$7,297
H 71.26 in W 96.46 in D 19.69 in
Italian Wardrobe Bookcase, Modular Wall Unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
hanging space, allowing use both as a wardrobe and as a living area storage unit. Condition: very good
Ash, Teak
California Design Group Freestanding Modular Wall Unit by Lou Hodges
By Lou Hodges
Located in Oceanside, US
A sculptural freestanding wall unit by California designer Lou Hodges, crafted entirely in solid
Oak
$3,348
H 35.44 in W 88.59 in D 8.27 in
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
Metal
$1,295
H 72.5 in W 23.75 in D 18.25 in
Modern Industrial Tall Bookshelf - Black Metal & Wood Display Shelving Unit
Located in Seattle, WA
Newly crafted tall shelving unit with a sleek black metal frame and wood shelves. The design
Metal
Poul Hundevad Rosewood - Drop Desk - Wall Unit Bookcase
By Poul Havgaard
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Stunning rose wood book case or desk. Sliding door on the bottom with file draw and shelving. Two pieces. Top is shelves with a locked drop down desk on the right. Measures: Top is 5...
Wood
$28,000
H 28.75 in W 103.5 in D 26 in
Important Vladimir Kagan Rosewood Brass Dresser, Desk Unit, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
furniture design is incredibly significant. His work helped define the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, and his
Brass
$10,000
H 96 in W 94.75 in D 20 in
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
Glass, Rosewood
$1,817Sale Price|20% Off
H 61.03 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
1970s Swiss 5-Shelf Tubular Polished Chrome & Green Perspex Shelving Unit
By Usm Haller
Located in London, England
1970s five shelf polished tubular chrome and bright green perspex shelving unit. The unit is in
Metal, Chrome
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 71 in W 70 in D 20 in
Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler Credenza Wall Unit, Teak, 1958
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Culver City, CA
Step into the mid-century magic with this Hans Wegner-designed wall unit from Ry Mobler, a true
Teak
Arne Hovmand Olsen Tambour Corner Unit in Teak
By Skovmand and Andersen, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Arne Hovmand Olsen Manufacturer: Skovmand & Andersen Era: 1950s Materials: Teak Measurements: 37" wide x 21.75" deep x 61" tall
Teak
$4,800
H 79 in W 36 in D 14 in
Raffia Cloth Finished Rounded Angles Étagère Display Unit Glass Shelves
By Harrison Van Horn, Enrique Garcel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Raffia cloth wrapped Mid-Century Modern display wall unit étagère shelves.
Raffia
$12,500
H 72 in W 120 in D 18.5 in
Expertly Restored - Janet Schwietzer "Obra" Wall Unit for Pace Collection
By Pace Collection, Janet Schweitzer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is
Aluminum
Mogens Koch Wall Unit in Elm for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch elm wall unit consisting of six bookcases with removable shelfs. Executed by Rud
Elm
Danish Modern Atomic Corner Unit in Rosewood
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood Measurements: 35" wide x 20.5" deep x 49" tall Condition: In excellent original condition.
Rosewood
Frederick Weinberg Iron White Enamel Shelves Etagere Wall Unit
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Frederick Weinberg Iron White Enamel Shelves Etagere Wall Unit
Enamel, Steel
$1,674Sale Price|33% Off
H 29.93 in W 31.5 in D 7.88 in
"String" Birch & Plexiglass Wall Unit by Nisse Strinning, Sweden, 1950s
By Nils Nisse Strinning
Located in Karis, Nyland
Mid-century Swedish Nisse Strinning 'String' design wall unit, 1950s. Two beautifully patinated
Brass
$4,950
H 81 in W 41.5 in D 19.25 in
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
Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood Corner Unit With Fluted Glass
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood, Glass Measurements: 33.75" wide x 20" deep x 54.25" tall
Glass, Rosewood
$13,458 / item
H 83.47 in W 25.6 in D 13.98 in
Proposal P700 Wall Unit by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, 1960s - 3 Available
By Vittorio Introini
Located in Brussels, BE
Proposal P700 Wall Unit by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, 1960s - 3 Available
Steel
$33,788 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving Unit designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012
Aluminum
$4,077
H 71 in W 52.5 in D 17 in
Freestanding Wall Unit – Wooden Room Divider, Rich Finish, USA, c. 1960s
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A distinctive storage and display unit in the vintage tradition, crafted from solid wood and
Wood
$8,733
H 86.62 in W 122.05 in D 22.05 in
Italian Midcentury Modular Wall Unit or Sideboard designed by Dassi, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is an extraordinary example of Mid-Century Modern (MCM) Italian design likely dating from the
Maple, Teak
$1,674Sale Price / item|49% Off
H 35.44 in W 37.01 in D 13.39 in
Ico Parisi Wall Unit with Mirror and Stool, 1950, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Oirlo, LI
Ico Parisi wall unit with mirror and stool 1950 Italy Mahogany wall unit or beautiful in the
Mahogany
Mogens Koch Set of Eight Units for Rud Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch set of eight units in pine. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels
Pine
Pair of Burl Walnut Wall Unit Pieces w/ Interior Lights
By Pace Collection, John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice two part Mid-Century Modern wall unit display or curio cabinets.
Chrome
$485
H 23.63 in W 45.25 in D 6.75 in
Tomado Style Industrial Multi-Colored Double Section Wall Mount Shelving Unit
By Tomado
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century double section industrial wall mount shelving unit with one wider section, which
Metal
$11,000
H 78.94 in W 95.48 in D 11.62 in
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
Aluminum
$25,715 / item
H 69.69 in W 84.65 in D 13.78 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving Unit midel Nuage designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-1956. Relaunched by Cassina in
Aluminum
$5,144
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 13.39 in
French Midcentury Brass and Glass Angular Formed Shelving Unit
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
elongated glass shelves, divided into 3 triangular high sections with two lower units, one on each side and
Brass
$2,800
H 70 in W 17 in D 17.25 in
Arthur Umanoff Iron Obelisk Pyramid-Form Freestanding Shelving Unit/Etagere
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scarcely seen sculptural wrought iron shelving unit designed by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard
Wrought Iron
Mogens Koch Wall Unit of Mahogany for Rud Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch wall unit of mahogany. Two bookcases with removable inlays. Executed by Rud Rasmussen
Mahogany
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
$44,861 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving unit model nuage designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in
Aluminum
$44,852 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving unit model nuage designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012
Aluminum
Mogens Koch Wall Unit in Elm for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch Elm wall unit consisting of three cabinets with three matching plinths and three
Elm
$14,355Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 106.3 in W 114.57 in D 24.41 in
Large wardrobe unit attributed to Gio Ponti 1950s.
By Gio Ponti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Large wardrobe unit attributed to Gio Ponti 1950s. Veneered wood structure, brass, mirrored glass
Metal, Brass
$3,230
H 81.5 in W 31.5 in D 16.54 in
Teak Modular Wall Unit, Rival, Brodrene Jatogs Mobelfabrik, Norway, 1960s
Located in Wrocław, Poland
spaces. Bring home the Mid Century Modern spirit and enjoy fantastic craftsmanship and smart design of
Teak
$16,505 / item
H 55.91 in W 46.07 in D 20.87 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving unit designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012
Aluminum
two-drawer shelving unit by Marcel Gascoin edited by Arhec
By Marcel Gascoin
Located in Saint Ouen, France
of storage units, already showing the beginnings of organic design, but this story was interrupted in
Oak
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
Aluminum & Glass Shelves Step Table Style Etagere Wall Unit
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fine Craved Silver Gilt Scallop Crown Rectangle Antique Wall Mirror MINT!
Aluminum
$675
H 24 in W 30.75 in D 18 in
George Nelson - Omni System - Shelving or Wall Unit Walnut Cabinet Only - Parts
By George Nelson
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern 1960s George Nelson designed for Omni Systems, this is part for a wall unit, a
Walnut
Pierre Chapo "GO" Modular Shelving Unit in Solid Elm, 1983
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A masterpiece of adaptability and design, this Pierre Chapo "GO" Modular Shelving Unit in solid elm
Elm
$17,342 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving Unit model Nuage designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-1956. Relaunched by Cassina in
Aluminum
$3,450
H 29 in W 96.625 in D 17.75 in
Cees Braakman for Pastoe CT69 Made-To-Measure Unit with Drop-Down Bar or Desk
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Mid-Century made to measure ‘CT69’ storage cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
Chrome
$2,392 / set
H 86.62 in W 38.59 in D 13 in
Lips Vago set of three Congresso industrial shelving unit 1970s
By Lips Vago
Located in bari, IT
Scaffale industriale in metallo Lips Vago modello Congresso primi anni ’70. Struttura in metallo laccato bianco. I cinque ripiani sono regolabili in altezza. Il sistema di scaffalatu...
Metal
$934
H 23.23 in W 58.67 in D 6.7 in
Vintage wood and Metal Multistrux Iron Modular Shelving Unit or Library Shelves
By Multistrux
Located in Markington, GB
minimalist metal structure combined with the warm teak veneer slat creates a classic mid-century modern look
Metal
$2,750
H 59 in W 59.25 in D 18 in
Original Pilastro Two Section Wall Unit w/ Desk with Drawer, Green Light
By Tjerk Reijenga, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, Pilastro enameled metal wall unit in very original condition with desk, cabinet
Metal
$1,950
H 49.25 in W 59.25 in D 10.75 in
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, Pilastro enameled metal shelving unit with cabinet. This unit features a gray
Metal
$33,788 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving Unit designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012
Aluminum
$13,800
H 94.49 in W 156.7 in D 13.39 in
Italian Postmodern Architectural Wall Unit in Lacquered Black and Blue Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bookcase or wall unit, colored wood, Italy, 1970s This striking polychrome bookcase is a
Brass
Price Upon Request
H 76 in W 46.5 in D 10.75 in
Set of Rare Multi-Color Curved Shelving Units by Frederick Weinberg
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Kensington, MD
Set of Rare Multi-Color Curved Shelving Units by Frederick Weinberg Additional information
Iron
$2,350
H 49.25 in W 45.125 in D 26 in
Pilastro 2 Section Wall Mount Shelving Unit with Drop Down Desk and Light
By Coen de Vries, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century Pilastro enameled metal wall shelving unit. This unit features a metal drop down
Metal
$2,300Sale Price|30% Off
H 66 in W 25 in D 10.5 in
Frederick Weinberg Iron and Glass Shelf Unit with Lamp
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Ferndale, MI
Frederick Weinberg iron and glass shelf unit with lamp.
Steel, Wrought Iron
$2,250
H 49.125 in W 27.5 in D 9.5 in
1960s Curvy Steel Framed Standing Shelving Unit with Teak Shelves, Italy
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian 1960s free-standing shelving unit with unusual black enameled steel frame and teak shelving
Steel
$2,150
H 49.25 in W 59.25 in D 12.5 in
Pilastro Two Section Wall Unit w/ Cabinet & Magazine Holder, White, Gray, Ochre
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, Pilastro manufactured wall unit with white, gray and ochre enameled metal
Metal
STANLEY WALNUT & Iron Hutch / DIVIDER / WALL UNIT. Spade HAND Pulls
By Distinctive Furniture By Stanley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Epic and rare two-tier Hutch credenza/ wall unit / bar cabinet from the Heritage Collection for
Brass, Iron
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.