal
Guglielmo Pecorini Dining Room Set with Chairs and Table in Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guglielmo Pecorini, dining room set, chestnut, pine, Italy, 1950s Striking dining set by Italian designer Guglielmo Pecorini, consisting of a freeform table and five sculptural chai...
Pine, Chestnut
Mid Century Modern Danish Six Safari Chairs Dining Table Set by Erik Wørts 1960s
Located in Portland, OR
A very stylish Mid Century Modern Danish dining set, by Erik Wørts/ Woerts for Niels Eilersen, circa 1960. The dining set comprises six safari chairs and matching table. Each safari chair is made of red lacquered beech wood and has a canvas back support, seat and armrests. The canvas has just been professionally replaced with contemporary style canvas and stitched in the identical manner using the original canvas parts as templates. The armrests are joined to the chair frame with the original brass fittings, all the canvas parts can be easily removed and cleaned. The condition of this set is remarkable, the table and chairs are in excellent condition, the chairs are both sturdy and comfortable. All the red lacquer is in very good condition as it the table top. This very stylish Danish MCM dining set is ready to grace your space. Bloomsbury acquired this set from the original owners, who purchased the set in 1964, from the Danish furniture Store, Scan Design...
Canvas, Beech, Lacquer
Pierre Chapo Dining Room Set with 'T21 D' Table and 'S24' Chairs
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining table, model 'T21D', solid elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and ...
Elm
1970s French Dining Room Set with Round Table and Chairs in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set with round table and four matching chairs, solid elm, leather, France, 1970s This French dining set, constructed entirely from solid elm, exemplifies a 1970s blend ...
Elm
Roundette Teak Extendable Dining Set by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle, Denmark 1960s
By Frem Røjle, Hans Olsen
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
This iconic set is a masterpiece of space-saving design and Danish craftsmanship. Known as the Roundette dining suite, it was designed by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle in Denmark. It is ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Six Pc. Mid Century Thaden Jordan Dining Set Table, Leaf and Four Chairs
By Thaden-Jordan Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century dining set by the Thaden-Jordon Furniture Company ( Herbert Von Thaden and Donald Lewis Jordan ) circa 1947- 51. Constructed of bent plywood and thin birch veneer, th...
Birch, Plywood
$4,950 / set
Organic Brutalist Table with Chairs in Maple
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Brutalist set of chairs and dining table, maple, Europe, 1960s Beautiful and naturalistic set consisting of a table and two chairs made in Europe in the 1960s. The chair features a...
Maple
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Green Stained Oak Dining Chairs with Matching Table
By Hank Loewenstein, Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This dining set consists of four Vico Magistretti, 'Carimate' green stained oak dining chairs and a matching 1970's Hank Loewenstein Padova Din...
Rush, Oak
Broyhill Brasilia Dining Table & Chairs in Walnut & Pink Upholstery w/ 3 Leaves
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wonderful dining set by Broyhill Brasilia. This set includes the classic Brasilia base table with three 12" leaves, and 6 recently reupholstered chairs, 2 armchairs, 2 side chairs. T...
Upholstery, Walnut
Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Savvaerk Dining Set, Solid Pine, 1970s, Denmark
By Hirtshals Savvaerk, Rainer Daumiller
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Outstanding combination of Scandinavian craftsmanship & design. Dining set designed by Rainer Daumiller and manufactured by Hirtshals Savvaerk Møbler. The set is made of solid pine w...
Pine
5 pc Mid Century Dinette Set by Viko Baumritter c 1950’s
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century dinette set including four chairs and a dining table. This set was designed by Viko Baumritter circa 1950/1960’s. It is in good, original vintage condition showing some ...
Plastic, Wood
Early Alvar Aalto Dining Set C.1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Hudson, NY
Really beautiful, early and rare dining set by Alvar Aalto. Smart color combination and natural patina. Table and six chairs.
Birch
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Dining Set with 4 DSX and 42" Dining Table
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by the legenday Charles and Ray Eames, this dining set was produced in the 1970s by Herman Miller. This set consists of 4 DSX chairs with bright orange shells and metal base...
Metal, Aluminum
Dining Set by Hans Olsen, 4 Chairs, Round Extendable Table, Danish Modern, 1950s
By Hans Olsen
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This great dining set was most probably designed by Hans Olsen in 1952 for Frem Røjle or designed in his style around 1950s, could have been also produced by some other manufacture. ...
Beech, Leather
$1,406Sale Price / set|69% Off
Midcentury Dining Room Sets Teak Wood Brass Italian Design Extendable Table
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury dining room sets teak wood brass Italian design extendable table Table cm. 80 x 90, inches 32 x 36 height cm.73, inches 2.2, tab...
Brass
5 Pc. Wrought Iron and Glass Garden Patio Dining Set by Meadowcraft
By Woodard Furniture Co., Meadowcraft
Located in New York, NY
Chic garden, patio, dinette set consisting of a dining table , and four side chairs. The table has a tempered glass top, the chairs have their original upholstered pad seats, metal e...
Wrought Iron
Russell Woodard Spun Fiberglass Beige "Peacock" Cafe Set for Four, 1950s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Russell Woodard Tan toned Geometric Spun Fiberglass Cafe Set of 4. Featuring sturdy, balanced, woven Light Khaki Spun Fiberglass frameworks, hourglass bases, ergonomic arched fan b...
Fiberglass, Glass
$2,512Sale Price / set|28% Off
Mid Century Broyhill Conover Furniture Co. Table 6 Caned back Chairs Dining Set
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a great looking mid century Broyhill Conover Furniture Co. dining room set including a table two three leg supports and one leaf, 2 arm and 4 side chairs. The entire set is ...
Cane, Wood
Pierre Chapo Dining Set with 'T14D' Table and 'S24' Chairs in Elm and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining room set with eight 'S24' dining chairs and 'T14D' dining table, elm, leather, cord, France, 1960s-1980s This dining room set by Pierre Chapo, comprising a ‘T14...
Leather, Elm
Cassina Taliesin Dining Table with 4 Barrel Chairs by Frank Lloyd Wright
By Cassina, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and highly collectible Cassina Taliesin dining table accompanied by four original Barrel chairs, designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This officially licens...
Cherry, Leather
Gordon Russell. Designer WH Russell a Rosewood & Mahogany 'Burford' Dining Suite
By W. H. Russell, Gordon Russell
Located in London, GB
Gordon Russell Broadway. Designed by W.H. Russell FSIA. A rosewood and mahogany 'Burford' dining suite, comprising of a low side board, with serpentine ...
Mahogany, Rosewood
8 Pc Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Spun Fiberglass Dining Set by Russell Woodard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8pc indoor outdoor dining set of spun fiberglass by Russell Woodard. Set includes table with a glass top, not pictured, glass is per...
Paint, Fiberglass
1950s Sculptural French Chalet Set of Carved Tables and Chairs in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of two tables and eight dining chairs, solid pine, brass, France, 1950s Crafted in solid pine and preserved from a 1950s ski hotel-lodge tucked high in the French mountains nea...
Brass
Vintage Wood Folding Table w/ Four Bentwood Chairs in the style of Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
Mid century Danish modern set is unmarked and in the style of Arne Jacobsen’s 1960,s Camping Set. The table and chairs have legs that are hollow tubular steel .The table folds and i...
Steel
Mid Century Modern Dining Set, Round Table with 4 Fredrik Kayser Chairs no. 125B
By Viken Møbelfabrik, Fredrik A. Kayser, Dřevotvar Jablonné
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This gorgeous dining set is great example of how Mid Century Modern designs can work together coming from different origins but same design era. The table comes from former Czechoslo...
Wood
$4,760Sale Price / set|30% Off
Romeo Rega design for Mario Sabot Italy Brass Octagon Dining Table & 4 Chairs
By Romeo Rega
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Circa 1970's Romeo Rega design for Mario Sabot dining table and 4 chairs. Lovely combination of brass, smoke glass and wicker trimmed in chrome make this set a standout in any decoru...
Brass
Set of Round Table and Five Chairs attributed to Willy Rizzo, 1970's
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Lisboa, PT
This set of table and chairs was designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, in Italy during the 1970's. The chairs are in lacquered wood, steel and reupholstered with a synthetic leath...
Metal
$10,995 / set
Vintage Burl Wood Dining Room Set by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in North Hollywood, CA
You’ll know it the instant you see it. This is the dining set that changes everything. The table, crafted for Thomasville, stands as a testament to mid-century vision and artistry. ...
Brass
Dining Set by IKEA, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
Good original condition with some signs of use Faux leather in good condition with some signs of use Table shows some signs of use The table dimensions : H:76 W:84 D:84 Chair - high...
Chrome
Tricomfort Madein France SOLID Rosewood Adjustable Chairs Folding Table Outdoor
By Triconfort
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tricomfort Made in France SOLID Rosewood Adjustable Chairs Folding Table Outdoor Set MINT! It is just a phenomenal outdoor furniture set! Chair...
Rosewood
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Knoll Style Black 5 Piece Dining Set Black Glass Scoop Back Seats
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning Mid Century Modern 5 Piece Dining Set style of Knoll. Black glass on the table. 4 black gloss tulip form scoop back dining chairs. Black glass ...
Art Glass
Verner Panton "Pantonova" Dining Set of Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare Verner Panton Pantonova dining table and chairs, made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971. Cognac color leather seat pads. Set includes table, m...
Chrome
Vintage Russell Woodard Mid Century Modern Spun Fiberglass Patio Dining Set 5 Pc
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Russell Woodard Mid Century Modern Spun Fiberglass Patio Dining Set - 5 Pc Set. Set includes a round pedestal base dining table (does not include glass top), (4) pedestal base dining chairs...
Fiberglass
$3,200 / set
French Midcentury Formica Dinette Set by SIF
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Midcentury Retro Kitchenette Set in a daring powder blue formica from the SIF brand made during the 1950s. This iconic, complete set includes a statement cupboard, an expandin...
Chrome
Warren Platner nickel dining set with 6 chairs by Knoll International
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- rare early set with nickel finish - 6 chairs and 1 dining table 137 cm diameter - signed with Knoll Monogram - honey brown velours
Steel, Nickel
$9,500 / set
Wendell Castle Dining Chairs Set of Eight
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Wendell Castle, American, circa 2010s. Signed with Wendell Castle's branded monogram on the leg. Wendell Castle licensed several of his designs for the Wendell Castle Collection...
Leather, Wood, Mahogany
Restored Rattan Sapele Ribbon Mahogany Dining Table w/ Stacked Rattan
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A stunning dining set that embodies timeless elegance and mid-century charm. This beautifully restored Paul Frankl-inspired set showcases a square rattan table...
Rattan
Mid-Century Modern Gimonde Quartz Dining Table, Brass, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Gimonde Quartz Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Gimonde quartz dining table is a bold expression of excl...
Quartz, Travertine, Granite, Marble, Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel
Rustic Round Dining Table with Benches in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Table with benches, solid oak, Europe, 1950s Provincial hand-carved set, embodying the perfect balance of rustic charm and a sense of robustness. Its thick circular tabletop in oak ...
Oak
1970s Chromecraft Smoked Lucite Tulip Chairs Dining Table, Set of 5
By Chrome Craft
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, timeless, smoked oval glass dining table and smoked tulip swivel chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibite...
Steel
MCM Rattan / Cane Dining Table & 6 x Chippendale Style Chairs, Angraves 1970s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid Cent Rattan / Cane Dining Table & 6 x Chippendale Style Dining Chairs, 1970s Magnificent mid century rattan / Cane set of six vintage Chinese Chippendale style dining chairs plus matching table by ‘Angraves’ from the “Invincible” range. Brown in colour. The Table has a 10mm Glass top with polished edges. The chairs and table have cane lapping on all joints and other areas in abundance, the seats of the chairs are heavily woven wicker. In great condition Plaque reading: Angraves, Invincible, Brook Street, Thurmaston, North Leicester Excellent quality and craftsmanship, in great condition. Please note these are made from natural materials, so they may differ slightly in finish and colour. Angraves of Leicester: manufactured high class cane furniture in Britain for almost a century. From 1912 through to 2011, when the company along with its highly skilled craftsmen were bought out by Soane Britain...
Cane, Rattan
$4,900 / set
Drexel Accolade extendable dining set
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a handsome Drexel dining set that displays brass accents on the curves. It's also expandable and has leaves, so you can alter it's size for e...
Brass
Alvar Aalto Birch & White Laminate Table 90A and Chair 66 Dining Set for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Glendale, CA
Alvar Aalto Birch & White Laminate Table 90A and Chair 66 Dining Set for Artek In the late 1920s, architect and designer Alvar Aalto began experimenting with bending wood. In collab...
Laminate, Birch
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
Arne Jacobsen Pre Pop dining set - Asko Finland 1969
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- Arne Jacobsen Pre Pop Set for Asko - 5 chairs and dining table (one more chair can be added for an upprice) - birch plywood - excellent conditi...
Wood
$9,500 / set
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid Century Danish Dropleaf Storage Table and Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
Mid Century Modern Space Saver Minimalist Hide Away Dropleaf Table and Chairs Functional Danish design set. Ideal for those...
Teak
Round Midcentury Spider Leg Dining Table
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Fabulous round dining table with an organic design and with a gold colored glass top. Produced in Italy in the 1950s in the manner of Augusto Romano. The legs have supreme craftsmans...
Glass, Walnut
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Iron 8 Piece Set John Salterini Large Glass Top Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 piece set consisting of a large dining table from the early 50s, heavy decorative iron with a large beveled glass top. 6 armchairs from the late...
Steel, Iron
Modern Biloba Marble Dining Table, Green Guatemala, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Biloba Marble Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Biloba marble dining table celebrates Portuguese architectural herita...
Statuary Marble, Marble, Travertine, Onyx, Brass
Kai Kristiansen, Set of Six Teak, Model 31 Dining Chairs & Matching Dining Table
Located in London, GB
Kai Kristiansen. A set of six teak framed, Model 31 dining chairs with curved upholstered backs and a matching rectangular teak dining table, very sleek and compact but spacious wh...
Teak
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
"Gemütlich" Leather Clad Table and 4 Burgundy Brentwood Chairs by William Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This collection presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Los Angeles design history. The house, originally designed by Paul Williams in 1933 was given the Haines touch when his clients a young family of five purchased and moved in in 1963. Haines made appropriate changes to the structure and being at the top of his game, both the architectural changes and the custom furnishings clearly illustrate this. He discreetly added a projection room to the front of the house so that the cleverly concealed projectors made for a movie going experience in the living room. Other Haines touches abound in this, a wonderful and thoughtful interior perfectly capturing a moment in time when life was glamorous. This set still in tact consists of the "good times" table surrounded by a set of 4 chairs, a variation on the "Brentwood" chair with an all upholstered back with channel quilting and biscuit tufted seating. Because Haines had a keen eye for detail the chairs also have a wonderful "cut" in the front legs accented with black enamel. The biscuit tufting on the seats is classic while the channeling on the backs make these unique. The table top is wrapped in tooled Ocher leather and rests on a hand carved base featuring 3 dolphin...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$4,200 / set
Four Shell Grotto Chairs and Coordinating Table
By Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of four Grotto chairs newly upholstered and powder coated. The set are a compliment to any dining area, inside or out of doors. The powder coating allows them to be outside as ...
Aluminum
3 pc. Mid Century Dinette Kitchen Set after Umanoff McCobb c 1950/60's
By Arthur Umanoff, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century kitchen, or dinette set comprised of a small table and two side chairs. The table has a faux rosewood formica top, on black metal a pedestal base, the two chars ...
Wrought Iron
$750Sale Price / set|53% Off
Vintage Wrought Iron Bistro Set with Glass Top Table & 3 Chairs
Located in Freehold, NJ
This vintage bistro set features wrought iron table with round glass top and three chairs. These rich airs feature removable green cushions and met...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Mid Century Garden Patio Set Five Pieces
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Five-piece wrought iron dining / patio set. One glass-topped table and four chairs. Painted green. Table measures: 42.5 in across.- 29-3/8 in high. - 29- 11/16 in high. With glass t...
Wrought Iron
1968 Italian Chrome 5-Piece Tulip "Margot" Dining Set, Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA
By Eero Saarinen, Gastone Rinaldi, Florence Knoll, RIMA
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Stunning Mid Century Modern Italian set of 4 chairs and round dining table in chromed tube steel. Model name "Margot" by Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA, 1968. Suitable for indoor and outdo...
Steel, Chrome, Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Glass-Topped Cane Dining Table With Four Matching Chairs
Located in Bruton, GB
Stylish mid-century modern dining set crafted from warm-toned rattan with woven cane detailing, featuring a round glass-top table and four matching chairs. The sculptural table base ...
Cane, Rattan, Glass