Whimsical MCM Japanese wood Lacquered Gold Gilt Lidded Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM gold gilt black lacquer trinket box Duck , circa 1960's Japan beautiful piece.
Wood
$178Sale Price|35% Off
MCM Handcrafted Wooden Isigo Pervuvian Ebony Jewelery Box by J.Amberg
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Individually crafted in California, this exquisite Midcentury modern jewelry box showcases the artisan's mastery. Fashioned from Isogo wood, a Peruvian species renowned for its strik...
Ebony
$942Sale Price / set|35% Off
14k MCM Round Chinese "Longevity" Cufflinks Circle Cut Men's Cufflinks, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A pair of vintage 14Kt yellow gold circular cuff-links cut out with the Chinese character symbol for longevity. Measurements: .75" Tall X .75" Wide X .75" Deep 6.65g 14K Gold Unit...
Gold
$1,170Sale Price|35% Off
MCM 14K Gold Christian Dior By Bulova Ladies Swiss Mechanical Watch
By Christian Dior
Located in Van Nuys, CA
An elegant expression of timeless design, this vintage Christian Dior by Bulova ladies wristwatch captures the refined sophistication of 1960s luxury. Expertly crafted in solid 14 ka...
Gold
$760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Three MCM Italian Alabaster and Brass Claw Dolphin Footed Lidded Jewelry Boxes
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of three hand carved Italian alabaster claw and dolphin footed decorative boxes in blue, orange and beige coloured alabaster. I fell in love with their beautiful shiny colours a...
Alabaster, Brass
Sold
H 3.67 in W 1.58 in D 0.2 in
Mexican MCM Los Castillo Sterling Silver and Black Onyx Pendant Cross
By Los Castillo
Located in Mexico City, MX
An important Mexican Mid-Century Modern sterling silver, black onyx, brass and chrysocolla pendant cross by Los Castillo. Taxco, Mexico, circa 1960. The pendant resembles a geometric...
Onyx, Sterling Silver, Brass
Mexican MCM Brass Brutalist Necklace in the Style of Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico City, MX
Mexican Mid-Century Modern Brutalist necklace in the style of Pal Kepenyes. The geometric central piece with hanging organic pendant is held by a bone-shaped chain. No marks or signa...
Brass
Sold
H 2 in W 0.25 in D 3 in
Vtg Lea Stein Gomina Sleeping Cat Tortoiseshell Bakelite Pin Brooch Retro MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Lea Stein Gomina pin in the shape of a sleeping cat, fashioned of black and tortoiseshell pattern bakelite with striped cream colored eyes and ears.
Bakelite
Sold
H 3.75 in W 0.75 in D 1.75 in
Vintage Lea Stein Renaud Fox Brooch Pin Bakelite Red Mid Century Modern MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Lea Stein famous Renaud fox pin in swirling red, gold and black bakelite.
Bakelite
Sold
H 2.25 in W 0.75 in D 3.5 in
Lea Stein Renard Fox Purple & Gold Bakelite Pin Brooch Mid-Century Modern MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Lea Stein famous Renard fox pin in mottled purple, brown and gold bakelite.
Bakelite
Sold
H 2 in W 0.875 in D 4 in
Lea Stein Renard Fox Caramel Brown Bakelite Pin Brooch Mid-Century Modern MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Lea Stein famous Renard fox shaped pin in subtly striped caramel brown bakelite.
Bakelite
MCM Marble Jewelry Box with Lid
Located in Medina, OH
Unique mid-century modern light brown marble jewelry box with lid. There is a chip inside and some light cracks, see pictures, overall I don't see any chips on the outside of the box.
Marble
Sold
H 3.75 in W 4.9 in D 3.95 in
Thick Lucite and Chrome Jewelry Box by Alessandro Albrizzi, MCM, 1970s
By Alessandro Albrizzi
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Thick Lucite and Chromed Jewelry Box by Alessandro Albrizzi, MCM A vintage lucite lidded box, the top being clear, the bottom being chromed.
Chrome
$196Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 5.9 in D 3.55 in
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Metal, Brass, Bronze
18k Chopard LUC Ladies Manual watch. Vintage Chopard 18k Yellow gold Watch.
By Chopard
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is a rare piece that does not come up for sale often. In fact, you will probably not see one like this for sale. Elegant and minimalistic wristwatch and bracelet. 18k Gold panth...
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Christian Dior Manual Wind Rare Dial Rectangular New Belt Ladies Watch
By Christian Dior
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Christian Dior Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Manual winding Cal.CD2512-1 Case Material: Gold Plated Stainless steel Measurements : Case width: 24 mm. (with...
Gold Plate
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cufflinks, French Design, Circa 1960, Men's
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of vintage French 18k yellow gold cuff links; part of our diverse French jewelry and estate jewelry collections. These fine and impressive vintage French ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,589
W 0.15 in Dm 0.62 in L 0.7 in
Vintage 9K Yellow Gold Cufflinks, Engraved Design, Birmingham 1976
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of vintage English 9 karat yellow gold cufflinks; part of our diverse range men's jewellery and estate jewelry collections. These vintage English cufflink...
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unisex 14 Karat 3D Cufflinks A+ Detail 8.7 Grams
Located in New York, NY
Amazing detail / hand crafted Natural Black onyx with modified star of david on top. star of daivid, is raised up so it was compiled of 3 pieces in total. black onyx, the outer g...
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
French 1960s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Retro Lady's Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Lady's watch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. The case is square, decorated with golden Arabic numerals. The bottom marked "Juvénia Swiss manufacture Switerland". Small ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Carved Wood Organic Mid Century Jewelry Box
By Sam Maloof, Michael Elkan
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Organic Mid Century Modern carved wood jewelry box, having a lift top, with two pull out drawers with separate compartments. The box is in very good, original condition, ...
Wood
Vintage Traditional 18kt Gold Tonneau Wrist Watch, circa 1930
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage traditional wrist watch with the original leather wrist band. Step back in time with this exquisite vintage traditional wristwatch from the 1930s. A perfect addition to any ...
Metal
Carved wooden box 60's folk art
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Lovely 60's carved and stained solid wood box, quality folk art and handcrafted work. Beautiful vintage condition, with traces of age and use throughout (see photos).
Wood
19th Century Antique Gilt Lacquer Chinese Tea Caddy
Located in Brea, CA
19th century golden black lacquer Chinese tea caddy with two pewters with 4 foots, the gilt body decorated with panels of landscapes, two pewters with covers, one pewter lead ring br...
Lacquer
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Geneva Swiss Made Watch
By Geneva
Located in Stamford, CT
7inch Vintage 14Kt Yellow Gold Geneva Swiss Made Watch weighting an astounding 18.1 grams having a lovely mesh band all gold. Weight is without the works. 17 Jewels-front 6 Jewels-b...
$3,500
H 2.5 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
A Japanese Edo Period Lacquer Kogo (Incense) Box, late 17/early 18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Early Japanese Lacquer Incense Box (Kogo) Late 17thc. Of rectangular form with soft corners, decorated with a diaper pattern in gold lacquer on a brownish black ground, with pewter r...
Pewter
Late 19th Century Lacquered Box With Gilt Chinoiserie Scenes
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Black lacquered box decorated overall with gilt figures, trees, pavilions, and flowering plants on the sides, and a landscape scene on the lid. Brass keyhole escutcheon on the front....
Brass
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.52 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet
Located in Haarlem, NL
Clover or quartreform shaped mid-19th century Chinese canton export tea caddy in gold lacquered wood on a black background. Decorated with palace scenes animated with figures engage...
Pewter
$18,875
H 2.56 in W 5.52 in D 3.15 in
French Mid Century Hand Carved Wooden Box with Lid by Alexandre Noll, 1950s
By Alexandre Noll
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare French mid century box with a lid by Alexandre Noll produced in France 1950s. In good original condition and signed by the artist. Dimensions: H: 6,5 cm / 12.55" W: 14 cm...
Elm
19th Century Pressed Seaweed Album in a Scallop Shell Binding
Located in South Paris, ME
Fabulous pressed seaweed album cleverly bound in a scallop shell. Bunt orange ribbon ties. Fifteen individual seaweed pressings. This is the only album of this kind I have ever seen ...
Paper, Shell
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.8 in W 8.7 in D 13 in
Gold Plated Flatware 24-piece set in a crystal glass Egg holder L’ambrosia.
Located in Glendale, CA
L'Ambrosia is a unique 24-piece cutlery set that comes in a crystal case, bringing elegance to any interior. The extraordinary design of this timeless set allows it to serve as the ...
Crystal, Stainless Steel
$192Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.25 in W 15.75 in D 12.75 in
Tapio Wirkkala Freeform Molded Plywood Tray, 1950s
By Tapio Wirkkala
Located in San Diego, CA
Fincraft molded plywood tray designed in the 1950s by Tapio Wirkkala for Soinne et Kni, Helsinki. Embossed stamp on the bottom. Finland
Plywood
$1,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20 in W 28.5 in D 28.5 in
Pair of MCM Walnut "Rhythm" Series End Tables by Paul McCobb for Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of American MCM walnut with oak accent end tables from the "Rhythm" series by Paul McCobb Lane Furniture, circa 1970s. Beautiful craftsmanship and sturdy constructio...
Oak, Walnut
$9,080Sale Price|20% Off
W 106.8 in L 144 in
1920s Persian Lilihan Antique Rug beautiful patina 8.9x12.3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add warmth and elegance to your space with this antique Persian Lilihan rug, an exquisite hand-knotted piece reflecting the artistry and craftsmanship of early 20th-century Persian w...
Wool
$3,431
H 25.5 in W 30.25 in D 19.75 in
Model of a greenhouse, in the style of the “Serre de Jardin”, France 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Model of a greenhouse in glass and iron. The greenhouse has an iron base, rectangular in shape, with cut corners. The body of the greenhouse, made of iron and glass, is welded to the...
Iron
$274 / set
H 15.75 in Dm 6.11 in
Dutch Delft Blue Ceramic Tulip Vase Set "Almond Blossom" by Vincent van Gogh
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch Delft Blue Ceramic Tulip Vase Set "Almond Blossom" by Vincent van Gogh This beautiful three-tiered tulip vase is subtly decorated from top to bottom with a floral print. The ...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brass Lily Flower Sculpture Figurine Ashtray
Located in Poperinge, BE
A beautiful, large mid-century brass lily flower sculpture or figurine—a vintage Hollywood Regency-style ashtray shaped like a flower. It features six detachable petals and was craft...
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Set of Four Copper Pans
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French set of four copper pans of circular form having a tempered copper base, iron handles with copper rivets and hanging holes. They are heavier than the average...
Copper
$34,163
H 70.87 in W 73.23 in D 88.19 in
Bed Tester Spanish Baroque Carved Dark Green & Gilded Leather Superking 6ft180cm
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare, Spanish Demi-Tester, Baroque Bed With Carved, Green Painted & Gilded Posts 181cm, 6ft High, Floral Painted Leather Headboard, sold with custom made box spring mattress base, ac...
Giltwood, Paint
Tiffany Studios Poppy Lamp
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New Orleans, LA
Poppy Lamp Tiffany Studios Circa 1910 This exquisite table lamp by Tiffany Studios features the firm's iconic Poppy shade and its patinated bronze root base. The coveted Tiffany flo...
Bronze
$3,235
H 29 in W 90.25 in D 40 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension drop-leaf dining table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. The table features stunning walnut wood grain and aluminum str...
Aluminum
Vintage Tridacna Gigas Clam Shell, Nautical Decor, 1980s
Located in Vilnius, LT
Large vintage natural shell clam "Tridacna gigas" from Indo-Pacific region. Good vintage condition.
Shell
$140Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.75 in W 19 in D 8.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Stainless Steel & Walnut Serving Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice MCM stainless steel serving tray with walnut handles, circa 1960s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures 19" W x 8.25" D x 1.75" H. #1623.
Stainless Steel
Antique Bronze Skull Bust Sculpture, Italian Vanitas & Memento Mori
Located in Nottingham, GB
Rare Polish Vanitas Memento Mori Bronze Bust of Teofil Lenartowicz, Late 19th Century An unusual and highly evocative Vanitas Memento Mori bust depicting the celebrated Polish Roman...
Bronze
$13,000
H 7.09 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Antique Handwritten Exorcism Healing & Ritual Mystery Folk Manuscript
Located in Doha, QA
Extraordinary handwritten Baroque-era exorcistic healing and ritual manuscript originating from the Austrian–Bavarian Alpine sphere, executed entirely in German Kurrent script with s...
Paper, Leather
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.