Japanese Ikebana Cast Iron Tripod Planter, Nanbu Tekki Style
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking expression of Japanese minimalism and craftsmanship, this cast iron ikebana planter embodies the quiet elegance of traditional Nanbu tekki metalwork. Defined by its elonga...
Iron
Sold
H 3.94 in W 10.24 in D 4.14 in
Japanese Mid Century Cast Iron Ikebana Planter in Style of Isamu Noguchi, 1950s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare mid century Japanese ikebana cast iron planter dish in style of Isamu Noguchi produced in Japan, 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 10 cm / 3.95" W: 26 cm ...
Iron
Modernist Japanese Cast Iron Vase, 1960s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century modernist iron vase from Japan. A compelling minimalist twisted form crafted from thick iron. Signed in the casting. Japan, 1960s
Iron
Nanbu Japan Cast Iron Ikebana Footed Vase / Planter ca 1950s/60s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Nanbu, Japan Cast Iron Ikebana Footed Vase / Planter ca 1950s/60s Nanbu is an area of Japan that is famous for making quality cast iron products, including teapots and other housewa...
Iron
Sold
H 3.5 in W 10.5 in D 4.5 in
1950s Japanese Black Cast Iron Three Footed Tripod Bowl Vessel Planter Ikebana
By Bonniers, Isamu Noguchi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A cast iron three footed tripod bowl from Japan circa 1950s. similar to Isamu Noguchis designs for Bonniers. This would make a great centerpiece on a table or an accent piece on a sh...
Iron
Nanbu Japan Cast Iron Ikebana Footed Vase / Planter ca 1950s/60s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Nanbu, Japan Cast Iron Ikebana Footed Vase / Planter ca 1950s/60s Nanbu is an area of Japan that is famous for making quality cast iron products, including teapots and other housewa...
Iron
Set of Modernist Japanese Ikebana Vases
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modernist vintage set of iron ikebana vases from Japan. Small, cast iron, built in frog, wonderful patina.
Iron
Modernist Japanese Cast Iron Vase
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Cast iron vase from Japan. Great patina. Signed.
Iron
Midcentury Cast Iron Ikebana Vessel from Japan
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury solid cast iron Ikebana vessel from Japan. There are three legs. Unsigned.
Iron
Mid-Century Cast Iron Ikebana Vessel from Japan
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century solid cast iron Ikebana vessel from Japan. There are three legs. Unsigned.
Iron
Iron Ikebana Vessel from Japan, 1950s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury solid cast iron Ikebana vessel from Japan. There are three legs. Unsigned.
Iron
Mid-Century Iron Ikebana Vessel from Japan
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century solid cast iron Ikebana vessel from Japan. There are three legs. Unsigned.
Iron
Mid-Century Iron Ikebana Vessel from Japan
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century solid cast iron Ikebana vessel from Japan. There are three legs. Unsigned.
Iron
$269Sale Price|69% Off
H 2.13 in Dm 7.44 in
Danish Cast Iron Tripod Moon Crater Dish Cabin Candelabra Midcentury Sculpture
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Uncommon form. Very matte grey/black, 2-piece, cast iron candelabra or dish with pierced lid. Heavy little table decor. Weighs just over 5.5 lbs.
Iron
$1,114
H 14.57 in Dm 25.2 in
Mid-Century Modern Round Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Round planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Beautiful patina. The upper part inclines slightly, for better vision of the plants and flowers in it.
Cement
Large vintage planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1950s Switzerland.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Large vintage planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1950s Switzerland. Made from Guhl’s characteristic fibre cement, the planter has a beautifully simple, sculptural form with a wide, s...
Fibre Cement
Willy Guhl Monumental Cone Planter on Stand, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Willy Guhl cone planter with twisted iron base. Three triangular legs that each come to a point give this base a unique tripod design. Cone floats slightly off the ground ...
Concrete
$2,500
H 19 in W 31.13 in D 31.13 in
Vintage Willy Guhl Fiber Cement Planter on Iron Base, Mid-Century
By Willy Guhl
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Willy Guhl designed fiber cement planter for Eternit of Switzerland, vintage 1960s, this is an icon of mid-century modern indoor-outdoor living. The pure form is a wide, yet shallo...
Iron
$1,650Sale Price|38% Off
H 14.25 in Dm 25 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concrete spindel planter has a ...
Concrete
$5,500
H 16 in Dm 26 in
Large Early John Follis Architectural Pottery Planter Pot in Wrought Iron Base
By John Follis, Architectural Pottery
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large early and rare Architectural Pottery planter pot. Bisque finish pot in original wrought iron base. Designed by John Follis one of the earlier production pieces. Pot has a 26" d...
Pottery
Willy Guhl Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl for Eternit 47" planter on stand. Floating saucer planter on base. Sculptural garden vessel. The base can be flipped upside down for use as a second planter directly on...
Concrete
Tapered Round Concrete Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chireno, TX
Tapered round concrete Willy Guhl planter circa 1960s. Two available (see last picture and other listing) and priced individually at $1,400 each.
Concrete
$4,300Sale Price|21% Off
H 15.5 in Dm 42.5 in
Large Adjustable Spindle Planter by Willy Guhl, Switzerland 1970s, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and large-scale adjustable tilted spindle planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1978. This sculptural example exemplifies Guhl’s m...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Round Pedestal Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique 1960s pedestal planter by Willy Guhl. Crafted from a special fiber-cement that makes it lightweight, yet durable. Pedestal has a hollow interior with a circle shaped opening...
Concrete
$1,342
H 18.51 in Dm 25.2 in
Midcentury Mode Round Planter Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Round planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Beautiful patina. The upper part inclines slightly, for better vision of the plants and flowers in it.
Cement
Modernist Japanese Iron Fish Incense Bowl
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Iron sculptural fish bowl from Japan. Great for incense. Wonderful patina. Signed with a Japanese mark. 1950s
Iron
Large Fesco Architectural Pottery Style Modernist Plastic Planter Pot
By Architectural Pottery, David Cressey
Located in Ferndale, MI
Fesco synthetic planter pot. Styled after David Cressey Architectural pottery pieces.
Synthetic
Midcentury Ceramic Ikebana Vase Sculpture, Japan 1960
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible modernist dual spout Ikebana stoneware flower vase. Signed on the base. Japan, 1960
Ceramic
Minimalist Matte Black Ceramic Ikebana Suiban Vessel, Japan, circa 1970s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural minimalist ceramic ikebana vessel in a striking asymmetrical double-oval form with a rich matte black glaze. Designed as a suiban for the Japanese art of flower arrangin...
Ceramic
Ceramic Tissue Box
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
CERAMIC TISSUE BOX, designed in 2023. Artisanal ceramic tissue box created by skilled artisans in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade natu...
Ceramic, Clay
$4,000
H 50.01 in W 61.42 in D 29.93 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old large Tansu made in Japan. This furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The material used is cedar wood. The iron metal fittings in the center add an...
Iron
$2,271 / set
H 8 in W 8 in D 8 in
Set of 4 Pedestal Boxes in Shagreen, Shell and Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$171 / item
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Handmade Small Decorative Paperweight Cube in Black Marquina Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Small decorative paperweight cube full in black Marquina marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisans ...
Marble
$525Sale Price|25% Off
H 6.63 in W 5 in D 6.5 in L 6.5 in
Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Star Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pitcher
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown multi-color Millefiori flower and star mosaic Italian art glass pitcher / vase. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The pitcher ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 36N Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi are considered icons of 1950s modern design. Designed by Noguchi beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half century by the original manufacture...
Bamboo, Paper
$10,285 / set
H 29.93 in W 22.45 in D 6.7 in
Pair of Large Organic Uchiwa Wall Sconces by Ingo Maurer, Germany, 1973
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Pair of Large Organic Uchiwa Wall Sconces by Ingo Maurer, Germany, 1973 Two pieces of big vintage organic Uchiwa fan lamps with metal holder for wall hanging. Designed from Ingo Mau...
Bamboo, Paper
$2,200
W 43 in L 61 in
Vintage Gabbeh Tribal Rug in Brown with Red, Green & Gray Borders by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A vintage 4x5 Persian Gabbeh rug in the latest entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This piece emanates a...
Wool
Meiji Period 2-Panel Silver Leaf Screen: Oxidised Patina
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A quiet study in texture and tone. This Meiji-period two-panel screen features silver leaf that has naturally oxidised over time, creating a soft, atmospheric surface of shifting gre...
Silver Leaf
$7,428 / item
H 17.33 in W 11.82 in D 21.66 in
Contemporary Plywood Stag T Stool / Side Table by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Warsaw, PL
Stag T Stool / Side Table by Rick Owens Dimensions: L 55 x W 30 x H 44 cm Materials: Plywood, antler moose Weight: 7.3 kg Each piece is unique and may differ as the Antler Moos...
Antler, Plywood
Nambu Ironware Three-Legged Water Basin ②
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Nambu Ironware Three-Legged Water Basin Morioka/Mizusawa, Iwate Prefecture Mid-Showa Period (circa 1960s-1970s) This piece features the characteristic heavy iron surface of Nambu ir...
Iron
Metal Room Divider by Salvatore Messina
By Salvatore Messina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Salvatore Messina, room divider or wall unit, aluminum, Italy, 1960s Salvatore Messina (1916–1982) explored the themes of movement and spatial concepts through his innovative metal ...
Aluminum
Signature Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Signature Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: W 185 x D 11 x H 21 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nicke...
Alabaster, Copper
Seashell Diskometal Bowl by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Lovely Seashell-Shaped Diskometal Bowl designed by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Small sculptural Diskometal bowl shaped as a seashell * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: 2051 * Year...
Metal
$2,402 / item
H 29.93 in W 27.56 in D 21.66 in
Oscar Tusquets, Mid-Century Modern, Black Ash Gaulino Spanish Easy Chair
By Oscar Tusquets Blanca, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gaulino easy chair designed by Oscar Tusquets manufactured by BD Barcelona design, circa 2010. Solid ash lacquered in black with seat in black hide. Gaulino chair which, desi...
Leather, Ash
Cuore Grande Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze
By Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro
Located in New York, NY
The Cuore Grande with its large organically styled shade is designed to be unexpected yet clean and harmoniously balanced. The shade diffusers can be Alabaster for a natural look or ...
Alabaster, Brass
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.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Prehistoric motifs give the mid-century Italian fireplace an elemental feel.
Their charming solid-oak pieces offer homes utility and comfort.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Designer Susan Yeley turned to 1stDibs to outfit an Indiana home with standout pieces that complement its modernist style.