$18,137 / item
H 51.97 in W 65.75 in D 17.33 in
Kazuhide Takahama Bramante Cabinet for Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and
Wood
$22,018 / set
H 28.35 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Ronan & Erwan Bourroullec 'Cotone' Armchair Set, Aluminum and Fabric by Cassina
By Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd
Metal
$4,985 / item
H 13 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC10 Low Table by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and
Steel
$22,018 / set
H 28.35 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Ronan & Erwan Bourroullec 'Cotone' Armchair Set, Aluminum and Fabric by Cassina
By Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd
Metal
$5,816 / item
H 13 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Lc10 Ivory Table by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Steel
$3,786 / item
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC10 T5 Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and
Steel
$26,707 / item
H 24.81 in W 93.31 in D 28.75 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC3 Divano Sofa by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Steel
$5,044 / item
H 25.6 in W 25.99 in D 25.6 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, C. Perriand LC1 UAM Chair by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Steel
$5,816 / item
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC10 T5 Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Steel
$3,786 / item
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC10 T5 Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts
Steel
$8,190 / item
H 27.17 in W 64.18 in D 22.05 in
Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC4 Noire Chaise Lounge by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Metal
$8,902 / item
H 27.17 in W 64.18 in D 22.05 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC4 Chaise Lounge by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Metal
$3,786 / item
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Lc10 T5 Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Steel
$14,291 / item
H 28.35 in W 29.14 in D 35.04 in
Marco Zanuso Woodline Armchair for Cassina, Walnut & Leather, Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Wood
$8,546 / item
H 27.96 in W 63 in D 47.25 in
Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier LC12 La Roche Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Steel
$12,285 / item
H 26.38 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 Poltrona Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Steel
$12,285 / item
H 26.38 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 Poltrona Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Steel
$18,695 / item
H 55.12 in W 88.59 in D 17.72 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC20 Casier Standard by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Metal
$4,569 / item
H 25.6 in W 25.99 in D 25.6 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand White LC1 Chair by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Steel
$2,385 / item
H 10.63 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Le Corbusier LC14 Tabouret Cabanon Wood Stool For Cassina
By Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Wood
$12,320 / item
H 26.38 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 Poltrona Armchair by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Steel
$4,391 / item
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 22.45 in
Hommage À Pierre Jeanneret Capitol Complex Chair For Cassina
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the
Cane, Wood
$19,585 / item
H 26.78 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 Two-Seat Sofa by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Steel
Le Corbusier LC14 Maison Du Brésil Wood Stool For Cassina
By Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Wood
$19,585 / item
H 26.78 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 Two-Seat Sofa by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Steel
$6,231 / item
H 12.01 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Light Suspension 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Charles and Ray Eames, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Aluminum
$6,231 / item
H 12.01 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Light Suspension 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Cassina, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Aluminum
$18,101 / item
H 27.96 in W 100.79 in D 30.71 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC5 Black Leather Sofa by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the
Metal
$19,585 / item
H 26.78 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC2 2-Seat Sofa by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd
Steel
$17,151 / item
H 28.35 in W 86.62 in D 31.5 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC11-P Wood Table by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and
Iron
$8,130 / item
H 27.17 in W 64.18 in D 22.05 in
Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Lc4 Noire Chaise Lounge by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Metal
$2,065 / item
H 11.82 in W 5.91 in D 11.82 in
Aluminium Tsai Table Lamp by Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Aluminum
$2,646 / item
H 17.72 in W 9.06 in D 11.82 in
Aluminium Tsai Table Lamp by Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Aluminum
$1,258 / item
H 11.82 in W 3.15 in D 5.91 in
Aluminium Tsai Table Lamp by Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Aluminum
$3,786 / item
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC10 T5 Mud Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts
Steel
$29,674 / item
H 28.35 in W 86.62 in D 31.5 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC11-P Marble Table by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and
Marble, Iron
$8,190 / item
H 27.17 in W 64.18 in D 22.05 in
Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Lc4 Noire Chaise Lounge by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Metal
$4,926 / item
H 25.6 in W 25.99 in D 25.6 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC1 Villa Church Chair by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and
Steel
$4,213 / item
H 25.6 in W 25.99 in D 25.6 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, C. Perriand Lc1 Chair Outdoor Collection by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Steel
$36,488
H 29.14 in W 102.37 in D 40.16 in
Marcel Breuer And Carlo Scarpa Delfi Marble and Glass Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Marcel Breuer, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional
Marble
$23,834 / set
H 26.38 in W 29.93 in D 27.56 in
Set of Two LC2 Armchair by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Steel
$5,406 / item
H 25.6 in W 25.99 in D 25.6 in
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, C. Perriand LC1 Chair Outdoor Collection by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charlotte Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and
Steel
$9,911 / set
H 25.2 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Set of Two Lc1 Chairs by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Steel
$6,172 / item
H 34.26 in W 31.5 in D 7.49 in
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Black Light Applique 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Cassina, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Aluminum
$10,089 / set
H 34.26 in W 31.5 in D 7.49 in
Charles And Ray Eames Set of Two Dot Pattern Light Appliques Spheres by Cassina
By Charles and Ray Eames, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Aluminum
$4,059 / item
H 23.63 in W 31.11 in D 7.49 in
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern White Light Applique 4 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Cassina, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Aluminum
$4,059 / item
H 23.63 in W 31.11 in D 7.49 in
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Black Light Applique 4 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Cassina, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been
Aluminum
$3,133 / item
H 23.63 in W 26.38 in D 0.79 in
Le Corbusier LC17 Portemanteau, Unité De Camping, Roquebrune For Cassina
By Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts
Oak
$14,291 / item
H 28.35 in W 29.14 in D 35.04 in
Marco Zanuso Woodline Armchair for Cassina, Wood, Mid-Century Modern
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco
Wood
$6,884
H 28.75 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Armchair Gio Ponti Design Attributed by Figli Di Amedeo Cassina, Original Velvet
By Gio Ponti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Vigonza, Padua
, Charlotte Perriand, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso In February 2014 the group
Velvet, Wood
$10,148 / set
H 25.2 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Set of Two LC1 Chairs, Le Corbusier, P.Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Steel
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Flat Neige Plates For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Porcelain
$9,139 / set
H 25.2 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Set of Two LC1 Chairs by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso. While the designs and functional concepts have been precisely
Steel
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Flat Tronc Plates For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Porcelain
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Dessert Tronc Plates For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Porcelain
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Flat Arete Plates For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Porcelain
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Dessert Neige Plates For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Franco Albini, Frank Lloyd Wright and Marco Zanuso
Porcelain
Furniture manufacturer Cassina is a prolific design house for more reasons than one: It not only owns the licenses to an exquisite collection of iconic chairs, sofas, tables and other pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries but also produces original works that are characterized by innovation and the finest Italian craftsmanship.
Cassina’s illustrious legacy includes being one of the first companies to bring industrial design to Italy in the 1950s. Founded in 1927 in Meda, Italy, by brothers Cesare and Umberto Cassina, the Italian manufacturing giant originally specialized in bespoke woodworking. In nearly a century since its founding, the company has shown incredible foresight about design trends and the evolution of technology.
In 1964, Cassina signed an exclusive licensing agreement to manufacture furniture by Le Corbusier and his collaborators — such as the LC4 chaise longue made with trailblazing French modernist Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret — a move that would shape the future of the company. Cassina’s I Maestri collection is an ongoing initiative to restyle landmark designs from the 20th century, such as pieces by Gerrit Rietveld (the Red and Blue armchair from 1918), Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Erik Gunnar Asplund, Franco Albini and Frank Lloyd Wright. The company preserves the intentions and original styles of their designs but adds updated techniques, materials and processes — rendering them the best possible combination of past, present and future. The brand has also worked with contemporary icons like Zaha Hadid, Gio Ponti and Philippe Starck.
Cassina’s original designs are cutting-edge as well. They include pieces for everyday use, the development of which is guided by comfort and the marriage of Italian craftsmanship with industrial technology.
Some of Cassina’s pieces, both from its contemporary and I Maestri collections, can be found in the collections of museums like the Museum of Modern Art and the Vitra Design Museum. In 2014, the company became part of Haworth in its acquisition of Italian furniture group Poltrona Frau, and in 2015, Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola joined Cassina as its art director, leading the brand into its next century of inventive style.
Find a collection of new and vintage Cassina furniture on 1stDibs.
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.