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.
Framed Butterflies Artwork, Mid-Century Modern, Spain, Circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Framed artwork made of butterflies. Made by unknown artist in Spain, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiul patina...
Fabric
Vintage Japanese Soroban Abacus, Handmade Wood, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Barcelona, ES
This exquisite handmade Japanese abacus, crafted circa 1940, is a stunning representation of traditional craftsmanship from the early 20th century. Known as a "soroban" in Japan, thi...
Wood
Pair Metal Swallow Wall Animal Sculptures, Signed, 1970s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Pair of wall sculptures crafted from metal, designed in the shape of swallows in flight. The surface presents a patinated shiny metallic finish. Each piece is signed by the artist on...
Metal
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Turner Geometric Mirror Wall Art, Silver Op Art Panel, Chicago USA 1960s
By Turner Manufacturing Company
Located in Toronto, CA
Vintage geometric mirror wall panel by Turner Manufacturing Company, Chicago, circa 1970s. Originally marketed as part of their “Fashion Plate Wall Accessories” line, this piece refl...
Aluminum
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Puigdemont ceramics. French Riviera large wall plates, Spain, 1950s
By Josep Vilà Clara Garriga, Bitossi, Puigdemont
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
French Riviera style pair of large artistic ceramic plates by the catalan ceramic artist Puigdemont, Spain, 1950s. Handmade in turned ceramic, with multicolored abstract art decorations, very typical of the 50s and 60s. Mid-Century and Atomic style. Very much in the style of the Catalan ceramic creations of brands such as La Bisbal, and other Catalan artists such as Jordi Serra...
Ceramic
$756Sale 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
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
$15,133Sale Price / set|49% Off
Rare Unica Collection Dishes Gio Ponti Franco Pozzi 1960 27 Pieces Multicolor
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Very rare collection of 27 pieces produced by Franco Pozzi Ceramiche based on a design by Gio Ponti.
Ceramic
Jaime Hayon & Nani Marquina 'Nani x Hayon' Wall Tapestry 130x120cm
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jaime Hayon & Nani Marquina 'Nani x Hayon' wall tapestry Hayon x Nani, size 120x130, comes with wall hanging solution made with fabric sleeves sewn to the top back of the rug...
Wool
$107Sale Price|40% Off
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
Danish Mid-Century Stoneware Wall Plaque ‘Fishes’ by Soholm Pottery Denmark
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Stunning wall plaque in vibrant colors with fishes.. Signed at the front by the designer and at the back stamped with a number and factory name.
Stoneware
Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Oval Majolica Palissy Fish Platter Vallauris, circa 1950 Fishs, lemon,starfish,shells,seaweeds. From Provence. Length / 11.5 inches on 7.8 inches,...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Large Abstract Resin Painting by Noted Artist Anita Weschler
By Anita Weschler
Located in New York, NY
Large and impressive abstract art work by noted artist Anita Weschler. This piece is from her series of resin pieces done in the mid 20th C., it is in v...
Resin
$107Sale Price|40% Off
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
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
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, garlic. Nautical style. 8.5 inches diameter
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
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
$107Sale Price|40% Off
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
$107Sale 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
French Mid-Century Black & Red Majolica Oyster, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Mid-Century Black & Red Majolica Oyster, circa 1950.
Ceramic
$90Sale Price|70% Off
Mid-Century Modern Carved Teak Relief Wall Art, Set of 2, 1950s
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...
Wood, Rattan
Richard Blow Attributed Montici Pietra Dura Plaque ca' 1960's Miniature
By Richard Blow
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A miniature pear in Pietra Dura technique attributed to Richard Blow for his Atelier in Montici Italy. Made ca' 1960's in the original period frame. Plaque measures overall - 5.75w"x...
Multi-gemstone
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
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
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
French Majolica Oyster Plate Proceram, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French green Majolica oyster plate signed Proceram, circa 1950.
Ceramic
$690Sale Price|23% 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
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
Casa Devall Sunburst Wall Sculpture
By Casa Devall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sunburst wall sculpture with a hammered brass center and two layers of painted rods creating a sunburst effect. The artist hand signed the sculpture on the verso.
Brass
Vintage Hand-Carved Wooden Lattice Panel Wall Art Decorative Architectural Panel
Located in Seattle, WA
This decorative wooden lattice panel features a repeating geometric open work pattern set within a solid rectangular wood frame. The pierced design is hand-carved, creating a dimensi...
Wood
$2,950Sale Price|34% Off
Painting by Peter Keil Mid-Century Modern Art, Black & White Art, C 1964, Signed
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
$107Sale Price|40% Off
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
French Mid-Century Blue Majolica Daisy Plate Maunier Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
French Mid-Century Blue Daisy Plate signed Maunier Vallauris. 8 inches diameter.
Ceramic, Faience
Large Stoneware Wall Relief by Bertil Vallien for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Gustavsberg, Bertil Vallien
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Large and richly modelled stoneware wall relief (väggrelief) by Bertil Vallien, produced by Gustavsberg, Sweden, in the 1960s. Executed in high-fired stoneware with a sculptural frui...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Lisa Larson tile - UNIK / Solros - Gustavsberg - Late 20th Century
By Gustavsberg
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product Description: The unik series designed by Lisa Larson in the Gustavsberg factory is composed of 9 kinds of tiles with different motif-designs. Besides different motifs there ...
Earthenware, Ceramic, Pottery
Set of 5 ceramic tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 5 tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s.
Ceramic
$4,035Sale Price|30% Off
Midcentury Italian Orientalist Wood Bar Cabinet in Gold and Black Lacquer, 1950
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian orientalist wood bar cabinet in gold and black lacquer, 1950.
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Large Oval Majolica Palissy Fish & Lobster Platter Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large oval Majolica Palissy wall platter Vallauris, circa 1950. Large fishes, lobster, seaweeds, tomato, garlic. From Provence, Mediterranean fishes. Length / 20 inches on 9 inches, ...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Mexican Modern Miguel Pineda Enamel Wall Plaque
Located in San Diego, CA
Enamel plaque by Mexican artist Miguel Pineda. This abstract still life is signed on the front and it retains an original gallery tag on the back. Hailing from Mexico City, Pineda studied under artist Maggie Howe...
Copper, Enamel
$1,916Sale 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
$200Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Keith Haring Andy Warhol AREA advertisement
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Haring, Andy Warhol Area c. 1985: Rare original advertisement for AREA nightclub featuring Andy Warhol (lower left) & Keith Haring (top center). Portrait by Michael Halsband. ...
Paper
8 brass door handles 1940s attributed arch. GIO PONTI.
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
8 double handles from 1940, cast brass attributed to architect Gió Ponti. They are in excellent condition with some patina from the era , but could be polished back to new.
Brass
$107Sale Price|40% Off
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
Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Wall Plaque, Horse Motif, 1960s
By Ruscha
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade midcentury modern rectangular ceramic wall plaque with expressive white horse motif. Matte and shiny glaze in blue, white, yellow and light gray colors. Metal mount for wall...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$148Sale Price|26% Off
Vintage Bjorn Wiindblad Decorative Plate 1001 Nights Lute Player Plate
By Jonathan Adler, Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
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
$192Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 38 ceramic tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 38 tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s.
Ceramic
Set of 5 ceramic tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 5 tiles by Roger Capron, France - 1970s.
Ceramic
Mid Century Gilt Metal Brutalist Fish Aquarium Wall Art
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Winter Park, FL
A Mid Century Modern gilt metal brutalist fish aquarium wall art sculpture from Majorca, Spain. Torch-cut coral reef with welded angel fish, seahorses, starfish, crabs and a turtle, ...
Metal
Rare Cosack Louis Kalff Royal Telescope Articulating Wall Light, Germany, 1950s
By Louis Kalff, Cosack Leuchten
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderfully stylish and pleasing to the eye swing light, easy to wall mount. This rare design wall lamp from the midcentury era is by Louis Kalff and it was manufactured by Gebrüder...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Original Floral Still Life Oil Painting, Midcentury, Blues and Greens
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Heavy palette floral still life done in primarily blues and greens. Painted by midcentury artist Etta Cien.
Paint
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
Mid-Century Majolica Yellow Oyster Plate Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century Ceramic Yellow Oyster Plate Vallauris
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