Is a tulip table mid century modern?

Yes, the tulip table is considered a mid-century modern design. This table shape has become an iconic statement of the era with a simple sculptural attitude and a practical nature. The first tulip table was created by Eero Saarinen, a noted Finnish designer who was a leader in mid-century modern home decor. Shop a collection of Saarinen furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is a mid-century chair?

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.

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

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.

Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?

Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?

Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Mid Century Tulip Chair

Pierre Paulin Big Tulip

Knoll Tulip Dining

Knoll Fiberglass

Tulip Chair Set Of 4

Set Of Dining Chairs Swivel

Tulip Table And Chair Set

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Krueger Tulip Chair

$575

Vintage Krueger Tulip Chair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

The high-gloss finish and sculptural silhouette make it a bold statement piece for any Mid-Century Modern or Postmodern interior. Its "pop-of-color" aesthetic is perfectly balanced b...

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair

$1,995

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair This chair measures: 25.75 wide x 24.5 deep x 32.25 inches high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height/chair clea...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Fiberglass

$4,850 / set

Early Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chair Set of 6 1960s

Located in Virginia Beach, VA

An early set of 6 tulip chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Associates.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

$12,500 / set

Pair of Pierre Paulin First Edition "Big Tulip" for Artifort Lounge Chairs

By Pierre Paulin, Artifort

Located in Gladstone, NJ

Pair of Pierre Paulin First Edition "Big Tulip" for Artifort lounge chairs.

Category

20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Lounge chair "F545" "BIG TULIP" by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands 1980s

$2,734Sale Price|20% Off

Lounge chair "F545" "BIG TULIP" by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands 1980s

By Pierre Paulin, Artifort

Located in DE MEERN, NL

SKAI LEATHER LOUNGE CHAIR "F545" BIG TULIP BY PIERRE PAULIN FOR ARTIFORT, NETHERLANDS 1980S Introducing the SKAI Leather Lounge Chair "F545" Big Tulip, a stunning piece of mid-centu...

Category

Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Tulip Chair & Ottoman by Erwine and Estelle Laverne for Laverne International

$5,400 / set

Tulip Chair & Ottoman by Erwine and Estelle Laverne for Laverne International

By Erwine & Estelle Laverne, Laverne International

Located in Buffalo, NY

This incredible design is a Model 120 LF 'Tulip' lounge armchair by Erwine and Estelle Laverne for Laverne International. Ingeniously designed in 1957, this wide span armchair is cra...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

$2,295 / set

2 MCM Polished Aluminum Barrel Swivel Lounge Chairs Chrome Tulip Base by Woodard

By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) polished aluminum and chrome tulip base barrel swivel lounge chairs by Russell Woodard, a pair.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Recent Sales

Three Mid-Century Modern Tulip Chairs

Unavailable

H 29 in W 20.5 in D 19 in

Three Mid-Century Modern Tulip Chairs

By Johanson Design

Located in Washington Crossing, PA

Johanson Design, Sweden; orange vinyl upholstered swivel seats, painted metal tulip base, 29 in. H., 20 1/2 in. W., 19 in. D., base - 16 in. diameter.

Unavailable

H 29 in W 19 in D 17 in

Tulip Base Dining Chair Set

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Refurbished Mid-Century Modern tulip base dining chair set.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Set of Four Aluminium Tulip Chairs by Pierre Guariche

Unavailable

H 28.75 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in

Set of Four Aluminium Tulip Chairs by Pierre Guariche

By Pierre Guariche

Located in Barcelona, ES

A set of four Tulip chairs designed by Pierre Guariche in 1954 for Steiner, France. Cast aluminium shell and lacquered metal base.

Materials

Plastic, Upholstery

H 31.5 in W 19 in D 20 in

Mid-Century Modern Black Tulip Chair

Located in North York, ON

Mid-Century Modern black tulip chair. Featuring original acrylic design with newly upholstered black fabric.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Acrylic

Burke Mid Century Orange Tulip Chairs, Pair

Sold

H 28.25 in W 20.25 in D 21 in

Burke Mid Century Orange Tulip Chairs, Pair

By Gunlocke

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Burke Mid Century orange tulip chairs, pair Each chair measures: 20.25 wide x 21 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat height of 15.75 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Mid-20th Century Tulip-Style Chair in Grey Silk

Sold

H 31 in W 28 in D 33.5 in

Mid-20th Century Tulip-Style Chair in Grey Silk

Located in New York, NY

A Tulip-style chair, from Turkey. Slate gray silk upholstery, blonde wood tapered legs. Ideal size for an accent chair in small spaces.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

International Furniture Mid Century Mod Vintage Swivel Chair Chrome Tulip Base

Sold

H 30.5 in W 33 in D 32 in

International Furniture Mid Century Mod Vintage Swivel Chair Chrome Tulip Base

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

An International Furniture swivel club chair. A absolutely lovely accent chair featuring beautiful mid century modern styling.

Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Mid Century Tulip Style Chairs with Cocktail Table

Sold

Pair of Mid Century Tulip Style Chairs with Cocktail Table

Located in Astoria, NY

A pair of vintage tulip style armchairs with white circular bases and grey-brown velvet upholstery. A small Saarinen style tulip-form side table is included in the set. They are in o...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Set of 4 Mid Century Modern Burke Armed Tulip Chairs

Sold

H 31 in W 25 in D 23 in

Set of 4 Mid Century Modern Burke Armed Tulip Chairs

By Burke, Inc.

Located in Tulsa, OK

Set of 4 Mid Century Modern Burke Armed Tulip Chairs Above average vintage condition and structurally sound.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass, Upholstery

A Mid Century Pair of Half Egg Tulip Swivel Chairs

Sold

H 28 in W 23 in D 24 in

A Mid Century Pair of Half Egg Tulip Swivel Chairs

Located in Astoria, NY

A vintage pair of space age modernist, half egg, tulip swivel chairs in white. Restored and newly reupholstered

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass, Textile, Glass

Knoll Set of 3 Saarinen Tulip Arm Chairs w Cushions Vintage Mid Century Modern

Sold

Sold

H 31 in W 26 in D 26 in

Mid-Century Modern Arm Chair On Swivel Tulip Base

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Great sixties Saarinen style to this unique arm chair.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Knoll Saarinen Mid Century Modern 1970s White Tulip Dining Chairs

Sold

H 32 in W 19.5 in D 20 in

Set of 4 Knoll Saarinen Mid Century Modern 1970s White Tulip Dining Chairs

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

A set of 4 Knoll tulip chairs. An iconic set of vintage tulip chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. These particular chairs are from the 1970s. They feature the classic white f...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Sold

H 32.25 in W 19.5 in D 19 in

Early Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chair Set of 6 1960s

Located in Virginia Beach, VA

An early set of 6 tulip chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Associates.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International

$10,487 / set

H 31.11 in W 23.23 in D 22.84 in

Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Uccle, BE

Set of 8 “Saarinen Executive” armchairs with tubular legs. Cognac-colored leather cover. This armchair with ample shapes offers excellent comfort. Featured in many interiors, Eero Sa...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

H 33 in W 21 in D 25.5 in

Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in the Style of Milo Baughman

By Milo Baughman

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This beautiful set of four vintage modern chairs feature arched chrome arm rests and a lovely pink upholstery. The sleek design boasts a heavy flat bar chrome frame and corduroy text...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Chrome

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Early Knoll Saarinen Tulip Table

$2,063Sale Price|24% Off

H 20.5 in W 22.38 in D 15 in

Early Knoll Saarinen Tulip Table

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A very early production Knoll Eero Saarinen Tulip table. Marble oval top. Top is 22.375x 15 inches in dimension. Table top is in good condition although there are some marks to the t...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Wall lighting Glass murano multicolor pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s

$968 / set

H 11.82 in W 15.75 in D 9.45 in

Wall lighting Glass murano multicolor pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s

By Zonca

Located in La xara, VC

Large pair of Post-Modern wall lamps by Zonca. The design of this lamp is a typical example of the post-modern style of the 80s. The fan-shaped Murano glass takes up the pastel color...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Murano Glass

$2,393

H 28.75 in W 67.33 in D 33.47 in

Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s

By Vico Magistretti, Cassina

Located in bruxelles, BE

Sofa in creamy white fabric designed by Vico Magistretti, Model: Maralunga. Seat height: 44 cm. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa Settee Two Seat 1960s Knoll

$5,950

H 27.75 in W 63 in D 35.25 in

Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa Settee Two Seat 1960s Knoll

By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman

Located in Forest Grove, PA

Fresh from the home of the original owner, a Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa, fully marked. Professionally restored, the rosewood was well chosen and has wonderful...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Textile, Rosewood

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Mid Century Tulip Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the mid century tulip chair you’re looking for. A mid century tulip chair — often made from metal, plastic and fabric — can elevate any home. Find 325 options for an antique or vintage mid century tulip chair now, or shop our selection of 3 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the mid century tulip chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right mid century tulip chair, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Modern styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one mid century tulip chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but Eero Saarinen, Knoll and Pierre Paulin produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Mid Century Tulip Chair?

Prices for a mid century tulip chair start at $195 and top out at $21,235 with the average selling for $3,318.

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

Emerged during the mid-20th century
Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
A heyday of innovation in postwar America
Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
Promotion of functionality

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

Charles and Ray Eames
Eero Saarinen
Milo Baughman
Florence Knoll
Harry Bertoia
Isamu Noguchi
George Nelson
Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa

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.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.

Questions About Mid Century Tulip Chair

Is a tulip table mid century modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, the tulip table is considered a mid-century modern design. This table shape has become an iconic statement of the era with a simple sculptural attitude and a practical nature. The first tulip table was created by Eero Saarinen, a noted Finnish designer who was a leader in mid-century modern home decor. Shop a collection of Saarinen furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is a mid-century chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
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.
How can you tell if a chair is mid century?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
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.
Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

How Top Designers Are Using Mid-Century Chairs in Today’s Interiors

Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood

The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.

Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home

The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.