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Mid Century Modern Decorative Plates

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Mid-century Modern Decorative Plate
Mid-century Modern Decorative Plate

Mid-century Modern Decorative Plate

Located in Pasadena, CA

expressive spirit of mid-century European decorative arts.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Ceramic

Large Blue Gray Crackle Glazed Square Plate, 1960s
Large Blue Gray Crackle Glazed Square Plate, 1960s

Large Blue Gray Crackle Glazed Square Plate, 1960s

By Arabia, Royal Copenhagen, Marianne Starck, Michael Andersen & Son, Bing & Grøndahl

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Handmade Danish midcentury modern decorative plate. Decorated by hand with blue lines and floral

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery

Two 1960s Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments Plates by Piero Fornasetti
Two 1960s Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments Plates by Piero Fornasetti

Two 1960s Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments Plates by Piero Fornasetti

By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti

Located in Aci Castello, IT

These two 1960s Mid-Century Modern decorative plates by Piero Fornasetti typically exemplify his

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Plate by Jean Lurçat Blue Red Green Yellow
Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Plate by Jean Lurçat Blue Red Green Yellow

Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Plate by Jean Lurçat Blue Red Green Yellow

Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Mid-Century Modern ceramic plate by designer Jean Lurçat featuring a multicolour transfer print of

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

French Mid-Century Hand-Painted Fish Plate Set with Platter, Signed Vallauris
French Mid-Century Hand-Painted Fish Plate Set with Platter, Signed Vallauris

French Mid-Century Hand-Painted Fish Plate Set with Platter, Signed Vallauris

By Vallauris

Located in New York, NY

A delightful French mid-century hand-painted set comprising six fish plates and one platter, signed

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Stylized Grape Leaf Decorative Dish
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Stylized Grape Leaf Decorative Dish

Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Stylized Grape Leaf Decorative Dish

Located in New York, NY

This refined Mid-Century Modern silver plate decorative dish was realized in the United States

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of Seven Decorative Plates, Cerenne, Vallauris c. 1950
Set of Seven Decorative Plates, Cerenne, Vallauris c. 1950

Set of Seven Decorative Plates, Cerenne, Vallauris c. 1950

By Atelier Cerenne of Vallauris

Located in St Ouen, FR

from its creator, has created high-quality utilitarian and decorative ceramics for several decades

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

Large Decorative Scandinavian Wood Plate Old Patina Circa 1960
Large Decorative Scandinavian Wood Plate Old Patina Circa 1960

Large Decorative Scandinavian Wood Plate Old Patina Circa 1960

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Large Decorative wood Plate in a brown color. Old and beautiful Patina. Circa 1960

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Mid-Century Belgian Porcelain Oyster Plates by La Porcelaine de Baudour 1950s
Mid-Century Belgian Porcelain Oyster Plates by La Porcelaine de Baudour 1950s

Mid-Century Belgian Porcelain Oyster Plates by La Porcelaine de Baudour 1950s

Located in Herentals, BE

porcelain manufactory active throughout the 20th century. The plates are made of high-quality white

Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

"Rosenthal meets Versace" Set of Six Decorative Porcelain Plates 90s Germany
"Rosenthal meets Versace" Set of Six Decorative Porcelain Plates 90s Germany

"Rosenthal meets Versace" Set of Six Decorative Porcelain Plates 90s Germany

By Versace, Rosenthal

Located in Palermo, IT

A set of six decorative porcelain plates from the "Rosenthal meets Versace" collection, crafted

Category

1990s German Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Gold

Two ceramic plates, 20th century, France
Two ceramic plates, 20th century, France

Two ceramic plates, 20th century, France

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Set of two decorative ceramic plates, France, 20th century. This pair comprises: a richly decorated

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Faience

Mid-Century Modern Silver Plated Accessory Box
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plated Accessory Box

Mid-Century Modern Silver Plated Accessory Box

Located in New York, NY

This handsome early Mid-Century Modern accessory box was realized in the United States circa 1940

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Decorative French Wood Plates Old Patina Circa 1960 Set of 5
Decorative French Wood Plates Old Patina Circa 1960 Set of 5

Decorative French Wood Plates Old Patina Circa 1960 Set of 5

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Decorative French Wood Plates Old Patina Circa 1960 Set of 5

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Wood, Olive

Early-mid 19th Century Pair of Qing Dynasty Fitzhugh Dinner Plates
Early-mid 19th Century Pair of Qing Dynasty Fitzhugh Dinner Plates

Early-mid 19th Century Pair of Qing Dynasty Fitzhugh Dinner Plates

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Early-mid 19th century pair of Qing Dynasty Fitzhugh dinner plates. Chinese export for the Western

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century French Ceramic Wall Plaque or Decorative Plate, 1960s
Mid-Century French Ceramic Wall Plaque or Decorative Plate, 1960s

Mid-Century French Ceramic Wall Plaque or Decorative Plate, 1960s

By Le Cyclope

Located in London, GB

Highly decorative mid-century pottery wall plaque or plate by le Cyclope art pottery, in the style

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box
Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box

Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box

By Christofle

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Signed Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box. Nicely cast with beautiful design. This

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Bronze and Ceramic Sculpture Plate
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Bronze and Ceramic Sculpture Plate

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Bronze and Ceramic Sculpture Plate

Located in Miami, FL

Handmade Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Platter of Bronze and Ceramic, a One of a Kind Piece, Signed

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Porphyry Red Marble Italian Round Decorative Plate, 1950s
Mid-Century Porphyry Red Marble Italian Round Decorative Plate, 1950s

Mid-Century Porphyry Red Marble Italian Round Decorative Plate, 1950s

Located in Roma, IT

Magnificent solid dark red Porphyry marble plate made in Italy during the 1950s. The simplicity of

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Marble

Mid-Century Decorative Plate by Mette Doller, 1950s
Mid-Century Decorative Plate by Mette Doller, 1950s

Mid-Century Decorative Plate by Mette Doller, 1950s

By Mette Doller, Andersson & Johansson

Located in Örebro, SE

Decorative plate by Mette Doller for Andersson & Johansson Höganäs 1950s. Signed with maker's mark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Stoneware

Mid-Century Modern Italian Elephant Sculpture Silver Plated and Marble, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Elephant Sculpture Silver Plated and Marble, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Elephant Sculpture Silver Plated and Marble, 1960s

Located in Byron Bay, NSW

Sculpture of elephant silver plated and marble base, also can be used as holder for things like

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Silver Plate

Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate & Lucite Vanity Set Perfume Bottle & Powder Box
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate & Lucite Vanity Set Perfume Bottle & Powder Box

Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate & Lucite Vanity Set Perfume Bottle & Powder Box

By Apollo Studios

Located in Miami, FL

Elegant Mid-Century Modern vanity set comprising a silver-plated perfume bottle and a glass bowl

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Modern Elegant Silver Plate Vintage Picture Frame Rectangular
Mid-Century Modern Elegant Silver Plate Vintage Picture Frame Rectangular

Mid-Century Modern Elegant Silver Plate Vintage Picture Frame Rectangular

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a mid-century modern elegant silver plate vintage picture frame Rectangular

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Modern Decorative Glass Plate with Iron Base by Argentine A. Churba
Mid-Century Modern Decorative Glass Plate with Iron Base by Argentine A. Churba

Mid-Century Modern Decorative Glass Plate with Iron Base by Argentine A. Churba

By Alberto Churba

Located in North Miami, FL

Late 20th century Mid-Century Modern large decorative glass plate with iron base by argentine

Category

Vintage 1970s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Jean Luce Porcelain Small Plates, French Modernism, Set of 4
Jean Luce Porcelain Small Plates, French Modernism, Set of 4

Jean Luce Porcelain Small Plates, French Modernism, Set of 4

By Jean Luce, Arzberg

Located in New York, NY

Art Deco designer Jean Luce and produced by Arzberg in Germany, circa mid‑20th century (1950s–1960s

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Mid-Century Modern ceramic Plate
Italian Mid-Century Modern ceramic Plate

Italian Mid-Century Modern ceramic Plate

By Fratelli Fanciullacci

Located in Charleston, SC

A fantastic ceramic atomic style plate with black and gray and pink boomerangs. The square plate

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Materials

Ceramic

Two 1970s Willy Rizzo Style Mid-century Modern Silver Plated Picture Frames
Two 1970s Willy Rizzo Style Mid-century Modern Silver Plated Picture Frames

Two 1970s Willy Rizzo Style Mid-century Modern Silver Plated Picture Frames

By Willy Rizzo, Romeo Rega

Located in Aci Castello, IT

Chic Pair of 1970s Willy Rizzo Style Mid-Century Modern Silver-Plated Picture Frames Capture your

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Sandro Couple Sculpture, Ceramic Plate, Mid-Century Modern, 2017
Sandro Couple Sculpture, Ceramic Plate, Mid-Century Modern, 2017

Sandro Couple Sculpture, Ceramic Plate, Mid-Century Modern, 2017

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Sandro couple sculpture, 2017 Taxidermy, Ceramic Plate. Made in Berlin in 2017.   

Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Organic Material

French Jean Luce Porcelain Dinner Plates, Midcentury Modernism, Set of 10
French Jean Luce Porcelain Dinner Plates, Midcentury Modernism, Set of 10

French Jean Luce Porcelain Dinner Plates, Midcentury Modernism, Set of 10

By Arzbeg Porcelain, Jean Luce

Located in New York, NY

century (1950s–1960s), Germany. Dinner plates are beautifully balanced and understated, showcasing Luce’s

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Silver-Plated Four-Light Candelabra, Denmark
Mid-Century Modern Silver-Plated Four-Light Candelabra, Denmark

Mid-Century Modern Silver-Plated Four-Light Candelabra, Denmark

By Carl Frederik Christiansen, Wilhelm Wagenfeld

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

Elegant mid-century modern silver-plated candelabra in the style of Carl F. Christiansen or Wilhelm

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Bauhaus Candelabras

Materials

Silver Plate

Danish Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Leaf Candle Holders Denmark
Danish Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Leaf Candle Holders Denmark

Danish Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Leaf Candle Holders Denmark

By Dansk

Located in Chula Vista, CA

plated. Stamped Prima HGr made Denmark. It will take candles .25" diameter Dimensions: 3.25" Diameter

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern More Candle Holders

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Silver Plate Trophy

Mid-Century Silver Plate Trophy

Located in Queens, NY

American Art Moderne silver plate trophy with 2 handles on round bakelite base (20th Cent.)

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Silver

Mid-Century Modern Enamel Abstract on Copper Signed Plate
Mid-Century Modern Enamel Abstract on Copper Signed Plate

Mid-Century Modern Enamel Abstract on Copper Signed Plate

Located in San Diego, CA

Mid-century modern enamel abstract on copper signed plate, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Danish Modern 3 Swoop Decorative Plate
Danish Modern 3 Swoop Decorative Plate

Danish Modern 3 Swoop Decorative Plate

By Holmegaard

Located in Minneapolis, MN

the faintest sky blue tint. A quality piece of decorative midcentury glass that would look great

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and V...

Materials

Glass

Mid-century modern silver-plated bowl / vide poche, PM Italy 1970s
Mid-century modern silver-plated bowl / vide poche, PM Italy 1970s

Mid-century modern silver-plated bowl / vide poche, PM Italy 1970s

By PM Italy

Located in Firenze, IT

Mid-century modern silver-plated centerpiece / bowl / vide poche PM Italy 1970s engraved mark

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Fernand Leger (1881-1955)  Mid Century Modern Plate, Museum Seal
Fernand Leger (1881-1955)  Mid Century Modern Plate, Museum Seal

Fernand Leger (1881-1955) Mid Century Modern Plate, Museum Seal

By (after) Fernand Léger

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A Fernand Leger (1881-1955 French) "Mother with Child” ceramic plate hand stenciled & stamped

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Enamel

Vintage 1960s Italian Glazed Ceramic Tomato Plates - Set of 8
Vintage 1960s Italian Glazed Ceramic Tomato Plates - Set of 8

Vintage 1960s Italian Glazed Ceramic Tomato Plates - Set of 8

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This charming set of eight vintage Italian majolica plates is a delightful celebration of mid

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Mid Century Modern Jatoba and Silver Plated Cigarette Box
Italian Mid Century Modern Jatoba and Silver Plated Cigarette Box

Italian Mid Century Modern Jatoba and Silver Plated Cigarette Box

By Ottaviani

Located in Weesp, NL

Introducing the epitome of sophistication: the Italian Mid Century Modern Jatoba Wood and Floral

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Silver Plate

Saint-Clement Mid-century Art Ceramic Oyster Set, 1960s
Saint-Clement Mid-century Art Ceramic Oyster Set, 1960s

Saint-Clement Mid-century Art Ceramic Oyster Set, 1960s

By Saint-Clément

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

French Mid-Century Modern Stoneware Oyster Plate Set by Saint-Clément, 1960s. Elegant and rare mid

Category

Vintage 1960s French Art Deco Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Vintage Fornasetti Surrealist Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #319
Vintage Fornasetti Surrealist Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #319

Vintage Fornasetti Surrealist Porcelain Themes & Variation Plate, #319

By Piero Fornasetti

Located in Downingtown, PA

The Illogical Menu: Fornasetti's Gorgonzola Muse Object: Decorative Plate / Surreal Art Object

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Wedgwood Black Basalt Plates, Set of 6
Wedgwood Black Basalt Plates, Set of 6

Wedgwood Black Basalt Plates, Set of 6

By Wedgwood

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful set of six (6) English black basalt plates by Wedgwood, circa early to mid-20th century

Category

20th Century English Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

German Wall Plate or Bowl with Peacock Motif from Sgrafo Modern, 1960s
German Wall Plate or Bowl with Peacock Motif from Sgrafo Modern, 1960s

German Wall Plate or Bowl with Peacock Motif from Sgrafo Modern, 1960s

By Sgrafo Modern

Located in Hamburg, DE

: Mid-Century Modern Country of Origin: Germany Color: Beige Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned

Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic

Laura de Santillana, Italy, Numeri Murrine Plate
Laura de Santillana, Italy, Numeri Murrine Plate

Laura de Santillana, Italy, Numeri Murrine Plate

By Laura de Santillana, Venini

Located in Uccle, BE

Hand welded and ground Murano glass plate with an arrangement of polychrome murrines depicting

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Silver-Plated Double Candelabras by Berg Denmark
Mid-Century Modern Danish Silver-Plated Double Candelabras by Berg Denmark

Mid-Century Modern Danish Silver-Plated Double Candelabras by Berg Denmark

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian double candelabras is crafted in silver-plated

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Mid-Century Wall Plaque Plate, 1960s
Mid-Century Wall Plaque Plate, 1960s

Mid-Century Wall Plaque Plate, 1960s

Located in Hamburg, DE

Mid-Century Wall Plaque Plate, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Handmade Carrara Marble Bowl Plate Centerpiece
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Handmade Carrara Marble Bowl Plate Centerpiece

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Handmade Carrara Marble Bowl Plate Centerpiece

By Massimo and Lella Vignelli

Located in Miami, FL

20th century Mid-Century Modern handmade veined white Carrara marble bowl, plate, centerpiece made

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Carrara Marble, Soapstone

Mid-Century Modern Oval Vallauris Majolica Wall Plate With Sea Creatures
Mid-Century Modern Oval Vallauris Majolica Wall Plate With Sea Creatures

Mid-Century Modern Oval Vallauris Majolica Wall Plate With Sea Creatures

By Vallauris

Located in Doornspijk, NL

Black ceramic majolica oval shaped wall plate with fishes and other sea creatures by Vallauris

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern 24-Karat Gold Plated Ceramic Cubist Sculpture by Jaru
Mid-Century Modern 24-Karat Gold Plated Ceramic Cubist Sculpture by Jaru

Mid-Century Modern 24-Karat Gold Plated Ceramic Cubist Sculpture by Jaru

By Jaru

Located in New York, NY

Mid-Century Modern form and lustrous metallic skein, this piece promises to add a luxurious and

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Gold

Piero Fornasetti Set of Fifteen Plates Decorated with Musical Instruments
Piero Fornasetti Set of Fifteen Plates Decorated with Musical Instruments

Piero Fornasetti Set of Fifteen Plates Decorated with Musical Instruments

By Piero Fornasetti

Located in Downingtown, PA

reassemble it into a compelling modern pattern. The extensive nature of the set (sixteen plates) emphasizes

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Wall Plate by Wilhelm Kagel, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Wall Plate by Wilhelm Kagel, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Wall Plate by Wilhelm Kagel, 1960s

By Wilhelm Kagel

Located in Hamburg, DE

Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Wall Plate by Wilhelm Kagel, 1960s, in Very Good

Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

A Sea of Imagination: Piero Fornasetti’s Iconic Pesci Plates
A Sea of Imagination: Piero Fornasetti’s Iconic Pesci Plates

A Sea of Imagination: Piero Fornasetti’s Iconic Pesci Plates

By Piero Fornasetti

Located in Downingtown, PA

A Sea of Imagination: Fornasetti’s Iconic Pesci Plates Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913–1988) A Set

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

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Mid Century Modern Decorative Plates For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of mid century modern decorative plates is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, ceramic and silver, all mid century modern decorative plates available were constructed with great care. We have 5223 antique and vintage mid century modern decorative plates in-stock, while there are 149 modern editions to choose from as well. Mid century modern decorative plates have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Mid century modern decorative plates made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Mid century modern decorative plates have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Lino Sabattini, Piero Fornasetti and Oluce are consistently popular.

How Much are Mid Century Modern Decorative Plates?

Mid century modern decorative plates can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $980, while the lowest priced sells for $29 and the highest can go for as much as $450,000.

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.

Questions About Mid Century Modern Decorative Plates