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.
$712Sale Price / set|25% Off
Vintage Arne Jacobsen Stainless Steel Teaset. Denmark, 1960's
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Very smart tea and coffee set on a tray Made by Shelton,Denmark. Designed by Arne Jacobsen Makers marks on the base of most of the pieces. Printed label on the base of the tray F...
Stainless Steel
American Antique Burnt Wood Folk Art Pyrography Match Stick House, mid century
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is a wonderful likely one of a kind hand crafted and hand burned folk art "Match Stick" house or cottage that dates back to the 1940's. It is an imaginatively conceived hand ...
Wood, Fabric
Artist Plate No. 7 by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, Mid-Century, 1970s Germany
Located in Andernach, DE
''Auch die Schatten kommen von der Sonne'' (''Also the shadows are made by the sun'') – is the No. 7 of the ''Artists-Plates'' from the Studio-Line by Rosenthal. With a limited edi...
Porcelain
French Mid-Century Pink Majolica Daisy Plate Maunier Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
French Mid-Century Pink Daisy Plate signed Maunier Vallauris. 8 inches diameter.
Ceramic, Faience
1979 Hutschenreuther Wall Plate by Ole Winther Zodiac Decor, Ltd. Edition
By Ole Winther, Hutschenreuther
Located in Andernach, DE
A wonderful square shaped wall plate from 1979. Original by Hutschenreuther, the design: Ole Winther, with signature on the front & back. Porcelain, limited edition of 3000 plates o...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Majolica Aqua Oyster Plate Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century Ceramic Aqua Oyster Plate Vallauris circa 1950. 9 colors available. pink,navy blue,yellow,orange,green,purple,black,aqua,red.
Ceramic
Framed Red Paper Composition Artwork, Mid-Century Modern, Signed
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sandro Contemporary Artwork Red Paper Composition Framed Signed by the artist on the back. In original condition
Paper
1950 Felice Galbiati Italian Mid Century Design Print Red Black Metal Tray
Located in Brescia, IT
Screenprint Metal Tray Felice Galbiati Italy, 1950 Black & Red Tray "Old Doctor Tools" printed
Metal
Ceramic Plaque with Flower Motive by Roger Capron France, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
This circular ceramic plaque features a stylized floral composition with a central blossom surrounded by delicately incised leaves and smaller flowers. Rendered in fine black line o...
Ceramic
Vintage Silver relief picture collection Alliani, Italy, 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage Silver relief picture "Trieste - San Giusto", collection Alliani made in Italy in the 1970s. Sterling Silver 925 and gold. Sculpture relief picture has certification of authe...
Gold, Silver
Mid-Century Desso Style Wall Tapestry, Hand-Tufted Wool, Earth Tones, 1986
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-tufted Dutch Desso style wall tapestry presents abstract organic forms in a rich earth-tone palette of chocolate brown, rust, cream, and warm tans. The textile employs a multi-l...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Framed Five Beautiful Stuffed Butterflies, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Framed Five Beautiful Stuffed Butterflies, circa 1930. Manufactured in France. Materials: Wood, polycarbonate Dimensions: D 1,5 cm x W 21,7 cm x H 31,7 cm The artwork is in its ...
Wood
French Green Majolica Oyster Octopus Plate Aetgina Vallauris, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French green Majolica oyster plate signed Aetgina Vallauris, circa 1950. With an octopus pattern.
Ceramic
Scandinavian Mid-Century Stoneware Wall Plaque with Fish by Tilgmans Pottery
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice stoneware wall plaque relief of a fish and a snail in bright colors by Tilgmans Pottery Sweden. At the front there are the initials of the maker dp which stands for Danny Petru...
Ceramic
Four Flying Swallows Birds wood Mid Century Wall Decoration Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of four beautiful vintage wooden flying swallows wall decorations. Each would make a beautiful ornament on a wall. They are with some patina and are an excellent craftsmanship. M...
Nutwood
$760Sale Price|30% Off
Large Antique Chinese Fan Painted Entirely by Hand 1940 China Ducks Flower
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large Antique Chinese fan Painted Entirely by Hand 1940 China Ducks Flower.
Wood, Paper
Fossil Bonefish Fish Copper Wall Decoration Wall Panel Picture Vintage, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful, vintage copper Bone Fish themed wall decor picture. It would make a beautiful ornament at your wall. Vibrant colors and excellent craftsmanship. Also a great wall hangin...
Copper
Maurice André Large Colored Wall Tapestry for Robert Four Edition
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Maurice André - Robert Four edition Large wool wall tapestry by Maruice André Realised circa 1960 by Robert Four Studio Original perfect condition Original perfect colors...
Tapestry
Large Artist Ceramic Wall Plate with Horse Motif by Helmut Schäffenacker / Ulm
By Helmut Friedrich Schäffenacker
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Artist ceramic wall plate with horse motif by Schäffenacker / Ulm. Handmade made in Germany.
Ceramic
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
$108Sale Price|77% Off
Mid Century Ceramic Wall Art C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
'Girl Playing Guitar' Mid-Century Ceramic Wall Art C1950. Hand-painted, textured ceramic with strong colours and a high gloss glaze. Artist unknown. Framed and ready to hang. In ve...
Ceramic, Faience
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of 2 fishs, seaweeds, shells, crab, oyster. Nautical style. 10 inches diameter
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Maria Kipp Vintage Woven Fiber Lampshade in Amber, Gold, and Burnt Sienna, 1960s
By Maria Kipp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and striking lampshade designed by German-born, California-based textile artist Maria Kipp, celebrated for her masterful use of handwoven fibers in postwar interiors. This pie...
Raffia
Mid-Century Ceramic Bird Wall Panel, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
This Mid-Century Modern ceramic wall panel was created in Czechoslovakia during the 1970s and features a stylized bird motif rendered in glazed ceramic. Mounted on a plywood base, th...
Ceramic, Plywood
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Alexander Calder lithograph (1970s Calder prints)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage early 1970s Alexander Calder off-set lithograph: Published by Art in America, circa early 1970s. Good to very good overall vintage condition. Printed signature from an editi...
Paper
$710Sale Price|21% Off
Maria Kipp Mid-Century Modern Natural & Pale Gold Checker Weave Lampshade, 1960s
By Maria Kipp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and striking lampshade designed by German-born, California-based textile artist Maria Kipp, celebrated for her masterful use of handwoven fibers in postwar interiors. This pie...
Raffia
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
Pablo Picasso Limited Edition Danseurs Glazed Earthenware Wall Plaque A.R. 387
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and stylish French Madoura limited edition earthenware Danseurs wall plaque (A.R. 387) by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1974) and dating from 1956. The round plaque with sl...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Wood Veneer Intarsia Wall Picture, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Wood Veneer Intarsia Wall Picture, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Mid-Century Modern...
Wood
$2,950Sale Price|34% Off
Painting by Peter Keil Mid-Century Modern Art, Black & White Art, Signed, C 1964
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War during the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin...
Acrylic
majolika karlsruhe large ceramic WALL PANEL landscape relief 1970s liedke
Located in Mannheim, DE
Large and heavy ceramic wall tile depicting a southern landscape with cypress trees in a relief design. Designed and manufactured by Dietmar Liedke for Majolika Karlsruhe in the 1970...
Ceramic
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
$135Sale Price|55% Off
Mid Century Modern Decorative Carved Teak Relief Wall Art, 1950’s Set of 2
Located in New Orleans, LA
An unusual pair of Mid-Century Modern framed base reliefs depicting a man and a woman dancing, dating from the 1950’s, the pair reflect the festive and happy mood after WWII. Carve...
Rattan, Wood
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
Harvesting The Wheat, Oil on Canvas, Italian, 1950s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful painting of farmers bringing in the harvest of wheat Oil on canvas. Unsigned. Artist unknown Framed in a slightly distressed antiqu...
Other
$148Sale Price|26% Off
Vintage Bjorn Wiindblad Decorative Plate 1001 Nights Lute Player Plate
By Jonathan Adler, Bjørn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful collectible plate from the famous Danish artist Bjorn Wiinblad (Bjørn Wiinblad). The plate was designed for Rosenthal, Germany and is deco...
Gold Leaf
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Heidi Melano Contemporary Sculptural Mosaic Wall Panel
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderfully decorative mosaic wall art sculpture executed by Heidi Melano the world renowned artist responsible for multiple works completed for Fernand Leger, Chagall, Braque. Hand-crafted, beautifully proportioned, this rectangle mosaic is inlaid in a slim frame. This rare work of art would make a great accent piece would enhance any wall. A true iconic piece by this artist. Signed on the bottom right, back of panel also signed with Heidi Melano's initials. Measures: Depth 1.25 in. x Width 28.75 in. x Height 20 in. Would enhance any traditional, mid-century, contemporary, modern, country, beach house, ski resort setting. About The Artist: Heidi Melano, her maiden name Heidi Hoegger, she was born in Geneva on April 20, 1929. Granddaughter of the great Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler, she was passionate about art from an early age: she created, painted and lets her imagination speak by expression through different techniques. Very quickly, she wanted to become a mosaic artist. At the age of 23, she won a mosaic competition with her work "La Volière". On this occasion, she meets Lino Melano...
Ceramic, Glass
$1,927Sale Price|20% Off
Large Mid Century Painting Portrait of a Young Woman c1960 Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Trensacq, FR
Large mid century painting Portrait of a Young Woman c1960 Acrylic on canvas. Thought to be modelled on the Iconic French singer-...
Canvas, Acrylic
Mid-Century Butterfly Specimen Wall Display Shadow Box
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid-century collector’s wall display case featuring an original butterfly specimen arrangement. The piece is presented in a wooden frame with a glass front and original paper/cardboard backing, giving it a clean museum-like appearance and strong decorative impact. A perfect vintage natural history...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-Century Swedish Ceramic Deer Motif Wall Plaque Tile by Eivor Lang, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Ceramic Deer Motif Wall Plaque Tile by Eivor Lang for Tilgmans Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Ceramic
$1,350Sale Price|38% Off
Paris Street Scene Oil on Canvas Painting Signed Robert Soler, circa 1955
Located in Miami, FL
Vibrant Parisian Street Scene Oil on Canvas Painting by Roberto Soler. This captivating oil on canvas painting by renowned French artist Roberto Soler transports viewers to the hear...
Paint
Spanish Hand Knotted Wool Tapestry, Mid-Century Modern, Circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditionally hand knotted wool tapestry with a round frame. Manufatured in Spain, circa 1960. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautif...
Wool
French Faience Peonies Fish Platter Gien Circa 1950
By Gien
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Peonies Fish Platter Gien Circa 1950. 26.2 inches by 10.3 inches.
Ceramic
Mid-Century Pottery Wall Plaque with Chicken Rooster Decor, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Pottery Wall Plaque with Chicken Rooster Decor, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Style: Mid-Century Mode...
Ceramic
Set of 12 ceramic tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 12 tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s.
Ceramic
Belgium Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Art, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage ceramic wall art. Brown earthenware with hand painted accents. Design of 8 figures in ceramic and glazed in the tones blue, gold, whit...
Ceramic
French Majolica Daisy Marcel Guillot Vallauris, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Pansy Marcel Guillot Vallauris, circa 1950. 8.3 inches diameter.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Åke Holm Swedish Höganäs Brutalist Abstract Ceramic Wall Plaque
By Ake Holm
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Åke Holm (Swedish, 1900-80) was one of Sweden’s leading ceramic artists in the 20th century. He worked at the Höganäs factory in his early years before opening his own studio in the ...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Rope Barometer Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Austin, TX
Rope barometer in a flower shape Audoux Minet, circa 1960.
Metal
$300Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Bamboo Fan Decorative Wall Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Vintage Fan Wall Art Decor Stamped People's Republic of China 20 h x 31.25 w x .5 d Preowned original vintage condition See images listed
Bamboo
Mid-Century Modern Wall Plaque by Marianne Starck Denmark
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Amazing ceramic tile ‘Birds’ in reliëf by Marianne Starck. Beautiful art of work and in very good condition. I have also a 40cm piece for sale.
Ceramic
Pair of Metal Geometric Fence or Art Object with Golden Fish
By Gio Ponti
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of Metal Geometric fence or art object with golden fish made in Italy, circa 1950s. Priced per piece.
Metal
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of 2 fishs, seaweeds, shells, onion , oyster. Nautical style. 10 inches diameter
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
French Mid-Century Majolica Blue Flower Plate Charolles
By Charolles
Located in Austin, TX
Small French Mid-Century Majolica Blue Flower Plate Charolles. 7 inches diameter.
Ceramic, Faience
French Green Majolica Oyster Plate Proceram, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French green Majolica oyster plate signed Proceram, circa 1950.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Mid-Century Modern Framed Rectangular Beige Enamel Flower Wall Art
Located in Miami, FL
Incredible artistic beige enamel sculpted flowers that can be wall mounted. It is framed and can be hung in landscape format as well as horizontal format. In good vintage condition. ...
Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Carved Wood Wall Art Sculpture Panels, Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Superbly handcrafted pair of Mid-Century-Modern wooden wall art sculpture panels. The artworks feature dimensional female and male faces or mask wood relief with stylized shapes and ...
Rattan, Wood
Metal Altarpiece Religious Artwork, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique metal altarpiece wall artwork. Made by unknown artist in Spain, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiul...
Fabric
Vintage Enamel on Copper Image of Birds
By Judith Danner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Enamel on Copper image of Birds - signed new frameless Swiss Corner clip hanging system ready to hang.
Enamel, Copper