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Mid Century Black Metal Serving Tray on Folding Stand by Crest Line
Mid Century Black Metal Serving Tray on Folding Stand by Crest Line

Mid Century Black Metal Serving Tray on Folding Stand by Crest Line

Located in Miami, FL

Two elegant antique metal butler trays in black, on an original stand dating to around 1960. Two

Category

Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and ...

Materials

Metal

Vintage Steel and Brass Campaign Style Tray Table
Vintage Steel and Brass Campaign Style Tray Table

Vintage Steel and Brass Campaign Style Tray Table

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

This elegant vintage butler tray table features a removable glass top tray with a brass-toned metal

Category

Mid-20th Century French Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Round Three Tier Perforated and Wrought Iron Metal Serving Cart Tray
Round Three Tier Perforated and Wrought Iron Metal Serving Cart Tray

Round Three Tier Perforated and Wrought Iron Metal Serving Cart Tray

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern round perforated metal cylinder shape serving cart on wheels.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Regency Gallery Table
Vintage Regency Gallery Table

Vintage Regency Gallery Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

elegant accent piece features a removable mirrored tray top, encircled by a finely detailed gallery rail

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Stone, Metal

Mid-Century Mexican Brass and Abalone Shell Shot Glass Set with Serving Tray
Mid-Century Mexican Brass and Abalone Shell Shot Glass Set with Serving Tray

Mid-Century Mexican Brass and Abalone Shell Shot Glass Set with Serving Tray

By Los Castillo

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mexican mid-century design, perfect for serving tequila, mezcal, or liqueurs. Measurements: Tray: 8.50" W

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Wood and Glass Serving Trolley for Coja, the Netherlands 1960's
Wood and Glass Serving Trolley for Coja, the Netherlands 1960's

Wood and Glass Serving Trolley for Coja, the Netherlands 1960's

By Coja Culemborg

Located in Steenwijk, NL

(wrongly) assigned to Pastoe. It has a solid black lacquered wooden frame with 2 removable glass trays with

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Serving Tables

Materials

Metal

20th Century French Silver Plated Serving Tray Gallia by Christofle
20th Century French Silver Plated Serving Tray Gallia by Christofle

20th Century French Silver Plated Serving Tray Gallia by Christofle

By Christofle

Located in Sofia, BG

Large serving tray made in silver plate metal by French manufacturer CHRISTOFLE model Galia. Very

Category

Mid-20th Century French Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Serving Tray Brass Faux Bamboo & Black Laminate by Maison Bagues, France 1960s
Serving Tray Brass Faux Bamboo & Black Laminate by Maison Bagues, France 1960s

Serving Tray Brass Faux Bamboo & Black Laminate by Maison Bagues, France 1960s

By Maison Baguès

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing serving Tray in faux bamboo effect brass and black laminate attributed to Maison

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Silver Plated Serving Tray with Golden Floral Etching
Silver Plated Serving Tray with Golden Floral Etching

Silver Plated Serving Tray with Golden Floral Etching

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elegant vintage rectangular metal tray featuring a gold-tone floral etching with graceful blossoms

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Vintage Couroc Bird Design Barware Serving Tray
Vintage Couroc Bird Design Barware Serving Tray

Vintage Couroc Bird Design Barware Serving Tray

By The Couroc Company

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Mid-Century Modern Couroc of Monterey California cat design barware serving tray. A mid century

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bakelite

Vintage Silver Plated Serving Tray Scenic Motif
Vintage Silver Plated Serving Tray Scenic Motif

Vintage Silver Plated Serving Tray Scenic Motif

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This elegant vintage metal serving tray features a refined scenic motif beautifully engraved in

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Midcentury Christian Dior Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell & Chrome, Italy 1970s
Midcentury Christian Dior Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell & Chrome, Italy 1970s

Midcentury Christian Dior Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell & Chrome, Italy 1970s

By Dior Home, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell effect lucite and chrome

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970

By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini, Dior Home

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury beautiful rectangular serving tray or vide-poche in faux tortoiseshell and brass in the

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

By Dior Home, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing squared serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell effect lucite and chrome

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray in faux tortoiseshell-effect Lucite and brass in the

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Round Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s
Midcentury Round Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s

Midcentury Round Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s

By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury round serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and brass in the style

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970

By Dior Home, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing large serving tray in faux tortoiseshell and brass with handles in the style of

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

By Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing large octagonal serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell effect Lucite and

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

French Painted Mustard and Black Tole Tray
French Painted Mustard and Black Tole Tray

French Painted Mustard and Black Tole Tray

Located in Bradenton, FL

decorated with hand painted flower and vine motifs with bird on branches. The serving tray is in excellent

Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s
Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s

Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s

By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing oval serving tray in faux tortoiseshell-effect Lucite featuring brass handles

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s
Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s

Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s

By Guzzini, Team Guzzini

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing oval serving tray in faux tortoiseshell-effect Lucite featuring brass handles

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Serving Tray in Bronzed Lucite and Brass by Charles Hollis Jones
Serving Tray in Bronzed Lucite and Brass by Charles Hollis Jones

Serving Tray in Bronzed Lucite and Brass by Charles Hollis Jones

By Charles Hollis Jones

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Lucite and nickel serving tray designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones. The tray

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Serving Tray Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s
Pair of Serving Tray Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s

Pair of Serving Tray Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s

By Dior Home, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury pair of wonderful octagonal serving tray or centerpiece in faux tortoiseshell lucite and

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

1960s Vintage Couroc of Monterey Black Tray Featuring the Wells Fargo Stagecoach
1960s Vintage Couroc of Monterey Black Tray Featuring the Wells Fargo Stagecoach

1960s Vintage Couroc of Monterey Black Tray Featuring the Wells Fargo Stagecoach

By The Couroc Company

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Stagecoach. Dimensions: Large 18” x 12.5”. A unique and charming black serving tray from the Mid 20th century

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Resin, Wood

Geraldo de Barros bar cart Unilabor Brazil 1955
Geraldo de Barros bar cart Unilabor Brazil 1955

Geraldo de Barros bar cart Unilabor Brazil 1955

By Geraldo de Barros

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

makes this a playful design. You can also take the trays off for serving. The upper section of the metal

Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Serving Tables

Materials

Metal

Couroc of Monterey Heritage Classic Golf Tray
Couroc of Monterey Heritage Classic Golf Tray

Couroc of Monterey Heritage Classic Golf Tray

By The Couroc Company

Located in Charleston, SC

detailed lighthouses, and so much more. With these vintage mid-century trays, one is never enough. As the

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Bodil Kjaer Serving Cart For Cassina
Bodil Kjaer Serving Cart For Cassina

Bodil Kjaer Serving Cart For Cassina

By Bodil Kjaer

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

black MDF. Wheels · In metal painted matte black with black rubber tread. Optional accessories · In

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Steel

Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles
Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles

Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Unbeatable age and patina on this black painted and gilt on oval tray. The tray features leaves in

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Barware

Materials

Metal

Bodil Kjaer Serving Cart Accessories For Cassina
Bodil Kjaer Serving Cart Accessories For Cassina

Bodil Kjaer Serving Cart Accessories For Cassina

By Bodil Kjaer

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

shelves · In brushed stainless-steel sheet bonded to black MDF. Wheels · In metal painted matte black

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Steel

Mid 20th Century Couroc Phenolic Resin Serving Tray, Inlaid Stone & Metal Masks
Mid 20th Century Couroc Phenolic Resin Serving Tray, Inlaid Stone & Metal Masks

Mid 20th Century Couroc Phenolic Resin Serving Tray, Inlaid Stone & Metal Masks

By The Couroc Company

Located in Nantucket, MA

Vintage drinks or serving tray made by Couroc of Monterey, CA. Made of phenolic resin, these trays

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Resin

Round Serving Cart Tray in Teak and Black Metal, Italy, 1960s
Round Serving Cart Tray in Teak and Black Metal, Italy, 1960s

Round Serving Cart Tray in Teak and Black Metal, Italy, 1960s

Located in Rome, IT

Serving cart tray composed of two removable teak shelves and metal structure painted black which

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s

Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s

By Guzzini

Located in Rome, IT

Rectangular serving tray in tortoiseshell-effect lucite with brass handles designed by Guzzini

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy 1970s
Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy 1970s

Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy 1970s

By Guzzini

Located in Roma, IT

Wonderful Mid-Century round tray in tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This fantastic serving

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Serving Tray in brass and black glass Italy 70s
Serving Tray in brass and black glass Italy 70s

Serving Tray in brass and black glass Italy 70s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is an elegant, octagonal serving tray featuring a black reflective surface encased in a gold

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

1970s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Black Painted Metal by Mascagni
1970s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Black Painted Metal by Mascagni

1970s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Black Painted Metal by Mascagni

By Umberto Mascagni

Located in Aci Castello, IT

serving tray features a sleek and minimalist design characteristic of the era, with a black-painted metal

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Couroc Floral Design Barware Serving Tray
Vintage Couroc Floral Design Barware Serving Tray

Vintage Couroc Floral Design Barware Serving Tray

By The Couroc Company

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Large Mid-Century Modern serving tray by Couroc of Monterey California floral design barware. A mid

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bakelite

Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1970s
Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1970s

Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1970s

By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

1970s Rectangular serving tray centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and chrome borders in the

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Midcentury Tortoiseshell Plexiglass Italian Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo 1970s
Midcentury Tortoiseshell Plexiglass Italian Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo 1970s

Midcentury Tortoiseshell Plexiglass Italian Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo 1970s

By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo

Located in Roma, IT

plexiglass and lucite serving tray or platter that will amaze your guests. This serving piece has a

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s

By Team Guzzini, Willy Rizzo, Dior Home, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing squared serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Designer, Serving Cart, Teak, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Italian Designer, Serving Cart, Teak, Metal, Italy, 1950s

Italian Designer, Serving Cart, Teak, Metal, Italy, 1950s

Located in High Point, NC

A teak and black-lacquered metal serving cart or bar cart designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

1970s Modern Silver Plated and Grey Glass Italian Serving Tray
1970s Modern Silver Plated and Grey Glass Italian Serving Tray

1970s Modern Silver Plated and Grey Glass Italian Serving Tray

By Lino Sabattini

Located in Aci Castello, IT

This tray embodies the sophistication of Mid-Century Modern design with a distinctly Italian

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Couroc Roadrunner Bird Design Barware Vintage Serving Tray Circa 1960
Couroc Roadrunner Bird Design Barware Vintage Serving Tray Circa 1960

Couroc Roadrunner Bird Design Barware Vintage Serving Tray Circa 1960

By The Couroc Company

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Large Mid-Century Modern Couroc of Monterey California roadrunner bird design barware serving tray

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bakelite

1970s European Space Age Serving Tray with Glass and Graphic Design
1970s European Space Age Serving Tray with Glass and Graphic Design

1970s European Space Age Serving Tray with Glass and Graphic Design

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

This European Space Age serving tray was produced in the 1970s and reflects the era’s interest in

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

19th Century Chinoserie Tray
19th Century Chinoserie Tray

19th Century Chinoserie Tray

Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol

Large serving tray in metal. Golden hand-painted chinoserie details on black colored metal

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Metalwork

Materials

Metal

Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s

Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s

By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior

Located in Rome, IT

Amazing round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with and border brass in

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Midcentury Serving Bar Cart or Trolley with Teak Trays, 1970s
Italian Midcentury Serving Bar Cart or Trolley with Teak Trays, 1970s

Italian Midcentury Serving Bar Cart or Trolley with Teak Trays, 1970s

Located in Morazzone, Varese

Classic serving cart, bar or trolley from the Italian mid-century, 1970s of great quality. The base

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

Vintage Swedish Teak Bar Cart With Serving Trays - Set of 3
Vintage Swedish Teak Bar Cart With Serving Trays - Set of 3

Vintage Swedish Teak Bar Cart With Serving Trays - Set of 3

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

to complement Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, and bohemian interiors. Whether used as a serving

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Teak

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Tray in Golden Metal
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Tray in Golden Metal

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Tray in Golden Metal

Located in Brussel, BE

Evoking the elegance of 1970s Italian design, this vintage serving tray is crafted with a faux

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Circular Black Tray Platter Couroc of Monterey California, 1960s
Circular Black Tray Platter Couroc of Monterey California, 1960s

Circular Black Tray Platter Couroc of Monterey California, 1960s

By The Couroc Company

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Couroc of Monterey California bird design barware serving black round tray. A vintage mid century

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bakelite

Pair of black trays, hand-painted. Napoleon III style, France, 1950
Pair of black trays, hand-painted. Napoleon III style, France, 1950

Pair of black trays, hand-painted. Napoleon III style, France, 1950

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Pair of hand-painted, circular black trays adorned with a gilt floral frieze. The deep black

Category

Vintage 1950s French Napoleon III Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

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Mid Century Black Metal Serving Tray For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the mid century black metal serving tray you’re looking for. Each mid century black metal serving tray for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, plastic and lucite. Your living room may not be complete without a mid century black metal serving tray — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A mid century black metal serving tray made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one mid century black metal serving tray that is appealing in its simplicity, but Fornasetti, Guzzini and Piero Fornasetti produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Mid Century Black Metal Serving Tray?

A mid century black metal serving tray can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $906, while the lowest priced sells for $100 and the highest can go for as much as $3,000.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

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.