Illuminated Wall Unit Designed by Roberto Monsani for Acerbis
By Roberto Monsani, Acerbis
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Modular "Life" wall unit designed by Roberto Monsani for Acerbis, circa 1970. Featuring six upright panels and six illuminated boxes, one features a drop-front door and another conce...
Dark Stained Oak Floating Shelving Unit Still Life Floating Shelf
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
This Floating Shelving Unit offers a new and modern take on Mid-century wall storage.
Oak
Achille Castiglioni 'Lungangolo' Wood Shelving Unit by Karakter
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving unit designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1991. Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be filled with beautiful desig...
Wood
Danish Modern Modular 2 Bay Wall Unit by Lyby Mobler, C. 1960s
By Lyby Mobler
Located in Deland, FL
A rare find and truly an exceptional design is this wall unit by Lyby Mobler. The unit is assembled with steel poles, accented with teak caps. The unit can be adjusted to several con...
Teak
Danish Modern Modular 4 Bay Wall Unit by Lyby Mobler, c. 1960
By Lyby Mobler
Located in Deland, FL
A rare find and truly an exceptional design is this wall unit by Lyby Mobler. The unit is assembled with steel poles, accented with teak caps. The unit can be adjusted to several con...
Teak
Wall Unit ‘Module’ by Kho Liang Ie for Fristho
By Fristho, Kho Liang Ie
Located in Beerse, VAN
Wall unit ‘Module’ designed in 1956 by Kho Liang Ie for the Dutch furniture company Fristho. The wall unit is made of beech and dark grey painted wood and consists of shelves, a s...
Beech
Achille Castiglioni 'Lungangolo' Wood Shelving Unit by Karakter
By Achille Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving unit designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1991. Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be filled with beautiful desig...
Wood
$701Sale Price|60% Off
Ca. 1930 Large Industrial Metal Shelving Unit with 12 Adjustable Shelves
Located in Markington, GB
Ca. 1930 Large Industrial Metal Shelving Unit with 12 Adjustable Shelves Description: An impressive circa 1930 industrial metal shelving unit of generous proportions, offering both ...
Metal
Wall Unit Bookcase by Knoll International designed by Fred Ruf, 1950s
By Knoll, Fred Ruf
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Wall Unit by Knoll International designed by Fred Ruf, 1950s A rare wall-mounted shelving unit designed by Fred Ruf and produced by Knoll International, Stuttgart, in the 1950s. Cab...
Formica, Walnut
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 2012. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characteris...
Aluminum
Broyhill Brasilia Model 6140-72/73 Room Divider Base & Deck Walnut Wall Unit
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
It consists of the Brasilia arches that reach up into the heavens, reminiscent of gothic architecture with a Mid-Century twist. The arches house three shelves in total, making for a ...
Walnut
Wall unit in teak in the style of Poul Cadovius - 1960s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Magnificent Scandinavian-style wall unit. Possibly attributed to Poul Cadovius, but this is not certain. It features six shelves and two cabinets. This wall-mounted bookcase is in ...
Wood
Burl Wood Thick Glass Shelves 3 Bay Wall Unit
By Pace Collection, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mirror chrome polished stainless steel frame, burl wood cabinets, thick glass shelves Mid-Century Modern wall unit. Secretary drop desk compartment. Outstanding modern decor setting ...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$5,244Sale Price|40% Off
John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This versatile Mid-Century Modern vitrine / wall unit designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman features four shelves behind original sliding glass doors atop a sculptural rendered two...
Glass, Mahogany
1950s Johnson Carper Curved Walnut Desk Dresser Shelving Unit
By Johnson Carper, Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall, Paul McCobb
Located in Bensalem, PA
This is a six piece set.Please look at pictures and videofor overall condition detail, and some measurements solid brass pulls. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Brass
1960s Continental Oak Bar Unit with Shelving – Room Divider
Located in London, GB
The overall design is practical and well-proportioned, suitable for use as a drinks bar, storage unit, or room divider. Size: H100 cm x W140 cm x D40 cm
Oak
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
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
Rosewood Bookcase Large Open Double Column Shelving Unit Vintage Denmark 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This grand open shelving unit features a clean double-column layout with a beautifully streamlined frame. The minimalist cabinet architecture is supported by elegant tapered legs tha...
Rosewood
Important Vladimir Kagan Rosewood Brass Dresser, Desk Unit, 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
If you're a fan of Vladimir Kagan and are looking for a piece with a story, look no farther. This piece resided in the master bedroom of Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson's Park Avenue...
Brass
Rosewood Wall Unit Bookcase with Tambour Doors Lyby Mobler Denmark 1960s
By Lyby Mobler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This impressive modular modular storage system presents a dual-bay layout combining open bookcases over functional base components. The versatile architectural format integrates slid...
Rosewood
Italian Wardrobe Bookcase, Modular Wall Unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Inside, the cabinet offers practical storage with internal drawers and hanging space, allowing use both as a wardrobe and as a living area storage unit.
Ash, Teak
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 combines clean, industrial lines with warm, rustic planks that highlight natural grain va...
Metal
Raffia Cloth Finished Rounded Angles Étagère Display Unit Glass Shelves
By Enrique Garcel, Harrison Van Horn
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Raffia cloth wrapped Mid-Century Modern display wall unit étagère shelves.
Raffia
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 vintage gem born on April 28, 1958 (it's birthday is stamped on the back of the piece)...
Teak
Arne Hovmand Olsen Tambour Corner Unit in Teak
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Skovmand and Andersen
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
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
$17,125 / set
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. Rasmussen, Copenhagen. Reverse with paper labels ‘Rud. Rasmussen/ Snedkerier / Københav...
Elm
Expertly Restored - Janet Schwietzer "Obra" Wall Unit for Pace Collection
By Pace Collection, Janet Schweitzer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Olive Burl Wood, Polished Aluminum, Original Glass ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history b...
Aluminum
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
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
$1,627Sale Price|33% Off
"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, birch veneered shelves and rare plexiglass ladders. Brass details.
Brass
$4,380 / item
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
$1,627Sale Price / item|49% Off
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 hall with wooden top and finials, with drawer and brass screws. Italian production f...
Mahogany
Lio Carminati for Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti Style Shelving Unit
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino, Lio Carminati
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-section Mid-Century shelving unit designed by Lio Carminati for the Italian firm Casa e Giardino. Each section features a black enameled wire frame with a decorative diamond-pa...
Wire
$22,089 / set
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 ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Pine
Pair of Burl Walnut Wall Unit Pieces w/ Interior Lights
By John Widdicomb, Pace Collection
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice two part Mid-Century Modern wall unit display or curio cabinets.
Chrome
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 showcasing a dual-function design with both open and closed storage. This piece blends el...
Wood
French Midcentury Brass and Glass Angular Formed Shelving Unit
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Large, handsome distinctive and sculptural vintage brass shelves, from 1960s, France. With elongated glass shelves, divided into 3 triangular high sections with two lower units, one ...
Brass
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
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. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise Charlotte Perria...
Aluminum
Rosewood Dresser Chest of Drawers Low Unit AB Glas & Trä Hovmantorp Sweden 1960s
By AB Glas & Trä
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four wide parallel drawers glide smoothly to provide ample hidden storage space and clear clutter. The beautiful minimalist design perfectly highlights an organic Scandinavian style ...
Rosewood
$23,229 / set
Mogens Koch Wall Unit of Mahogany for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch wall unit of mahogany. Two bookcases with removable inlays. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Mahogany
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
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
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 2012. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise Ch...
Aluminum
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. Unique, graceful pyramid/obelisk-form with four rectangular shelves in faux wood gra...
Wrought Iron
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 late 1960s or mid-1970s. It is a modular wall unit characterized by an architectura...
Maple, Teak
Rosewood Bookcase Small Open Double Column Shelving Unit Made in Denmark 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant open shelving unit features a clean double-column layout with a mid-height frame. The minimalist cabinet architecture is supported by delicate tapered legs that lift the...
Rosewood
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 three cabinets with three matching plinths and three bookcases. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen. Reverse with paper labels ‘Rud. Ras...
Elm
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 has a yellow and a white shelf and a narrower section with two black shelves. The s...
Metal
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 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise ...
Aluminum
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. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise Char...
Aluminum
Teak Modular Wall Unit, Rival, Brodrene Jatogs Mobelfabrik, Norway, 1960s
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This smartly designed teak modular wall was unit produced in Norway around 1960s by Brodrene Jatogs Mobelfabrik, most probably designed by Kjell Riise (still has original label in on...
Teak
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, wool fabric, painted metal details. The wardrobe is composed of 2 overlapping unit...
Metal, Brass
Shelving Unit or Bookcase, Modern Chrome Shelving, C 1960, Midcentury Design
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic square, chrome shelving unit from the 1960's. Finished all around. Can be floating in a room for decorative objects. Glass shelves are clear not smokey. Good condition.
Chrome
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
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.