Jens Risom Floating Three-Seat Armless Walnut Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seat sofa, Model #U250, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Design in the 1950s. Composed of a
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Walnut
Jens Risom Floating Three-Seat Armless Walnut Sofa
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seat sofa, Model #U250, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Design in the 1950s. Composed of a
Wool, Walnut
George Sofa by Brian Paquette for Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The George sofa is part of the collaborative collection with interior designer Brian Paquette. The
Wool, Walnut
1970s 2-Seater Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Italian "Maralunga" two-seater sofa / armchairs by Vico Magistretti for
Wool
$4,784
H 29.93 in W 77.96 in D 29.14 in
Reupholstered light blue Danish Design Sofa made by Dux , 1960s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
activity such as reading and work. With the catchy mid-century modern teak armrests this eyecatcher
Wool, Teak
$8,993
H 25.6 in W 77.96 in D 31.5 in
Rare 3-Seater Sofa by Horst Brüning for Kill International, 1960s
By Horst Bruning, Alfred Kill International
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Super rare modernist sofa designed by Horst Brüning around 1965. It features a sculptural chrome
Steel
$11,950 / set
H 28.35 in W 118.12 in D 51.19 in
Isamu Noguchi Freeform Sofa & Ottoman – Vitra, Raf Simons for Kvadrat Vidar 4
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Few designs balance art and function as seamlessly as Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Sofa. Originally
Wool, Ash
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Sofa for Ab Record, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
, which refers to not only Carl Malmsten’s design philosophy, but also to mid-century Swedish society
Wool, Wood
Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois, France, 2003
By Vladimir Kagan, Roche Bobois
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vladimir Kagan; Futurism; Modernism; 2000s; Mid-Century Modern; Roche Bobois; France; Cotton
Wool, Alpaca, Cotton
$1,439 / item
H 30.32 in W 50.79 in D 28.75 in
Danish 2-Seater Sofa by Ole Wanscher for PJ Møbler, 1960s.
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish 2 Seater Sofa by Ole Wanscher for PJ Møbler, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern two
Wool, Mahogany
$4,137
H 31.89 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Senator sofa by Ole Wanscher by P. Jeppesen Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Ranst, VAN
1960s. The frame of the sofa is in solid teak and the cushions are still have the original cream wool
Fabric, Wool, Teak
Danish 1950's Sofa by Kurt Olsen Teak Accents
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Curved sofa by Kurt Olsen from the 1950's. Epitome of Danish 1950's style. Made by Slagelse
Wool, Teak
$10,800 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, two
Bouclé, Plastic
$14,600 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 3
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, three
Bouclé, Plastic
Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois, France, 2003
By Roche Bobois, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Antwerp, BE
This "Comete" sofa, a futurist and asymmetric marvel designed by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois in
Wool, Alpaca, Cotton
$2,693Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 88.98 in D 35.44 in
Midcentury Modern Design Boucle 3 Seat Sofa, Italy 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design 3 Seat Sofa. Made in Italy, 1970's period. Has a brand
Wool, Bouclé
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by
Brass
Guillerme et Chambron Sofa in Oak, Edition Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron sofa in oak, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
Wool, Oak
Kurt Østervig Attributed Large Danish Four-Seat Sofa, 1960s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Amazing sofa sleek organic design lines and just the epitome of the best the Danish designers of
Wool, Teak
$6,861
H 31.5 in W 56.7 in D 43.31 in
1960s Danish Banana two seater sofa with scalloped back in cream boucle.
Located in Henley-On-Thames, GB
The Banana sofa is more than seating , it is a conversation starter. Its unique curved backrest was
Wool, Beech
$5,708
H 30.71 in W 72.05 in D 28.75 in
Reupholstered grey Danish Sofa by Johannes Andersen for CFC Silkeborg, 1960s
By CFC Silkeborg, Johannes Andersen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
such as reading and work. With the catchy mid-century modern teak armrests this eyecatcher completes
Wool, Teak
$3,881Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.62 in W 64.57 in D 36.23 in
EARLY ERNEST RACE DA Sofa, 1949, Classic British Design
By Ernest Race
Located in Sherborne, GB
A Classic piece of British design, this early DA sofa designed by Ernest Race has a welded steel
Steel
$15,391Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 94.49 in
Iconic Anfibio sofa by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti 1970
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Iconic 3 seater sofa/bed designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, 1970. The sofa is in
Steel
Sofa FD 130 by Peter Hvidt for France and Daverkosen, 1960s
By France & Søn, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in München, Bavaria
refined examples of Scandinavian mid-century modern design, combining clean lines with exceptional
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Bouclé, Teak
$14,600 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 3
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, three
Bouclé, Plastic
$3,957
H 30.71 in W 64.97 in D 27.56 in
Curvy Danish modern black and white sofa with large seat cushion
By Hans Olsen
Located in DK
This sofa with a large seat cushion was designed in 1956 by Hans Olsen (1919-1992). The sofa is
Wool, Wood
$5,711Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 29.53 in W 67.72 in D 28.35 in
Italian Bamboo Sofa and Stool with French Bouclé Fabric Early 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful bamboo sofa and stool from the Mid-Century Modern French Riviera era are bursting
Wool, Bamboo
$11,392
H 31.5 in W 53.94 in D 31.5 in
Sofa Two-Seat, Model 'Delfino' by Erberto Carboni, Arflex, 1954
By Erberto Carboni, Arflex
Located in Berlin, DE
Sofa two-seat, model 'Delfino' by Erberto Carboni, Arflex, 1954. Complete new upholstery true to
Steel
$4,328Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 58.25 in D 31 in
Vintage Swedish 1980s Convertible Sofa Lounge Chairs built in Table Daybed
Located in Basel, BS
This unique midcentury design sofa/daybed / Lounge chairs with a table in between is incredibly
Chrome
$3,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 87.5 in D 31 in
A. Brandt for Ranch Oak Cerused Oak Minimalist Three Seat Sofa.
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Minimalist sofa from the 1950s designed and manufactured by August Brandt for Ranch Oak Furniture
Wool, Oak
Three Seat Sofa in Quarter Sawn Oak by Svante Skough
By Svante Skogh
Located in Berkeley, CA
: Oak, Wool Measurements: 75.5? Wide x 31.5? Deep x 29.5? Tall Condition: In excellent original
Wool, Oak
$3,400
H 33 in W 80 in D 34 in
Danish MSM Solid Oiled Walnut Frame New Upholstery Vintage Daybed Sofa Settee
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish MSM Solid Oiled Walnut Frame New Upholstery Vintage Daybed Sofa Settee
Brass
$4,200
H 29 in W 74 in D 30.5 in
Classic Danish Midcentury Sofa by Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
By Folke Ohlsson, Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant three-seat sofa designed by Folke Ohlsson in 1955 as Model 5464 for Fritz
Wool, Teak
Classic Danish Midcentury Three-Seat Sofa by Frits Henningsen 1950's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines by one of the early Danish iconic designers made around early between 1945 and 1950. Backrest and seat nice and firm and frame raised on Cuban mahogany...
Wool, Beech, Mahogany
$4,800
H 31.5 in W 59 in D 29 in
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests
Wool, Beech
$7,914 / set
H 27.56 in W 70.48 in D 29.53 in
Rosewood Sven Ivar Dysthe Reupholstered 3-Seat Sofa & a Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Sven Ivar Dysthe
Located in Paris, France
Very elegant and chic, reupholstered 3-seater sofa and a lounge chair, 1950s, composed of solid
Wool, Rosewood
Giancarlo Piretti “Sistema 61" Modular Sofa
By Giancarlo Piretti, Castelli
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, Italy - fully restored in wool hopsack. It can be arranged in any way, as each piece
Wool
$7,147
H 31.11 in W 66.15 in D 29.14 in
Danish Design Reupholstered Paper Knife Sofa Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Model 121 sofa : Paper Knife sofa We are so pleased to present this drop-dead gorgeous and rare
Wool, Teak
$17,987 / item
H 33.86 in W 76.38 in D 38.19 in
Nuava sofa designed by Emilio Guarnacci and Felix Padovano for 1P 1969
By Felix Padovano, Emilio Guarnacci
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare Nuava model sofa designed by Emilio Guarnacci and Felix Padovano for 1p chemical industry for 'furniture in 1969. Nondeformable polyurethane foam frame, wool and linen fabric, w...
Wool, Linen, Wood
PJ 149/2 - 2-seater 'Colonial' sofa in cherry by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PJ 149/2 - 2-seater 'Colonial' sofa in cherry, seat bottom in cane and original blue wool cushions
Wool, Cherry
$5,516
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 36.23 in
Hans J. Wegner Model 290 Three-Seat Sofa, Oak & Boucle, Circa 1970
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner three-seat sofa made of solid soap treated oak. New upholstered with boucle. Model
Wool, Oak
$43,410
H 25.6 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia "Camaleonda" White Bouclé Fabric Modular Sofa
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini (1935-) for B&B Italia in 1972. Composed of 3
Wool
$5,326
H 25.6 in W 69.3 in D 29.14 in
Knoll- Antimot Walnut Three Seat U-Vorm Sofa by Walter Knoll, Germany
By Walter Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Antwerp, BE
A unique set of three armchairs and a three-seater sofa in the original setting with a walnut U
Wool, Walnut
$6,000
H 29.53 in W 84.65 in D 31.11 in
Sofa / Daybed "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen France & Søn, 60s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sofa daybed from the 1960s by France and Søn made of teakwood. This piece is featuring two
Wool, Teak
$11,752
H 30.71 in W 93.71 in D 29.93 in
Completely Restored Florence Knoll 25 BC Three-Seat Sofa by Wohnbedarf, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
Three-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, and produced under license by
Wool
$7,734
H 29.93 in W 118.12 in D 49.22 in
Curved Four-Seat Italian Sofa with Brass Legs and Ivory - White Bouclé
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Crafted in Italy, this curved four-seat sofa features a solid wooden frame with brass legs and is
Brass
Danish Midcentury 2 1/2 Seat Sofa Grete Jalk Style with Teak Legs
By Johannes Hansen, Grete Jalk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
remains in usable condition. Fabric showing wear and minor stains but sofa is solid and sturdy and overall
Oak, Wool, Teak
$5,400
H 30.25 in W 90 in D 33 in
Large Danish Midcentury Teak Sofa Model 444 by Illum Wikkelso, Early 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Aarhus
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stunning large Danish modern 1960s sofa designed by Illum Wikkelso as model 444 for Aarhus
Teak, Wool
$21,585
H 32.68 in W 74.02 in D 33.47 in
Angelo Mangiarotti Three Seat Sofa, La Sorgente Dei Mobili, Italy, 1970s
By Angelo Mangiarotti, La Sorgente Dei Mobili
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare three seat sofa was designed by Angelo Mangiarotti and produced by the Italian
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Sapele Wood
$5,935
H 30.32 in W 72.05 in D 32.68 in
Danish Design Classsic GE 290 Three Seater Sofa by Hans Wegner for GETAMA, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Renens, CH
One of the most recognized designs by Hans Wegner and probably the whole danish mid-century modern
Wool, Oak
$5,089
H 29.14 in W 62.6 in D 30.32 in
small curved 1950's Italian 2 Seater Sofa attributed to Ico Parisi, green tweed
By Ico Parisi
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A Small curved organic 1950's Italian 2 Seater Sofa attributed to Ico Parisi, upholstered in a
Wool, Wood
$3,200
H 28 in W 63 in D 27.5 in
Danish Midcentury Loveseat 2 1/2 Seat Sofa Grete Jalk Style with Teak Legs
By Johannes Hansen, Grete Jalk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
remains in usable condition. Fabric showing wear and minor stains but sofa is solid and sturdy and overall
Wool, Teak
$19,479 / set
H 25.6 in W 103.15 in D 37.8 in
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia "Camaleonda" White Bouclé Fabric Modular Sofa
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini (1935-) for B&B Italia in 1972. Composed of
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Wood
$3,600 / item
H 45.5 in W 53 in D 32 in
Contemporary Modern Naughtone for Herman Miller Hush High Wing-Back 2 Seat Sofa
By Herman Miller, NAUGHTONE
Located in Secaucus, NJ
sleek and elegant design will complement any contemporary, minimal or mid-century modern settings
Steel
$5,935
H 30.32 in W 72.05 in D 32.68 in
Danish Design Classsic GE 290 Three Seater Sofa by Hans Wegner for GETAMA, 1960s
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Renens, CH
One of the most recognized designs by Hans Wegner and probably the whole danish mid-century modern
Wool, Oak
Hans J. Wegner Two-Seat Sofa in Oak and Fabric for AP Stolen
By Hans J. Wegner, A.P. Stolen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Hans J. Wegner two-seat sofa in oak and wool upholstery, model AP20. Executed by AP Stolen, Denmark.
Wool, Oak
1940s Banana Sofa In Crimson Brocade Fabric
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1940s Materials: Beech, Wool
Wool, Beech
Peter Hvidt "Minerva" Three Piece Sectional Sofa in Teak
By France & Søn, Peter Hvidt
Located in Berkeley, CA
Materials: Teak, Wool Measurements: Three Seat Sofa: 75″ wide x 30″” deep x 32.5″ tall Loveseat: 47.5″ wide
Wool, Teak
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.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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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.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
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