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.
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
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
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
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
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
Hand-forged iron sanke design sculpture candle holder, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Hand-forged iron sanke design sculpture candle holder, 1960s
Metal, Iron
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
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
$308Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ivar Ålenius Björk Brass Candle Holders for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960's
By Ystad-Metall, Ivar Ålenius Björk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ivar Ålenius Björk Brass Candle Holders for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960's. Makers mark to the bottom of each example.
Brass
Jens Quistgaard, Candlesticks, Brass, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass candlesticks designed and produced by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass Wear consistent with age and use Holds one 1.0” Diameter candl...
Brass
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
24 Modern Chrome Candleholders + Ashtray Bowl, Werner Stoff Nagel Germany 1960s
By Stoff Nagel, Caesar Stoffi, Nagel AG, Bmf 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
Ambrosià Crystal Candlestick Set – Hand-Cut Candle Holders for Home Décor
Located in Glendale, CA
Ambrosià Hand-Cut Crystal Candlestick is an Art Deco-Inspired Candle Holder in Black, Amber & Clear Crystal. It is a sculptural hand-cut crystal candle holder that seamlessly fu...
Crystal
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
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
$52Sale Price / set|20% Off
Modernist Candle Holders Designed By Lenox
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist Candle Holders Designed By Lenox
Metal
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
Set of 7 Graduated Scandinavian Modern Brass Candle Holders
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 7 vintage brass candle holders in Scandinavian Modern style features elegant, slender forms with round flared bases and tulip shaped sconces. Warm, golden color, soft sheen, a...
Brass
$830Sale 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
Sculptural Danish Modern Brutalist Bronze Candleholder Candlestick, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Danish modern bronze candleholder, 1960s.
Bronze
Gunnar Ander, Candelabra, Metal, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Ander
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered metal and brass candelabra designed by Gunnar Ander and produced by Ystad-Metall, Sweden, c. 1950s. Holds six 0.45” diameter candles Overall Dimensions (inches): ...
Metal, Brass
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
$821Sale 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
$663Sale 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
50s Pair Vintage Pal Bell Abstract Modernist Brass Verdigris CandleHolder Israel
By Oppenheim
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Pair of Vintage, Pal Bell, MCM Abstract, Modernist, Brass, and Verdigris Candle Holders Israel Elegant, cast brass and subtlety abstract pair of shiny brass highlighted verdigris...
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
7-armed candlestick 1960s 70s mid century brutalist bronze CANDELABRA
Located in Mannheim, DE
Fantastic heavy 1960s 70s candleholder for 7 candles. Made of cast bronze. A perfect addition to any mid century interior. Dimensions in cm: Height 20 cm, width 30 cm, depth 8.7 cm...
Bronze
Mid Century Dansk Teak and Glass Candle Holder By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid century glass and teak candle holder by Dansk. Features a glass top that sits within a teak base. The base includes a brass insert for holding a taper candle. Designed by Jens ...
Glass, Teak
$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
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Cobalt Blue Murano Glass Candlesticks, Pair
By Elsa Peretti, Tiffany & Co.
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
Set of Three Danish Modern 24 Carat Gold Plated Candlesticks by Hugo Asmussen
Located in San Diego, CA
A gorgeous set of three Danish modern 24 carat gold plated candlesticks by Hugo Asmussen, circa 1960s. The set is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 2.125"D x...
Gold Plate
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
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Wall Candleholder from Søholm, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Wall Candleholder from Søholm, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, Official proof of au...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modernist Japanese Iron Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of wonderful iron candle holders from Japan. Triangular form supported by a tripod base. Great patina. 1950s.
Iron
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
20th Century Silver Swedish Svenskt Tenn Candle Holder by Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A silver, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish " Vänskapsknuten " candle holder made of handcrafted silvered metal, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good conditi...
Metal
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
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
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
Gijs Bakker Rare Candle Holder in Patinated Silver and Enamel for Keltum 1963
By Gijs Bakker
Located in Tilburg, NL
Gijs Bakker rare candle holder in patinated silver and enamel for Keltum. The Netherlands, 1963. Wonderful and very rare candle holder by Gijs B...
Silver
Mid-Century Modern Danish Minimalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Minimalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
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
Mid-Century Modern Massive Brass Candle Holder, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern Massive Brass Candle Holder, 1960s. Solid brass, beautifully patinated. Simple and elegant.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Handmade Massive Brass Candle Holder by Michael Harjes 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
It was designed by Michael Harjes (1926-2006) and manufactured by Harjes Metalkunst (1912), the family business in Germany. The candlestick is in excellent condition and has a deep g...
Brass
$675Sale Price|28% Off
SALE XL Bob Amin Vintage HandTurned Modern Kinetic Maple Wood MCM Menorah Signed
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYBER WEEK SALE Vintage X Long (16") Artisan Hand Turned Modern Organic Kinetic Curly Maple Wooden Mid Century Hanukkah Menorah. Signed by the artist Bob Amin Long, minimalist, On...
Birdseye Maple
1960s Murano Sommerso Art Glass Votive Candle Holder Green and Amber
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Murano Green and Amber Sommerso Art Glass Votive Candle Holder 1.5 tall x 2.75 diameter Preowned vintage condition. Refer to all images.
Art Glass
$720Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of Green Glass & Wrought Iron Candelabras for Ystad-Metall by Gunnar Ander
By Gunnar Ander
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Green Glass & Wrought Iron Candelabras Gunnar Ander for Ystad-Metall, Sweden, circa 1960 "makers mark on leg" "in good vintage condition" "several white scuffs on iron ...
Iron
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Teak, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Holds three 0.75” diameter candles. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.0"H x 4.875"W x 4.875"D All items ship f...
Brass
$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
Pair of Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks by Timo Sarpeneva
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver candlesticks, hallmarked for Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1950s, Timo Sarpeneva, maker. Each candlestick measures 2 1/4 inches high x 2 1/2 in...
Sterling Silver
Midcentury Candleholder in Brass from Austria
Located in Vienna, Austria
Decorative midcentury candleholder from Austria. It comes as a set and includes scissors for controlling the wick and another element for snuffing the fra...
Brass
Scandinavian Brutalist Metal and Glass Candleholder by Gunnar Ander, 1960s
By Gunnar Ander
Located in Hamburg, DE
Scandinavian Brutalist Metal and Glass Candleholder by Gunnar Ander for Ystad, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage ca...
Metal
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Dansk Danish Modern Sterling Silver Plate Candelabra Made in France
By Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A Midcentury Modern or Danish/Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs sterling silver plate twelve (12) candle holder/candelabra, circa mid-20th century, made in France. Piece also makes a...
Metal, Silver Plate
Playful Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron
Located in Tilburg, NL
This is a playfully sculpted brutalist candle holder in wrought iron. Most probably mid 20th century. Great details like the playful curled feet, the leaf like top and the very nic...
Wrought Iron
Kolbäck Pair of Brass Wall Candlesticks, Swedish Modern 1960s.
Located in Bromma, SE
Set of 2 Brass Wall Mounted candleholders by Arthur Pe Pettersson Kolbäck, Sweden. Modernist candle-holders in solid brass, made in the 1960s. Circular wall base with a socket fixe...
Brass
Ambrosià Crystal Candlestick Set – Hand-Cut Candle Holders for Home Décor
Located in Glendale, CA
Ambrosià Hand-Cut Crystal Candlestick – Modern Classic Candle Holder in Black, Amber & Clear Crystal The Ambrosià Crystal Candlestick masterfully blends modern design with classic e...
Crystal
$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
Candle Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder vienna around 1950s. Original condition.
Brass
Modernist Brass Candleholder by Klaus Ullrich for Faber & Schumacher 1950's
By Faber & Schumacher, Klaus Ullrich
Located in BELFORT, FR
Golden and black brass candle holder by Klaus Ullrich, famous German goldsmith and industrial designer of the mid-century. Designed in 1958 and then sold by Faber & Schumacher Duisbu...
Brass
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
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