Mid Century Hanging Mobile
Mid-century Acrylic Wall Hanging Lenscope by Karl Gerstner Swiss, 1960s mobile
By Karl Gerstner
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Mid-century Acrylic Wall Hanging, titled "Lenscope" by Karl Gerstner Swiss, 1960s designed by Karl
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 1.58 in
Vintage Modern Hanging Geometric Mobile Wire Sculpture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Hanging Geometric Mobile style wire sculpture. Wire appears to be red/orange coated electrical wire
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wire
1960s Metal Hanging Mobile with Crown Fish and Birds
Located in San Diego, CA
1960s metal hanging kinetic mobile sculpture with crown, fish and birds elements. Could be used
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Hanging Mid Century Fiber and Wood Kinetic Sculpture 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Hanging mid-century fiber and wood kinetic sculpture. Unsigned, 1960s
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood
Mid Century Fiber Art Crocheted Wool Hanging Sculpture by Jane Knight 1970s
By Jane Knight
Located in Troy, MI
open weave crocheted sculpture in a muted chartreuse wool, adorned with a hanging brass chime
From the
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wool
Michael Cutler Hanging Kinetic Aluminium Sculpture
By Michael Cutler
Located in Ferndale, MI
Michael Cutler designed steel rod circle holding rotating three-piece mobile sculpture . Excellent
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculpt...
Materials
Aluminum
David Shaner Hanging Landscape Studio Pottery Suspended Totem Sculpture 1990s
By David Shaner 1
Located in Troy, MI
Hanging landscape by Montana ceramic artist David Shaner circa 1990s
Thirteen stoneware spheroid
Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
H 62 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage 1960s Modernist Inspired Handcrafted Hanging Wall Sculpture/Room Divider
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1960s Modernist inspired handcrafted hanging wall sculpture / room divider by New Zealand
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wire
H 84 in W 72 in D 1 in
Rare Peter Pepper Ceramic Wall Mounted Hanging Atomic Weather Station Mobile
By Peter Pepper Products
Located in Troy, MI
Exceptionally rare hanging weather station sculpture by Peter Pepper Products
Circa 1950s
Three
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Lot 6 Vintage Ape Monkey Bojesen Style Paper Cardboard Hanging Mobile Ornaments
Located in Nuernberg, DE
your room to build your own hanging mobile. Total high of each one is given in dimensions section
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
H 5.25 in W 4.25 in D 1.75 in
1960s Cesar Vasquez Lapis Brass Copper Enamel Birds Mobile Wall Hanging Art
By Alexander Girard, Joaquin Tinta
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Folk art style sheet cut birds, flowers and leaves by Chilean artist Cesar Vasquez. Uncommon with the Lapis gemstones.
Category
Vintage 1960s Chilean Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Metal
H 64 in W 21.5 in D 4.5 in
Recent Sales
J Schatz Studio 2018 Multi-Color Orb Hanging Sculpture, Mid-Century Modern
By J Schatz Studio
Located in Providence, RI
stoneware sculpture and subject to variation. Perfect in a Mid-Century Modern home or the highlight in a
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Stoneware
J Schatz Studio 2018 White Orb Hanging Sculpture, Mid-Century Modern Stoneware
By J Schatz Studio
Located in Providence, RI
unique one of a kind stoneware sculpture and subject to variation. Perfect in a Mid-Century Modern home
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Stoneware
H 55 in W 55 in D 8 in
Black and Chrome Sarus Mobile 3-Tier Hanging Light by David Weeks Studio
By David Weeks
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Sarus mobile is a carefully balanced fixture, featuring a combination of large and small Sarus
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Chrome, Aluminum
H 25.5 in W 69 in D 132.5 in
SUPRA, Mid-Century Style Wooden Hanging Mobile
By par-avion co.
Located in Norwich, GB
waste' hanging mobiles.
Utilising reworked wood offcuts from our pi collection these one of a kind
Category
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
SOL, Mid-Century Style Wooden Hanging Mobile
By par-avion co.
Located in Norwich, GB
waste' hanging mobiles.
Utilising reworked wood offcuts from our pi collection these one of a kind
Category
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Jim Hunter Black Hanging Mobile, 2015
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's modern hanging mobile is a black kinetic
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Jim Hunter Black Hanging Metal Mobile, 2014
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's modern hanging metal mobile is a black kinetic
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Jim Hunter Black Hanging Metal Mobile, 2017
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's modern hanging black painted metal mobile is a
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Jim Hunter White Hanging Metal Mobile, 2017
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's modern hanging white painted metal mobile is a
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
1970s Black and Gold Metal Hanging Kinetic Mobile
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Kinetic hanging mobile sculpture, vintage 1970's. Approximate measurements are 35" in height by x
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Large Hanging Mobile in Red and Black by Manuel Marin
Located in Wiscasset, ME
interested in mobiles as sculpture, inspired by the work of Alexander Calder, whose influence can clearly be
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Pair of Brutalist Hanging Sculptures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Brutalist hanging sculptures. They project cool shadows when hung close to a wall with
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Cut Steel
Ted Saito Hanging Ceramic Sculpture
By Ted Saito
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This whimsical hanging ceramic sculpture by artist Ted Saito captures the free-spirited California
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Curtis Jere Silver Kinetic Wall Hanging
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Wilton, CT
Gorgeous Kinetic wall hanging by Curtis Jere Studio. Each strand shimmers and twirls about on a
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Sergio Bustamante Brass and Copper Hanging Sculpture of a Parrot
By Sergio Bustamante
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A whimsical Mid-Century Modern figure of a hanging brass and copper parrot, having a silvered beak
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper
Mid Century Modern French Hanging Mobile Fixture
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a French hanging mobile light.
Double cone with original vintage colors
Category
Vintage 1950s French Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Mobile Hanging Chandelier Attributed to Stilnovo
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For your consideration a vintage Italian chandelier with sculptural mobile shape.
Four shades can
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Mobile Hanging Sculpture
By Alexander Calder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage mobile made of metal. Painted in red, blue and yellow colors. Unsigned. After Alexander
Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Jim Hunter : Hanging Mobile Sculpture
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
This modern hanging mobile is a kinetic sculpture by contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wire
HILL, Mid-Century Style Wooden Hanging Mobile
By par-avion co.
Located in Norwich, GB
waste' hanging mobiles.
Utilising reworked wood offcuts from our pi collection these one of a kind
Category
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Hanging Sculpture Mobile Wind Chime
Located in Miami, FL
Twenty-four discs hanging from a spiral, true midcentury sculpture.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Jim Hunter White Hanging Metal Mobile, 2018
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's modern hanging white painted metal mobile is a
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Custom Jim Hunter White Hanging Metal Mobile, 2019
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's custom modern hanging white painted metal mobile
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Jim Hunter Black and Red Hanging Mobile, 2015
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's modern hanging mobile is a black and red kinetic
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Custom Jim Hunter Large White Hanging Metal Mobile, 2019
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's custom modern large hanging white painted metal
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Custom Jim Hunter Matte Black Hanging Metal Mobile, 2020
By Jim Hunter
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist/sculptor Jim Hunter's custom modern hanging matt black painted metal
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Metal
Vintage Higgins Glass Rondelay Suspended Multicolor Hanging Mobile Sculpture
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Troy, MI
Original Michael and Frances Higgins Rondelay fused art glass hanging sculpture circa early 1960s
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
H 69 in W 12 in D 0.25 in
Signed Vintage Modernist Abstract Black Hanging Kinetic Mobile Sculpture 1983
Located in Troy, MI
Abstract modernist hanging kinetic mobile by Ohio artist John Howard Landsiedel
Minimalist seven
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 33 in W 40 in D 12 in
Higgins Studio Art Glass Abstract Multi-Color Mobile, Hanging Sculpture, Signed
By Michael Higgins, Michael and Frances Higgins, Higgins Glass, Francis Higgins
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Higgins Studio Art Glass Abstract Modernist multi-color mobile, hanging sculpture, signed. 20th
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
H 21 in W 12 in D 1 in
Michael and Frances Large Glass Rondelay Mobile / Hanging in Pinks and Yellows
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Kansas City, MO
Michael & Frances Higgins Fused Art Glass Rondelays, set of five, in the very large size. Each piece is 12 inches in diameter. One of the metal connectors has a well done previous re...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 60 in W 12 in D 0.25 in
Hanging Sculpture Red
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hanging Sculpture, made by AM Authentic Models
In good original condition, preserving a beautiful
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Paolo Soleri Hanging Bronze Bell
By Paolo Soleri, Arcosanti
Located in Ferndale, MI
measures 3.75" deep 5" wide 4.25" tall. Overall height hanging is 20".
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
David Elijah Herschler Hanging Abstract Sculpture
By Elijah David Herschler
Located in San Francisco, CA
David Elijah Herscler abstract chrome plated steel hanging sculpture. Contemporary sculpture
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Paolo Soleri Hanging Bronze Bell 1960s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. A rare minimalist dots design. The chamber has the Cosanti mark. Comes with an original extension rod. Fantastic patina and a great sound...
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze Soleri Bell and Hanging Bracket
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Large vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. A hanging bracket is included. Fantastic patina
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze Soleri Bell and Hanging Bracket
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Large vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. A hanging bracket is included. Fantastic patina
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Soleri Bell Sculpture and Hanging Bracket
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage bronze Cosanti bell sculpture by Paolo Soleri. Signed by Soleri. A hanging bracket is
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze Soleri Bell and Hanging Bracket
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Large vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. A hanging bracket is included. Fantastic patina
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze Soleri Bell and Hanging Bracket
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Large vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. A hanging bracket is included. Fantastic patina
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Paolo Soleri Large Hanging Bronze Bell 1960s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. The bell chamber has the Cosanti mark. Fantastic patina and a great sound.
Paolo Soleri (1919-2013), the founder of Cosanti and Arcosant...
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Hanging Sculpture in the Style of Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hanging sculpture in the style of Alexander Calder, made by AM Authentic Models
In good original
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Bronze Paolo Soleri Signed Hanging Bronze Bell Sculpture
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage bronze Cosanti bell sculpture by Paolo Soleri. Signed by Soleri on the cast sculptural element. The bell chamber has a uncommon geometric pattern and has the Cosanti mark. Fa...
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Cosanti Windbell Cluster with Hanging Bracket by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Bronze Cosanti windbell cluster with hanging bracket by Paolo Soleri, circa 1980s. The cluster
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze Cosanti Wind Bell with Hanging Bracket by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Large bronze Cosanti wind bell with hanging bracket by Paolo Soleri, circa 1980s. The bell has a
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Handmade Hanging Abstract Sculpture, Kinetic Wind Chime/Bell, circa 1970s
By Alexander Calder, Paolo Soleri
Located in Peabody, MA
Handmade sculptural kinetic wind chime/ bell in folded and welded steel, counterbalanced with a crescent shaped arm and lead weight “clapper” to sound a low cow bell tone when the wi...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Lead
H 23.25 in W 12 in D 10.5 in
Paolo Soleri Sculpture Hanging Bronze Bell Wind Chime, Circa 1960's
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Beautiful bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. In wonderful condition with a lovely patina. Signed and very unique. Measures 22 inches high. Bell is 5 inches high and 4 inches across...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Tile Decorative Wall Hanging With Cherub mo
Located in Seattle, WA
Makers mark on the bottom shows that this tile was made by Fratantoni Ceramiche, a tiling company based out of Italy. Beautiful Cherub motif adorns the Ceramic tile Blue and Yellow h...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
H 1 in W 8 in D 8 in
Stainless Steel Hanging Mobile Sculpture
By Alexander Calder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a hanging sculpture constructed with solid stainless steel. Some areas
Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Best Hanging Glass Mobile by Michael and Francis Higgins
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Ferndale, MI
Earlier production, marked "Higgins".
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Fedele Papagni Mobile Hanging Light
By Fedele Papagni
Located in New York, NY
Studio-made two-light "Mobile" fixture by Fedele Papagni. Sculptural fixture with three moving
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Hanging Wire Mobile in the Style George Rickey
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Stunning hanging mobile in the style of George Rickey.
Measures: 24" by 32" by 32" when fully open.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Modern Hanging Mobile 1970's
Located in London, GB
In the style of Alexander Calder this hanging mobile will be the greatest decoration on your
Category
Vintage 1970s American Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Hanging Mobile Sculpture
By Carl Freeman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Impressive in both scale and execution is this aluminum bodied mobile by Bay Area artist Carl
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Ruth Asawa Style Woven Wire Hanging Sculpture
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Woven stainless steel wire sculpture in the manner of Ruth Asawa. With proper lighting, the sculpture casts a beautiful shadow onto the wall. Excellent condition.
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Ruth Asawa Style Hanging Woven Stainless Wire Sculpture
By Katherine Hogan
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Crocheted stainless steel wire sculpture by one of very few people that learned the technique from the Asawa family.
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel, Wire
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Vintage Aldo Londi Italian Ceramiche Bird / Duck Sculpture by Bitossi Raymor
By Bitossi, Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage ceramiche bird / duck sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with great color and texture; it would make a fanta...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Iconic Vladimir Kagan ‘Serpentine’ Sofa in Beige Upholstery
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan, sofa model ‘Serpentine’, fabric, chrome-plated metal, United States, design 1950s, later production
This sofa is designed by Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) and clearly e...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Metal, Chrome
1960s Pinwheel Brazen Nail Table Sculpture Mid-Century Starburst as Curtis Jere
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and delicate Mid-Century era welded tabletop kinetic sculpture, no signature can be found, but it is very much like the works of Curtis Jere for Artisan House, with a littl...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Iron
H 16.88 in W 7 in D 7 in
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Mid Century Hanging Mobile For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the mid century hanging mobile you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A mid century hanging mobile — often made from metal, paint and brass — can elevate any home. Find 18 options for an antique or vintage mid century hanging mobile now, or shop our selection of 8 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a mid century hanging mobile — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right mid century hanging mobile, those designed in Mid-Century Modern styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one mid century hanging mobile that is appealing in its simplicity, but Jim Hunter, Paolo Soleri and Sergio Bustamante produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Mid Century Hanging Mobile?
Prices for a mid century hanging mobile start at $475 and top out at $19,500 with the average selling for $4,342.
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
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