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Midcentury Modern Door Pulls

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Black Lacquer Painted Decorated Three Doors Small Credenza Brass Pulls
Black Lacquer Painted Decorated Three Doors Small Credenza Brass Pulls

Black Lacquer Painted Decorated Three Doors Small Credenza Brass Pulls

By James Mont, Harvey Probber, John Stuart

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern three doors painted black and Perl lacquer petit credenza cabinet console hall

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger 3 Door Credenza with Exquisite Nickel Pulls, 1960s
Tommi Parzinger 3 Door Credenza with Exquisite Nickel Pulls, 1960s

Tommi Parzinger 3 Door Credenza with Exquisite Nickel Pulls, 1960s

By Tommi Parzinger

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Beautifully crafted 3 door credenza in high gloss mahogany with exquisite etched nickel pulls by

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Walnut Record Cabinet by Lane Altavista / Pull Down Door Style '2'
Walnut Record Cabinet by Lane Altavista / Pull Down Door Style '2'

Walnut Record Cabinet by Lane Altavista / Pull Down Door Style '2'

By Lane Furniture

Located in Cincinnati, OH

pulls the door down revealing four record bins that holds up to 131 albums. The weight of the records

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

2-Piece Danish Teak Sliding Door Credenza with Recessed Coin Pulls
2-Piece Danish Teak Sliding Door Credenza with Recessed Coin Pulls

2-Piece Danish Teak Sliding Door Credenza with Recessed Coin Pulls

By Dansk

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Early Danish teak Mid-Century Modern Danish tea credenza with china cabinet. Vintage 1950s/1960s

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Teak, Glass

Johannes Andersen Model-19 Teak Tambour Door Credenza with Sculpted Pulls
Johannes Andersen Model-19 Teak Tambour Door Credenza with Sculpted Pulls

Johannes Andersen Model-19 Teak Tambour Door Credenza with Sculpted Pulls

By Uldum Møbelfabrik, Johannes Andersen

Located in Chattanooga, TN

stunning mid-century sideboard is a mix of solid teak and teak veneer over hardwood. Captivating from every

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Teak

Architectural Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze with Curvacuous Relief
Architectural Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze with Curvacuous Relief

Architectural Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze with Curvacuous Relief

Located in London, GB

supplied) suiting the thickness of the doors. The Moderns have a large collection of unique door handles

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles Formde as Doves
Pair of Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles Formde as Doves

Pair of Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles Formde as Doves

Located in London, GB

Pair of push and pull bronze door handles with original patina. Doves have long been seen as a

Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Danish Teak Tambour Door Media Cabinet Nightstand with Carved Teak Pulls
Danish Teak Tambour Door Media Cabinet Nightstand with Carved Teak Pulls

Danish Teak Tambour Door Media Cabinet Nightstand with Carved Teak Pulls

By Arne Vodder, Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Svend Aage Larsen

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Vintage midcentury Scandinavian Modern Danish teak tambour door cabinet / nightstand. Ideal as a

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Teak

Architectural Pair of Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles as Clocks
Architectural Pair of Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles as Clocks

Architectural Pair of Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles as Clocks

Located in London, GB

An exceptional pair of bronze round push and pull door handles in the shape of clocks with original

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Tommi Parzinger 3-Door Credenza with Iconic Brass Pulls 1950s (Signed)
Tommi Parzinger 3-Door Credenza with Iconic Brass Pulls 1950s (Signed)

Tommi Parzinger 3-Door Credenza with Iconic Brass Pulls 1950s (Signed)

By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

absolutely superb. Relacquered by Lobel Modern. Pulls have been cleaned, polished and lacquered by Lobel

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Pair of Pepe Mendoza Door Pulls Brass and Ceramic Inlay, 1950s
Pair of Pepe Mendoza Door Pulls Brass and Ceramic Inlay, 1950s

Pair of Pepe Mendoza Door Pulls Brass and Ceramic Inlay, 1950s

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon

1950s door pulls brass and ceramic inlay, art from the studio of Mexican modernist metal worker

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Architectural Pair of Push Pull Relief Door Handles in Bronze with Keyhole
Architectural Pair of Push Pull Relief Door Handles in Bronze with Keyhole

Architectural Pair of Push Pull Relief Door Handles in Bronze with Keyhole

Located in London, GB

thickness of the doors. The Moderns have a large collection of different designs and shapes of bronze

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pull-Out Desk Top Borge Mogensen Danish Teak Bookcase Tambour Door Secretary
Pull-Out Desk Top Borge Mogensen Danish Teak Bookcase Tambour Door Secretary

Pull-Out Desk Top Borge Mogensen Danish Teak Bookcase Tambour Door Secretary

By Børge Mogensen

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Borge Mogensen early Mid-Century Modern Danish teak desk. The stately piece has a deep red-orange

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Square Push and Pull Pair of Double Door Handle in Brown Glass
Square Push and Pull Pair of Double Door Handle in Brown Glass

Square Push and Pull Pair of Double Door Handle in Brown Glass

Located in London, GB

A pair of brown translucent glass cast square glass push and pull door handles with bronze colour

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Metal

1950s Pair of Italian Push-Pull Door Handles Brass and Cream Enamel
1950s Pair of Italian Push-Pull Door Handles Brass and Cream Enamel

1950s Pair of Italian Push-Pull Door Handles Brass and Cream Enamel

Located in London, GB

Italian door handles were used in a private school and were on glass double doors. The cream enamel

Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Large Pepe Mendoza Door Pulls in Brass and Ceramic Inlay, Mexico, 1950s
Large Pepe Mendoza Door Pulls in Brass and Ceramic Inlay, Mexico, 1950s

Large Pepe Mendoza Door Pulls in Brass and Ceramic Inlay, Mexico, 1950s

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in San Diego, CA

Stunning door pulls in solid brass and ceramic inlay, Mexico City, 1958. Measures: 11.5" inches

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Paolo De Poli Enameled Copper Door Pulls with Brass Hardware, Italy, 1950s
Paolo De Poli Enameled Copper Door Pulls with Brass Hardware, Italy, 1950s

Paolo De Poli Enameled Copper Door Pulls with Brass Hardware, Italy, 1950s

By Paolo De Poli

Located in New York, NY

Paolo De PaolI was an artisan as well and entrepreneur and designer. His enamel door pulls were so

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper

Jens Risom Att. Walnut Cabinet Highboy Dresser with Ebonized Pulls & Cane Doors
Jens Risom Att. Walnut Cabinet Highboy Dresser with Ebonized Pulls & Cane Doors

Jens Risom Att. Walnut Cabinet Highboy Dresser with Ebonized Pulls & Cane Doors

By Jens Risom

Located in Hudson, NY

Stunning tall Jens Risom attributed highboy with ebonized oak pulls and woven cane doors.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Cane, Oak

1970s Bronze Pair of Square Push and Pull Door Handles with Rounded Corners
1970s Bronze Pair of Square Push and Pull Door Handles with Rounded Corners

1970s Bronze Pair of Square Push and Pull Door Handles with Rounded Corners

Located in London, GB

Square pair of push and pull bronze door handles with subtle relief and rounded corners and edges

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Brutalist Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles and Letterbox in Aluminum
Pair of Brutalist Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles and Letterbox in Aluminum

Pair of Brutalist Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles and Letterbox in Aluminum

Located in London, GB

Pair of Brutalist rectangular push and pull door handles and letterbox with relief of angled

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Large Door Handle, Push and Pull in Mosaic on Brass, Italy 1950's
Large Door Handle, Push and Pull in Mosaic on Brass, Italy 1950's

Large Door Handle, Push and Pull in Mosaic on Brass, Italy 1950's

Located in London, GB

Large brass push and pull door handle with geometric mosaic in glass creates a stunning detail to

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Dark Walnut Credenza with Tambour Pull Up Door in the Style of Stow Davis
Dark Walnut Credenza with Tambour Pull Up Door in the Style of Stow Davis

Dark Walnut Credenza with Tambour Pull Up Door in the Style of Stow Davis

By Stow Davis

Located in Cincinnati, OH

metal pull up tambour door with three drawers. Inside the sliding doors Revel two adjustable shelves and

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Set of Six Large Architectural Push and Pull Door Handles in Bronze 1950's
Set of Six Large Architectural Push and Pull Door Handles in Bronze 1950's

Set of Six Large Architectural Push and Pull Door Handles in Bronze 1950's

Located in London, GB

Set of six or 3 pairs of push and pull door bronze handles, Italy 1950's. Cast bronze relief in

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

1960s Henredon Walnut Front Lacquered Bedside Tables
1960s Henredon Walnut Front Lacquered Bedside Tables

1960s Henredon Walnut Front Lacquered Bedside Tables

By Henredon

Located in Miami, FL

surface area and inner storage. Recent lacquer in excellent condition. Mid-Century styling with carved

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Mid-Century Modern Oversize Bronze Pull Door Handles
Mid-Century Modern Oversize Bronze Pull Door Handles

Mid-Century Modern Oversize Bronze Pull Door Handles

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a Mid-Century Modern oversize bronze pull door handles. Made in the USA

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Large Mid-Century Modern Push & Pull Bronze Door Handles, Germany, 1950s
Large Mid-Century Modern Push & Pull Bronze Door Handles, Germany, 1950s

Large Mid-Century Modern Push & Pull Bronze Door Handles, Germany, 1950s

Located in Munich, DE

Large and heavy Mid-Century Modern push and pull bronze door handles. Designed & manufactured

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Located in London, GB

Circular push-pull door handle in bronze, early to mid-20th century, France. A very simple elegant

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Located in London, GB

Circular push-pull door handle in bronze, mid-20th century, France. A very simple elegant handle

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Located in London, GB

Circular push-pull door handle in bronze, early to mid-20th century, France. A very simple

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France

Located in London, GB

Circular push-pull door handle in bronze, mid-20th century, France. A very simple elegant handle

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze, Metal

Paul Evans Style Mid Century Brutalist Bronze Door Handle Pull, Pair
Paul Evans Style Mid Century Brutalist Bronze Door Handle Pull, Pair

Paul Evans Style Mid Century Brutalist Bronze Door Handle Pull, Pair

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Paul Evans-style bronze casted door pull set with a distinct late 1960s Mid-century/Brutalist

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Solid Brass Door Pulls
Pair of Solid Brass Door Pulls

Pair of Solid Brass Door Pulls

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Phenomenal pair of solid brass half circle door pulls - each pull is of very good and substantial

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass

Forms and Surfaces Bronze Door Pulls
Forms and Surfaces Bronze Door Pulls

Forms and Surfaces Bronze Door Pulls

By Forms and Surfaces

Located in South Charleston, WV

A pair of abstract bronze pulls for use in modernist residential or commercial entry door

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Push-Pull Door Handle with Abstract Design
Bronze Push-Pull Door Handle with Abstract Design

Bronze Push-Pull Door Handle with Abstract Design

Located in London, GB

A sculptural bronze push or pull door handle with abstract relief. Second half 20th century

Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Forms and Surfaces Bronze Door Pulls David Gillespie
Forms and Surfaces Bronze Door Pulls David Gillespie

Forms and Surfaces Bronze Door Pulls David Gillespie

By Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe, Forms and Surfaces

Located in South Charleston, WV

bronze pulls for use in modernist residential or commercial entry door applications, circa 1960. This set

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Pair Pepe Mendoza "Resplandor" Door Pulls or Handles
Pair Pepe Mendoza "Resplandor" Door Pulls or Handles

Pair Pepe Mendoza "Resplandor" Door Pulls or Handles

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in Hanover, MA

Pair of signed Pepe Mendoza sun face door pulls or handles. Turquoise green malachite enameled

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair of Cast Bronze Push/Pull Door Handles with Geometric Relief, Germany
Pair of Cast Bronze Push/Pull Door Handles with Geometric Relief, Germany

Pair of Cast Bronze Push/Pull Door Handles with Geometric Relief, Germany

Located in London, GB

A pair of cast bronze handles, with geometric relief patterns. Mid-late 20th century, Brutalist in

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Two Bronze Push-Pull Door Handles with Abstract Design
Two Bronze Push-Pull Door Handles with Abstract Design

Two Bronze Push-Pull Door Handles with Abstract Design

Located in London, GB

patinated bronze in mid-brown tones. The two pieces are the same and could be installed on a pair of doors

Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Bronze

Aluminium Push or Pull Door Handle Set with Abstract Design, 20th Century
Aluminium Push or Pull Door Handle Set with Abstract Design, 20th Century

Aluminium Push or Pull Door Handle Set with Abstract Design, 20th Century

Located in London, GB

A square aluminium door handle with abstract - almost surreal - design, together with matching

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Paolo di Poli Solid Brass Round Door Pulls
Pair of Paolo di Poli Solid Brass Round Door Pulls

Pair of Paolo di Poli Solid Brass Round Door Pulls

By Paolo di Poli

Located in Hanover, MA

Solid brass double sided door handles from the studio of enamelist Paolo di Poli. Very unusual to

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass

1950s Mexican artist Pepe Mendoza Malachite Dragon Door Handle Pull Set
1950s Mexican artist Pepe Mendoza Malachite Dragon Door Handle Pull Set

1950s Mexican artist Pepe Mendoza Malachite Dragon Door Handle Pull Set

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in Chula Vista, CA

AMBIANIC presents 1950s Mexico artist Pepe Mendoza dragon door handles pull set two-piece set  in

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Malachite, Brass, Bronze

Wharton Esherick Style Outer Door With Frosted Glass & Bronze Lever Pull
Wharton Esherick Style Outer Door With Frosted Glass & Bronze Lever Pull

Wharton Esherick Style Outer Door With Frosted Glass & Bronze Lever Pull

By Wharton Esherick

Located in Southampton, NJ

A beautiful custom outer door having West African albizia solid wood frame with double panel frost

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Midcentury Pair of Door Pull Handles in Brass and Lucite, Italy 1950s
Midcentury Pair of Door Pull Handles in Brass and Lucite, Italy 1950s

Midcentury Pair of Door Pull Handles in Brass and Lucite, Italy 1950s

Located in Rome, IT

Midcentury amazing pair of door handles / door pulls in brass and lucite. Made in Italy in the

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Metal, Brass

Three Door or Drawer Pulls in Bronze and Stone by Pepe Mendoza Mexico
Three Door or Drawer Pulls in Bronze and Stone by Pepe Mendoza Mexico

Three Door or Drawer Pulls in Bronze and Stone by Pepe Mendoza Mexico

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in Los Angeles, CA

stone shines briliantly. A treat for a modern home or one achieving the look of their mid-Century

Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Set of 6 Pepe Mendoza Pulls
Set of 6 Pepe Mendoza Pulls

Set of 6 Pepe Mendoza Pulls

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in South Charleston, WV

Rare set of six brass and ceramic artisan studio hardware pulls by renowned Mexican craftsman Pepe

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass

Evelyn Ackerman Brass and Micro-Mosaic Drawer Pulls
Evelyn Ackerman Brass and Micro-Mosaic Drawer Pulls

Evelyn Ackerman Brass and Micro-Mosaic Drawer Pulls

By Evelyn Ackerman

Located in Hanover, MA

materials. Some were included in “California Design IX.” Large-scale inlaid brass door pulls, hand cast in

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass

1950s Pepe Mendoza Sculptural Mayan Pull Handles Malachite Brass Mexico
1950s Pepe Mendoza Sculptural Mayan Pull Handles Malachite Brass Mexico

1950s Pepe Mendoza Sculptural Mayan Pull Handles Malachite Brass Mexico

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in Chula Vista, CA

1950s Pepe Mendoza Malachite Brass Pulls Handles Mexico Mayan Revival set of two Stamped by artist

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Malachite, Brass

1950s Pepe Mendoza Mayan Revival Malachite Pulls Set of 7
1950s Pepe Mendoza Mayan Revival Malachite Pulls Set of 7

1950s Pepe Mendoza Mayan Revival Malachite Pulls Set of 7

By Pepe Mendoza

Located in Chula Vista, CA

AMBIANIC presents 1950s Mayan Revival Pepe Mendoza Pulls Rectangular Set of 7 Exquisite Malachite

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Malachite, Brass

Set of 10 Italian Brass Drawer or Cabinet Handles or Pulls, circa 1940's - 50's
Set of 10 Italian Brass Drawer or Cabinet Handles or Pulls, circa 1940's - 50's

Set of 10 Italian Brass Drawer or Cabinet Handles or Pulls, circa 1940's - 50's

By Paolo Buffa

Located in London, Fitzrovia

's to 1950's Small Italian brass / bronze handles or pulls or knobs for cupboard doors, chests of

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Push & Pull Door Handles
Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Push & Pull Door Handles

Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Push & Pull Door Handles

Located in London, GB

A pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian free form artistic push-and-pull door handles in brass with a

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Two-Door Black Buffet, Steel Pulls
Mid-Century Modern Two-Door Black Buffet, Steel Pulls

Mid-Century Modern Two-Door Black Buffet, Steel Pulls

Located in Stamford, CT

Black sideboard with two convex curved drawers and two convex curved doors. Curved steel pulls

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets

Materials

Steel

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Midcentury Modern Door Pulls For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of midcentury modern door pulls is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique midcentury modern door pulls was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, bronze and brass. Midcentury modern door pulls have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Midcentury modern door pulls are generally popular furniture pieces, but Mid-Century Modern and Modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made midcentury modern door pulls over the years, but those made by Florence Knoll, Pepe Mendoza and Juliette Belarti are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Midcentury Modern Door Pulls?

Midcentury modern door pulls can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $1,800, while the lowest priced sells for $10 and the highest can go for as much as $10,500.

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 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.