Large Ceramic Framed Wall Mirror by Marion de Crécy, France, 1990
By Marion de Crécy
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Marion de Crécy is the daughter of Mithé Espelt ( 1923/2020).
1990s French Modern Wall Mirrors
Ceramic, Glass
Large Ceramic Framed Wall Mirror by Marion de Crécy, France, 1990
By Marion de Crécy
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Marion de Crécy is the daughter of Mithé Espelt ( 1923/2020).
Ceramic, Glass
Ceramic clock Marion de crecy
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Decorative ceramic piece made as a clock surface and reliefs suggest molded ceramic, subsequently glazed, with possible metallic/gilded accents.
Ceramic
$1,134
Mirror
By Marion de Crécy, Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
The combined influence of Espelt and her daughter, Marion de Crécy, continues to inspire the work of many artists.
Ceramic, Mirror
Round Mithe Espelt Ceramic Mirror with Blue Flower Decors
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Mirror
Round Mithe Espelt Ceramic Mirror with Flower Decors
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Square Ceramic Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte with Flower Motif
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Hand-Held Moineau Mirror by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Wall Thermometer with Blue Bird Motif
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Cage Mirror in Pink and Red Shades
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Cage Mirror in Beige and Brown Shades
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Bird and Blossom Mirror in Glazed Ceramic
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Crackeled Gold Glaze Ceramic Hand Held Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Glazed Ceramic and Wood Box with Repeating Floral Pattern
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Wood
Mithé Espelt Glazed Ceramic and Wood Box with Stylized Floral Motif
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Wood
Glazed Ceramic Mirror by Marion de Crécy
Located in Paris, FR
Signed on the bottom right "M de C". Heiress of a long family tradition of ceramists, Marion de Crécy knew how to gather the taste of the color, the technique of the golds, the incru...
Ceramic
Unavailable
H 16.93 in W 16.93 in D 1.19 in
French 20th Century by Marion de Crecy Ceramic and Glass Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in CANTELEU, FR
Discover this magnificent mirror by Marion de Crecy, Mithé Espelt 's daughter, a true work of art in glazed ceramic.
Ceramic, Glass
Enameled Ceramic Box by Marion De Crecy, circa 1975
By Marion de Crécy
Located in New York City, NY
Enameled Ceramic Box by Marion De Crecy, France, c. 1975 Enameled Ceramic Lid and Black Wooden Under Box.
Ceramic
Sold
H 14.25 in W 12.5 in D 0.75 in
Ceramic Mirror by Marion de Crecy Daughter of Mithe Espelt Signed M de C
By Marion de Crécy
Located in Chicago, IL
French gilded and enameled ceramic mirror by Marion de Crecy who was the daughter of Mithe Espelt.
Ceramic
Enameled Ceramic Box by Marion De Crecy, France, circa 1975
Located in New York City, NY
Enameled ceramic lid and black wooden under box.
Ceramic, Wood
Mid Modern Century Mirror by atelier Mithe Espelt
By Marion de Crécy, Mithé Espelt
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Made and designed by Marion de Crecy the daughter of Mithe Espelt .
Ceramic, Mirror
Sold
H 29.93 in W 21.26 in D 1.58 in
Mithé Espelt Atelier Large Gold Ceramic Mirror, circa 1990, France.
By Marion de Crécy
Located in Brussels, BE
Very beautiful large gold ceramic mirror designed by Marion De Crécy, daughter of Mithe Espelt, and produced in his atelier circa 1990, France.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Small Ceramic Thermometer
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Glazed Ceramic Wall Mounted Keys Holder
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte with Bird Decor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Purple Ceramic and Bird Decor Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Glass, Mirror
Mithe Espelt Flower Shaped Mirror With Orange Petals
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Ceramic Vide-Poche Tray by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Peacock Ceramic Box by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Oval Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
White and Pink Fowers Ceramic Box by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mesange and Flowers Mithé Espelt Ceramic Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Anemone Miror with Ceramic Frame by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Sold
H 12.6 in W 12.6 in D 0.6 in
Mithé Espelt, Mid-Century French Ceramic Mirror, circa 1950s, Era Line Vautrin
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mithé Espelt is today an emblematic figure of ceramic art, also incarnated by Line Vautrin. Her daughter, Marion de Crecy, continues the family tradition with equally brilliant and ...
Enamel
Small Thermometer in Ceramic By Mithe Espelt with Bird decor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Sold
H 12.6 in W 9.06 in D 0.4 in
Mithé Espelt Mirror in Gilt Crackle-Glazed Ceramic with Green Glass Inserts
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Glass
Hand held Mirror With Ceramic Frame by Mithe Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Mirror
Mithe Espelt Blue Ceramic and Birds Decor Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Square Ceramic Box with FFlower Decor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Pink Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Flower Shaped Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Mirror
Mithe Espelt Brown, Yellow and Gold Wall Miror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Mirror
Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Blue Mirror with Birds Decors
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Flower Shaped Mirror With Orange Petals
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Metal
Mithé Espelt Glazed Ceramic box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Glass, Wood
Mithe Espelt Red Ceramic and Birds Decor Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.5 in W 7 in D 0.75 in
Mithe Espelt of France Ceramic Gilded Mirror with Bird Imagery circa 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Oakland, CA
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Mirror
Mithe Espelt Hand Held Mirror in Glazed Ceramic
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Mirror
Mithe Espelt Flower Shaped Mirror With Pink and Purple Petals
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Box with Bird Decor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Wood
Colombes Mithé Espelt Box with Glazed Ceramic Lid
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic, Wood
Graines Large Ceramic Mirror by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Flower Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Set Mirror and Box, France 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in L'Escala, ES
The artist practiced until 2000, then gave way to new fairy hands, those of his daughter Marion de Crécy, who in the workshop continues an artistic ceramic of great and beautiful qua...
Ceramic, Mirror, Wood
Ceramic mirror by Georges Pelletier, France, circa 1975
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Rare ceramic wall mirror by Georges Pelletier. Ceramic framed with red and crackled gold glaze . Not signed. ceramic frame in very good condition, not restored Cannes circa 1975...
Ceramic, Mirror
Elegant Venetian Mirror, circa 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Venetian mirror, Italian, circa 1950s. Retains original antiqued mirrored surfaces with great patina.
Mirror, Wood
Antique French Clock Dial Face by Japy Frères Industrial Fully Working
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely painted metal clock dial with original hands by Japy Frères. Recovered by our buyer from a crumbling and forgotten French industrial building, it bares the scars of a hard l...
Metal
$529Sale Price|40% Off
H 12.6 in W 6.3 in D 0.99 in
Ceramic Wall Mirror with Flower Motif by La Roue 'circa 1960s'
By La Roue
Located in London, GB
Ceramic flower-motif wall mirror with glazed leaves by La Roue, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). A charming, decorative piece with rustic but colourful details surrounding the narrow...
Ceramic, Mirror
French 19th Century Neoclassical Painted Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
This nineteenth-century French mirror shows restrained neoclassical lines and a softly aged painted surface. The proportions are measured and the detailing understated, with an aged ...
Mirror, Wood
Ceramic Mirror by les Argonautes, France 1960s
By Les Argonautes
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by les Argonautes, 1960's, France
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt “Fleur” hand mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Small mid century Mithé Espelt “Fleur” pocket mirror c. 1960, embossed earthenware in shades of blue brown and green.(bead and brass chain missing) Born in 1923, Mithé Espelt was a ...
Ceramic
Large French Modern Ceramic Mirror Signed F. Lembo
By François Lembo
Located in Houston, TX
Large French Modern Ceramic Mirror Signed F. Lembo. Francois Lembo mirror in gilt fired ceramic decorated with turquoise, red-orange and black inset jewels. This French mid century c...
Ceramic
$1,628Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.68 in W 5.2 in D 0.52 in
Vintage French Ceramic Hand Mirror by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Ceramic Hand Mirror with enamel bead motif by Mithé Espelt (circa 1970s). An elegant piece of decorative art consisting of a lustrous gold border. Between the gold is dark chocolate-...
Ceramic, Mirror
French Ceramic Clock No. 01 by Jacques Poussine, 1970s
By Jacques Poussine
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1970s ceramic wall clock by Jacques Poussine, produced at the Sant-Vicens workshop in Perpignan, France. The piece is formed in terracotta as a vertical panel in relief, structure...
Ceramic, Terracotta
$1,418
H 14.38 in W 11.62 in D 0.79 in
Mirror with Bronze Enamelled Ceramic Frame in the Style of Mithé Espelt. 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Rectangular mirror with an enamelled ceramic frame in iridescent bronze and speckled tones. The border is punctuated by eight lozenge cabochons enamelled in carmine red. Work in the ...
Enamel
Italian Reverse Decorated Mirror
By Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Reverse Decorated Mirror. Offered is a shapely Italian Hollywood Regency eglomise or reverse decorated mirror with a beautiful shell design surrounding a central silve...
Mirror
Mirror Line Vautrin "Chardon", circa 1960's
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Witch mirror in brown talosel with inlaid pieces of golden mirror. Signed "Line Vautrin" on the reverse, circa 1960.
Glass, Talosel
Midcentury Decorative Ceramic Mirror, circa 1970, France
By La Borne Potters
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice Midcentury decorative ceramic wall mirror. Brown sandsone elements on wood. Beveled mirror. France circa 1970 Dimensions: 35 cm H, 33 cm W, 2 cm D. All purchases are covere...
Sandstone
French Ceramic Majolica Mirror Lembo, Circa 1950
By François Lembo
Located in Austin, TX
French ceramic mirror Lembo, Circa 1950. Decorated with aqua and pink flowers with iridescence and gold highlights.
Ceramic, Mirror
$4,424
H 1.19 in W 7.09 in D 10.63 in
Ceramic Wall Mirror by Les Argonautes, Modern Design, France, 1960s
By Les Argonautes
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by les Argonautes, France, 1960's Signed
Ceramic
$1,701
H 11.82 in Dm 5.71 in
Midcentury Turquoise Italian Ceramic Vase by Fratelli Fanciullacci, circa 1960
By Fratelli Fanciullacci, Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautifully detailed vase in vibrant turquoise (green / blue) with textured sgraffito shoulder and neck by Fratelli Fanciullacci, Italy, circa 1960s. Wonderful whimsical embossed ani...
Ceramic, Clay
$896 / item
H 13.39 in W 6.3 in D 7.09 in
Contemporary Organic Modern Moroccan Handmade Brown Ceramic Wall Lamp
Located in Marseille, FR
- Handbuilt terracotta ceramic wall light - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - made in the Moroccan Rif mountains by the potter Houda. - co-created by the potte...
Clay, Earthenware
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
Great 18 Palmette Shallow Flush Ceiling Mount, Murano
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the larger version of the successful 12 leaves compact palmette ceiling fixture. This group of shallow ceiling mount Murano chandelier was first designed for a luxury yacht low...
Metal
Mid-Century Bitossi Stambecchi by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice vase from Bitossi by Aldo Londi. The pattern is Stambecchi or Caprone (goat), designed by Aldo Londi. A sgraffito and glazed pattern of goats in grey, brown and orange on a brus...
Ceramic
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.75 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Mithe Espelt Ceramic and Fused Glass Jewelry Box France c 1968
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Chicago, IL
Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s Ceramic enamels in shades of green gold with fused glass with iconic blackened wood box. Literature: Mithé Espelt, le luxe discret...
Ceramic
$750
H 1.97 in W 11.82 in D 13.39 in
1920’s Art Deco Josef Ekberg Large Leaf-shaped Scalloped Green Lustre Centre
By Gustavsberg, Josef Ekberg
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A large leaf-shaped scalloped art deco centrepiece by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Amazing sea green lustre glaze with hand decorated gilt embellishment. Made of flintware. ...
Luster, Stoneware
Large green Murano glass leaf sconces - a pair
By Mazzega
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of large Mid-Century Modern light green Murano glass sconces, Mazzega style, Italy 1980s. One pair available. The large Italian sconces are made of a handmade Murano glass, in a...
Brass
Jeweled François Lembo Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A jeweled François Lembo mirror.
Ceramic
Mid-Century Teak Wall Lamp with Articulating Arm and Yellow Fabric Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall lamp combines sculptural teak craftsmanship with functional articulating design. The carved triangular mount displays woodworking techniques common in Scandinavian lighting prod...
Linen, Teak
$1,153 / item
H 17.33 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Cube Stool in Patch Umber Made in UK by Sister - Multifunctional & Modern
Located in London, GB
The Cube Stool, is the perfect foot perch or pair it with a brass tray and cocktail glasses for a chic and stylish aperitif hour. Kilims are a staple at Sister for their hard-wear...
Fabric
Picasso Madoura Ceramic A.R. 142 Ice Pitcher
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pablo Picasso A.R. 142 Ice Pitcher 1952 12.6” x 21.6” Pitcher Edition of 100 White earthenware clay, decoration in oxides, knife engraved on white enamel Ramie 142 is a Madoura ceram...
Ceramic
Antique Amish Quilt Blanket
By Amish Quilts
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful old quilt attributed to the Amish. Very nice design and color pallet. We believe this to be early 20th century.
Fabric
"Nuvola" Pendant Light by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Iconic "Nuvola" Pendant Light by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy.
Resin
Large outdoor sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant large pair of outdoor sconces, they are quite impressive in person, the patina is much nicer in person
Metal
$2,836
H 36.62 in W 63.78 in D 26.38 in
Restored Biedermeier Sofa, Walnut, Reupholstered, Austria, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This stunning Biedermeier sofa from the first half of the 19th century originates from Austria and represents the essence of classic elegance and craftsmanship of its era. The const...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Marie-Thérèse Espelt, known better as Mithé Espelt, was a dominant force in mid-20th-century ceramics in France. Mithé is remembered for her modern ceramic wall mirrors, gilded and enameled ashtrays and other ornate objects and boxes, often featuring birds and lively colors. She preferred not to sign her pieces and, as a consequence, much of her work has been misattributed, including to French ceramist François Lembo.
Mithé grew up in the Camargue region of France. Her father’s extensive network included 1904 Nobel Prize winner Frédéric Mistral and Parisian painter and decorator Jean Hugo. Mithé’s early introduction to a community of artists inspired her to study sculpture and drawing at the Beaux-Arts School in Montpellier in 1939.
Mithé’s early work caught the attention of French ceramist Emilie Decanis and jewelry distributor Charles Démery. Mithé set up a ceramics workshop in the Hôtel de Bernis in Lunel, where she quickly garnered a reputation for her ceramic work and accessories, including mirrors, jewelry boxes and buttons. Démery founded the Souleiado boutique, which began distributing Mithé’s work, thus attracting a worldwide audience.
French author Antoine Candau wrote a retrospective book on Mithé’s career titled Mithé Espelt, the Discreet Luxury of the Every Day, which contributed to bringing her legacy to the forefront while shedding light on her anonymity. While Mithé was respected within her inner circle, the general public is only now beginning to understand the immense talent behind her over five-decade-long career.
Find Mithé Espelt mirrors, decorative objects, wall decorations and more for sale 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.