$695 / item
H 30 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
MCM Danish Bentwood Dining Chair, One Chair, 1960s (2 Available)
By Charles Eames, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning very cool Thonet black and Walnut bentwood dining chair. Two available. These are very
Bentwood
Eames 6 Panel Oak Room Divider by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Toledo, OH
Eames 6 panel oak room divider by Herman Miller. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames and Manufactured
Oak, Bentwood
$4,569Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
All-Black Eames Lounge Chair by Herman Miller 1970s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in The Hague, NL
Rare and elegant all-black edition of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair, produced by Herman Miller
Aluminum
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in Dm 34 in
Charles and Ray Eames CTW 'Coffee Table Wood' for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Saint Louis, MO
bearing "Eames Herman Miller" label. Excellent figuring in the birch wood grain. Bentwood dish top and
Birch, Bentwood
$480Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
DCM (Dining Chair Metal Base) by Charles and Ray Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Doral, FL
DCM (Dining Chair Metal Legs) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Ebony Stained Ash Bentwood
Metal
$13,227 / set
H 33.08 in W 33.08 in D 35.83 in
Eames Lounge Chair Cognac Brown and White Shell, Set of 2
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Munich, Bavaria
2 similar Eames lounge chairs from the Original Producer in germany Original Cognac brown
Aluminum
Early First Edition Eames Walnut LCM Chair for Evans
By Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company, Herman Miller
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Hard to find pair of early LCM chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured in the
Steel
Heywood Wakefield Eames Style Rosewood Chair and Ottoman
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a finely crafted chair and ottoman by Heywood Wakefield. The back is made of bentwood and
Leather, Bentwood
$1,995 / set
H 30 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Late 20th Century MCM Pair DCM Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller Black & Chrome
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of DCM chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller with
Chrome
Mid century modern vintage Eames style lounge chair and ottoman
By Charlton Company
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1970s vintage Charlton Company, Inc. mid century modern lounge chair and ottoman in walnut with original black vinyl. The chair swivels, tilts and rocks with its original sturdy Lest...
Naugahyde, Walnut, Bentwood
Unavailable
H 17.75 in W 46 in D 22 in
Pair of Charles Eames Influenced Black Lacquered Bentwood Triangle Tables
By Charles Eames
Located in Mount Penn, PA
coffee table. They are formed of bentwood reminiscent of Charles Eames designs. These tables are a very
Bentwood, Lacquer
Charles Eames Zenith Radio
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Toronto, ON
A walnut plywood, fabric, brass and Bakelite Zenith radio designed by Charles and Ray Eames 1946
Bakelite, Bentwood
Unavailable
H 29.5 in W 19.5 in D 22 in
LCM Eames Lounge Chair Plywood 1958 Black Frame Early Edition H Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Berkeley, CA
designed by Charles and Ray Eames and made by Herman Miller. Labeled LCM (Lounge Chair Metal) with bentwood
Metal
Unavailable
H 30 in W 19.5 in D 21.25 in
Charles Eames for Herman Miller 1st Generation Early Walnut DCW, ca. 1950
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Charles Eames for Herman Miller 1st Generation Early Walnut DCW, ca. 1950. Very early and well
Walnut, Bentwood
Unavailable
H 26.5 in W 22 in D 24 in
LCW Lounge Chair in Bent Plywood by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, US
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in New York, NY
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, US LCW lounge chair in bent plywood. Measures: Height
Bentwood
Unavailable
H 7.64 in W 12.13 in D 6.5 in
Hoffman Model A-309 Radio by Charles and Ray Eames and Evans Products Co., 1946
By Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
tabletop tube radio designed in 1946 by Charles and Ray Eames, and produced in association with Evans
Metal, Brass
Unavailable
H 33.47 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Plywood Desk or Side Chair by Cees Braakman for Pastoe Inspired by Eames, Dutch
By Cees Braakman
Located in Amsterdam, NL
obviously inspired by the famous Charles and Ray Eames plywood chair, this is documented in the fact that
Faux Leather, Birch, Bentwood, Plywood
Early Charles Eames Bentwood Lounge Chair Wood, LCW
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 1945 Charles Eames bentwood LCW, (lounge chair wood) for Herman Miller by Evans Production
Bentwood
Eames Style Bentwood Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Similar to the Eames designed LCM and DCM bentwood chairs made by Herman Miller, this pair has a
Eames for Herman Miller Bentwood Contemporary Modern LCW Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Eames for Herman Miller bentwood contemporary modern LCW accent chair. This wonderful little
Bentwood
Eames Style Bentwood Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Astoria, NY
Eames Style Bentwood Lounge Chair and Ottoman, covered in beige leather and on aluminum swivel
Leather, Bentwood
Set Of Four Eames DCM Bentwood Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic vintage modern chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames and made by Herman Miller. Labeled
Sold
H 28.5 in W 19.25 in D 22 in
Mid Century Modern Eames Style Screw Configuration Bentwood LCW Lounge Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Early Eames Style Screw Configuration Bentwood LCW Lounge Chair The Mid Century
Bentwood
1980s Bentwood Side Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in New York, NY
1980s bentwood side chair with iron base.
Iron
Vintage Herman Miller Eames Red Bentwood Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
By Herman Miller
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a pair of Vintage Herman Miller Eames Red Bentwood Lounge Chairs. Featuring a
Wood, Plywood, Paint
Sold
H 32.68 in W 33.47 in D 34.26 in
Eames 670 Lounge chair and 671 ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames for ICF
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Poltrona Eames 670 e ottomano 671 disegnati da Charles e Ray Eames per ICF su licenza di Herman
Aluminum
Charles & Ray Eames LCW chair for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Torino, IT
Charles & Ray Eames LCW chair for Herman Miller
Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern Eames Style Swivel Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
iconic Eames style design, bentwood walnut backside, dark brown leather cushions, chrome legs, swivel and
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Eames Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Selig
Located in Chattanooga, TN
. Gorgeous tufted caramel vinyl, bentwood walnut frame, aluminium base and adjustable spring action for the
Bentwood
Charles & Ray Eames Rare Two-Tone DCW Chairs for Evans
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Early and rare pair of two tone Eames for Evans DCW chairs. These examples are first generation and
Bentwood
Four Eero Saarinen for Knoll Bentwood Side Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Southampton, NJ
A set of four early Eero Saarinen side chairs having leather upholstery and bentwood legs. Produced
Leather, Bentwood
Early Edition Eames For Herman Miller LCW Lounge Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eames for Herman Miller. The chair has the early Eames 5-2-5 screw configuration indicating it's circa
Birch, Bentwood
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames, Vitra, 1980s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Pair of Lounge chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames. Germany, Vitra, 1986. Beautiful
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern Eames Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Selig, Plycraft
Located in Chattanooga, TN
most likely made by Selig or Plycraft. Gorgeous tufted cognac / caramel faux leather with bentwood
Faux Leather, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 27.25 in W 26.25 in D 22.75 in
Molded Bent Plywood Chair Metal Base Eames Style, 1950s Mid Century
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, Late 1950s Molded Wood Chair after Eames Herman Miller Knoll marvelous
Metal
Pair of Eames For Herman Miller LCW Lounge Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of molded birch plywood LCW, low seated easy lounge chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames
Bentwood
Vintage Eames Style Swivel Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Charlton Company
By Charles and Ray Eames, Charlton Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Eames Style Swivel Lounge Chair & Ottoman by the Charlton Company for Upholstery This mid
Leather, Upholstery, Bentwood
Sold
H 34 in W 33.25 in D 38 in
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Walnut
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding and iconic Mid-Century Modern lounge chair with ottoman By Charles and Ray Eames
Leather, Walnut, Bentwood
Classic Chair and Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic burgundy vintage leather seats and back in excellent vintage condition. Rarely seen color. Ottoman measures: Height: 17" Depth: 22" Width: 26"
Bentwood
Vintage Bentwood Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser
By Charles and Ray Eames, George Mulhauser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eames era tufted lounge chair made by Plycraft with attractive bentwood arms and back. Matching
Mid-Century Eames Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By George Mulhauser, Charles and Ray Eames, Kipp Stewart, Herman Miller, Plycraft
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century lounge chair and ottoman in the style of the iconic Eames lounge. Made from bentwood
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 39.5 in W 33 in D 32 in
Mid Century Retro Floral Plycraft Eames Style Chair and Ottoman c.1960’s
By Plycraft
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern Eames Style Lounge Chair and ottoman set by Plycraft c.1960’s. Previously
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 37 in W 32 in D 32 in
Lounge Chair & Ottoman Set After Charles & Ray Eames in Rosewood, USA, c. 1970's
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Deland, FL
after the iconic 670 Lounge and Ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Featuring
Leather, Rosewood
Plycraft Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Walnut
By Charles and Ray Eames, George Mulhauser, Plycraft, Selig
Located in Chattanooga, TN
bentwood walnut wood frame. The aluminum base has an adjustable spring action control knob to adjust lean
Faux Leather, Bentwood, Walnut
Mid-Century Selig Lounge and Ottoman
By George Mulhauser, Charles and Ray Eames, Selig, Herman Miller, Plycraft
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century swivel lounge and ottoman made by Selig. In the style of the Eames lounge. Iconic
Aluminum, Chrome
Mid-Century Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By Plycraft, Selig, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, George Mulhauser
Located in Raleigh, NC
lounge showcase the wonderful warm wood grain. Sitting atop a bentwood x-base allowing the lounge to
Chrome
Design Italian Lyra White Bar Stool Magis, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Magis
Located in Sofia, BG
Design Group Italia, the Lyra stool owes a lot to the way Charles Eames used bentwood. You can see the
Chrome
SALE Design Italian Lyra White Bar Stool Magis, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Magis
Located in Sofia, BG
Design Group Italia, the Lyra stool owes a lot to the way Charles Eames used bentwood. You can see the
Chrome
Eames Style Bentwood Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Astoria, NY
Eames Style Bentwood Swivel Lounge Chair and Ottoman, covered in beige leather, the chair on five
Leather, Bentwood
Eames Leather and Bentwood Ottoman by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller
Located in Germantown, MD
The Eames leather and bentwood Ottoman is the perfect addition to your Eames Lounge Chair. Using
Metal
Sold
H 26 in W 22 in D 22.5 in
Vintage Mid Century Ray & Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCW Bentwood Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is this iconic Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCW bentwood chair
Bentwood
Sold
H 30 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Dining Chairs by Thonet after Charles Eames DCW
By Thonet, Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
forms in birch. In the style of Charles Eames for Herman Miller.
Bentwood
Set of Five 1950s Thonet Bentwood Chairs
By Thonet, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Glendale, CA
Set of five 1950s Thonet bentwood chairs. Executed in bentwood with black vinyl seat and back
Naugahyde, Bentwood
Eight Beautiful Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, USA, 1950s
By Thonet, Charles Eames
Located in Miami, FL
Very well made chairs made of solid wood and bentwood.
Bentwood
Early Eames LCW Lounge Chairs
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Rochester, NY
All original early production Charles & Ray Eames LCW lounge chairs for Herman Miller in
Bentwood
Early Eames DCM for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Early aniline dyed black Eames DCM for Herman Miller. Photographed with Cappellini side table and
Bentwood
Sold
H 33 in W 15.25 in D 19 in
Thonet Dining Chairs, Bentwood and Fabric, Excellent Condition, Midcentury
By Thonet, Charles Eames
Located in Miami, FL
Set of ten Thonet dining chairs in great condition, bentwood and fabric. Ready for a new home
Fabric, Bentwood
Thonet Dining Chairs, Bentwood and Fabric, Mid-Century Modern
By Thonet, Charles Eames
Located in Miami, FL
Set of six Thonet dining chairs, bentwood and fabric. Chairs need be to be reupholstered, we can
Fabric, Bentwood
Vintage Modern Eames Style Swivel Lounge Chair
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Herman Miller style lounge chair features Mid-Century style with tufted vinyl upholstery and hardshell frame. Swivel/tilt base adds to the comfort of this plush lounge chair. Pl...
Bentwood
Charles Eames Molded Plywood CTW Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Baltimore, MD
Iconic molded plywood CTW coffee table designed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Features a
Bentwood, Plywood
Eames LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Eames molded plywood LCW (lounge chair wood) designed in 1946 by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman
Bentwood, Plywood
Charles Eames 671 Lounge Chair Ottoman, , Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charles & Ray Eames black leather and wood ottoman for lounge chair, Herman Miller, circa 1970s
Leather, Bentwood
Set of Ten Vintage Bentwood Student Chairs
By Charles Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of ten bentwood chairs feature metal frames, tapered legs and comfortable design
Vintage Eames Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Plycraft
Located in Rochester, NY
Eames style bent stacked laminated plywood swivel tilting walnut lounge chair and ottoman - good
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27 in W 22 in D 23 in
Charles and Ray Eames LCW Lounge Chairs, Early Production, circa 1950, Rare Pair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In 1946, these world-renowned LCW or “Lounge chair wood” chairs, by Charles and Ray Eames for
Bentwood, Walnut
Sold
H 31.11 in W 17.72 in D 21.26 in
12 Rare Mid-Century Design Stacking "Church" Chairs Wood Eames Style, '60
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Extremely rare, 12 industrial vintage mid-century Dutch Design stacking chairs from a church. Wooden frame and plywood seat and back. Some chairs have the original hook on the back ...
Wood, Bentwood, Plywood
Sold
H 39 in W 32 in D 32 in
Flair for Bernhardt Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Chrome/Leather/Oak after Eames
By Hudson's Bay Company, Bernhardt, Flair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the 1970s, it pains us somewhat to call this an Eame's inspired copy since its look is so
Steel, Chrome
$28,500
H 26.5 in W 92.75 in D 32 in
Warren Platner Walnut and Leather Floating Case Sofa for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and highly sought-after collectors piece (with celebrity provenance) is a Warren Platner Executive Leather Case Sofa designed for Lehigh Leopold in circa 1970...
Chrome
$929 / item
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 33.86 in
Pair of Articulated Sconce Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Black and White
By Stilnovo, Arredoluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This exquisite sconce is a nod to the timeless pieces crafted by mid-century modern Italian studios Arteluce and Stilnovo in the 1950s, but with a unique and distinctive design that ...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
$7,215 / set
H 31.11 in W 43.31 in D 40.56 in
Italian Mid-Century Natural Leather Space Age Armchairs, 1970s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
A stunning pair of armchairs made in Italy in the 1970s. The seat is very comfortable and supportive. The pads are still original and in very good condition. Original natural leather...
Metal
$9,350
H 54.73 in W 23.23 in D 17.33 in
Original Josef Hoffmann Dressing Table from 1905 by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
An extraordinary modern furniture from the best period of his works. He made trendsetting Industrial designs for the bentwood-industrie. This dressing-table is from the "Fledermaus" ...
Bentwood
Early Marco Zanuso Lady Chair, Italy, 1960s, New Pure Mohair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An early, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chair, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, burnt orange / rust coloured 100% mohair fabric. Brass feet with nat...
Brass
IVY Cabinet, Cherry, Brass, Josef Frank
Located in Miami, FL
IVY Cabinet by Dosbananos. Two-door cabinet covered in original Josef Frank 'Paradiset' wallpaper. Cherry wood with brass hinges and brass stretchers. Cabinet has four adjustable she...
Brass
$5,100 / set
H 32.09 in W 20.08 in D 20.87 in
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 2
By Mario Marenco, Mobil Girgi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" chairs for Mobil Girgi, black leather and beech, Italy, 1970, set of two. The iconic "Sapporo" chair consists of an individual backrest, conceived with two v...
Leather, Beech
Monumental Scandinavian Coffee Table by Svend Aage Madsen
By Svend Åge Madsen, Karl Lindegaard
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this beautiful teak coffee table spanning 71''. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen for Karl Lindegaard. In wonderful original condition with a warm patina and re...
Teak
$11,388 / set
H 54.34 in W 49.22 in D 16.54 in
Børge Mogensen "FDB" Cabinet in Elm and Pinewood, 1940s Danish Modern
By FDB Møbler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
Very rare and important cabinet by Børge Mogensen for "FDB" from the early 1940s. Skillfully crafted in beautiful Danish elm wood with interior in pine. The cabinet was part of a mod...
Elm, Pine
Craft Associates Modern Lounge Chair, 2002, the Parallax
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Laura Trenchard Manufacturer: Craft Associates Modern Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, Mohair Yardage: 6 yards, 5.5 meters condition Craft Asso...
Mohair, Walnut
$17,900 / set
H 26.75 in W 21.35 in D 29.5 in
Maurizio Tempestini, Slipper Chairs, Iron, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rattan and black-lacquered iron slipper lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, Italy, 1950s. Stamped "Made in Italy". Seat height: 12.65”
Iron
Wide Chair with Carved Back
Located in Somis, CA
A solid wood chair with beautiful carved back. The chair is exceptionally wide and sturdy with a large drawer for storage. The seat is set in the "floating panel" structure ensuring ...
Wood
Verner Panton 'Easy' Sofa for Verpan
By Verner Panton
Located in Tilburg, NL
Verner Panton 'Easy' sofa for Verpan. Designed in 1963. New, current production. With its round shapes and layered design, the Easy collection stands out as one of the most visual...
Fabric
Round ceramic herbarium coffee table by Roger Capron French vallauris
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Round coffee table by French ceramist Roger Capron from the 1960s, originally from Vallauris. Base structure in black lacquered metal and top made with glazed tiles in ochre hues, fe...
Metal
$999 / set
H 35.5 in W 23 in D 16 in
Set of Two Brutalist Bull Barstools Marbella with original Cushion, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous set of Brutalist bar stools. Set of two 'Brutalist' or 'Marbella' bar stools, in wood and metal, Spain, 1970s. A curved T-shape with three handles. The curved form makes s...
Metal
Charles and Ray Eames DCM Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of 6 Eames DCM Chairs Walnut seats and backs Good Grain pattern 1970s production
Walnut
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.