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Midcentury Modern Crystal

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Round Lantern Chandeliers French 1950s Mid-Century Crystal Maison Jansen Style
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Lantern Chandeliers French 1950s mid-century crystal Maison Jansen style.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Round Lantern Chandeliers French 1950s Mid-Century Crystal Maison Jansen Style
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Lantern Chandeliers French 1950s mid-century crystal Maison Jansen style Forged metal frame
Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Italian Mid-Century Crystal Chandelier Attributed to Zero Quattro, 1960s
By Zero Quattro
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Magnificent Italian mid-century crystal chandelier attributed to Zero Quattro per Fontana Arte, the
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Mid-Century Crystal Vase, Bohemia, 1950's
By Bohemia
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of lead crystal, glass Labeled Good original condition.   
Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Cat
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
French mid-century (1980/90s) limited edition crystal figure of a stylized seated cat (signed R
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Statues

Materials

Crystal

  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Cat
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Cat
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Cat
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Cat
H 21 in. W 7.5 in. D 6.5 in.
Mid-Century Crystal Leaf Ashtray
Located in New York, NY
Mid-century Italian rock crystal large ashtray/soap dish with fluted leaf form design.   
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Crystal

  • Mid-Century Crystal Leaf Ashtray
  • Mid-Century Crystal Leaf Ashtray
  • Mid-Century Crystal Leaf Ashtray
  • Mid-Century Crystal Leaf Ashtray
H 2 in. W 8.25 in. D 6.75 in.
Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Owl
By Robert Rigot
Located in New York, NY
French Mid-Century (1980/90s) limited edition (176/200) stylized crystal figure of a standing owl
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Owl
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Owl
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Owl
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Owl
H 19 in. W 6 in. D 5.25 in.
Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Dog
Located in New York, NY
French Mid-Century (1980/90s) limited edition crystal figure of a stylized seated dog with the head
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Dog
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Dog
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Dog
  • Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Dog
H 20.5 in. W 9 in. D 8 in.
Mid-Century Crystal Fruit Centerpiece, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Mid-century fruit centerpiece by Cristalleries de Bavière, 1950s. Heavy & thick crystal - weight
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Midcentury Modern Crystal Vase, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
1960s crystal vase Dimensions: height 25 cm / dia. 16 cm.
Category

Vintage 1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Crystal Tulip Vase, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
Gorgeous crystal flowers vase with petal rim designs. Circa 1970s.
Category

Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Crystal Glass Vase, 1950's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of crystal glass Re-polished Original condition.
Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Crystal

  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Vase, 1950's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Vase, 1950's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Vase, 1950's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Vase, 1950's
H 9.06 in. W 5.12 in. D 5.12 in.
Mid-Century Crystal Transparent Vase, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Transparent vase in amazing shape. Produced in 1960s. Glass in perfect condition. The vase looks like it has just been taken out of the box. No jags, defects etc. The outer relie...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Glass

Mid Century Crystal Transparent Vase, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Transparent vase in amazing shape. Produced in 1960s. Glass in perfect condition. The vase looks like it has just been taken out of the box. No jags, defects etc. The outer relie...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of glass Re-polished Original condition.
Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass

  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
H 4.34 in. W 9.85 in. D 9.85 in.
Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Glass Re-polished Original condition.
Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Glass

  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
  • Mid-Century Crystal Glass Bowl, 1960's
H 5.91 in. W 12.6 in. D 5.91 in.
Mid-Century Crystal Jadriniere for Sweets, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Beautiful crystal jardiniere with roses motif. Produced in Poland in 1950s. Preserved in very
Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Crystal Table Lamp from Nachtmann, 1970s
By Nachtmann
Located in Bastogne, BE
- Table lamp from Nachtmann Leuchten, Germany - Made of crystal and brass - Circa 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Crystal, Brass

  • Mid-Century Crystal Table Lamp from Nachtmann, 1970s
  • Mid-Century Crystal Table Lamp from Nachtmann, 1970s
  • Mid-Century Crystal Table Lamp from Nachtmann, 1970s
  • Mid-Century Crystal Table Lamp from Nachtmann, 1970s
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H 33.47 in. Dm 23.63 in.
Stilnovo Rare Mid-Century Crystal and Chrome Pendant, 1960
By Stilnovo
Located in Rome, IT
Striking Minimalist Stilnovo pendant with a frosted glass bowl surrounded with green cut crystals
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Glass

Mid Century Crystal Mustard Yellow Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
it in a set with other crystal glass bowls Straightforward and minimalistic design of the 1970s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Ashtrays

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Italian Mid-Century Crystal Giogali Chandelier Angelo Mangiarotti Vistosi 1967
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Vistosi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern crystal Giogali cascade chandelier by Angelo Mangiarotti for Vistosi
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Mid-Century Crystal Glass Chandelier by Kamenicky Senov, 1960's
By Kamenicky Senov
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of crystal glass, metal 5x E14 or E15 socket Re-polished Fully
Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Italian Mid-Century Crystal and Brass Mirror with Decoration, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful and elegant crystal glass mirror with shiny brass frame and curly decorations on the top
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Crystal Mustard Yellow Glass Bowl Ashtray, Italy, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
it in a set with other crystal glass bowls Straightforward and minimalistic design of the 1970s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Ashtrays

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Mid-Century Crystal Glass Table Lamp by Kamenicky Senov, 1960's
By Kamenicky Senov
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of crystal glass, metal 3x E14 or E15 socket Re-polished Fully
Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Crystal

Oswald Haerdtl Set of Six Mid-Century Crystal Wine Glasses, Austria, 1950s
By Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of six elegant and fine handmade drinking glasses for wine or water, made of clear crystal
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Barovier & Toso Mid-Century Crystal Textured Murano Glass Sconces, 1950
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Italian midcentury wall lights attributed to Barovier e Toso, the high quality crystal
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Crystal Glass and Gilded Brass Seven-Light Chandelier by Palwa
By Palwa
Located in Barntrup, DE
, features a gilded brass frame with 208 (+3 reserve) teardrop-shaped crystal glass prisms - lenses. Seven
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Crystal and Gold Brass Reed or Palm Leaves Table Lamps 1970s
By Maison Charles, S.A. Boulanger, Maison Jansen
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Mid-century French design reeds or palm leaves table lamp Made of brass and crystal Origin Italy
Category

Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Crystal Art Italian Vintage Mirror
By Ultima Crystal Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian mid-century crystal art mirror in original vintage condition.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Art Glass

  • Crystal Art Italian Vintage Mirror
  • Crystal Art Italian Vintage Mirror
  • Crystal Art Italian Vintage Mirror
  • Crystal Art Italian Vintage Mirror
H 12.01 in. W 7.49 in. D 0.4 in.
St Hilaire Paris Mid-Century Silver Plated Mounted Crystal Vase
By Saint Hilaire 1
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish quality French mid-century crystal glass vase mounted in a silver plated frame by
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Vintage Italian Wine Glasses with Decorative Silver Rim; a Pair
Located in Malibu, CA
Mid century crystal goblets with platinum silver rim. Classic fleur de lis pattern on the silvered
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Silver Plate

1950's Cut Crystal Ice Bucket by E.L.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is an intricately carved mid century crystal ice bucket with silver trim and handles that
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Art Glass Lamp by Daum
By Daum
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century crystal art glass lamp by "Daum." Elegant organic form, fine original, working
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Art Glass

  • Art Glass Lamp by Daum
  • Art Glass Lamp by Daum
  • Art Glass Lamp by Daum
  • Art Glass Lamp by Daum
H 32 in. W 5 in. D 5 in.
Mid-Century German Flush Mount Chandelier from 70s by Kinkeldey, 1970s
By Kinkeldey
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
German mid-century crystal Kinkeldey Flush Mount. This Flush Mount was made during the 1970s in
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Sophisticated Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Etched Crystal Serving Plate
Located in New York, NY
austere design, this represents a beautiful example of Mid-Century Modern design. It is as versatile as it
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Crystal Pair of Candles, 1930, Sign, Rogaska 'Slovenia'
By Rogaska Crystal
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
large amount of furniture, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century. In 1970, the brand
Category

Vintage 1930s Slovenian Art Deco Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Mid 20th Century Modern Frosted Crystal Bowl by Lalique Model "Compiegne"
By Lalique
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful crystal bowl from the French brand Lalique. The crystal has the shape of oak leaf and is
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Mid Century Modern 3-Tier Crystal Server by Val Saint Lambert
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful crystal 3-layer stand from the Belgian designer Val Saint Lambert. The frame is made of
Category

Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Mid Century Modern Clear Crystal Bowl made by Val Saint Lambert
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful crystal bowl made by the Belgian brand Val Saint Lambert. The bowls is made of clear
Category

Vintage 1960s Belgian Hollywood Regency Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Lead Crystal Glass Carafe or Decanter with Etched Grape Vine, Mid-20th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
1.2 Litres and dating to the Mid-20th Century. The carafe is bottle or baluster shaped, tapering to
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Glass

Bakalowits Pair Of Crystal Glass and Brass Sconces, Austria 1950
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Vienna, AT
6.3" x 6.3" Heavy and large pair of mid-century crystal cut glass pieces on a square brass base
Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Maroon Liqueur Set, Bohemia, Czech Republic, 1960s
By Bohemia Crystal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Ruby glass liqueur set: decanter, 6 glasses and a plate. Produced by Bohemia in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s. Original sticker retained Very good condition without damage ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Glass

Baccarat Mid-Century Thick Glass Basket
By Baccarat
Located in Milano, IT
. The basket has a cylindrical shape made entirely of clear crystal, with various workings and inserts
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Metal

French Crystal Fruit Bowl or Serving Dish
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful midcentury period hand-cut crystal fruit bowl or serving dish. Very good quality. This
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Hermès Style Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate over Nickel Decanter, Vessel Carafe
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern handcrafted silver plate over nickel decanter, vessel, carafe and leather handle
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate, Nickel

Carl Fagerlund Red Crystal Glass Table Lamp for Orrefors Sweden Midcentury 1960s
By Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Tall mid-century crystal glass table lamp by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Sweden. Made ca 1960s
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Fabric, Art Glass

1950s Stunning Crystal Decanter with 6 Crystal Glasses, Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1950 Stunning crystal decanter with 6 crystal glasses. Made in Italy. _ Decanter _ 6 Glasses
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A crystal casket produced in Poland in the 1960s. Very good condition. Measures: height 10cm
Category

Vintage 1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
H 3.94 in. Dm 4.34 in.
Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A crystal casket produced in Poland in the 1960s. Very good condition. Measures: height 7cm
Category

Vintage 1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1960s
H 2.76 in. Dm 3.94 in.
European Crystal Water Pitcher
Located in Malibu, CA
Graceful cut crystal pitcher, with a unique pattern, the rim, with simple repeat pattern.
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • European Crystal Water Pitcher
  • European Crystal Water Pitcher
  • European Crystal Water Pitcher
  • European Crystal Water Pitcher
H 9.25 in. W 6.25 in. D 5 in.
Crystal Casket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Crystal casket, Poland, 1950s. Produced in Poland in 1950s. Very good condition Measures
Category

Vintage 1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Casket, Poland, 1950s
H 3.15 in. Dm 3.55 in.
Crystal Punch Cup, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Crystal punch cup, 1950s, 8 cups Measures: H: 17 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 28 cm.
Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Punch Cup, 1950s
  • Crystal Punch Cup, 1950s
  • Crystal Punch Cup, 1950s
  • Crystal Punch Cup, 1950s
H 6.7 in. W 11.03 in. D 11.03 in.
Crystal Liquor Italian Bottle, 1950s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
One of a kind Liquor thick crystal bottle. Italian made 1950s.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Bohemin Crystal Flower Vase
Located in Vienna, AT
Polished crystal vase made circa the 1970s in one of the Bohemian glass works.
Category

Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Bohemin Crystal Flower Vase
  • Bohemin Crystal Flower Vase
  • Bohemin Crystal Flower Vase
  • Bohemin Crystal Flower Vase
H 10.63 in. Dm 9.45 in.
Crystal Decorative Box, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Crystal container - a box for sweets or small items. Made in Poland in the 1960s Very good
Category

Vintage 1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Big clear crystal decorative basket - a bowl. For sweets or fruits. Very good condition, very
Category

Vintage 1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
H 6.3 in. W 9.85 in. D 8.67 in.
Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Big clear crystal decorative basket - a bowl For sweets or fruits. Very good condition, very
Category

Vintage 1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
H 6.3 in. W 7.88 in. D 7.88 in.
Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Big clear crystal decorative basket - a bowl For sweets or fruits. Very good condition, very
Category

Vintage 1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
  • Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
H 3.94 in. W 5.91 in. D 5.91 in.
Crystal Maroon Bowl, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Crystal burgundy fruit / candy bowl Made in Poland in 1960. Very good condition Measures
Category

Vintage 1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

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Midcentury Modern Crystal For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal midcentury modern crystal for your home. Frequently made of stone, crystal and metal, every midcentury modern crystal was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a midcentury modern crystal, we have 436 options in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect midcentury modern crystal — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right midcentury modern crystal, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Modern styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made midcentury modern crystal over the years, but those crafted by Kinkeldey, Orrefors and Palwa are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Midcentury Modern Crystal?

The average selling price for a midcentury modern crystal at 1stDibs is $2,009, while they’re typically $122 on the low end and $16,557 for the highest priced.

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 legendary 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.

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.

Questions About Midcentury Modern Crystal
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Organic shapes, clean lines and elegant simplicity describe mid-century modern American furniture well. The style, which emerged primarily in the post-World War II era, is characterized by furniture that was crafted by creators who believed that good design was key to good living.Today, mid-century modern is by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.