Modular "Samara" storage wall unit by Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa, 1970s
By Maisa
Located in amstelveen, NL
Modular wooden Samara storage wall unit in ash wood with a black finish. Designed by Dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries, created in the 1970s. This modular storing unit consists of t...
Ash
Modular "Samara" storage wall unit by Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa, 1970s
By Maisa
Located in amstelveen, NL
Modular wooden Samara storage wall unit in cream white painted wood by Dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries, created in the 1970s by Maisa. This modular storage unit consists of 7 module...
Ash
Mid-Century Pilastro Two Section Wall Shelving Unit with Cabinet and Light
By Coen de Vries, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Pilastro Two-Section Wall Shelving Unit with Cabinet and Light Attributed to Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro Netherlands, 1950s–1960s An outstanding example of Dutch mid-ce...
Metal
Mastercraft Modular Wood Brass Library Wall Unit Bookcase Vitrines Set of 3
By Mastercraft
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, three pieces modular style cabinets you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful ...
Brass
Pilastro Dutch Mid-Century Modular Enameled Metal Wall Shelving with Desk
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall-mounted modular shelving unit by Dutch manufacturer Pilastro, produced in the Mid-Century period.
Metal
$5,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
1960s Modular MCM Walnut Wall Unit with Drop Down Desk Bookshelves- 5 Pieces
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Madison, WI
This very unique modular 5 Piece Mid Century wall unit set has it ALL, and leaves plenty of room for multiple configuration possibilities!
Iron
Pilastro Mid-Century Dutch Enameled Metal Wall Shelving Unit w/ Desk & Light
By Tjerk Reijenga, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall-mounted shelving system by Pilastro represents functional Dutch Mid-Century design with its adjustable modular configuration.
Metal
Mid-Century Tomado Wall Shelving Unit, Black Wire Frame, Orange Yellow Shelves
By Tomado
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single section wall-mounted shelving unit by Dutch manufacturer Tomado features vibrant orange and yellow metal shelves suspended on black wire risers.
Metal
Modular Wooden Wall Unit with Adjustable Shelves and Drop-Front Bar, Italy, 1970
Located in Santa Margherita Ligure, IT
Elegant modular wall unit in wood, produced in Italy in the 1970s.
Wood
$4,490
Italian Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit with 5 shelves, 2 boxes with 2 doors containing one shelf and one box with 2 drawers and one box with a folding door that contains a drawer and a shelf. Wear due to...
Metal, Brass
Magnificent George Nelson 3 Bay Walnut Omni Wall Unit Mid Century Modern
By George Nelson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Classic George Nelson “Omni” modular wall unit is a mid-century American classic, manufactured by Herman Miller.
Aluminum
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
Teak
$8,035
Italian wall unit, 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular Italian wall unit made of wood and brass, composed of 9 shelves and 2 boxes. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Brass
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
Teak
$5,317
Italian Wall Unit, 1960s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit with 5 shelves, 1 box with two sliding doors and 3 drawers, and 1 box with two sliding doors and another door. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FO...
Wood
Danish Modern 1-Bay Walnut Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Walnut Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
Walnut
Mid Century Teak Shelving System by P. Cadovius - Danish Wall Unit, Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height) ca. 82,5 x 40 / 50 x 203 cm Elevate your living space with this vintage mid-midcentury modern Poul Cadovius Royal System Wall Unit, a true master...
Glass, Teak
Modular Wall Unit Landform Day System 1 with Tv Cabinet Made with Oak
Located in Seroa, PT
Designed to suit the needs of your living spaces, the Landform Day System sets up all the necessary elements for an area that prioritizes conviviality, rest, and entertainment. This ...
Ceramic, Oak, Lacquer
Modular Wall Unit Landform Day System 2 with TV Cabinet Made with Oak
Located in Seroa, PT
Designed to suit the needs of your living spaces, the Landform Day System sets up all the necessary elements for an area that prioritizes conviviality, rest, and entertainment. This ...
Ceramic, Oak, Lacquer
$3,733Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Wall Units by William Watting for Scanflex, 1960s
By ScanFlex, William Watting
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern modular two-tone wall units or shelving units.
Beech, Teak
High modular Wall Unit with Dry Bar in Wood, Metal and Brass, Italy, 1960's
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Rare 1950s–60s Italian modular wall system in wood with black lacquered steel uprights and refined brass detailing, featuring an integrated drop-front cabinet. This elegant wall-mou...
Metal, Brass
$5,987Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Modular Wood Bookcase from 50s
Located in Catania, CT
Good vintage condition with trace of age and use for this wall unit made from wood and metal with brass details. The blue velvet background is in poor condition. Produced in Italy du...
Brass
Mid Century Danish Modern Wall Unit with Shelves & Cabinets with Desk in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Scandinavian wall unit circa 1960's. It features teak wood finish with a drop down center desk. The unit is totally modular and can arranged to your liking. It also includes ...
Teak
Italian wall unit in teak - 1960s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Superb Italian wall unit designed in the 1960s. It is made entirely of teak. It consists of six compartments of different sizes, allowing you to have a large amount of storage space....
Wood, Teak
Vintage wood and Metal Multistrux Iron Modular Shelving Unit or Library Shelves
By Multistrux
Located in Markington, GB
Vintage Modular Multistrux Shelving System, Spain, 1960s–1970s Set of 4 metal ladders and 6 shelves from the Multistrux modular shelving system, commercialized in Spain during the 1...
Metal
Wall Unit "Extenso" by Amma Torino, 1960s
By Amma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Fully modular wall unit comprising 4 black uprights, 7 planks, 1 small pedestal with 2 sliding doors, 1 large pedestal with 4 drawers and two sliding doors and 1 large pedestal with ...
Brass
$84,131Sale Price / set|20% Off
Hermès by Guido Faleschini - Extremely Rare 6-Unit Modular Sideboard 1971
By Hermès, Guido Faleschini
Located in Palermo, IT
Technical Specifications & Dimensions Standard Modules (4 units): 100 x 46.5 cm Height: 85 cm Drawer / Upper Showcase Module (2 units): 50 x 46.5 cm Height: 85 cm Period: 1971 ...
Metal, Steel
Price Upon Request
90 Piece Pega Wall System by Juul Christensen, Customizable
By Ib Juul Christensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Pega Wall System by Juul Christensen is a one-of-a-kind modular wall system that allows you to maximize the use of space in any room. The wall system comes with integrated panels...
Teak
Vintage 20th Century Italian Modular Teak Wall Cabinet c.1960
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Introducing a wonderful piece of Italian design history, this is an exquisite mid-century modern bookcase from the 1960s. Crafted with attention to detail, this modular bookcase is m...
Teak
French Mid-Century Modern Bookcase or Shelf Unit in Solid Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bookcase / wall shelving unit / room divider, solid ash, France, 1960s This mid-century modern French bookcase, dating from the 1960s, balances functionality with structural minima...
Ash
Wall light CP-1 by Charlotte Perriand, 1980s, France
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Originally designed for modular, practical living, it remains an icon of mid-century lighting design.
Metal
Charlotte Perriand Mid-Century Modern Nuage Shelving Unit by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Authenticity and avant-garde characterise Charlotte Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto, she d...
Aluminum
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 68.75” L x 11” D x 79.5” H Description: A vintage oak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Freshly imported from Denmark. Comp...
Metal
Wall Unit "Pointe De Diamant" - Philippon & Lecoq, Behr 1962
By Antoine Philippon and Jacqueline le Coq, Behr
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Extremely rare modular wall system with distinctive geometric relief wooden panels (Pointe de Diamant). Designed by Antoine Philippon and Jacqueline Lecoq for Behr, 1962. Configurati...
Plywood, Lacquer
French Minimalist Wall Unit in Solid Elm — 1970's
By Maison Regain
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Its combination of open display space and concealed storage makes this wall unit ideal as a bookshelf, display cabinet, or statement piece in a warm minimalist, wabi-sabi, or mid-cen...
Elm
Mid Century Modular String Shelving System in mahogany and teak, Denmark 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a versatile Scandinavian modular wall shelving system dating from the 1960s, distinguished by its clean architectural lines and exceptional adaptability...
Iron
Wall unit E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit made of wood and metal with 8 shelves and 1 cabinet with 2 sliding doors containing one shelf. The shelves and cabinet are height adjustable. Wear due to time and a...
Metal
Danish Modern Teak 5-Piece Entertainment / Wall Unit — 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A striking Danish Modern teak entertainment unit from the 1970s, designed in five modular sections that connect together for a seamless built-in look. Warm teak wood, clean lines, an...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen MCM Danish Rosewood Wall Unit Scandinavian Shelving System
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern wall shelving system designed by Kai Kristiansen, featuring richly grained rosewood shelves with sleek minimalist Scandinavian lines.
Rosewood
Exclusive Freestanding Wall Unit by Alfred Hendrickx for Belform, 1962
By Belform, Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
High-end freestanding wall unit designed by Alfred Hendrickx around 1960. A very rare and exclusive piece of Belform furniture with round metal door handles. The quality of manufactu...
Metal
Impressive Metal Wall Unit Attributed to Mathieu Mategot, 1960s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Echt, NL
High quality metal wall unit attributed to Mathieu Mategot in very good condition. This wall unit consists of: Four multicolored metal shelves One perforated metal shelve One meta...
Metal
Kurt Østervig Danish Solid Oak Wall Unit – KP Møbler
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Oirlo, LI
A beautiful and authentic Danish mid-century wall unit designed by renowned Danish designer Kurt Østervig and manufactured by KP Møbler.
Oak
Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Danish Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Cado.
Rosewood
Large Feal Italian Wall Unit in Anodized Aluminum and Mahogany
By Feal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Feal (Fonderie Elettriche Alluminio e Lega), model ‘S2’ wall unit, mahogany, anodized aluminum, Italy, 1950s Both aesthetics and functionality comes into play in this streamlined b...
Aluminum
$3,960Sale Price|20% Off
Hans Wegner Danish Teak Single Column Freestanding Wall Unit Room Divider
Located in Baltimore, MD
A remarkable teak, freestanding, modular, room divider, bookcase, storage cabinet, made in Denmark attributed to Hans Wegner for RY Mobler. This amazing vintage wall unit/ chest of d...
Teak
$9,651Sale Price / set|35% Off
Large wall unit by Hans Wegner for Ry møbler, Denmark 1970s
By Ry Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in ECHT, NL
Large modular wall unit. Designed by legendary designer Hans Wegner and made by Ry møbler. The unit has 2 low cabinets. Topped of with a low bookcase and a tall cabinet with two slid...
Oak
Ico Parisi Attributed, Teak Wall Display Unit with Multi-Colored Drawers
By Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom Mid-Century Italian Teak and Maple Wall Display Unit Attributed to Ico Parisi In the style of Gio Ponti Circa 1950s Possibly produced for La Permanente Mobili Cantù A rare ...
Brass
$2,744Sale Price|44% Off
1960s Pilastro Tomado Three-Section Wall Unit with Desk – by Tjerk Reijenga
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Markington, GB
A classic 1960s modular wall unit designed by Tjerk Reijenga for Tomado, produced under the well-known Pilastro system in the Netherlands.
Metal
Pilastro Two Section Metal Wall Shelving Unit with Cabinet and Five Shelves
By Coen de Vries, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century wall shelving system by Pilastro, Amsterdam, comprising two perforated off-white enameled metal risers with five assorted-color enameled metal shelves and a gray en...
Metal, Enamel
$2,761Sale Price|50% Off
Freestanding Michel Ducaroy Wall Unit in Acrylic and Aluminum for Roche Bobois
By Michel Ducaroy, Roche Bobois
Located in Markington, GB
Freestanding Michel Ducaroy modular wall unit in acrylic and aluminum for Roche Bobois Freestanding Michel Ducaroy modular wall unit in acrylic and aluminum for Roche Bobois from ...
Aluminum
MCM Chrome Teak, Modular shelves cabinets 4 Bay Wall UnitGeorge Nelson Attr.
By George Nelson
Located in Basel, BS
An exceptional, highly versatile four-bay mid-century modern modular wall unit and shelving system.
Metal, Chrome
$1,774Sale Price|20% Off
1960 Retro Pilastro Tomado Two Section Wall Unit with Desk, Light & Two Shelves
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Markington, GB
This attractive two-section wall unit combines storage, display, and workspace in one elegant mid-century design.
Metal
Danish Poul Cadovius Royal System 3 Bay Teak Wall Unit with Desk, Refinished
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern wall mounted modular Royal System wall unit designed by Poul Cadovious for Cado.
Teak
Wall Unit, Book Shelve designed by Alfred Hendrickx for Belform, Belgium 1960s
By Belform, Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful wall unit, shelves designed by Alfred Hendrickx, Belgium Architect in a perfect condition from the first owner, handcrafted in the popular 1960s bubinga wood veneer with a ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,449Sale Price|40% Off
1960 Pilastro Tomado Retro Industrial Wall Unit a Large Cupboard and 3 Shelves
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Markington, GB
Dimensions: Height: 100 cm (39.4 in) Width: 100 cm (39.4 in) Depth: 28 cm (11 in) A classic and increasingly collectible example of mid-century Dutch modular design.
Metal
Large Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark 1960s 1
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
An impressive and highly functional modular wall unit designed by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark, in the 1960s. Executed in beautifully figured Brazilian rosewood, this exte...
Glass, Rosewood
Poul Cadovius for Cado/Royal System 3-Bay Wall Unit in Brazilian Rosewood
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1960s by Poul Cadovius, this 2nd generation wall unit was produced by Cado during the same time period. Cado as a company was founded when Poul began selling his...
Glass, Rosewood
Italian Modern Rosewood Wall Unit/Bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model 540 modular bookcase designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini (ca. 1960s, Italy). Uncommon rosewood example composed of four vertical slatted-rails creating three bays inclu...
Metal, Aluminum
$546Sale Price|20% Off
1950's Extra Large String Wall Desk System – Classic Scandinavian Modular Design
By Nils Nisse Strinning
Located in Markington, GB
An extra large wall-mounted desk from the iconic String Furniture system, originally designed in 1949 by Nils Strinning. Since its introduction, the String system has evolved from a...
Metal
Louis Van Teeffelen Wall Unit in Teak and Brass by WeBe, Netherlands, circa 1950
By Louis Van Teeffelen, WéBé
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Elegant wall-unit by Louis Van Teeffelen for WéBé (Walraven & Bevers), Netherlands – circa 1950. Please note: The chair is available but not included in this listing. The wall u...
Brass
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.
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.