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.
Mid-Century Modern German Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder Aachener Giesserei
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder from Aachener Giesserei, 1960s
Cast Iron
Danish Stoneware Candle Sconce by Knabstrup, Mid-Century Modern, 1950s
By Knabstrup, Felix Gete, Rörstrand, Palshus, Kähler
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautifully glazed handmade stoneware candle sconce manufactured by Danish Knabstrup in the 1950s. Raw rectangular ceramic piece with a shiny crackle glaze front in pastel mint, turq...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware, Terracotta
Swan candlestick by Matthew Hilton, Solid Aluminium, England, 1980's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Elegant "Swan" candlestick, masterfully designed and produced by Matthew Hilton for SCP in England during the 1980s. Crafted from sleek aluminum, this brutalist-inspired piece evokes...
Aluminum
Pair of Tapio Wirkkala “Trumpetti” 830 Silver Candlesticks for Kultakeskus
By Tapio Wirkkala, Kultakeskus Oy
Located in San Diego, CA
An elegant pair of “Trumpetti” candlesticks designed by celebrated Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala for Kultakeskus Oy. These sculptural candleholders embody the flowing lines and res...
Silver
Brutalist candlestick by David Marshall, bronze and aluminum, Spain, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candlestick designed and crafted by the sculptor david marshall in the 70s in spain. Bronze and aluminum handcrafted sculpture. Rare item that will elevate your i...
Bronze, Aluminum
Mid-Century Amorphic Crystal & Brass Two Arm Candelabra Signed Schneider
By Schneider
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century amorphic crystal and brass candle holder, signed Schneider, France, circa 1950, is an elegant embodiment of the refined artistry and modern sensibilities that define...
Crystal, Brass
Sommerso green candle holder by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano glass, Italy, 197
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb and rare sommerso candle holder designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Artisanal glasswork using the sommerso technique (superposition of ...
Murano Glass
Modernist Japanese Iron Nesting Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Iron candle holders from Japan. Stamped. Great patina. 1950s.
Metal
Antique Vintage English Sterling Silver Candlestick Candelabra Corinthian Column
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stylish Single of early Mid-Century English Traditional Corinthian Column Pillar heavy gauge Sterling Silver Single Table Candlesticks of nice tall and generous proportions. Mark...
Sterling Silver
Single Anglo Indian Brass Cobra Snake Wall Scone Candleholder 1960s Mid-century
Located in London, England
A spectacular single vintage bronze cobra snake wall scone / candlestick. Its sinuous, serpentine body curves in an S "wavy" pattern evoking a slithering cobra snake. The tail tapers...
Bronze
Crystal 'Medusa Lumière' Candleholder by Versace for Rosenthal 1990s
Located in Milano, MI
Crystal candle holder, "Medusa Lumière" collection designed by Versace for Rosenthal in the 1990s Ø cm 10 h cm 27 The Versace for Rosenthal collaboration, launched in 1992 under th...
Crystal
Silver Plated Lotus Candle Holders, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
A two part candle holder in silver plated brass signed Leonard 7x4
Silver Plate
Rare Wedgwood Jewelry Box, Round Light Blue Jasperware Lidded Box
By Wedgwood
Located in Bochum, NRW
Light Blue Wedgwood Jasperware Trinket Box - Round Shape with Grape Leaves Dimensions: Measure 10 cm in height and 12 cm in diameter. In excellent condition.
Porcelain
Vintage Black Metal and Brass Candle Holder, Bauhaus Style, 1940s
Simplistic black metal and brass wall candle holder for two standard size candles. Slender black mount with brass cone shaped holders. Likely manufactured in the 1940s in the style o...
Metal, Brass
$1,200 / set
Oggetti Murano Large Murano Glass Candle Holders
By Oggetti
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of large 1980's Oggetti Italy Murano glass cnadle holders, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use. Smaller candle holder height 2...
Murano Glass
1960s Marianne Starck Sgraffito Black White Ceramic Candle Sconce, Denmark
By Ingrid Atterberg, Thomas Toft, Michael Andersen & Son, Rörstrand, Marianne Starck
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Scandinavian modern handmade ceramic wall sconce by designer Marianne Starck (1931-2007) for Michael Andersen & Son. Manufactured on the island of Bornholm in the 1960s as part of th...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
$305Sale Price|41% Off
Mid-Century Empoli Green Glass Hurricane Lamp, Handblown Italian Vetro Verde
By Empoli
Located in Glasgow, GB
This mid-century Empoli green glass hurricane lamp, handblown in Italy during the 1960s, reflects the clarity of form and material associated with Italian vetro verde production. Com...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Pair of Italian Murano Glass Ribbed Candlesticks, 24-Karat Gold Dust, 1970s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Pair of Italian Murano glass baluster candlesticks crafted during the nineteen seventies showcases graceful Venetian Baroque revival design. Handcrafted in Italy, each matching lumin...
Gold, Gold Leaf
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Metal, Brass, Teak, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, brass-plated, black-lacquered metal and teak candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Holds six 0.5” diameter candles Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.5"H x 10...
Metal, Brass
$534Sale Price|40% Off
Lobmeyr Silver Plated Candleholder, Faceted Swarovski Crystals, Austria, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Midcentury modernist candlestick / candle holder for three candles, designed in the 1963 by Hans Harald Rath, executed by...
Crystal, Silver, Brass
Pair of Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Hurricane Candle Sconces
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of c1950 brass candle sconces by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths. These candle sconces exhibit Parzinger's unique talent of mixing classical with the modern. Parzing...
Brass
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
24 Modern Chrome Candleholders + Ashtray Bowl, Werner Stoff Nagel Germany 1960s
By Caesar Stoffi, Nagel AG, Bmf Nagel, Stoff Nagel
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 24 S-22 model stackable 3-legged chrome modular candleholders plus an S-44 Ashtray/Bowl by two German artists, Hans Nagel (1926-1978) and Werner St...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
XL knotted candlestick in Solid aluminum, Italy, 1980's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite large 'Knot' candlestick, masterfully designed and crafted in Italy during the 1980s. This stunning piece showcases exceptional metalwork, artfully shaped into an elegant k...
Aluminum
$1,027Sale Price / set|48% Off
Large Mid-Century Italian Wrought Iron Candelabra, Psychedelic Design, 1970s
Located in Valencia, VC
Large Pair of Mid-Century Italian Psychedelic Iron Candelabra, 1970s A striking and rare pair of large Mid-Century Italian candelabra in a bold psychedelic style, dating to the 1970...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
J.L. Lobmeyr „Lights of Vienna“ Pair Candleholders, Faceted Swarovski Crystals
By J. & L. Lobmeyr Company, J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
Delightful pair of petite Mid-Century modernist candle holders / candlesticks, designed in 1963 by Hans Harald Rath and manufactured by J. L. Lobmeyr Vienna/Austria in the 1980s. Crafted from nickel-plated brass adorned with sparkling Swarovski crystals, these pieces exude timeless elegance. They remain in good condition, displaying only marginal patina on the metal. Standing at a height of 4 inches, they add a touch of sophistication to any space. Lobmeyr Wien is a renowned Austrian company famous for its high-quality glass creations and crystalware. Established in 1823, Lobmeyr has built a reputation for craftsmanship, quality, and timeless design. The company's prestigious history includes notable commissions such as the creation of the Metropolitan Opera chandeliers...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Ceramic mermaid statuette / candle holder, Italy
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Magnificent ceramic mermaid statuette / candle holder, Italian production from the 2nd half of the 20th century. The mermaid's tail forms the handle of the candle holder. In the styl...
Ceramic
Pair of Italian Murano Glass Candlesticks, 24-Karat Gold Leaf, Hurricane Design
Located in Villaverla, IT
Pair of Italian Murano glass hurricane candlesticks demonstrates exquisite Venetian art glass craftsmanship. Handcrafted in Italy, each hurricane lamp features a baluster-shaped clea...
Gold, Gold Leaf
Mastodon Candlestick in Oiled Walnut and Brass by Noah Norton for Wooda
By Wooda, Noah Norton
Located in Omro, WI
The Mastodon by Noah Norton for Wooda powerfully lifts and holds two tapers. Inspired by the natural world and crafted in beautiful walnut, ash, and oak, Mastodon is designed to brighten a room and encourage conversation. About the designer: Noah Norton is a designer, who strives for balance and harmony in the work he creates, believing that the simplest solution is often the best. His work includes furniture, lighting and a variety of products for the consumer and Industrial markets. Additionally, Norton is an Associate Professor of Industrial Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout where he can be found teaching studio courses and leading international collaborative projects. The Mastodon candlestick is also offered in a set of two candlesticks...
Brass
Berg Danish Mid-Century Silver Plated Candle Holder Centrepiece
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Danish mid-century silver-plated Candle holder centrepiece for four candles by Berg and dating from around 1960. The candle stick stands on a diamond formed central base wi...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Pottery Candleholder atributed to Inge Hjorth, 1960
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder attributed to Inge Hjorth, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece is attributed to the menti...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern metal Candlestick holder by Gunnar Ander, Ystad metal, Sweden
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A vintage candlestick holder designed by Gunnar Ander in the 1960s and produced by Ystad Metal in Sweden. The shape is very simple yet still very elegant and sophisticated with the i...
Metal
$140Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Rune Strand for Nybro Swedish Art Glass Votive Candle Holder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Swedish Art Glass Votive Volcano Candle Holder 1960s Rune Strand for Nybro Swedish Art Glass Votive Candle Holder Nybro Glasbruk Sweden. Heavyweight Sculpt...
Art Glass
$1,004 / set
Pair of zigzag candlesticks, England, 1980
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful pair of zig zag candlesticks designed and produced in england in the 1980s. Set of two aluminum candlesticks in brutalist style. Magnificent decorative objects that will br...
Aluminum
Set of 14 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Brass Candlesticks, Sweden, 1950
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern set of fourteen finely worked candlesticks in a variety of shapes in brass, in good condition. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1950, Sweden and D...
Metal, Brass
Flower Floater Candleholder by Pipsan Swanson Saarinen, 1948 Mid century Modern
By Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in San Diego, CA
Flower Floater candleholder designed by Eva Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson and manufactured by U.S. Glass Company in 1948. Eva Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson is part of an influent...
Glass
Pair Of Mid 20th Century Silver Plated Horn Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
Great looking pair of silver plated horn candlesticks with black lacquered wood bases. The horns, possibly water buffalo, have a wonderful color and patina. Mounted on silver plated ...
Silver Plate
Modernist Pair of Candle Holders Bronze by John Prip & Ronald Pearson, 1950s
By Metal Arts Studios, Ronald Hayes Pearson, John Prip
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage, rare pair of solid bronze candle holders features minimal shape with asymmetrical demilune foot supporting elongated conical candle holders with wide bobeches. Streamlined, ...
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Traditional Swedish Brass Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Traditional Swedish Brass Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Style: Mid-Cent...
Metal
Pair of Danish Candle Holder, in Teak, Signed Dismed, Denmark, circa 1950, Brown
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This pair of candle holder, has been made in Denmark around 1950. They are in Wood, more precisly in Teak. The color is brown, and they are signed DISMED DENMARK.
Teak
Hans Jensen Danish Modern Calla Lily Silverplate Candlesticks, Pair
By Hans Jensen
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Danish Modern silverplate candlesticks By Hans Jensen Denmark, 1960s Each measures: 2.5"W x 2.5"D x 4.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Silver Plate
$40Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Dansk Candle Holders, Stainless Steel, USA
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Modern Candle Holders Avon New York Set of 2 3.5 diameter x 1.75 h/ candle 1 diameter Stainless Steel Stamped by maker Preowned original vintage ...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Bird Candleholder from Søholm, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Bird Candleholder from Søholm, 1960s
Ceramic
$140Sale Price|20% Off
Studio Line Vase by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Floral motif Studio Line vase by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, circa 1970s. The vase is signed by Danish artist-cum-designer Bjorn Wiinbla...
Porcelain
Pair of Mid-Century Amorphic Candelabra in Crystal and Brass Signed Schneider
Located in New York, NY
A stunning near pair of Mid-Century Modernist amorphic candelabra, crafted in crystal and brass, and signed Schneider, renowned for their exceptional artistry and attention to detail...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of pretzel candlesticks by Dorothy Thorpe, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Pair of Dorothy Thorpe lucite candlesticks designed and produced in the 1970s. Gilt metal and lucite pretzel holder designed by Elaine Bscheider. Beautiful decorative objects that wi...
Brass
Mid Century Modernist Iron Candelabras by Richard Galef for Ravenware 1950s
Located in Troy, MI
Richard Galef Ravenware Iron Candelabras 1950s Two available Hard to find Richard Galef for Ravenware model D35 Candelabra circa 1950s Black iron minimalist...
Iron
Hand-forged metal design tree of life wall sculpture candle holder, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Hand-forged metal design tree of life wall sculpture candle holder, 1960s A beautifully perfectly shaped tree of life made of iron. Artful craftsmanship. We have a matching candle...
Metal, Iron
Pair of French Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, 1980s
Located in Salzburg, AT
A fantastic pair of sculptural candlesticks by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, signed by hand. These fire-gilded cast bronze birds in in surreal design with their roughly textured surfa...
Bronze, Gold Plate
$1,140Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Mid Century Amber Crystal Baccarat France Candle Holder/ Candle Lamp
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning 1950's Mid Century Crystal Amber Tone Candle Holder by Baccarat France. Nice piece for the collection.
Crystal
$240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four MCM Chrome Candlesticks
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of four MCM chrome candlesticks that can be positioned in a number of configurations to make some very cool candleabras. Beautiful arched design on these solid polished chrome-pl...
Steel, Chrome
Sveden Candleholder, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Sveden candleholder, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
$2,950
Ostrich Egg Candlestick
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty mid century candlestick with a found object composition having an ostrich egg candle cup over three metal leaves and a pedestal in a classical...
Ostrich Eggshell
Silvered Candle Holder Vienna Around 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Silvered Candle Holder Vienna Around 1960s Original condition
Brass
1960s Handmade Blue, Grey Stoneware Candle Sconces by Marianne Starck
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade stoneware candles sconces designed in the 1960s by ceramic artist Marianne Starck for Michael Andersen & Son. Navy blue floral decor on warm grey base. Stamped, signed...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Large Pair Brass Lotus Flower Candleholders Feldman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large pair of brass Parzinger style lotus flower candlesticks or candleholders by Feldman Lighting Company. Great condition retaining its original golden brass finish.
Brass
Circle candlestick by matthew hilton, solid aluminium, england, 1980's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Circle candlestick designed and produced by matthew hilton in england in the 1980s. Brutalist-style aluminum candle holder. Beautiful decorative object that will bring a real design ...
Aluminum
A pair of brass candle sticks by Dantorp Design, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Balen, BE
Pair of Brass Candlesticks by Dantorp Design – Denmark, 1960s This graceful pair of brass candlesticks by Dantorp Design, Denmark, dates to the 1960s and features a refined, sculptu...
Brass
$265Sale Price / set|45% Off
Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel Silver Plated Candleholders, 1960s
By Bmf Nagel, Fritz Nagel
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Brutalist stackable candle holders design Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel in silver plated for BMF Nagel, made Germany 1960s Please ...
Silver Plate
$593Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Candelabra Candle Holder by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk JHQ Cast Iron
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Bring a touch of mid-century modern elegance to your home with this iconic Jens Quistgaard candelabra, designed in the 1960s. Crafted from cast iron and brass, this sculptural piec...
Brass, Iron
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Decorative Rustic Iron Candelabra Floor Candle Stand
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a decorative three (3) arm iron candelabra floor stand on tripod base freestanding. Made in the USA. Dimensions: 55 H x 21.25 W x 16 D Original vintage unrest...
Iron