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.
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
Faux Leather Metal Candle Sconces After Jacques Adnet, A Pair
Located in Round Top, TX
Hermès-style wall-mounted candle sconces with faux leather "straps" made of painted metal. These have been created in the style of Jacques Adnet, the iconic French designer of home...
Steel
Mid-Century Tree of Life Candle Holder by Bertill Vallien for Kosta Bode
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Tree of Life Candle Holder by Bertill Vallien for Kosta Bode, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official ...
Metal
Arne Eskers Pewter Candleholders for Just Andersen, 1950s, Set of 2
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of Trumpet Shaped Candlesticks designed by Arne Eskers and made by Just Andensen in Denmark during the 1950s. Both stamped and signed. Design number: 2601. Measurements: H: ...
Pewter
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
24 Modern Chrome Candleholders + Ashtray Bowl, Werner Stoff Nagel Germany 1960s
By Stoff Nagel, Nagel AG, Bmf Nagel, Caesar Stoffi
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
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
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
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
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder by Heinz Goll
By Heinz Goll
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large brutalist candlestick designed by Austrian artist Heinz Goll. A no-nonsense design composed of discs. These are arranged at right angles and thus form the feet. The large disc...
Metal
Poul Kjaerholm "PK 101" Inspired Black Steel Spiral Candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hanging candelabra from early 1960s Sweden, designed in the spirit of Poul Kjaerholm's PK 101. Twelve horizontal arms radiate from a single vertical black metal rod, each arm rotatin...
Metal, Enamel
Pair Vintage Mid Century WMF Ikora Silver-Plated Candlesticks
By WMF Ikora
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of vintage mid-century WMF Ikora silver-plated candlesticks. Dimensions: 2.63" H x 4.5" W x 2.5" D, Candle opening 1" diameter. Please visit take a l...
Silver Plate
$821Sale Price / set|20% Off
Gunnar Ander, Pair of Candelabra, Brass, Glass, Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Bochum, NRW
This elegant pair of floral candle holders was designed by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, a Swedish metalworks company renowned for its refined decorative objects during the mid-20th...
Brass
Hand-forged iron sanke design sculpture candle holder, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Hand-forged iron sanke design sculpture candle holder, 1960s
Metal, Iron
Pair of Mid-Century Amorphic Crystal & Brass 4 Arm Candelabras Signed Schneider
By Schneider
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of mid-century four-arm candelabra, signed Schneider, exudes the timeless grace and refinement characteristic of French design from the 1950s. Combining amorphic ...
Crystal
Brass Candelabra - 7-Branch Menorah - Judaica Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brass Candelabra - 7-Branch Menorah - Judaica Candle Holder, 1970s Elegant 7-branch menorah crafted in solid brass, with an elegant and modern design. ...
Metal, Brass
$813Sale Price / set|30% Off
Vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Cream on Blue Ceramic Collection
By Wedgwood
Located in Bochum, NRW
Midcentury small collection of four pieces Wedgwood Jasperware diamond cream on blue. Comprising 2 lidded boxes, a cachepot, an ashtray and a pair of candleholders. Vintage, 1960s. A...
Porcelain
MCM Teak Hurricane Candle Holder by Selandia Designs
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid century hurricane candle holder by Selandia Designs. Features a glass top that sits within a teak base. The base includes s sizes of recess...
Glass, Teak
$656Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Five Freddie Andersen Clear Drops Oil Lamps Brass Candleholder, Denmark
Located in Krefeld, DE
Five beautiful clear drops modernist brass oil lamps designed by Freddie Andersen, made in Western Germany in the 1970s. In good condition. Price for the s...
Brass
Solid Bronze Pair of Candleholders, Mid-Century, Mantle Candlesticks
Located in Bochum, NRW
A beautiful pair of massive bronze candleholders from the 1940s. Marked under the bottom MALM. For candles of 4.8 or 5.8 cm in diameter. Retro, vintage and used with nice patina. D...
Bronze
$1,067Sale 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
Mid-Century Space Age Model Vogelflug Candleholder by Hammonia Motard, 1960s
By Hammonia-Motard
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Space Age Model Vogelflug Candleholder by Hammonia Motard, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage cat...
Metal
Knot candlesticks, brutalist design, bronze, Italy, 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candlestick in the shape of a knot, designed and produced in italy in the 1970s. Bronze candlestick. Magnificent decorative object that will bring a real design t...
Bronze
$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
Artist Brutalist Candleholder Made in Brass and Copper, 1960s Austria
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Artist Brutalist Candleholder Made in Brass and Copper, 1960s Austria Super decorative, very puristic.
Brass, Copper
$695 / set
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Candlesticks
By Kjell Engman
Located in New York, NY
Stunning set of 3 Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda glass candlesticks. The two smaller candlesticks height is 7''.
Art Glass
Alberto Pair of Candleholders by Oscar Tusquets for Bd Barcelona
By Oscar Tusquets Blanca, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Alberto Pair of Candleholders designed by Oscar Tusquets. Manufactured by Bd Barcelona (Spain). Candleholder in cast brass finish. Dimensions: High: D 8 x W 12 x H 28 cm. Low: D ...
Brass
Candle Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder vienna around 1950s. Original condition.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder with Handle from Søholm
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder with Handle from Søholm, 1960s
Stoneware
Pair of bubble glass candle holders, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of French candle holders from the 1970s, made of clear, bubbled glass. Each piece has a beautifully curved and balanced shape, resting on a circular base, giving the set an elegant and stable appearance. The glass is enlivened with micro-bubbles and inclusions, creating a subtle play of light when the candle holders are lit. The material gently captures and diffuses the flame, producing a warm and inviting atmosphere. The slightly amber hues at the base enhance the decorative and authentic character of these objects. Both decorative and functional, these candle holders embody 20th-century glassmaking expertise, perfect for a table, a shelf, or as a decorative accent in a vintage or contemporary interior. Key Features: Pair of bubble glass candle holders...
Art Glass
Candelabre 1960s Made În Austria
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage modernist candelabra, 1960s. Geometric iron and metal work. Holds 4 candles. Dimensions: 26W x 23H x 6D cm.Labeled Made in Austria.
Wrought Iron
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Ice Glass Candle Holder Goran Warff
By Kosta Boda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Polar Ice Art Glass Votive Candle Holder by Goran Warff 3.25 h x 4 diameter Preowned original vintage condition See all images provided.
Art Glass
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala A vintage set of eight Festivo candle sticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in 1966. A total of 8 different heigh...
Art Glass
Pair of pretzel candlesticks by Dorothy Thorpe, Lucite and Gilt brass, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Iconic pair of 1970s Dorothy Thorpe "Pretzel" candlesticks. Each features a fluid, twisted clear Lucite base forming an elegant pretzel knot, topped with a polished gilt brass candle...
Brass
$141 / item
Danish Metal Candleholder Spare Glass, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Metal Candleholder Glass, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Glass, Metal Styles: Mid-Century Modern Country of Origin:...
Metal
MCM Iron Candle Holder by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage MCM iron candle holder by Dansk, circa 1960s. This is a rare form has a great patina and measures 6"D x 4.75"H and holds 2.5"D candle. Super nice piece! #3363
Iron
Vintage Danish Modern Bronze and Black Cord Candelabra, 1950s
By Just Andersen, Carl Frederik Christiansen, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Elegant vintage candelabra features mid-century modern shape in style of Carl F. Christiansen, Just Andersen, or Wilhelm Wagenfeld, with three curved tubular arms connecting to small...
Brass
$415Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Quistgaard Dansk Designs Spider Cast Iron Candle Holder Danish Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
This industrial clamp lamp is an authentic mid-20th-century American work light, originally produced for factory, workshop, and maintenance environments where durability, safety, and...
Iron
$349Sale Price|31% Off
Brutalistic Candle Stand From Brass And Wrought Iron , 1970s. France.
Located in Hannover, DE
This is a candle holder which holds three big candles, this holder is pecifically for big and large candles. This candle holder is of good quality because it is made of wrought iron...
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Mid Century Modern Brass Candle Snuffer Wand - India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A long brass candle snuffer, made in India. Created from brass, this long candle snuffer will be a beautiful accent on any side table. With a long twisted handle, it will make snuffi...
Brass
Rare Three-Light Brass Candelabra by Klaus Ullrich, Germany 1950s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Sculptural and highly distinctive, this rare three-arm candelabra—designed by Klaus Ullrich for Faber & Schumacher—captures the refined elegance and expressive fluidity of mid-ce...
Brass
Mid Century Wrought Iron and Rattan Candlestick by Umanoff for Raymor c 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Rare floor model candelabra designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor, circa 1950s. The four arm candle features a wrought iron structure, with wicker weaving. This example is in excelle...
Wrought Iron
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Cobalt Blue Murano Glass Candlesticks, Pair
By Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of cobalt blue Murano glass candlesticks Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Produced by Archimede Seguso Italy, Circa 1970s Measures: 3.25"W x 3.25"D x 4...
Murano Glass
$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
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
1960s Pierre Forsell Round Brass Candleholder for Skultuna
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Pierre Forsell Round Brass Candleholder for Skultuna Executed in solid brass, this rounded sculptural candleholder designed by Pierre Forsell for Skultuna is a beautiful examp...
Brass
A Pair of Turned Walnut Candlesticks by Rude Osolnik 1970's
By Rude Osolnik
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of turned walnut candlesticks by Rude Osolnik, ca' 1970's. "Osolnik was widely admired as one of the finest wood turners in America and his workshops and seminars were in dema...
Walnut
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Tear Drop Candleholders by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of four tear drop candleholders by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. They are made in France of silver plate over metal and support a .25" tapered candle. The base of the h...
Metal, Silver Plate
Mid-Century Crystal & Brass Amorphic Four Arm Candelabra Signed Schneider
By Schneider
Located in New York, NY
This mid-century amorphic four-arm candelabra, signed Schneider, is a stunning example of French elegance and craftsmanship from circa 1950. Combining a sculptural crystal base and g...
Crystal, Brass
Mid Century Teak Handelholder in form of Elephant, Denmark 60s
Located in Lucija, SI
very nice candelholder in form of Elehant teak Made in Denmark in the 60s
Teak
American Modernist Patinated Wrought Iron Candelbra
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual modernist candelabra which can be used table top or hung. Heavily patinated wrought iron. Four candlestick holders.
Wrought Iron
Pair of Ceramic Birds Candlesticks - Candle Holders - Japanese Pottery 1970s
By Jacques Pouchain, Dominique Pouchain
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Pair of Ceramic Birds Candlesticks - Candle Holders - Japanese Pottery 1970s Charming pair of bird-shaped ceramic candlesticks. Japanese 1970s pottery. Each candlestick is hand-cr...
Enamel
Danish Brass Candlesticks with Rainbow Patina by Hans Bolling, Torben Ørskov
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This pair of candlesticks was designed by Hans Bolling and manufactured by Torben Ørskov in Denmark during the 1960s. They are made from solid brass and feature the manufacturer's ma...
Brass
Danish Modernist Female Warrior String Candleholder by Laurids Lonborg, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Decorative and sculptural candleholder for bloc or ball candles. Designed and manufactured by Laurids Lonborg in Denmark during the 1960s. Composed of blackened string iron and leather.
Wrought Iron
$390Sale Price / set|40% Off
MCM "Lily" Brass Candlestick Holders By Ivar Ålenius Björk for Ystad-Metall
By Ystad-Metall
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This set of Classic, Mid-Century "Lily" candle holders in brass was designed by Ivar Alenius Bjork for Ystad Metal in Sweden. Premiering in 1939 for the Scandinavian Pavilion of the ...
Brass
$236Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Midcentury Trojan Horse Brass Candleholder
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful brass candleholder. Incredible piece that will certainly add that midcentury code to your decor. This piece has graphic presence and its solidity in brass, grounds with sty...
Brass
Mid Century Italian Lacquered Brass, Lucite And Marble Candleholder Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Mid Century Italian Lacquered Brass, Lucite And Marble Candleholder In excellent condition commensurate with age
Marble, Brass
Mid-Century Danish Metal and Glass Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Metal and Glass Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Glass, Metal Styles: Mid-Century Modern Co...
Metal
Cute Little Figure Angel Candleholder by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass blackened candleholder in form of angel figurine made in Austria in the 1950s.
Brass
Hans Agne Jakobsson Oil Lamp Markaryd Sweden, 1950s Typ L47
By AB Markaryd, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Krefeld, DE
Very nice Typ L47 Hans-Agne Jakobsson oil lamp in amber colored glass and brass. No dents, no damages with beautiful patina.
Glass
iittala Mid-Century Modern Wrought Iron and Glass Ceiling Candle Holder
By Iittala
Located in Weesp, NL
Elevate your interior design with this exquisite mid-century modern wrought iron and glass ceiling candle holder, a timeless piece produced by Iittala, Finland, in the 1970s. Measuri...
Wrought Iron