$4,632 / set
H 28.55 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Set of 8 Chairs, Model Noruega, by Gastão Machado for Móveis Olaio, 1978
By Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
This set of eight chairs was designed by Gastão Machado for Móveis Olaio, Portugal, in 1978. Gastão
Faux Leather, Wood
José Espinho Armchair Model Prefa for Móveis Olaio, 1962
By Olaio, José Espinho 1
Located in Lisboa, PT
Model Prefa for Move´is Olaio is one of the greatest pieces done by Jose´ Espinho. The back of the chair
Faux Leather, Cedar
$2,455
H 16.54 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Coffee Table by José Espinho for Estoril Sol Hotel, Model Export, 1970's
By Olaio, José Espinho 1
Located in Lisboa, PT
This exquisite coffee table, designed by José Espinho and produced by Móveis Sousa Braga and Móveis
Wood
$1,286 / item
H 16.54 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Side Tables by José Espinho for Estoril Sol Hotel, Model Export, 1970's
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
This stunning side table, designed by José Espinho and produced by Móveis Sousa Braga and Móveis
Wood
Vintage Portuguese Bedside Table by Móveis Olaio, 1960's
By Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
This bedside table was designed and produced by Móveis Olaio in Portugal during the 1960's. It is
Wood
Typist Chair, Model Simples, by Móveis Olaio, 1940's
By Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
This typist chair was designed and produced by Móveis Olaio, during the 1940's, for the Agronomic
Beech
Sold
H 26.97 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
Dining Table, Model Brasil, by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio, 1967
By Olaio, José Espinho 1
Located in Lisboa, PT
This dining table, model 'Brasil' was designed by José Espinho and produced by Móveis Olaio, in
Wood, Beech
Sold
H 33.67 in W 18.71 in D 16.54 in
Pair of School Chairs, Model Sena, by António Sena Da Silva, for Móveis Olaio
By Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
Gastão Martins Machado and Leonor Álvares de Oliveira, and produced by Móveis Olaio, in Portugal between
Beech
Drawing Board and Chair by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio, 1970's
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
A rare and well-preserved Drawing Board and Chair set designed by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio in
Metal
Armchair by José Espinho for Olaio, Portugal, 1960s
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair, linha Prefa for Moveis Olaio. Designed in 1961 by José Espinho. Portugal, 1960s.
Beech
Prefa Desk by José Espinho for Móves Olaio, 1962
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
This desk, model Prefa, was designed by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio, in Portugal, in 1962. On the
Copper
Coffee Table, Model Excelsior, by José Espinho for Olaio, 1962
By Olaio, José Espinho 1
Located in Lisboa, PT
This coffee table, model "Excelsior", was designed by José Espinho and produced by Móveis Olaio, in
Wood
Sold
H 28.94 in W 24.81 in D 19.69 in
Set of Ten José Espinho Black Lacquered Florida Armchairs, Portugal, 1961
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
Móveis Olaio. The model exemplifies Espinho’s modernist sensibility and refined craftsmanship, merging
Velvet, Lacquer
Sold
H 30.71 in W 27.17 in D 27.17 in
José Espinho Undianuno Wood Olaio 67 Armchair for Móveis Olaio, 1967
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
Olaio 67 was the first collapsible armchair produced by Móveis Olaio. Keeping the functional, would
Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 58.67 in D 27.17 in
José Espinho Midcentury Yellow Fabric "Olaio 67" Sofa for Móveis Olaio, 1967
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
Olaio 67 was the first collapsible sofa produced by Móveis Olaio. Keeping the functional, would
Wood
Sold
H 29.93 in W 55.91 in D 35.44 in
Vintage Agba Wood "Nilva" Dining Table by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio, 1960s
By José Espinho 1, Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
This dining table is made from Agba wood and was designed in the 1960s by José Espinho for Olaio
Wood
Sold
H 77.96 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Industrial Portuguese Walnut Roller Blind Door Filing Cabinet by Olaio, 1940s
By Olaio
Located in Lisboa, PT
Portuguese Manufacture Móveis Olaio. Marked by Maker.
Walnut
$795Sale Price / item|47% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and honey coloured lambskin. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. M...
Oak
Isamu Noguchi coffee table by Herman Miller.
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
For your viewing is Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table produced between 1965 and 1980. Over all height is 15.75" and the thickness of the glass is 0.75" (19mm) This table came out of a 35 ye...
Glass, Cherry
Coffee Table by Mario Marenco for Mobilgirgi, Italy 1970s
By Mario Marenco
Located in Roma, IT
Coffee Table by Mario Marenco for Mobilgirgi, Italy 1970s. Cm 32,00 x 87,00 x 87,00. Walnut Wood. Good conditions!
Walnut
Glossy Cream Ceramic Chandelier in Antique Brass 5-Arm 42.5" DIA
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Five antique brass patina arms curve up from a ceramic cluster dish to five tall stoneware ceramic shades in a glossy glaze with a subtle off-white hue. With a fixed black walnut orb...
Brass
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Brass
Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE (LARGE) floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its ...
Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass
$6,197 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$2,000 / item
H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Brass
$2,311Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.7 in Dm 29.5 in
Small 'Floatation' Japanese Paper Suspension Lamp for Ingo Maurer
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Glendale, CA
Small 'Floatation' Japanese paper suspension lamp for Ingo Maurer. Designed and produced by Ingo Maurer, one of the most celebrated German lighting icons since 1966. With imaginatio...
Metal, Iron
$4,500 / item
H 36 in Dm 32.5 in
Glossy Cream Ceramic Lola Chandelier in Antique Brass 3-Arm 32.5" DIA
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three antique brass patina arms curve up from a ceramic cluster dish to three tall stoneware ceramic shades in a glossy glaze with a subtle off-white hue. With a fixed black walnut o...
Brass
Ceiba Table Lamp
By Chuch Estudio
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba Lamp embodies the essence of artisanal craftsmanship, meticulously crafted entirely by hand. Inspired by the sacred Tree of Life in the Yucatan Peninsula, renowned as the C...
Clay, Linen
$1,754 / item
H 32.29 in W 18.12 in D 9.06 in
Murano Art Glass and Brass Pink Color Wall Light and Sconces, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
This charming wall lamp is entirely handmade in Murano. Each single leaf is handcrafted in high quality Murano blown glass; that's why each leaf is slightly different from the other....
Brass
Italian modern Square coffee table in wood, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Square coffee table in wood, 1970s Coffee table with square top in dark wood. The 4 legs that support the top have a triangular section, also in dark wood. 1970s. Good...
Wood
$1,052
H 14.18 in W 33.08 in D 33.08 in
Coffee Table "Amanta" Fiberglass Black by Mario Bellini for C&B, Italy, 1960
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Roma, IT
This side table or coffee table is made of fiberglass (Fiberlite) in Black. It is square with an indented tabletop. It was designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the 1960s. Thi...
Fiberglass
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.