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.
George Nakashima 'Frenchman's Cove II' Dining Table in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, ‘Frenchman’s Cove II’ dining table, American black walnut, United States of America, 1967 This striking and unique Frenchman’s Cove II ...
Walnut
Roger Capron Rare 'Alouette' Coffee Table in Ceramic Tiles and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron 'Alouette' coffee table, ceramic brown tiles, beech, France, 1960s A striking and rare coffee table by Roger Capron, model 'Alouette', crafted in France. The design co...
Ceramic, Beech
Roger Capron Oval Coffee Table in Ceramic and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron coffee table, ceramic, beech, France, 1960s A beautiful coffee table by Roger Capron, crafted in France during the 1960s. The design pairs a warm wooden frame with an o...
Ceramic, Beech
Roger Capron 'Cuvette' Ceramic Coffee Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron, 'Cuvette' coffee table, ceramic, steel, France, 1960s An exceptional Cuvette coffee table by Roger Capron, designed in France during the 1960s. One of Capron's most ic...
Steel
Guillerme & Chambron Rectangular Coffee Table in Oak with Ceramic
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, coffee table, oak, ceramic, France, 1960s Charming coffee table by Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, crafted in solid oak with three in...
Ceramic, Oak
Gianfranco Frattini Nesting Table 1970s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Gianfranco Frattini Nesting Table for Meblo Slovenia 1970s
Glass, Wood
Newly Refinished - Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut Hexagonal Drum Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished, Original Formica Tops Show Wear This pair of mid-century modern walnut hexagonal drum side tables from the 1960s offers a bold geometric presence wit...
Formica, Walnut
Three-Tier Swivel Chrome and Glass Coffee Table in the Manner of Milo Baughman
Located in Torquay, GB
A stylish three-tier swivel coffee table in polished chrome with inset glass tops. Inspired by the clean architectural lines of Milo Baughman's celebrated 1970s designs. The rotati...
Steel, Chrome
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison Dining Table in Oak and Ceramic Tiles
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison dining table, oak, ceramic, France, 1960s A remarkable example of French mid-century design, this dining table was created by the celebrate...
Ceramic, Oak
Pair of Elephant Nightstands or Side Table in Rattan, Vivai del Sud, Italy, 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and rare pair of Mid-Century elephant-shaped side tables with removable trays, fully made in hand-woven wicker. These stylish organic pieces were designed by Vivai del Sud ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta Large 'Bramante' Table in Maple
By Zanotta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 'Bramante' dining or studio table, maple, Italy, design 1950, production 1980s A remarkable and cutting-edge design by the celeb...
Maple
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison Coffee Table in Oak and Blue Ceramic Tiles
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, coffee table, oak, ceramic, France, 1960s Charming coffee table by Guillerme et Chambron, crafted in solid oak and featuring a striking inset...
Ceramic, Oak
1970s Modern Patchwork Burl Floating Coffee Table Manner Of Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fabulous patchwork burl modern floating coffee table attributed to the famous furniture designer, Paul Evans. Paul Evans is regarded as one of the founders of the brutalist...
Burl
French Modernist Dining Table in Walnut and Black Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, glass, walnut, France, 1950s Elegant French dining table from the 1950s, featuring a sleek black glass top resting on a finely crafted walnut base. The sculptural bent...
Glass, Walnut
Pierre Vandel Coffee Table
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A large double level cocktail table in lucite and brass by Pierre Vandel.. This table is signed and with new glasses, as the old ones have been replaced . This table fits with any ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Travertine Stone & Glass Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition, 1 Minor Chip Shown in Pic Materials: Italian Travertine Stone, Original Glass Top, 1 Minor Chip on Glass
Travertine
Newly Refinished - Mid Century Modern “1st Edition” Walnut Coffee Table by Lane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Walnut
José Zanine Caldas Rare Console in Brazilian Hardwood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
José Zanine Caldas, hand-carved console, Brazilian hardwood, Brazil, 1980s This beautifully sculpted console was made during a time in which Caldas abandoned the rigid design aesthe...
Hardwood
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Pair of Console Tables in Copper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro, console tables, copper, stained beech, Italy, 1960s This magnificent pair of console tables was created by Italian designer and sculptor Lorenzo Burchiellaro (...
Copper
Newly Refinished - Italian Travertine Top & Walnut Coffee Table by Sligh Lowry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished, Original Travertine Tops Expertly Refinished: With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing...
Travertine, Chrome
Belarti Mid-Century Modernist Wrought Iron Ceramic Tile Side Table, circa 1960
Located in Atlanta, GA
Belarti, Ceramic‑Tiled Side Table, Belgium, 1960s A beautifully crafted furniture creation from Belarti, this 1960s Mid‑Century Modern table showcases the studio's celebrated mastery...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Mid century Rosewood Danish Oval Extension Dining Table by IB Kofod Larsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century Rosewood Danish extension dining table with (2) leaves by IB Kofod Larsen. This table is very high quality hand built by Danish furniture makers. Made in Denmar...
Rosewood
Mid Century Tile Top Wrought Iron Table
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century tile top table, having a stylized wrought iron base with a geometric tile top. The square top features repeating aqua, turquoise glazed square tiles. This example is in ...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Travertine Stone & Brass Coffee Table by Artedi
By Artedi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Glass Top, Original Condition on Stone Materials: Travertine, Patinated Brass, Original Glass Top
Travertine, Brass
$1,323Sale Price|30% Off
1970s Brass and Glass 'Jax' Coffee Table In the Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Toronto, ON
Stunning coffee table with a whimsical brass base and tinted glass top, it is often referred to as the 'Jax' table, attributed to and in the style of Milo Baughman. The base of the t...
Brass
1950s Gio Ponti Style Mid-Century Modern Wood Italian Console
By Gio Ponti
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This exceptional 1950s Italian console table perfectly embodies the sophisticated, sculptural elegance of the Mid-Century Modern era, heavily drawing inspiration from the iconic styl...
Brass
Elegant Italian Small Desk in Ash and Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, walnut, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in walnut. The upper part of this piece is made from ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Spanish Green Onyx Gueridon / Side Table, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding Mid-Century Modern Onyx Stone Gueridon Table Spain, 1950s Eye-catching onyx side table with column pedestal round base holding a round top. It has an amazing color in gre...
Stone, Onyx
Guillerme & Chambron Pair of Side Tables in Solid Oak and Ceramic
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, pair of side tables, oak, ceramic, France, 1960s This side table, crafted from solid oak, displays the robust geometric language associated w...
Ceramic, Oak
Vintage Pair of Eero Saarinen for Knoll 16" Side or End Tables in Calacatta Gold
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of vintage, Eero Saarinen for Knoll, signed marble top side tables. The tops are round, 16" wide. The height is 20". These tables feature the rare Calacatta Gold marble, which h...
Marble, Metal, Iron, Gold
Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti 'Sapo' Coffee Table in Concrete and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti for Saporiti, coffee table 'Sapo', glass, concrete, chromed steel, aluminum, Italy, 1972 Modern, sculptural coffee table designed by Sergio and Giorgio S...
Concrete, Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Vintage Italian Modern Coffee Table with Stools by Guido Faleschini for Mariani
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a fabulous seating and table set in black leather by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, circa 1970s. This unique design features a large 42.5" square slab of glass supported by a...
Chrome
Bamboo, Brass and Smoked Glass Coffee Table, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and truly unique Mid-Century square coffee table in bamboo and brass, completed by a smoked glass top and a reversible black and white lower tier. This incredibly stylish o...
Brass
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Round Tulip Pedestal Marble Top Dining Table
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in San Antonio, TX
Iconic Eero Saarinen oval marble top tulip dining table for Knoll International, circa 1990s. 54"x28" "In his purist approach to architecture and design, Eero Saarinen sought the es...
Marble, Aluminum
Drexel “Declaration” Walnut Coffee Table by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Brass Pull Handles ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we ...
Brass
$1,025Sale Price|20% Off
Table basse vintage en marbre des années 70
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Table basse vintage des années 70, en marbre veiné dans les tons vert jade, rose saumoné, noir, gris, écru, pied en V avec petit plateau porte-revue. Bon état général avec signes d’u...
Marble
$1,053Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1960s Walnut Coffee Table, Italian Design
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Rectangular coffee table made of solid walnut, Italian design, 1960s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to age. DIMENSIONS: Height 39 cm; Width 112 cm; Depth 57 ...
Wood
Adrian Pearsall Sculptural "Stingray" Coffee Table #2399-TC
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Fulton, CA
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates sculptural coffee table with glass top. Base made of solid walnut with arcing lines. Known as the "Stingray" Coffee Table with the catalog number...
Glass, Walnut
Early Noguchi Coffee Table by Herman Miller, First Production, 1950s
By Isamu Noguchi, Herman Miller
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An early production Noguchi Coffee Table designed by Isamu Noguchi and manufactured by Herman Miller in the 1950s. Introduced in 1947, the Noguchi Coffee Table is widely regarded ...
Glass, Ash
Petite Mid-Century Modern Cabinet in Walnut with Unique Marble Top & Brass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome and versatile cabinet with plenty of storage. Extremely well built high quality piece. Very well cared for and ready for use.
Marble, Brass
Greta M. Grossman Marble-Top Side Table for Glenn of California
By Glenn of California, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Crema Marfil Stone Marble ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, ...
Marble
Brutalist French Dining Table in Gouge Solid Elm by Cabinetmaker
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, solid elm, France, 1950s/1960s Made by the skilled hands of a French cabinetmaker, this organically formed table embraces both the inherent qualities of the wood and a...
Elm
Vintage Mid Century Modern Teak Dressing Table / Desk with Mirror by Austinsuite
By Austinsuite
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century modern teak dressing table / vanity / desk with mirror. By Austinsuite. Maker's label inside drawer. This piece is in excellent condition with few si...
Mirror, Teak
Neoclassical Coffee Table Style Maison Jansen Iron, Brass, Marble, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
French two-tier brass, iron coffee table with marble top, 1950 Midcentury neoclassical, Empire Revival Coffee Table with black marble and nice brass details. This round forged iron...
Marble, Iron, Brass
Sculptura Vanity With Matching Stool in Champagne by Heywood Wakefield
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A stunning very well-crafted solid maple wood vanity with large mirror, plate glass make- up shelve and three side drawers with flowing ribbon styled drawer fronts with intergraded p...
Maple, Upholstery, Mirror
Pierre Jeanneret Library Table, Panjab Agricultural University, c. 1960
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Pierre Jeanneret for the Main Sciences Library at Panjab Agricultural University, this library table retains its original institutional stencil, PAU/PB/M.S.LIB/178/III, i...
Teak
Roger Capron ‘Sou-Chong’ Coffee Table in Ceramic and Wood
By Roger Capron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron, ‘Sou-Chong’ coffee table, ceramic, stained beech, France, 1971 Lovely French coffee table with wonderful composed ceramic tiles by French designer Roger Capron. Both t...
Ceramic, Beech
Round Pine Coffee Table, Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs Design, France, 1960s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Round coffee or sofa table in solid stained pine, produced in France during the late 1960s. The design captures the sculptural, essential quality associated with Charlotte Perriand’s...
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Wood Inlay Glass Top Wall Console Desk Vanity Dressing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian Mid-Century Modern design console side table ideal as small desk as well as vanity dressing table coupled with a mirror. Standing on six typically sh...
Brass
Vintage Harvey Probber Terrazzo and Marble Mosaic Coffee Table Mid Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Striking vintage coffee table featuring a thick scalloped terrazzo-style top with an inset marble mosaic design. The surface is composed of irregular white and gray marble chips set ...
Terrazzo
Professionally Restored Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip Top Partners Desk in Walnut
By Løvig Design, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1960s by Peter Løvig Nielsen, this desk was produced under his own label, Løvig Design. While most models are teak, a scant few were made in walnut, which reall...
Brass
Italian Triangular Chrome and Glass Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso, Italy 70s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lucija, SI
Classic mid century italian coffee table from the 70s Designed by Marco Zanuso
Chrome
Italian Round Dining Table in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, walnut, Italy, 1970s Italian round dining table from the 1970s. The design is defined by its striking base, composed of diagonally arranged slats that recall architect...
Walnut
Hand-Crafted Travertine Coffee Table, Cloud Shape, Italy, 1970s Design
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Hand-Crafted Travertine Coffee Table, Cloud Shape, Italy, 1970s Design Sculptural coffee table hand-crafted of Travertine stone in Italy in the 1970s. The beautiful table top is cut...
Travertine
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Ceramic Tile Coffee Table by J. Belarti
By Julien de Covemaeker, Juliette Belarti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced in Belgium during the 1960s, this coffee table pairs a hand-painted glazed ceramic tile top with a dark wood Parsons-style base. The tile surface is arranged in a grid and f...
Ceramic, Wood
Danish Teak Coffee Table with Ceramic Tile Top, 1960s mid century modern
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This Danish teak coffee table, adorned with exquisite ceramic tiles, is an ideal addition for post-dinner gatherings. The handmade artistic patterns seamlessly blend teak wood and ce...
Ceramic, Teak
Wooden Rush Bench or Side Table, France, 1950's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Wooden Rush Bench or Side Table, France, 1950's Would fit perfectly as a side table in your living room to put books on or to sit. Please contact us for an affordable shipping quote.
Wood, Rush
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Square Coffee Table with Smoked Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century square coffee table in dark walnut with a smoked glass top. This stylish coffee table was produced in Italy during the 1960s and is attributed to Afra & Tobi...
Glass, Smoked Glass, Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Tijsseling Rosewood Double Pedestal Desk
By Tijsseling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Dutch Mid-Century desk from Tijsseling features a floating rosewood-veneered top with rich, dark-streaked grain over a black-finished underside — a clean detail that reinforces ...
Aluminum, Chrome
1970s Dutch Pine Waterfall Coffee Table or Bench, Ate van Apeldoorn Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large pine coffee table or bench in the waterfall form, designed in the style influenced by Ate van Apeldoorn's work and characteristic of Dutch minimalist furniture making in the 19...
Pine
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