Question 1

What is the difference between mid-century and mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

The difference between mid-century and mid-century modern comes down to specificity. When it comes to furniture and architecture, for example, mid-century refers to works that emerged during the middle of the 20th century, usually between 1950 and 1970. The more specific descriptor, mid-century modern, is used to refer to a particular style of design that emphasizes simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Mid-century modern furniture designers generally drew on the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Bauhaus design, Scandinavian modernism and more. Any piece of furniture produced during the 1950s and ’60s can be referred to as mid-century, but only those with specific characteristics are mid-century modern. That said, when enthusiasts of furniture and architecture use the shorter of the two phrases, they may indeed be referring to modernist works created during that period in history. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 2

What is mid century furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century furniture is furniture created within the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would argue that the style began to emerge in the postwar years. This style of furniture is known for its sleek lines and organic shapes. The creators most frequently associated with mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living. Mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is mid-century jewelry?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century jewelry is a style of jewelry that rose in popularity along with the mid-century modern design movement. Pieces from this era typically feature bold, geometric designs. Shop a variety of mid-century jewelry and accessories from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What does mid century mean?

Accepted Answer

The mid-century modern style emerged primarily in the years following World War II. This style of decor is characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Creators of mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living, and mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is a mid-century chair?

Accepted Answer

A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture 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. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.

Question 6

What is a mid-century sofa?

Accepted Answer

A mid-century sofa is any sofa created during the mid-20th century. Mid-century modern sofas are pieces of seating furniture that embody the venturesome attributes that we associate with mid-century modern furniture — while not all sofas designed in the mid-century modern style are the same, they frequently have a low profile and are characterized by gentle curves, clean lines and an organic shape. Mid-century furniture is a timeless classic due to its elegant simplicity. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary mid-century sofas from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

Are the 1970s mid-century?

Accepted Answer

No, the 1970s are generally not considered to fall within the era identified as mid-century. With respect to mid-century modern design, while there is some debate between collectors and design experts about the specific time period that saw the emergence of the style, most furniture enthusiasts agree that by the late 1960s, interest in MCM had largely declined. Writer Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” suggests that “the period from the end of World War II to 1960 – from V-J Day to JFK – was the heyday of innovative furniture design in America.” Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by clean lines and inviting, organic shapes. Furniture makers of the era believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Find a variety of vintage mid-century modern furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is mid-century artwork?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century artwork is any piece of art produced during the middle of the 20th century. It includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, collages, pottery and other media. You'll find a large selection of mid-century artwork from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is mid century decor?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern decor was popularized during the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would suggest that the style emerged during the years that followed World War II. This style of decor is typically characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Find the finest mid-century modern furnishings and more on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How can you tell if furniture is mid century?

Accepted Answer

To tell if furniture is mid-century modern, examine the piece, looking for labels and markings that indicate who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and what styles of furniture they made. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. A knowledgeable dealer or certified appraiser can help you determine if a particular piece is genuine mid-century modern or a reproduction. Shop a range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 12

Is rattan mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some rattan is mid-century modern. Designers of the mid-century modern movement often preferred to use natural materials, including rattan, in their designs. However, not all rattan furniture was made during this period. Rattan was also a popular material for furniture produced during the Victorian era and continues to be used to produce furniture today. Shop a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

Is Mondrian mid century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mondrian’s art is believed to be one of the great inspirations for the mid-century modern approach to minimalism. His artworks were not just a departure from figurative works, but a new look at abstract art as well. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

Question 14

How do you identify mid century lamps?

Accepted Answer

To identify mid-century lamps, look for a manufacturer's label or stamp on the base or the shade. You can use trusted online resources to determine when the company or artisan was active. Some lamps may also have a date stamp that you can use for identification purposes. Pieces dating from the late 1950s through the early 1970s are mid-century in terms of their age. A mid-century modern lamp will show off hallmarks of the design style, such as curvy hourglass or globe forms. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer may also be able to help with the identification. Find a range of mid-century lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What time is considered mid-century??

Accepted Answer

Mid-century is considered the middle of the century, however as it pertains to furniture and design, mid-century is an American design movement known for its modern style, construction and the Modernist movement. It is typically simple and clean lines without embellishments. Shop a range of mid-century modern designs on 1stDIbs.

Question 16

Why is mid century modern popular?

Accepted Answer

Most experts agree that mid-century modern correlates specifically to the years following World War II. It has grown in popularity in the decades since, particularly due to the media and cultural institutions that have promoted the truly innovative era of design. Not only did the MoMA promote modern furniture, but pieces are prominently visible on the set of very popular television shows such as Mad Men. Shop a wide and beautiful range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 17

What makes a dresser mid-century?

Accepted Answer

A dresser is a mid-century dresser if it was made during the middle of the 20th century. The years that encompass the mid-century modern period are roughly 1933 until 1965, but most experts argue, however, that the mid-century modern period correlates specifically to the years following World War II. Mid-century modern dressers will likely have specific characteristics. There was a use of natural and man-made materials that included alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. An authentic mid-century modern dresser will also be characterized by simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Shop an assortment of vintage mid-century dressers on 1stDibs.

Question 18

Is mid-century modern timeless?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mid-century modern is timeless, in the opinion of many experts. Many characteristics of furniture and decorative accents produced in this style remain popular today. Among them are silhouettes marked by organic forms and clean lines, the promotion of functionality and the use of natural materials like teak, rosewood and oak and synthetic materials such as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 19

What does mid century modern mean?

Accepted Answer

Mid century modern refers to the middle of the 20th century — specifically 1930s through the mid-1960s. This period represents a design and architecture movement characterized by simple shapes, clean lines, and organic materials. Some of the most famous mid century modern designers include Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen.

Question 20

What is mid century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.

Mid Century Schoolhouse

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Art Deco Schoolhouse circa 1932

Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Chandeliers and Pendants

C.1920s Schoolhouse Fixture Kitchen Bath

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Large Antique Church Glass Opaline Schoolhouse Pendant Light

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Vintage Opaline Cube Church Brass Schoolhouse Pendant Light

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Small Schoolhouse Bell Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Large Schoolhouse Bell-Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Short Schoolhouse Mushroom-Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Medium Schoolhouse Rounded Bell Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Small Schoolhouse Banded Oval Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Large Schoolhouse Banded Oval Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Toys and Dolls

Heirloom Doll Size Colonial Style Solid Wood Schoolhouse Desk

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Large Schoolhouse Rounded Cone Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Asian Motif Short Schoolhouse Bell-Shape Ceiling Glass Globe Pendant

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Extra Large Schoolhouse Banded Cone Shape Ceiling Mixed Glass Globe Pendant

Vintage 1950s American Floor Lamps

Mid Century Clear Lucite Sculptural Floor Lamp

Antique Mid-19th Century French Schoolhouse Paintings and Screens

French School, 19th Century Oil on Canvas, Gentleman with His Book

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Abstract Prints

Nahum TschacbasovMid Century Modern Clown print, hand signed 144/250 Russian born American artist, 1956

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Georgina KlitgaardWaterfall Bearsville NY Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Cubism, c. 1940s

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Georgina Klitgaard"Bearsville NY" Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene, c. 1940s

1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings

Georgina Klitgaard"War Brides, Wash Sq NYC" American Scene WWII Modernism WPA Mid-Century Oil, 1942

Mid-20th Century Chinese Schoolhouse Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Zabihi Collection Room Size Vintage Chinese Rug

Mid-20th Century British Schoolhouse Posters

Antique Vintage Australia Wall Map By W & A K Johnston

Mid-20th Century British Schoolhouse Posters

Antique New York Wall Map by Westermann

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Rachel BentleyMethodist Church in Old Bodie Ghost Town - California - Watercolor on Paper, mid 20th Century

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Alice DukeGrey Barn and Brown House - Rural California Landscape in Watercolor on Paper, Mid-20th Century

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Alice DukeFarmhouse Amador Foothills - Rural California Landscape in Watercolor on Paper, Mid-20th Century

1960s American Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Alice Duke"Shenandoah Valley" - Rural California Landscape in Watercolor on Paper, Mid-20th Century

Mid-20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Warren Wheelock Bronze Sculpture, circa 1930s, Boy and Rabbit

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Large Bank Lobby Fixture circa 1926

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Large Vintage Smokey Blue Ice Ceiling Fixture

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Large Bank Lobby Ceiling Fixture, circa 1925. Priced per pair

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media

Lisa LightmanSchool Wall in Africa: collaged paper on board, 2015, 2015

Late 20th Century Abstract Abstract Paintings

Carl HeldtModern Abstract Oil on Canvas Painting by Carl Heldt, 1970s

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Prints

Midcentury Schoolhouse Print of Worms, Printed in Germany in German

20th Century American Realist Paintings

Paul Sample Schoolhouse in Vermont, mid 20th century

Mid-20th Century Schoolhouse Flush Mount

Vintage Schoolhouse Flush Mount Light

Mid-20th Century American American Classical Chandeliers and Pendants

Large Vintage Schoolhouse Style Electric Fixtures

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

6 Schoolhouse Lights Unique Design Priced Per Pair

Vintage 1950s American Schoolhouse Easels

Large Mid-Century Art School Wood Easel

Mid-20th Century German Schoolhouse Prints

Nahum Tschacbasov
Mid Century Modern Clown print, hand signed 144/250 Russian born American artist, 1956

Georgina Klitgaard
Waterfall Bearsville NY Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern Cubism, c. 1940s

Georgina Klitgaard
"Bearsville NY" Landscape Social Realism Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene, c. 1940s

Georgina Klitgaard
"War Brides, Wash Sq NYC" American Scene WWII Modernism WPA Mid-Century Oil, 1942

Rachel Bentley
Methodist Church in Old Bodie Ghost Town - California - Watercolor on Paper, mid 20th Century

Alice Duke
Grey Barn and Brown House - Rural California Landscape in Watercolor on Paper, Mid-20th Century

Alice Duke
Farmhouse Amador Foothills - Rural California Landscape in Watercolor on Paper, Mid-20th Century

Alice Duke
"Shenandoah Valley" - Rural California Landscape in Watercolor on Paper, Mid-20th Century

Lisa Lightman
School Wall in Africa: collaged paper on board, 2015, 2015

Carl Heldt
Modern Abstract Oil on Canvas Painting by Carl Heldt, 1970s

Paul Sample
Schoolhouse in Vermont, mid 20th century

Nahum Tschacbasov
Woman with Red Flowers, circa 1930

Nahum Tschacbasov
Dream of the Old Country, c1940

Nahum Tschacbasov
Park Scene with Nine Figures, 1951