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Fratelli Toso Pink and Blue "Sommerso" Murano Glass Bowl, Italy 1960s
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Roma, IT
wonderful piece was designed by the Toso brothers in Murano, Italy during the 1960s This wonderful item is
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Opalescent Pink Bubbles Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The outside opal color of the vase changes depending on
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Opalescent Pink Bubbles Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. It still retains two original labels, as shown. There is
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Italian Murano Pink, Gold & White Opaline Art Glass Bowl by Fratelli Toso
By Fratelli Toso
Located in New York, NY
Fratelli Toso company, circa mid-20th century, Italy. A beautiful oblong piece with an organic modern
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Italian Art Glass Bowl, 1950s
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Midcentury Murano Glass Bowl with Aventurine Flecks. Attributed to Fratelli Toso. Italy, 1950
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Copper

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Aventurine Ribbons Italian Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
centerpiece bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The bowl is made with twisting pink and copper
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Sommerso, Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Red Pink Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Satin Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
glass bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The bowl has blue millefiori flowers over the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Opalescent Pink Aventurine Ribbons Italian Art Glass Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
footed bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company, circa 1956. The bowl has a scalloped flared out rim
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Pink Opalescent Italian Art Glass Heart Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
wild flower murrines. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso, circa 1950s. The bowl has a
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine, Opaline Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Blue Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The surface does not have
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Tall Venetian Glass Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Phoenix, AZ
castle import label on the side which usually denotes the fact that it came from Fratelli Toso. Also
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Ribbons Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
/ fazzoletto vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The piece has an original "Murano Glass - Made In
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Blue Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
/ fazzoletto vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, with partial original blue and silver label still
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Opal Pink Bubbles Italian Art Glass Scroll Top Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. It still retains an original label. There is a slightly
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass, Sommerso

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Ribbons Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
handkerchief / fazzoletto vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. Made with pink "A canne" pieces and
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Blue White Ribbon Vintage Italian Art Glass Decanter
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The sky blue and light pink ribbons have a twist design, and the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Ribbon

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Ribbons Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
/ fazzoletto vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. Made with twisting latticing pieces and formed into
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Copper Aventurine Ribbons Italian Art Glass Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Italian art glass decorative centerpiece bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. Has a ruffled and
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Copper Aventurine Ribbons Italian Art Glass Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Italian art glass decorative bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. Has a ruffled and folded in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Opal Pink Aventurine Swirl Italian Art Glass Center Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
aventurine swirls. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company, in the "Apparenza" design, also called "Starry
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Opaline Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Blue Stripes Aventurine Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
art glass flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, circa 1950-60s. The piece has a thick
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Violet Murano Glass 1960/70s vase by Fratelli Toso
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Murano "sommerso" vase in clear and violet glass manufactured in Italy by the Glasswerk Fratelli
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Murano Pink Blue White & Gold Art Glass Bowl or Ashtray Fratelli Toso
By Fratelli Toso
Located in New York, NY
-20th century, Italy, attributed to Fratelli Toso. Great as a standalone bowl or use as a catchall for
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Pink Opaline and Lattimo Glass Shell Bowl or Ashtray by Fratelli Toso, Italy
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Opalescent shell bowl / ashtray by Fratelli Toso, Italy, circa 1959. This shell bowl / ashtray is
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Decorative Bowls

Materials

Opaline Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Ribbon Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Pitcher Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
/ vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, with original "Murano Glass - Made In Italy" label
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Gold Leaf

Fratelli Toso Murano Gold Flecks Swirl Pink Blue Art Glass Bowl / Ashtray, 1950s
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Barcelona, ES
. Attributed to Fratelli Toso, Italy, 1950s The iridescent effect of the gold aventurine and the optic effect
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Gold Leaf

Fratelli Toso Murano Red Pink White Flower Murrine Italian Art Glass Ewer Cruet
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Italian art glass mosaic ewer, cruet. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The flowers are made in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Red Orange Metallic Black Italian Art Glass Decanter
By Ermanno Toso, Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
glass decanter. Documented to designer Ermanno Toso for the Fratelli Toso company. The design is
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine, Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Blue Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
handkerchief / fazzoletto vase centerpiece. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, with similars published in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Green Ribbons Large Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Fratelli Toso, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
sculptural handkerchief / fazzoletto flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The vase has an
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Pink White Ribbons Italian Art Glass Decorative Dish Bowl
By Fratelli Toso, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
scalloped rim bowl / vide-poche. Attributed to the Fratelli Toso company. Created with pink "A canne" pieces
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Black Bullseye Murrine Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The murrines pieces are all lined in black, like stained
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Multicolored a Canne Vase, Murano, Italy, circa 1965
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Fratelli Toso a canne glass vase manufactured, circa 1965. Made by fusing clear, blue, pink, red
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Butterfly Italian Art Glass Paperweights
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
glass paperweights. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. The first has concentric rows of wild
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Green White Italian Art Glass Crown Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. This paperweights are often referred to as "crown
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Mosaic Wild Flowers Basket Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
glass ribbons basket paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The inside of the basket has
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flowers Antique Italian Art Glass Cabinet Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
cabinet vase / pitcher. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company, circa 1910-1930. The piece has a
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Antique Red and White Fratelli Toso Millefiori Vase, Murano, circa 1910
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique red and white Fratelli Toso Millefiori vase, Murano circa 1910 A large Millefiore murrine
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Handblown Fluted Murano Glass Vase by Fratelli Toso, Murano, Italy, 1950s
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Vienna, AT
Handblown fluted Murano glass vase by Fratelli Toso, Murano, Italy, 1950s. Dusky pink body bearing
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Antique Tall Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
double handles vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, circa 1900-1920. Amazingly the vase still
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Rainbow Filigrana Ribbons Italian Art Glass Swan Figurine
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
swan bird figurine. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso company, with silver and blue shield
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Art Glass Decorative Object Swirl Design, Signed
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Miami, FL
wavy fashion. The base is white with little shades of purple, blue and pink. The colors move from
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Ribbons Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The piece has a green, white and orange color
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Ribbon, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Star Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pitcher
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
pitcher / vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. The pitcher has a large mouth, with thick clear
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Footed Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Italian art glass satin foot vase. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso company. Many pieces like
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Rainbow Stripes Ribbon Glass Vase with Gold Flecks
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Fratelli Toso, Italy, 1950s. This stunning large tied rope sack bag shaped art glass vase is made of multi
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Gold Leaf

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Star Mosaic Italian Art Glass Bowl Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
centerpiece tall bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. Many of the murrines are lined in opal white
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass, Murrine

Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Star Opal Mosaic Italian Art Glass Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
art glass vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. The vase has a large mouth with flared rim
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Fratelli Toso Rainbow Ribbons Italian Art Glass Vanity Casket Jewelry Box
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
jewelry box. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. There are pink, yellow, teal green, blue and white
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Metal

Pink Murano Floral Vase with Footed Base by Fratelli Toso, c. 1950's
By Fratelli Toso, Flavio Poli
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern large footed bowl or vase in pink fuchsia Murano glass. hand blown using
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Ribbons Italian Art Glass Sculptural Fazzoletto Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
art glass sculptural handkerchief / fazzoletto vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company, and in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Toso Murano Pink Blue White Millefiori Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Bud Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
cabinet / flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. I have previously owned similars with the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Fratelli Toso and Barbini Murrine Flowers Italian Art Glass Paperweights
By Alfredo Barbini, Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
glass paperweights. Documented to Fratelli Toso and Alfredo Barbini. The first paperweight has magenta
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Ermanno Toso Murano Satin Surface Pink Canes Pentoni Italian Art Glass Vase
By Fratelli Toso, Ermanno Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
glass flower vase / bottle. Documented to designer Ermanno Toso, for the Fratelli Toso company. The vase
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

2 Kg Floral Glass Bowl Shell Centerpiece by Fratelli Toso Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Alessandro Mandruzzato, Flavio Poli, Fratelli Toso
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
FRATELLI TOSO in the 1970s in Murano, Italy. It is made in Murano technique and has a nice organic form
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Murano Glass

Toso Murano 1976 Blue Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Basket Paperweight
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The piece also has a 1976
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

Toso Murano Millefiori Daisy Clover Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Footed Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
mosaic cabinet / bud vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. The vase has a crimped ruffle rim
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Toso Murano Millefiori Daisy Clover Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Footed Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
cabinet / bud vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. It has a crimped ruffle rim, with very
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine, Glass

Toso Murano Millefiori Daisy Clover Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Duck Figure
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
duck bird figurine / sculpture. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The 2 different murrines in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

2, 5 Kg Floral Glass Bowl Shell Centerpiece by Fratelli Toso Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Alessandro Mandruzzato, Fratelli Toso, Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
was produced by FRATELLI TOSO in the 1970s in Murano, Italy. It is made in Murano technique and has a
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Murano Glass

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Fratelli Toso Pink For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic fratelli toso pink available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of glass, murano glass and blown glass, every fratelli toso pink was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a fratelli toso pink — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A fratelli toso pink, designed in the Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco or Art Nouveau style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made fratelli toso pink has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Fratelli Toso, Alfredo Barbini and Ermanno Toso are consistently popular.

How Much is a Fratelli Toso Pink?

The average selling price for a fratelli toso pink at 1stDibs is $750, while they’re typically $200 on the low end and $5,000 for the highest priced.

A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture

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 legendary 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.

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.

Finding the Right decorative-objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation. Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.