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Mid Century Nude Ceramic

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Large Mino Rosso Torso Sculpture / Vessel
Large Mino Rosso Torso Sculpture / Vessel

Large Mino Rosso Torso Sculpture / Vessel

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

elegance of mid-century Italian design. Rosso’s work is often compared to that of his contemporaries

Category

Mid-20th Century Contemporary Nude Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Ceramic Nude Women Sculpture
Mid-Century Ceramic Nude Women Sculpture

Mid-Century Ceramic Nude Women Sculpture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

piece features two entwined nude women in earth-toned ceramic. Black lines trace their faces, hands, and

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Hawaiian/Polynesian Nude Femaile Ceramic Sculpture, Japan
Mid-century Hawaiian/Polynesian Nude Femaile Ceramic Sculpture, Japan

Mid-century Hawaiian/Polynesian Nude Femaile Ceramic Sculpture, Japan

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Vintage Hawaiian/Polynesian nude ceramic female figurine stamped Japan on the bottom. The figurine

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Iparmuveszeti Vallalat Ceramic Mid-Century Modern Semi-Nude Female Sculpture
Iparmuveszeti Vallalat Ceramic Mid-Century Modern Semi-Nude Female Sculpture

Iparmuveszeti Vallalat Ceramic Mid-Century Modern Semi-Nude Female Sculpture

By Iparmuveszeti Vallalat

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Iparmuveszeti vallalat ceramic Mid-Century Modern semi-nude female sculpture.

Category

Mid-20th Century Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Large Mid-Century Black and White Nude Woman Ceramic Ashtray
Large Mid-Century Black and White Nude Woman Ceramic Ashtray

Large Mid-Century Black and White Nude Woman Ceramic Ashtray

Located in Fort Washington, MD

Stunning Mid Century Ashtray with a nude feminine body of a young women sitting on the edge of the

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Mid-century Glazed Ceramic Sculpture nude Woman, Jihokera, 1950's.
Mid-century Glazed Ceramic Sculpture nude Woman, Jihokera, 1950's.

Mid-century Glazed Ceramic Sculpture nude Woman, Jihokera, 1950's.

By Jihokera

Located in Praha, CZ

Vintage sculpture mode of glazed ceramic. Produced by Jihokera in former Czechoslovakia in the

Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Era Italian Hand-Painted Young Female Nude Ceramic Sculpture
Mid-Century Era Italian Hand-Painted Young Female Nude Ceramic Sculpture

Mid-Century Era Italian Hand-Painted Young Female Nude Ceramic Sculpture

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This ceramic female nude sculpture may be artist signed, but illegible, but clearly identified as

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Sensual Gold Jaru Nude Male Ceramic Sculptures, Mid-Century Modern
Sensual Gold Jaru Nude Male Ceramic Sculptures, Mid-Century Modern

Sensual Gold Jaru Nude Male Ceramic Sculptures, Mid-Century Modern

By Jaru

Located in Pemberton, NJ

A chic Mid-Century Modernist figurative sculpture in plated gold by Jaru of California. This

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Mid-Century Modern Kneeling Nude Ceramic Female Sculpture Rosewood Base
1970s Mid-Century Modern Kneeling Nude Ceramic Female Sculpture Rosewood Base

1970s Mid-Century Modern Kneeling Nude Ceramic Female Sculpture Rosewood Base

By Gilde Handwerk, David Segel, Vincent Glinsky

Located in Miami, FL

Mid-Century Modern kneeling Ceramic Nude Female Sculpture mounted on a Rosewood Base. 1970s

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Rosewood

Handmade Ceramic Nude Man Sculpture
Handmade Ceramic Nude Man Sculpture

Handmade Ceramic Nude Man Sculpture

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR

Ceramic sculpture, handmade with a granite-like marble base. In good condition.

Category

Vintage 1970s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Ceramic nude women sculpture vienna around 1970s
Ceramic nude women sculpture vienna around 1970s

Ceramic nude women sculpture vienna around 1970s

Located in Wien, AT

Ceramic nude women sculpture vienna around 1970s Original condition Good condition

Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Modern Figure of a Female Nude by Bohumil Kokrda
Mid Century Modern Figure of a Female Nude by Bohumil Kokrda

Mid Century Modern Figure of a Female Nude by Bohumil Kokrda

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a stunning Mid Century Modern figure of the female nude. This white

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Modern Figure of a Female Nude by Bohumil Kokrda
Mid Century Modern Figure of a Female Nude by Bohumil Kokrda

Mid Century Modern Figure of a Female Nude by Bohumil Kokrda

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a stunning large Mid Century Modern figure of the female nude. This

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Louis Giraud Nude Ceramic Sculpture Vallauris 1940s
Louis Giraud Nude Ceramic Sculpture Vallauris 1940s

Louis Giraud Nude Ceramic Sculpture Vallauris 1940s

Located in Antwerp, BE

Louis Giraud to Vallauris France sculpture ' Swimmer ' in grey ceramic original base in wallnut

Category

Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting
Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting

Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting

By Stefan Alexander

Located in Surfside, FL

Genre: Other Subject: Other Medium: Acrylic Country: United States Dimensions: 6 x 6 Dimensions w/Frame: 9 1/4 x 9 1/4 Stefan Alexander, born Czechoslovakia. In World War II sent to...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Paintings

Materials

Ceramic, Oil

Post War Hawaiian/Polynesian Nude Femaile Ceramic Sculpture
Post War Hawaiian/Polynesian Nude Femaile Ceramic Sculpture

Post War Hawaiian/Polynesian Nude Femaile Ceramic Sculpture

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Vintage Hawaiian/Polynesian nude ceramic female figurine. The figurine captures the timeless beauty

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Sculpture of Nude Sitting Women, Royal Dux, 1960s
Mid-Century Sculpture of Nude Sitting Women, Royal Dux, 1960s

Mid-Century Sculpture of Nude Sitting Women, Royal Dux, 1960s

By Royal Dux

Located in Praha, CZ

- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of ceramic - Maker: Royal Dux - Good, original condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Russel Wright Figural Female Nude Mid-Century Table Lamp Circa 1950s
Russel Wright Figural Female Nude Mid-Century Table Lamp Circa 1950s

Russel Wright Figural Female Nude Mid-Century Table Lamp Circa 1950s

By Russel Wright

Located in Southampton, NJ

An elegant design in this sculptural lamp depicting a turning nude female form designed by Russel

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-20th Century Torino Ceramic Sculpture 'Portatrice Africana' by C.I.A. Manna
Mid-20th Century Torino Ceramic Sculpture 'Portatrice Africana' by C.I.A. Manna

Mid-20th Century Torino Ceramic Sculpture 'Portatrice Africana' by C.I.A. Manna

By C.I.A. Manna

Located in North Miami, FL

Mid-20th century Torino ceramic semi-nude woman sculpture 'Portatrice Africana' by C.I.A. Manna By

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Spanish Ceramic Wall Plate, Nude Dancer 'La Oterito', 1950s
Spanish Ceramic Wall Plate, Nude Dancer 'La Oterito', 1950s

Spanish Ceramic Wall Plate, Nude Dancer 'La Oterito', 1950s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Hand-painted naked woman decorative wall plate, glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s Spanish andalusian

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Helge Christoffersen, own workshop. Unique ceramic figure of a nude young woman.
Helge Christoffersen, own workshop. Unique ceramic figure of a nude young woman.

Helge Christoffersen, own workshop. Unique ceramic figure of a nude young woman.

Located in København, Copenhagen

Helge Christoffersen (1925-1965), own workshop. Unique ceramic figure of a nude young woman with a

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Great Plate Ceramic Glazed Woman Nude Italian Design 1960
Great Plate Ceramic Glazed Woman Nude Italian Design 1960

Great Plate Ceramic Glazed Woman Nude Italian Design 1960

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Great plate ceramic glazed woman nude Italian design 1960.

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardini...

Materials

Ceramic

Spanish Ceramic Wall Plate, Gipsy Nude with Parrot 'Gitana Desnuda', 1950s
Spanish Ceramic Wall Plate, Gipsy Nude with Parrot 'Gitana Desnuda', 1950s

Spanish Ceramic Wall Plate, Gipsy Nude with Parrot 'Gitana Desnuda', 1950s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Hand-painted nude woman ceramic wall plate, Spain, 1950s Gipsy naked woman with parrot Signed M

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

"Bathers in the Marsh, " Mid Century Dish with Male Nudes Along Laguna Coast
"Bathers in the Marsh, " Mid Century Dish with Male Nudes Along Laguna Coast

"Bathers in the Marsh, " Mid Century Dish with Male Nudes Along Laguna Coast

By Pat and Covey Stewart

Located in Philadelphia, PA

An especially rare example of Pat and Covey Stewart's ceramic work in Laguna Beach, California

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Large Jaru Metallic Silver Glaze Ceramic Abstract Nude Sculptures, Pair
1970s Large Jaru Metallic Silver Glaze Ceramic Abstract Nude Sculptures, Pair

1970s Large Jaru Metallic Silver Glaze Ceramic Abstract Nude Sculptures, Pair

By Jaru

Located in Monrovia, CA

JARU - Jaru Metallic silver glaze ceramic nude sculptures, 1970s signed. Both pieces are solid

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Rare Russel Wright Ceramic Nude Form on Spun Aluminum Base
Pair Rare Russel Wright Ceramic Nude Form on Spun Aluminum Base

Pair Rare Russel Wright Ceramic Nude Form on Spun Aluminum Base

By Russel Wright

Located in New York, NY

Pair Russel Wright ceramic nude table lamps. The ceramic body is mounted on its original spun

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum

Art Deco Ceramic Table Lamp Natural Nude Woman Attributed to René Buthaud
Art Deco Ceramic Table Lamp Natural Nude Woman Attributed to René Buthaud

Art Deco Ceramic Table Lamp Natural Nude Woman Attributed to René Buthaud

By René Buthaud

Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR

table lamp with a nude woman and vegetation. Elegant ceramic piece with shiny colors, circa 1940

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Terracotta Nude Ceramic Sculpture Woman Shapes Very Reminiscent Botero Style
Terracotta Nude Ceramic Sculpture Woman Shapes Very Reminiscent Botero Style

Terracotta Nude Ceramic Sculpture Woman Shapes Very Reminiscent Botero Style

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Terracotta nude ceramic sculpture of woman with shapes very reminiscent of Botero style, signed

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

"Bathers, " Rare Ceramic Dish with Nude Male Figures by Stewart, Laguna Beach
"Bathers, " Rare Ceramic Dish with Nude Male Figures by Stewart, Laguna Beach

"Bathers, " Rare Ceramic Dish with Nude Male Figures by Stewart, Laguna Beach

By Pat and Covey Stewart

Located in Philadelphia, PA

nude male bathers in white glaze over a black ground. The Stewarts worked in Laguna Beach, California

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Sculptures of Nude Women, 1960s
Midcentury Sculptures of Nude Women, 1960s

Midcentury Sculptures of Nude Women, 1960s

By Jitka Forejtova

Located in Praha, CZ

- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of varnish ceramic - Dimension of grey-white sculpture: H28 x W24

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman, Jihokera, 1940s
Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman, Jihokera, 1940s

Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman, Jihokera, 1940s

By Jihokera

Located in Praha, CZ

Made in Czechoslovakia Made of glazed ceramic Re-polished Fully functional Very good original

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Nude Hawaiian Girl California Pottery Wall Art by Dorothy Kindell
Nude Hawaiian Girl California Pottery Wall Art by Dorothy Kindell

Nude Hawaiian Girl California Pottery Wall Art by Dorothy Kindell

By Dorothy Kindell

Located in Van Nuys, CA

clever figural ceramic art has become popular and highly collectible in recent years. This particular

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman Designed by Bohumil Kokrda, 1960s
Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman Designed by Bohumil Kokrda, 1960s

Midcentury Sculpture Nude Woman Designed by Bohumil Kokrda, 1960s

Located in Praha, CZ

- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of ceramic - Maker: Jitona - Good, original condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Hand-Painted Female Nude Table Lamps
Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Hand-Painted Female Nude Table Lamps

Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Hand-Painted Female Nude Table Lamps

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Chicago, IL

hand-painted and glazed bodies of the table lamps are a female nude on a heathered cinnamon background

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

"Bathers at Laguna Beach", Hand-Formed Vase with Male Nudes by Stewart, 1952
"Bathers at Laguna Beach", Hand-Formed Vase with Male Nudes by Stewart, 1952

"Bathers at Laguna Beach", Hand-Formed Vase with Male Nudes by Stewart, 1952

By Pat and Covey Stewart

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Unique in the oeuvre of Pat and Covey Stewart, this footed vase features a total of six nude male

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

"Bathers at Laguna Beach", Highly Rare Vase W/ Nude Male Figures, circa 1951-52
"Bathers at Laguna Beach", Highly Rare Vase W/ Nude Male Figures, circa 1951-52

"Bathers at Laguna Beach", Highly Rare Vase W/ Nude Male Figures, circa 1951-52

By Pat and Covey Stewart

Located in Philadelphia, PA

, this vase depicts a group of three nude male figures bathing along the rocky coast, framed by trees and

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Studio Ceramic Nude Male Torso
Studio Ceramic Nude Male Torso

Studio Ceramic Nude Male Torso

Located in Seattle, WA

This is a fantastic mid-20th century studio ceramic sculpture of a nude male torso signed "JM

Category

Mid-20th Century American Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Russel Wright Grey 'Nude' Form Ceramic Lamp, 1940s
Russel Wright Grey 'Nude' Form Ceramic Lamp, 1940s

Russel Wright Grey 'Nude' Form Ceramic Lamp, 1940s

By Russel Wright

Located in San Francisco, CA

This vintage midcentury ceramic table lamp was designed by Russel Wright in the 1940s. The ceramic

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Sitting Nude Terracota Ceramic Sculpture by Somogyi, 1960s
Sitting Nude Terracota Ceramic Sculpture by Somogyi, 1960s

Sitting Nude Terracota Ceramic Sculpture by Somogyi, 1960s

Located in Budapest, HU

Sitting nude terracota ceramic sculpture by Somogyi, 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Nude Sculpture by Laszlo Marosan, 1960s
Terracotta Nude Sculpture by Laszlo Marosan, 1960s

Terracotta Nude Sculpture by Laszlo Marosan, 1960s

Located in Budapest, HU

Terracotta nude sculpture by Laszlo Marosan, 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Carlos Salas Ceramic Nude Figure Sculpture
Carlos Salas Ceramic Nude Figure Sculpture

Carlos Salas Ceramic Nude Figure Sculpture

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Curvilinear abstract female form masterfully sculpted in black clay by Carlos Salas.

Category

1990s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Sculpture of Nude Sitting Women, 1960's
Mid-Century Sculpture of Nude Sitting Women, 1960's

Mid-Century Sculpture of Nude Sitting Women, 1960's

Located in Praha, CZ

- made in Czechoslovakia - made of glazed fired clay - good, original condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Signed Ceramic Sculpture of a Nude Woman
Midcentury Signed Ceramic Sculpture of a Nude Woman

Midcentury Signed Ceramic Sculpture of a Nude Woman

Located in Astoria, NY

A Mid-Century Modern ceramic sculpture of a nude woman, signed [Herio-Rich '75] on the base. The

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Surrealist Blindfolded Nude Female Italian Ceramic Lamp
Surrealist Blindfolded Nude Female Italian Ceramic Lamp

Surrealist Blindfolded Nude Female Italian Ceramic Lamp

Located in Atlanta, GA

Surrealist blindfolded nude female Italian ceramic lamp, Italy, circa 1960s. She stands an

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting
Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting

Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting

By Stefan Alexander

Located in Surfside, FL

Genre: Other Subject: Other Medium: Acrylic Country: United States Dimensions: 6 x 6 Dimensions w/Frame: 9 1/4 x 9 1/4 Stefan Alexander, born Czechoslovakia. In World War II sent to...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Paintings

Materials

Ceramic, Oil

1960 Nude Ceramic Woman by Kokrda, Czechoslovakia
1960 Nude Ceramic Woman by Kokrda, Czechoslovakia

1960 Nude Ceramic Woman by Kokrda, Czechoslovakia

Located in Praha, CZ

- Good original condition. - In retro Brussel style. - Made by Jihonet.  

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Nude Female Sculpture by Jaru of California
Mid-Century Modern Nude Female Sculpture by Jaru of California

Mid-Century Modern Nude Female Sculpture by Jaru of California

By Jaru

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Designer Jaru of California Manufacturer Jaru of California.  

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Chrome

Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting
Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting

Painted Modernist Nude Figure Ceramic Plaque, Israeli Painting

By Stefan Alexander

Located in Surfside, FL

Genre: Other Subject: Other Medium: Acrylic Country: United States Dimensions: 6 x 6 Dimensions w/Frame: 9 1/4 x 9 1/4 Stefan Alexander, born Czechoslovakia. In World War II sent to...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Paintings

Materials

Ceramic, Oil

Beautiful Large Original Midcentury Ceramic Nude Figure by Gmundner
Beautiful Large Original Midcentury Ceramic Nude Figure by Gmundner

Beautiful Large Original Midcentury Ceramic Nude Figure by Gmundner

By Gmundner Keramik

Located in München, DE

Beautiful large female nude figure made of ceramic. Table decoration from the 1950s. A midcentury

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Cubist Male and Female Nude Ceramic Sculptures by Jaru
Cubist Male and Female Nude Ceramic Sculptures by Jaru

Cubist Male and Female Nude Ceramic Sculptures by Jaru

By Jaru

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of Cubist Ceramic Nude Male & Female sculptures designed and manufactured by Jaru. These are

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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Mid Century Nude Ceramic For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal mid century nude ceramic for your home. A mid century nude ceramic — often made from ceramic, metal and glass — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the mid century nude ceramic you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right mid century nude ceramic, those designed in mid-century modern, Art Deco and Scandinavian Modern styles are of considerable interest. A well-made mid century nude ceramic has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Pat and Covey Stewart, Jaru and Jihokera are consistently popular.

How Much is a Mid Century Nude Ceramic?

A mid century nude ceramic can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,450, while the lowest priced sells for $120 and the highest can go for as much as $91,608.

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.