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Mid Century Metal Chairs Rod Iron

Italian mid century white metal outdoor chair with armrests, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid century white metal outdoor chair with armrests, 1950s. Outdoor chair with white
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Chair in Wood, Iron and Leather, by Michel Arnoult, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Michel Arnoult
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The chair designed by Michel Arnoult, a pivotal figure in the mid-20th-century Brazilian furniture
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Modernist Childs Chair
By Clifford Pascoe
Located in New York, NY
Pure modern design childs' chair, off-white backrest, grey seat, black metal rod frame.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Modernist Childs Chair
Modernist Childs Chair
H 26.5 in W 13.5 in D 16 in
Four Chairs in Lacquered Metal in the Style of Colette Gueden, circa 1960
By Colette Gueden
Located in Charleston, SC
A set of 4 Reilly-Wolff Associates 1950’s iron spindle fan back kitchen/side chairs A very nice
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Iron

Simon Gavina Jano Chair Velvet Italy 1970s
By Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Milano, IT
'Jano' model chairs with chromed metal rod frame and blue velvet upholstery.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Simon Gavina Jano Chair Velvet Italy 1970s
Simon Gavina Jano Chair Velvet Italy 1970s
H 29.34 in W 21.26 in D 20.87 in
Fiberglass Origami Chair by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Origami Chair if made of a light blue fiberglass seat and black iron rod frame. The seat was molded at
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

1950s Black and Blue Swivel Side Chairs Styled After John Risley - Set of 2
By John Risley
Located in Monrovia, CA
1950s Swivel Black Rod Iron Chair With Blue Cushions Styled After John Risely. 1950s Black Rod
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani P32 Lounge Chair
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Weesp, NL
of mid-century Italian design with the P32 Elegant Lounge Chair, a masterpiece created by Osvaldo
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass, Iron

Osvaldo Borsani P32 Lounge Chair
Osvaldo Borsani P32 Lounge Chair
H 23.63 in W 33.47 in D 30.32 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, brown leather, Italy, 1969, set of two
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, original cognac leather, Italy, 1969, set
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Chairs for Cassina, Bouclé Wool, 1969, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” lounge chairs for Cassina, bouclé wool and chromed steel, Italy, 1969
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Living Room Set for Cassina, 1969, Set of 3
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” living room set for Cassina, pair of lounge chairs and pouf
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Woodard Tropical Leaf Iron Patio/Outdoor Lounge Chair, Set of Four
By Salterini
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A set of four Woodard rod iron outdoor/patio chair with a distinct tropical leaf backrest. This
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Metal

Woodard Art Nouveau Iron Patio/Outdoor Lounge Chair, Set of 4
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 4 Woodard rod iron outdoor/patio chair with a distinct Art Nouveau backrest. This chair is
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Dinette Card Table Set by Cavalier
By Cavalier
Located in New York, NY
and tubular iron rods, the set folds down for easy storage and transportation. Solid, sturdy and ready
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Metal

21st Century Shira Chair in Leather by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
By Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
archive, while the metal tips give the chair a Mid-Century charm. Kivu chair with structure and tapered
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Salterini 3 Piece Lounge Chair, 2 Chairs with 2 Tables and 2 Footrests White
By John Salterini
Located in Monrovia, CA
Hair Pin Back Legs. Mid Century Modern Salterini Patio Furniture. Rod Iron With Expanded Metal. I Do
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Metal

Brazilian Modern Dining Table in Black Painted Iron, Chrome & Glass, Forma, 1970
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This mid-century modern dining table, designed by Forma in the 1970s in Brazil, is available today
Category

Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Iron

1950s Zenith Elephant Gray Fiberglass Bullet Planter with Iron Tripod Stand MCM
By Charles Eames
Located in Monrovia, CA
Mid-Century Modern fiberglass bullet planters. Original 1950s vintage elephant gray fiberglass
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jar...

Materials

Metal

Vintage Wrought Iron Wall Sconces Attributed to Van Keppel-Green, A Pair, 1960s
Located in Long Island City, NY
design, these wall sconces are formed from square-cut rods of wrought iron. Each piece holds 3 candles
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Candle Sconces

Materials

Wrought Iron

1960’s MCM Black Outdoor Set of 4 Rid-Jid Hoop Chairs & Newer Dining Table
By Salterini
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage MCM (mid-century modern) black painted outdoor dining set of 4 Rid-Jid Hoop chairs
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Metal

P 180 armchair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima 60/70's
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
Located in Padova, IT
production to industrial production in Italy in the 1950s, especially chairs, in which the metal composition
Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

People Also Browsed

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Category

2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

Materials

Hardwood

Eros Solid Oak Dining Table
By Aeterna Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid oak handcrafted dining table. 2" thick tabletop with nature inspired pedestals.  
Category

2010s Modern Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Oak

Eros Solid Oak Dining Table
Eros Solid Oak Dining Table
H 30 in W 48 in D 98 in
"Fit Side Table" Minimalist Travertine Cream Marble Side Table by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Fit Side Table is a minimalist style low table made of treated Travertine marble. This side table is composed by five marble pieces, all of them assembled in a logical and harmon...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Travertine

Bespoke Italian Travertine Oval Dining Table
Located in London, London
Travertine dining table Two pedestals Oval Made to order in Italy. Size can be customised to a maximum length of 250cm. Can also be made in a circular one pedestal version.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Travertine

Bespoke Italian Travertine Oval Dining Table
Bespoke Italian Travertine Oval Dining Table
H 31.5 in W 94.49 in D 43.31 in
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Brass

LU Swing Sconce
LU Swing Sconce
H 15 in W 5 in D 25.25 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
H 35.44 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection.  An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Sofas

Materials

Linen

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
H 31.5 in W 106.3 in D 39.38 in
White Rounded Square Quad Coffee Table in Stone Composite by Mike Ruiz-Serra
By Mike Ruiz Serra
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cast in stone composite, the Quad table gets its bright white color and unique matte finish from a special blend of marble dust and resin, making it both more durable and lighter wei...
Category

2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Composition

Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its base. Se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Textile, Wood

Handcrafted Farmhouse Fluted Porcelain Pendant With Trumpet Shape
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. On their own they make a statement with their gentle flared bottoms and deep fluting. Hang in multiples for extra oomph. These cas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Brutal Black Oak Sideboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutal solid oak handcrafted 4-door sideboard, each piece retains it´s natural character.
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Sideboards

Materials

Oak

Brutal Black Oak Sideboard
Brutal Black Oak Sideboard
H 28 in W 72 in D 18 in
Contemporary Art Deco Mint green and Red powder coated Carousel 5 arms pendant
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Carousel suspension lamp has a delicate balance of form and function that produces a quiet, modern light ambiance for all to savour, with its Contemporary Art Deco lines. The struct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Vintage circa 1985 Mies Van Der Rohe Barcelona Daybed with Zebra Rug
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
We collected this cult-favorite, vintage Mies Van Der Rohe daybed at auction. The stainless steel legs, walnut base, and black leather upholstery are all in excellent condition. See ...
Category

Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Leather, Zebra Hide

Daybed 'Arielle' by Dick Cordemeijer for Auping 1954, New Upholstery
By Dick Cordemeijer, Auping
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The Arielle daybed is often misattributed to Wim Rietveld but is actually by the hand of Dick Cordemeijer who started at Auping in 1953 and was responsible for their famous 'Cleopatr...
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of Four Richard Schultz 1966 Series Armless Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Chicago, IL
Richard Schultz for 1966 series for Knoll. Set of four outdoor lounge chairs. No longer in production. Seat and back are woven vinyl coated polyester mesh with vinyl straps and stai...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Metal

Recent Sales

German Midcentury Set of Metal Rod and Green Sky Bauhaus Chairs, 1940s
By Bauhaus
Located in MIlano, IT
German midcentury set of metal rod and green sky Bauhaus chairs, 1940s Set of 4 Bauhaus chairs
Category

Vintage 1940s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Knoll Chair 1960s Design Minimal and Razionalist Fabric Metal
By Knoll
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Knoll chair 1960s design minimal and razionalist, chrome-plated iron rod and black enamelled metal
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

1950s John Salterini Lounge Chairs with Footrests & Side Tables Mid-Century
By John Salterini
Located in Monrovia, CA
. Rare hair pin back legs. Mid-Century Modern Salterini Patio furniture. Rod iron with expanded metal
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Salterini Hoop Chair
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
repairs. Grey paint finish, iron rod frame, metal mesh seat and back. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Salterini Hoop Chair
Salterini Hoop Chair
H 29.5 in W 25 in D 21 in
California Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Expanded metal and iron rod frames with black painted finish and contrasting wood armrests
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron, Metal

California Modern Lounge Chairs
California Modern Lounge Chairs
H 29.5 in W 29 in D 30 in
Set of Six "Medea" Chairs by Vittorio Nobili, Italy, 1955
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in Los Angeles, CA
rosewood, brass, an enameled iron rod., very good condition, no scratches or chips into the wood seats
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Metal

Swivel Desk Chair by Clifford Pascoe
By Clifford Pascoe
Located in New York, NY
backrest, solid iron rod frame, upholstered seat, tubular and cast steel base.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Swivel Desk Chair by Clifford Pascoe
Swivel Desk Chair by Clifford Pascoe
H 32 in W 14.5 in D 21 in
Dal Vera Bamboo Chairs Rare Mid-Century Italian Design
By Dal Vera
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Dal Vera bamboo chairs rare Mid-Century Italian design, structured in iron rod with rubber feet
Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Italian Bamboo and Bllack Metal Chairs Armchairs, 1960s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Couple of Italian Mid-Century Modern design chairs armchair in bamboo, rush, cane and structure
Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Italian Bamboo and Black Metal Chairs Armchairs, 1960s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Couple of Italian Mid-Century Modern design chairs armchair in bamboo, rush, cane and structure
Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Augusto Bozzi Armchair Fratelli Saporiti, 1950s
By Augusto Bozzi, Fratelli Saporiti
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Elegant armchair by Augusto Bozzi for Fratelli Saporiti, Italy. Black-painted iron rod structure
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Augusto Bozzi Armchair Fratelli Saporiti, 1950s
Augusto Bozzi Armchair Fratelli Saporiti, 1950s
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 22.84 in
Herman Miller 1946 Eames DCM Dining Side Chair Metal Classic
By Herman Miller
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration: Eames for Herman Miller DCM metal side chair 1946 Mid-Century Modern design
Category

Vintage 1950s American Meiji Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Iron

John Salterini Black Metal Lounges with Ottomans And Cocktail Tables - Set of 2
By John Salterini
Located in Monrovia, CA
Century Modern Salterini Patio Furniture. Rod Iron With Expanded Metal. I Do Have Two Pics In My Listing
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Tempestini for Salterini Clamshell Lounge Chairs
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
rod frames with metal mesh seat and back. Designed for outdoor use, also suitable for indoor use
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, brown leather, Italy, 1969, set of two
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” lounge chairs for Cassina, champagne leather, Italy, 1969, set of two
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Chairs for Cassina, Bouclé Wool, 1969, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” lounge chairs for Cassina, bouclé wool and chromed steel, 1969, set
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Cleo Baldon Terra Wrought Iron Bar Stools, Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Chairs
By Terra, Cleo Baldon
Located in Lambertville, NJ
zag cross metal strapping on seat back continued to seat. Oak wood rod stretchers show wonderful
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Metal

Rod and Weave Chair by Eric Trine, Black Leather and Steel Armchair
By Eric Trine
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This handcrafted chair by California artist Eric Trine has proportions perfect for the den
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Pair of Salterini Radar Lounge Chairs
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
damage, bends, welds, repairs etc. Metal mesh seats and backs, iron rod frame construction. Please view
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Salterini Radar Lounge Chairs
Pair of Salterini Radar Lounge Chairs
H 27.5 in W 29.5 in D 22 in
Maison Jansen Table and Three Chairs, France, circa 1940s
By Marc du Plantier, Maison Jansen
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
, with twisted iron rods; exaggeratedly scrolled arms; large, cabriole legs adorned with a losange motif
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Osvaldo Borsani P32 Lounge Chair in Ochre Yellow Velvet for Tecno, Italy, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Utrecht, NL
The elegant P32 with it’s well proportioned seat, supported by delicate metal rod legs has become a
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Italian Pink Velvet Chair, 1950s
Located in Savona, IT
Italian production chair from the 1950s. Structure in black painted iron rod. Back and seat
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian Pink Velvet Chair, 1950s
Italian Pink Velvet Chair, 1950s
H 35.44 in W 18.51 in D 17.72 in
1960s Five Piece Handmade Iron Patio Set
Located in San Francisco, CA
" tall and 31" long, the set is constructed of expanded metal mesh and formed iron rod, all sprayed a
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Metal

Modernist Iron and Canvas Patio Lounge Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
attached to a soft hair pin leg to armrest form created out of rod iron. Covered in new canvas and attached
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Vittorio Nobili "Medea" Chairs, Italy, circa 1955
By Medea, Vittorio Nobili
Located in Munich, DE
veneered veneer in santos rosewood, brass, an enameled iron rod., very good condition, no scratches or
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

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Mid Century Metal Chairs Rod Iron For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal mid century metal chairs rod iron for your home. Each mid century metal chairs rod iron for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, iron and plastic. If you’re shopping for a mid century metal chairs rod iron, we have 20 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a mid century metal chairs rod iron — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right mid century metal chairs rod iron, those designed in mid-century modern and modern styles are of considerable interest. Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina and John Salterini each produced at least one beautiful mid century metal chairs rod iron that is worth considering.

How Much is a Mid Century Metal Chairs Rod Iron?

Prices for a mid century metal chairs rod iron can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $250 and can go as high as $22,600, while the average can fetch as much as $3,850.

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 legendary 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.

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.