Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs with Spindle Arms, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of rare mid-century modern arm chairs with spring rocking action.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Mid Century Modern Spindle Chair
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Vintage Mid Century Modern Spindle Back Birch Maple Dining Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Spindle Back Birch Maple Side Chair.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Birch, Maple
Set of Six Mid-Century Spindle-Backed Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful set of six mid-century modern dining chairs featuring warm-toned solid wood frames and clean, timeless lines.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Oak Spindle Back Rocker
By Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kick back and relax with the vintage comfort of this mid-century modern oak rocker. The sloping arms and feet gives classic Scandinavian flare into any space. A tall spindle back pea...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Vintage Mid Century Modern Spindle Back Birch Maple Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Spindle Back Birch Maple Side Chairs - a Pair.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Birch, Maple
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair with Spindle Back, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking mid-century modern lounge chair showcases the timeless balance of sculptural form and functional comfort that defines the best of 1950s–1960s design.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century child's spindle-back chair in elm
By George Nakashima, Ercol
Located in London, GB
Pretty little child's chair. Elm. Original unrestored. Dimensions: W 39.5 cm, D 33 cm, H 47 cm, seat H 27 cm; Wt 1.9 kg Shipping info: Package details approx.: 50x45x55cm, 4kg Vie...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Elm
Paul McCobb Style Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Side Chairs, Pair
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern spindle back side chairs or dining chairs In the manner of Paul McCobb USA, Circa 1950s Solid sculpted walnut, with upholstered seats Me...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Dutch Children's Spindle Back High Chair in Birch by Kibofa
By Kibofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century birch high chair by Kibofa with a round seat, curved spindle back and footrest. The name Kibofa stands for “Kinderstoelen en Boxen Fabriek”. In original condition and wit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Vintage Mid Century Modern Spindled Drexel Declaration Captain’s Chair.
Located in Seattle, WA
Walnut Toned wood, possibly vinyl seat cushioning. Beautiful design and wood grain. Rounded back chair.! Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 24 W ; 24 D ;...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chair, Newly Refinished
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional iconic mid-century modern spindle back dining chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with black lacquered finish.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Maple, Lacquer
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 6 All original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blon...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chairs, Pair
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of iconic mid-century modern spindle back dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with black lacquered f...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of four iconic mid-century modern spindle back dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with black lacquer...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Maple, Lacquer
4 Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 4 All original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blon...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Maple
Set of Six Mid-Century Spindle Back Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring authentic mid-century elegance to your dining area with this set of 6 beautifully crafted dining chairs, designed to balance iconic style with everyday functionality. With thei...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chairs, 4/Set
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exceptional set of iconic Mid-Century Modern solid Maple spindle back dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chairs, Twelve
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of twelve iconic Mid-Century Modern spindle back dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with black lacqu...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Maple, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Style Mid-Century Modern Walnut Spindle Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of four Mid-Century Modern spindle back dining chairs In the manner of Paul McCobb USA, Circa 1950s Solid sculpted walnut, with upholstered seats Measures: Si...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Rare American Mid Century Modern solid Oak Spindle Back Armchair
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful rare solid oak in walnut stain armchair with spindle back similar to Wormley Dunbar Designs excellent condition solid and sturdy , nice wool black fabric .
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wool, Oak
Mid-Century Teak Spindle Chairs by Arne Vodder for Sibast Denmark
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Embrace the exquisite craftsmanship of genuine mid-century Danish modern design with this quartet of teak dining chairs designed by Arne Vodder and produced by Sibast Furniture.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Teak
Vintage Mid Century Dutch Wooden Spindle Lounge Chairs by Vero Stoel
Located in Detroit, MI
This incredible pair of vintage mid century Dutch modern lounge chairs were made by Vero Stoel in the Netherlands circa 1960.
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Rope, Wood, Beech
Vintage Spindle Back Rosewood Barrel Chairs
$1,800 / set
Vintage Spindle Back Rosewood Barrel Chairs
By Herman Miller, Kipp Stewart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant and refined, this pair of Scandinavian Modern barrel-back chairs evoke the clean lines and thoughtful craftsmanship associated with Herman Miller and designer Kipp Stewart. E...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Rosewood, Fabric
Mid-Century Set of 4 Tapiovaara Inspired Natural Blonde Wood Spindle Back Chairs
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Mid-Century, Tapiovaara inspired, blonde spindle back chairs with slightly low seat height. Lightly refinished, in otherwise good natural condition. Priced as a set.
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low profile lounge chair made of solid walnut with finger joinery and spindle back. The angled back gives a nice lounging posture for comfort, with a rubber strap seat. Made for comf...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Classic Danish Mid Century Modernist Spindle Back Walnut Lounge Chair
By Finn Juhl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid Century Modernist Spindle Back / paddle arm Lounge Chair.. Made in Denmark. Handsome design. Unusual Dowel Back stretcher..Retains original seat and back cushions..Age ap...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century Danish Spindle Back Rocking Chair, Crimson Oak, Rush Seat
By De Ster Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Danish rocking chair features a traditional spindle back design crafted from solid oak with a distinctive crimson stain. The frame showcases sculpted organic curves throu...
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Rush, Oak
Teak Spindle Back Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With dark and rich teak wood grain, timeless design, and contrasting light colored upholstery, this vintage rocking chair is a stylish way to add Mid-Century Modern style to space. P...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Teak
Mid Century Danish Modern Spindle Back Lounge Chair by IB Kofod Larsen in Walnut
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Restored classic hoop chair designed by IB Kofod Larsen and produced by Selig in the 1960's. It features solid walnut construction with newly made seat cushions. Manufacture label. R...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Vintage Walnut Spindle Back Upholstered Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These chairs feature original striped upholstered seating and solid walnut construction. The attractive spindle backs make these a standout addition to indoor or outdoor settings. P...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
IB Kofod Larsen Selig Style Danish Modern Walnut Peacock Hoop Spindle Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
IB Kofod Larsen Selig Style Danish Modern Walnut Peacock Hoop Spindle Chair. Item features solid wood construction, clean modernist lines, upholstered seat, great style and form.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Vintage Walnut Spindle-Back Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Timeless and inviting, this pair of vintage walnut spindle-back lounge chairs captures the essence of mid-century craftsmanship. Featuring beautifully sculpted armrests that flow sea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swedish Spindle Dowel Back Chairs
$3,200 / set
Pair of Swedish Spindle Dowel Back Chairs
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice spindle back chairs with newly upholstered seats.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch, Maple
Paul McCobb Style Spindle Chairs
$2,200 / set
Paul McCobb Style Spindle Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six dining chairs, four armless, 2 throne chairs, with spindle backs. Closely resembling the iconic Planner Group chairs by Paul McCobb, with tapered spindles and shovel seats...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
A Mid Century Modern Rocking Chair, C. 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A finely crafted Mid-Century Modern rocking chair featuring sleek, sculptural lines and a harmonious balance of form and function.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Maple Spindle Back Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, low profile, lounge chair by Paul McCobb for Winchendon features a deep seated, black lacquered maple frame with spindle back and newly upholstered cushions in se...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
George Nakashima N19 Side Chair for Knoll, Walnut, Mid-Century Modern
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair.” The de...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chiavari Brass Side Chairs, 1950s, Italy
By Chiavari
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Vintage brass side chairs or chairs .
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Side Chair with Limed Oak Finish
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern side chair features hardwood construction, original limed oak finish, newer patterned upholstery, and spindled seat back.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Mid Century Modern Wrought Iron Lounge Chair By Richard McCarthy
By Richard McCarthy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This striking Mid-Century Modern wrought iron lounge chair was designed by Richard McCarthy for Selrite circa the 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Spindle Back Dining Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
$8,743 / set
Spindle Back Dining Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 6 Danish design dining spindle back chairs in teak. The seats are upholstered in a grey salt and pepper fabric. Excellent condition!
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Shaker Side Spindle Chair in Solid Oak, Inspired by Nakashima, 1960s
Located in Deland, FL
This graceful Mid-Century Modern side spindle chair is crafted from solid oak (or similar light hardwood) with beautiful natural grain, the chair features a gently curved spindle bac...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Pair of Vintage Walnut Spindle Back Chairs in the style of Nakashima
By George Nakashima Studio
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Vintage Walnut Spindle Back Chairs in the style of Nakashima
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Rocking Chair, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut New Rocking Chair, 1962, with spindle back. 35.75" H x 24.5" W x 30" D; seat: 16" H. Provenance: Purchased from the artist. F...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Scandinavian Modern Teak Spindle Back Dining Chairs Møbelfabrik Denmark, Set 4
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Miami, FL
Fully refinished condition and ready for Your Home. Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern seating from Northern Europe.
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Italian Lounge Chairs in Polished Walnut, 1940-1960
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage pair of Mid-Century modern Italian lounge chairs with a loose seat cushion, made of hand crafted polished Walnut in good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Spindle Back Dining Chairs in the Style of Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brussels, BE
Spindle back dining chairs in the style of Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1960s.
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Guillerme et Chambron, Circa 1950
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern single lounge made of hand carved bleached Oakwood, designed by Guillerme et Chambron in good condition. The seat backrest of the sculptural...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair by John Stuart Clingman for John Widdicomb
By John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern armless lounge chair designed by John Stuart Clingman for John Widdicomb.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
MCM B. Brody Chrome Spindle Back Side Chairs Newly Reupholstered – Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern B. Brody Chrome Spindle Back Side Chairs Newly Reupholstered in Cowhide – Pair Pair of mid-century modern chrome spindle back side chairs by B.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Vintage PEACOCK CHAIR Oak Wood With Cord Seating Mid Century Modern
By Johannes Hansen
Located in Monrovia, CA
This Is A Beautiful Hans J. Wegner Design, The "Peacock Chair". This Peacock Chair Is Of Oak Wood With Cord Seating. The Elegant Arc And The Flat Spindles For Comfort To Ones Back An...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Cord, Ash
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Peacock Chair by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Hans J. Wegner's 1947 Peacock Chair (model PP550) exemplifies the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modernist design principles. Drawing inspiration from the classic English W...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Oak, Teak
Scandinavian Design Spindle Back Lounge Chair Set, Denmark 1960's
$2,056Sale Price / set|20% Off
Scandinavian Design Spindle Back Lounge Chair Set, Denmark 1960's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Design Spindle Back Lounge Chair set. Made in Denmark, 1960's period. No maker markings. Black lacquered beech wood constructed low arm chairs....
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech
Italian Brass Side Chair style of Gio Ponti Mid Century Modern
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Italian sculptural brass chair with a loose cushioned seat. Spindle back with curved arms. Very well made and unique. Style of Gio Ponti. The brass frame has a nice patina.
Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Bentwood Spindle Chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Upholstered in original leather
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Pine Spindle Side Dining Chairs - Pair
$1,595 / set
Antique Pine Spindle Side Dining Chairs - Pair
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Antique Pine Spindle Side Dining Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 16.25 wide x 20.5 deep x 35 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17.5 inches About Photos: We take...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood, Pine
Pozzi & Verga Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wooden Side Chairs Italy 1950, Pair
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Pozzi & Verga
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of fully restored Pozzi and Verga attributed sculptural wooden chairs made in Italy, circa 1950. Great crafted two-matching high-back chairs with a slender and elegant silhouett...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Bouclé
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Mid Century Modern Spindle Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the mid century modern spindle chair you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, fabric and hardwood, every mid century modern spindle chair was constructed with great care. Find 150 options for an antique or vintage mid century modern spindle chair now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the mid century modern spindle chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A mid century modern spindle chair is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Modern styles are sought with frequency. Paul McCobb, Winchendon Furniture (Planner Group) and Alfred Christensen each produced at least one beautiful mid century modern spindle chair that is worth considering.
How Much is a Mid Century Modern Spindle Chair?
Prices for a mid century modern spindle chair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $295 and can go as high as $32,000, while the average can fetch as much as $1,800.
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.
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Questions About Mid Century Modern Spindle Chair
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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