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Mid Century Walnut Table Lamp

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Pair Mid Century Walnut and Brass "Genie" Lamps by Laurel Lamps Co.
Pair Mid Century Walnut and Brass "Genie" Lamps by Laurel Lamps Co.

Pair Mid Century Walnut and Brass "Genie" Lamps by Laurel Lamps Co.

Located in Germantown, MD

Pair Mid-Century Modern table lamps featuring a combination of walnut wood and brass materials

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair Mid Century Lotus Motive Ceramic Pottery & Turned Walnut Bases Table Lamps
Pair Mid Century Lotus Motive Ceramic Pottery & Turned Walnut Bases Table Lamps

Pair Mid Century Lotus Motive Ceramic Pottery & Turned Walnut Bases Table Lamps

By Gordon & Jane Martz, Gerald Thurston

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Pair Mid Century Lotus Motive Ceramic Pottery & Turned Walnut Bases Table Lamps MINT!

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Mid-Century Walnut & Brass Table Lamp attr. Erik Tidstrand, Sweden 1940s
Mid-Century Walnut & Brass Table Lamp attr. Erik Tidstrand, Sweden 1940s

Mid-Century Walnut & Brass Table Lamp attr. Erik Tidstrand, Sweden 1940s

By Nordiska Kompaniet, Bertil Brisborg, Erik Tidstrand

Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW

This elegant table light was designed and manufactured in Sweden in the 1940s. The light features

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Inspired Tall Porcelain and Walnut Table Lamp
Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Inspired Tall Porcelain and Walnut Table Lamp

Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Inspired Tall Porcelain and Walnut Table Lamp

By DBO Home

Located in Sharon, CT

Statuesque Hanni is tall and slender. With a nod to mid-century styling the the handcrafted base is

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Wood, Walnut

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Sonneman Era  1970s Brass & Walnut
Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Sonneman Era  1970s Brass & Walnut

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Sonneman Era 1970s Brass & Walnut

By Robert Sonneman

Located in Peoria, AZ

GORGEOUS! SLEEK DANISH MODERN WALNUT & BRASS DESIGNER TABLE LAMP AFTER SONNEMAN LINEN SHADE

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Lovely Pair of Brushed Brass Laurel Lamps Mid-century Danish Modern
Lovely Pair of Brushed Brass Laurel Lamps Mid-century Danish Modern

Lovely Pair of Brushed Brass Laurel Lamps Mid-century Danish Modern

By Laurel Lamp Company

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Lovely pair of mid-century modern brushed brass laurel lamps with walnut details.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Walnut

Gerald Thurston Mid-Century Modern 1950s Tripod Table Lamp in Walnut & Brass
Gerald Thurston Mid-Century Modern 1950s Tripod Table Lamp in Walnut & Brass

Gerald Thurston Mid-Century Modern 1950s Tripod Table Lamp in Walnut & Brass

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A very nice early example of this lamp in brass, walnut & off white enameled shades. Very hard to

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mid Century Modern Walnut Lamp After Phillip Lloyd Powell
Mid Century Modern Walnut Lamp After Phillip Lloyd Powell

Mid Century Modern Walnut Lamp After Phillip Lloyd Powell

By Phillip Lloyd Powell

Located in Southampton, NJ

Mid-Century Modern turned wood hourglass table lamp of solid Black Walnut in the manner of Phillip

Category

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

Materials

Burlap, Walnut

Tall Mutual Sunset Walnut & Brass Table Lamp on Footed Oval Base, 1950s
Tall Mutual Sunset Walnut & Brass Table Lamp on Footed Oval Base, 1950s

Tall Mutual Sunset Walnut & Brass Table Lamp on Footed Oval Base, 1950s

By Mutual Sunset Lamp Co.

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Mutual Sunset Lamp Company Walnut and Brass tri-form footed reading Table Lamp. Featuring a

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Heavy Carved Walnut and Brass Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Pair of Heavy Carved Walnut and Brass Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Pair of Heavy Carved Walnut and Brass Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Pair of heavy thick solid walnut Mid-Century Modern table lamps.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut & Volcanic Lava Pottery Table Lamps
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut & Volcanic Lava Pottery Table Lamps

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut & Volcanic Lava Pottery Table Lamps

By Gordon & Jane Martz

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut Volcanic Lava Pottery table lamps in varied

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Tall Tony Paul Style Turned Walnut Table Lamp With Brass Neck & Base
Tall Tony Paul Style Turned Walnut Table Lamp With Brass Neck & Base

Tall Tony Paul Style Turned Walnut Table Lamp With Brass Neck & Base

By Tony Paul, Westwood Lamps

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Substantial Tony Paul for Westwood Studios attributed, Walnut and Brass Table Lamp, circa 1960

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Table Lamp W/ Shade Attributed to Thurston
Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Table Lamp W/ Shade Attributed to Thurston

Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Table Lamp W/ Shade Attributed to Thurston

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Esperance, NY

For sale is this very nice vintage modern table lamp. The lamp is walnut and brass. Also the shade

Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Mid Century Tony Paul for Westwood Brass and Walnut Table Lamps
Pair of Mid Century Tony Paul for Westwood Brass and Walnut Table Lamps

Pair of Mid Century Tony Paul for Westwood Brass and Walnut Table Lamps

By Tony Paul

Located in New York, NY

Nice pair of Mid Century Modern designed by Tony Paul a legendary industrial American designer

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Tony Paul Brass Walnut Mid Century Table Lamp Westwood Industries Studio Lightin
Tony Paul Brass Walnut Mid Century Table Lamp Westwood Industries Studio Lightin

Tony Paul Brass Walnut Mid Century Table Lamp Westwood Industries Studio Lightin

By Westwood Industries, Tony Paul

Located in Forest Grove, PA

A single table lamp designed by Tony Paul for Westwood Industries, circa 1950’s. The organic shaped

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp

$375Sale Price|50% Off

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Mid-Century Modern table lamp. Base is polished steel. Flute shaped wooden mid-steam has a walnut

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Newly Refinished -Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut & Brass Table Lamps
Newly Refinished -Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut & Brass Table Lamps

Newly Refinished -Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut & Brass Table Lamps

By Lighthouse Light and Shade Co., Yasha Heifetz

Located in Los Angeles, CA

: Walnut, Brass, New Shade Dimensions: 26”H x 8”W x 8”D Shade: 10"H x 13"W x 13"D

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Polished Nickel & Ebonized Walnut Table Lamps by Tony Paul
Pair of Mid-Century Polished Nickel & Ebonized Walnut Table Lamps by Tony Paul

Pair of Mid-Century Polished Nickel & Ebonized Walnut Table Lamps by Tony Paul

By Westwood Industries, Tony Paul

Located in New York, NY

This exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern table lamps, designed by Tony Paul for Westwood

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Nickel

Mid Century White Ceramic and Walnut Table Lamp, Denmark 1960s
Mid Century White Ceramic and Walnut Table Lamp, Denmark 1960s

Mid Century White Ceramic and Walnut Table Lamp, Denmark 1960s

Located in South Salem, NY

. Perfect for a mid-century or modern aesthetic, this lamp is sold without a shade and has not been rewired

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Mid Century Modern Gooseneck Walnut Base Brown Mad Men Desk Lamp
Vintage Mid Century Modern Gooseneck Walnut Base Brown Mad Men Desk Lamp

Vintage Mid Century Modern Gooseneck Walnut Base Brown Mad Men Desk Lamp

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Mid Century Modern Gooseneck Walnut Base Brown "Mad Men" Desk Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Sculptural Gourd Shaped Cork with Walnut Table Lamps C1960
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Gourd Shaped Cork with Walnut Table Lamps C1960

Mid Century Modern Sculptural Gourd Shaped Cork with Walnut Table Lamps C1960

Located in Port Jervis, NY

material is sandwiched between 2 pieces of dark walnut, a plinth base and a neck piece. Neck piece on one

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Tall Pair Tony Paul for Westwood Walnut & White "Catkin" Table Lamps, 1950s
Tall Pair Tony Paul for Westwood Walnut & White "Catkin" Table Lamps, 1950s

Tall Pair Tony Paul for Westwood Walnut & White "Catkin" Table Lamps, 1950s

By Tony Paul, Westwood Lamps

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Pair Tony Paul for Westwood Industries Walnut & White "Modern Americana" Table Lamps. Featuring

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Gerald Thurston Era  1950s Brass & Walnut
Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Gerald Thurston Era  1950s Brass & Walnut

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Gerald Thurston Era 1950s Brass & Walnut

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Peoria, AZ

GORGEOUS! SCULPTURED DANISH MODERN SLEEK SHAPED WALNUT & BRASS TABLE LAMP! SUPER CLEAN LINES

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Tall Mid-Century American Modern Walnut and Brass Table Lamps
Pair of Tall Mid-Century American Modern Walnut and Brass Table Lamps

Pair of Tall Mid-Century American Modern Walnut and Brass Table Lamps

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Elegant pair of 1950s American Modern table lamps composed of a solid walnut platform base and

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Tony Paul Westwood  1950s Brass & Walnut
Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Tony Paul Westwood  1950s Brass & Walnut

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Tony Paul Westwood 1950s Brass & Walnut

By Tony Paul, Westwood Industries

Located in Peoria, AZ

& BRASS TABLE LAMP! THE CLEANEST LINES & STYLE! BEAUTIFUL! ( DIMENSIONS: APPROX. 29" TALL 19" WIDE

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Gerald Thurston Era  1950s Brass & Walnut
Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Gerald Thurston Era  1950s Brass & Walnut

Mid Century Danish Modern Table Lamp! Gerald Thurston Era 1950s Brass & Walnut

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Peoria, AZ

GORGEOUS! SCULPTURED DANISH MODERN SLEEK SHAPED WALNUT & BRASS TABLE LAMP! SUPER CLEAN LINES

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Raymond Pfennig for Zina Walnut Hourglass Table Lamps, 1960s
Pair of Raymond Pfennig for Zina Walnut Hourglass Table Lamps, 1960s

Pair of Raymond Pfennig for Zina Walnut Hourglass Table Lamps, 1960s

By Zina Lamp Co., Raymond Pfennig

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Pair of California Modern Raymond Pfennig for Zina Lamp Company walnut bedside table lamps, 1960s

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Walnut

Pr. Mid Century Claw Form Table Lamps after Modeline Pearsall c. 1950/60's
Pr. Mid Century Claw Form Table Lamps after Modeline Pearsall c. 1950/60's

Pr. Mid Century Claw Form Table Lamps after Modeline Pearsall c. 1950/60's

By Arthur Jacobs, Modeline Lamp Co.

Located in New York, NY

Pr. Organic Mid Century Modern style table lamps executed in solid walnut with curved tusk formed

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Walnut Hourglass Table Lamp 1960's
Walnut Hourglass Table Lamp 1960's

Walnut Hourglass Table Lamp 1960's

By Phillip Lloyd Powell, Raymond Pfennig

Located in Fulton, CA

Turned walnut hourglass table lamp in the manner of Phillip Lloyd Powell. Circa. 1960. Beautifully

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Two Mid Century Signed Martz Ceramic Table Lamps
Two Mid Century Signed Martz Ceramic Table Lamps

Two Mid Century Signed Martz Ceramic Table Lamps

By Gordon & Jane Martz

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A pair of Classic Mid Century pottery Table Lamps Ca. 1960's by iconic husband and wife Potters

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Other

Expertly Restored -Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Table Lamp by V.H. Woolums
Expertly Restored -Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Table Lamp by V.H. Woolums

Expertly Restored -Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Table Lamp by V.H. Woolums

Located in Los Angeles, CA

________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Walnut Table Lamp
Walnut Table Lamp

Walnut Table Lamp

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century modern walnut table lamp.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Mid Century Custom Lamps A Pair Walnut English
Mid Century Custom Lamps A Pair Walnut English

Mid Century Custom Lamps A Pair Walnut English

Located in Hudson, NY

This is a very handsome pair of custom-made lamps. They were produced in London in the mid-20th

Category

Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid 20th Century Mid Century Cork Table Lamps, a Pair
Mid 20th Century Mid Century Cork Table Lamps, a Pair

Mid 20th Century Mid Century Cork Table Lamps, a Pair

Located in Wheat Ridge, CO

A pair of striking mid-century table lamps that capture the organic warmth and sculptural elegance

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Danish or Italian Modern Orange Ceramic Pottery & Walnut Table Lamp
Mid-Century Danish or Italian Modern Orange Ceramic Pottery & Walnut Table Lamp

Mid-Century Danish or Italian Modern Orange Ceramic Pottery & Walnut Table Lamp

By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter, Aldo Londi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A stately glazed ceramic Mid-Century Modern table lamp. A beautiful orange and brown color palette

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Jane and Gordon Martz Mid Century Ceramic and Walnut Lamp
Jane and Gordon Martz Mid Century Ceramic and Walnut Lamp

Jane and Gordon Martz Mid Century Ceramic and Walnut Lamp

By Gordon & Jane Martz

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Jane and Gordon Martz Mid Century Ceramic and Walnut Lamp This table lamp measures: 19.5 wide x

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Gerald Thurston Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass Lamp Tripod Base
Gerald Thurston Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass Lamp Tripod Base

Gerald Thurston Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass Lamp Tripod Base

By Gerald Thurston

Located in Toledo, OH

Gerald Thurston mid century modern table lamp with three Leviton sockets. Each has a thumb switch

Category

20th Century North American Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modeline Model 635 Cylinder Shaped Sculptured Walnut Table Lamps
Pair of Modeline Model 635 Cylinder Shaped Sculptured Walnut Table Lamps

Pair of Modeline Model 635 Cylinder Shaped Sculptured Walnut Table Lamps

By Modeline Lamp Co., Arthur Jacobs, Adrian Pearsall

Located in Chattanooga, TN

a mid-century Western lens. The sculptured walnut encasements form soft cylinders that cradle

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Modern Solid Staved Walnut Lamps
Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Modern Solid Staved Walnut Lamps

Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Modern Solid Staved Walnut Lamps

Located in San Jose, CA

Vintage pair of solid staved walnut accent table lamps, circa 1960's. This lighting set features a

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Walnut

Gerald Thurston Mid-Century Modern Tripod Table Lamp
Gerald Thurston Mid-Century Modern Tripod Table Lamp

Gerald Thurston Mid-Century Modern Tripod Table Lamp

By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston

Located in Toledo, OH

Iconic mid-century modern tripod table lamp by George Thurston for Lightolier from the 1950's. The

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Monumental Sculptural Table Lamps by Laurel
Monumental Sculptural Table Lamps by Laurel

Monumental Sculptural Table Lamps by Laurel

By Laurel Lamp Company

Located in New York, NY

Stunning pair of tall 1960s sculptural walnut table lamps by Laurel. Newly restored and rewired

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Gorgeous Pair of Walnut and Brass Laurel Lamps, circa 1950s
Gorgeous Pair of Walnut and Brass Laurel Lamps, circa 1950s

Gorgeous Pair of Walnut and Brass Laurel Lamps, circa 1950s

By Laurel Lamp Company

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Wonderful and rare pair of Sculptural wood and brass Laurel lamps. Solid walnut and brass are

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Metal

Pair of Slender Walnut Lamps with Custom Linen Shades by Laurel
Pair of Slender Walnut Lamps with Custom Linen Shades by Laurel

Pair of Slender Walnut Lamps with Custom Linen Shades by Laurel

By Laurel Lamp Company

Located in Los Angeles, CA

. Laurel was known for its original mid-century modern lamp designs and other home furnishings in

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Pair of Abstract Sculptural Walnut Lamps Mid-century Danish Modern
Pair of Abstract Sculptural Walnut Lamps Mid-century Danish Modern

Pair of Abstract Sculptural Walnut Lamps Mid-century Danish Modern

By Heifetz

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Amazing pair of abstract sculptural walnut lamps. The solid walnut bases are sculpted by a master

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp Mod. Walnut by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp Mod. Walnut by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp Mod. Walnut by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s

By Flos, Achille Castiglioni

Located in MIlano, IT

Mid-Century Modern table lamp mod. Walnut by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s Walnut lamp, with

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Kemp And Lauritzen Table Lamp
Mid Century Kemp And Lauritzen Table Lamp

Mid Century Kemp And Lauritzen Table Lamp

Located in Søborg, DK

and gives it a moody, luxe feel you don’t see in standard mid-century lamps. Looks stunning on teak

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

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Mid Century Walnut Table Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal mid century walnut table lamp for your home. Each mid century walnut table lamp for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, walnut and metal. Find 1034 options for an antique or vintage mid century walnut table lamp now, or shop our selection of 18 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer mid century walnut table lamp, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A mid century walnut table lamp made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Victorian — is very popular. Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall Studios and Laurel Lamp Company each produced at least one beautiful mid century walnut table lamp that is worth considering.

How Much is a Mid Century Walnut Table Lamp?

A mid century walnut table lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,800, while the lowest priced sells for $175 and the highest can go for as much as $14,800.

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.

Finding the Right Lighting for You

The right table lamp, outwardly sculptural chandelier or understated wall pendant can work wonders for your home. While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later. A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs.

Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.

Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat. 

Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.

As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.

There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation

With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.

The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.