Midcentury Modern Mobiles
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Mid-Century Modern Hanging Sculpture Mobile Wind Chime
Located in Miami, FL
Twenty-four discs hanging from a spiral, true midcentury sculpture.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Mid-Century Modern Brass, Copper and Enamel Mobile by Cesar Vasquez
By Cesar
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Hand crafted bronze, brass and enamel wall hanging or mobile by Chilean artist Cesar Vasquez.
Category
Vintage 1960s Chilean Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper, Enamel
Memphis Stabile Mobile
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Memphis stabile mobile by frederik Smits
Handmade by the artist. Unique piece
Perfect condition.
Category
2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Kinetic Mobile Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice piece of modern art.
Studio made.
One off.
It rotates around the stem and moves side to
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
1970’s Balancing Mobile
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Balancing acrobats on a chair. Clever nice designed piece that functions and moves gently with a breeze.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass
Studio-Made Modernist Mobile, Small
Located in Dallas, TX
A studio-made modernist mobile; mustard yellow, blue, opium red. This innovative art form, rooted
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Joseph Burlini Kinetic Mobile Sculpture
By Joseph A. Burlini
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury Kinetic mobile sculpture by Joseph Burlini made of chrome and painted metal. Three rods
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Glass 'Rondelay' Mobile Michael + Frances Higgins
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fun set of glass forms in wonderful pastel hues.
No two are alike.
Though the outer form is the same, round or square, the centers are always different with happy accidents that ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Kinetic Sculpture by Franco Costalonga, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Kinetic sculpture by Franco Costalonga, 1970s
Kinetic sculpture
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Plastic
H 10.63 in W 4.73 in D 10.24 in
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Kinetic Balancing Man Sculpture by Strauss, 1970’s
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jere style Brutalist tabletop or book shelf counter balance sculpture
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 21 in W 10 in D 10 in
1960s Metal Hanging Mobile with Crown Fish and Birds
Located in San Diego, CA
1960s metal hanging kinetic mobile sculpture with crown, fish and birds elements. Could be used
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Michael and Frances Higgins Multicolored Mobile, Fused Art Glass
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Kansas City, MO
Art glass mobile designed and made by Michael and Frances Higgins, 1950s. Great color combination
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Nylon, Art Glass
Mid Century Cat Tail Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Pasadena, TX
20 copper cat-tail rods adhered and mounted on metal.
Measures: 27" width x 6" depth x 41" height.
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Copper Mid century sailing ship - MCM
Located in Budapest, HU
Vintage Mid-Century Solid Copper Sailing Ship - Nautical Elegance from the 1970s
Description
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Michael and Frances Large Glass Rondelay Mobile / Hanging in Pinks and Yellows
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Kansas City, MO
Michael & Frances Higgins Fused Art Glass Rondelays, set of five, in the very large size. Each piece is 12 inches in diameter. One of the metal connectors has a well done previous re...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 60 in W 12 in D 0.25 in
Hanging Mid Century Fiber and Wood Kinetic Sculpture 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Hanging mid-century fiber and wood kinetic sculpture. Unsigned, 1960s
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood
Mid-Century Polished Chrome Kinetic "Tangle" Sculpture by Richard X Zawitz
By Richard X Zawitz
Located in New York, NY
This highly dynamic and brilliantly designed Mid-Century Modernist Kinetic "Tangle" Sculpture in
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Wooden & Metal Kinetic Ferris Wheel w/ Red, Blue & Yellow Cabins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun Mid-Century Ferris Wheel with red enameled metal frame and wooden cabins mounted on a wooden
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 45 in W 39 in D 9.75 in
1960s Pinwheel Brazen Nail Table Sculpture Mid-Century Starburst as Curtis Jere
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and delicate Mid-Century era welded tabletop kinetic sculpture, no signature can be found
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Iron
H 16.88 in W 7 in D 7 in
Mid-Century Replogle Globe on Wrought Iron Base in the Manner of Paul McCobb
By Replogle Globes, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century Replogle globe on wrought iron base (N,S,E,W represented on stand) in the manner of
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Modern Complex Tools Group Sculpture Welded Tools
By Feliciano Béjar
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern sculpture of real and old welded together tools. In style of Feliciano Bejar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
1960s Danish Modern Blue and Green Kinetic Ball Sculpture
By Laurids Lonborg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage kinetic ball sculpture in the style of Laurids Lonborg, a Danish housewares and decorative objects powerhouse. Black metal base and stem, silver metal wires, and green and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1960s Danish Modern Silver Kinetic Ball Sculpture by Laurids Lonborg
By Laurids Lonborg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage kinetic ball sculpture in black and silver by Laurids Lonborg, a Danish housewares and decorative objects powerhouse. Black metal base and stem, silver metal wires, and po...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Helen Gilbert Contemporary Modern Op Art Kinetic Light Box Sculpture 1984
Located in Troy, MI
Licomos kinetic polarized light box sculpture by Helen Gilbert 1984
Titled Square Dance 1/1
An original work produced by Meissner Editions of Germany
Comprised of three acrylic disc...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 17.25 in W 17.25 in D 5.5 in
Scultura cinetica italiana modern in plastica gialla di Franco Costalonga 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Scultura cinetica composta da un tubolare in plastica giallo senape e una sfera con all’interno una bacchetta di radio che genera fasci di colore giallo.
Realizzata da Franco Costalo...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Plastic
H 10.63 in W 4.73 in D 10.24 in
1950's Wood Motorcycle Model
Located in New York, NY
Unique motorcycle model with moving parts, fully constructed in wood. New Hampshire, circa 1950's.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Tile Decorative Wall Hanging With Cherub mo
Located in Seattle, WA
Makers mark on the bottom shows that this tile was made by Fratantoni Ceramiche, a tiling company based out of Italy. Beautiful Cherub motif adorns the Ceramic tile Blue and Yellow h...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
H 1 in W 8 in D 8 in
Laurent Martin Lo, Bamboo "Kinetic" Sculpture, France, circa 2000
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Material, fishing lines and metal and ceramic weights. Like Calder’s mobiles, the sculptures follow strict
Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bamboo
Early Vintage Paolo Soleri Brutalist Cast Bronze Bell Wind Chime Arcosanti 1970s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Troy, MI
Early cast bronze brutalist wind bell by Paolo Soleri for Arcosanti
Circa 1970s
Great form with uncommon modernist sun pattern exaggerated chain and original copper fin
Signed
Ov...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Kinetic Spray Sculpture Style of Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic stainless steel kinetic sculpture takes its form from the mid 20th century
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Stainless Steel
Kinetic Sculpture of a Goldfish in Resin by Abraham Palatinik, 1960s
By Abraham Palatnik
Located in New York, NY
This Brazilian modern sculpture was designed by Abraham Palatinik and made in the 1960s. It is a
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Free Shipping
H 5.1 in W 3 in D 0.8 in
Michael Cutler Hanging Kinetic Aluminium Sculpture
By Michael Cutler
Located in Ferndale, MI
Michael Cutler designed steel rod circle holding rotating three-piece mobile sculpture . Excellent
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculpt...
Materials
Aluminum
Rotating transparent acrylic sculpture by Rogelio Polesello, Argentina 1969
By Rogelio Polesello
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Transparent acrylic sculpture by Rogelio Polesello, with a moving cubic center. This particular piece plays with optical illusion due to transparency and light bounces.
A little abou...
Category
20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic
H 5.12 in W 5.12 in D 1.58 in
Modernist Gray Lucite Kinetic Sculpture Astrolabe, Italy 1970s
By Studio Italia Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning rotating kinetic sculpture was crafted in Italy in the 1970s. The six circles are made of Lucite in a smoke gray color and stand on a frosted clear Lucite base. The six...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
1970's Charles Taylor Large Modernist Kinetic Sculpture
By Charles Taylor
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous 1970's modernist large Kinetic aluminum sculpture designed by Charles Taylor Model #450 in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Black and Chrome Schwinn Phantom Replica
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Built between 1949 and 1959, Schwinn Phantoms were the most bodacious, luxurious, and feature-filled bicycles on the road. There was the deluxe patented spring fork, built-in horn, s...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Joseph Meerbott Kinetic Sculpture
By Joseph Meerbott 1
Located in Dallas, TX
Wonderful enameled metal kinetic sculpture by Joseph Meerbott.
In two pieces, some minor loss to enamel.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculp...
Materials
Metal
Small ‘Mouse’ Stabile Sculpture by Margery Kahn 1950
By Margery Kahn
Located in Wiscasset, ME
the mid-20th century at the Met in NYC.
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Metal
Large Bertoia Studios 10-Rod 'B-2700' Brass, Copper & Silver Sound Sculpture
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 10-Rod 'B-2700' Brass, Copper & Silver Sound Sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Art Deco WWII Military Strategy Chalk Teaching Globe on Stand by Denoyer-Geppert
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare art deco WWII military strategy chalk teaching globe by Denoyer-Geppert with period chrome stand, circa 1940s. The globe is in good condition with original paint; there are seve...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Invertible Cube Signed, Colored and Handmade by Paul Schatz, 1898-1979
By Paul Schatz
Located in Munster, NRW
councillor and owner of a small engineering works. The technological achievements of the new century, in
Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Classic Alex Moulton 4-speed Bicycle, modernist design
By Huffy Corp.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Alex Moulton 4-speed Bicycle, modernist design.. Amazing design,, All original,, Nice condition,,great riding bike,, probably can use a good tune up..
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Large Bertoia Studios 12-Rod 'Time-Change through Sound B-2348' Brass Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 12-rod 'Time-Change Through sound B-2348' brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
H 50 in W 11 in D 11 in
Large Bertoia Studios 12-Rod 'Star of Sounds / B-2369' Brass Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 12-Rod 'Star of Sounds / B-2369' brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son of th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Large Bertoia Studios 24-Rod 'Star of Sound / B-2482' Copper & Brass Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 24-rod 'Star of Sound B-2482' copper & brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
H 49 in W 9.5 in D 7 in
Large Bertoia Studios 32-Rod 'Sounding Chess / B-2466' Copper & Brass Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 32-Rod 'Sounding Chess / B-2466' copper & brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Brass, Copper, Silver
H 47 in W 12 in D 11 in
Modernist Kinetic Table Sculpture by C. Jeré
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Skokie, IL
Modernist Kinetic Table Sculpture by C. Jeré
An early and rare form 1960s fun and colorful kinetic table sculpture by Curtis Jeré. Brass and resin pieces mounted are on metal rods...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Clessidra Hourglass, Paolo Venini, Venini Murano 'Italy'
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brussels, BE
The hourglasses designed by Paolo Venini in 1957 were exhibited at the Triennale di Milano the same year.
This piece is a large and rare model. The two parts have a conical shape a...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Torch Cut Floral Arrangement from Brotman's Sausalito
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Hanover, MA
Torch cut brass and mixed metal kinetic floral spray in the style of Curtis Jere retailed through Brotman's Village Fair in Sausalito, CA circa 1970
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Vintage Wood Survey Measuring Large Stick by Lenner
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find a rare vintage wood measuring stick by Lenner.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Modernist Bronze & Wire Kinetic Sculpture. "GRASSES" Garden, after Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Bronze & Wire Kinetic Sculpture. "GRASSES" after Bertoia, Great little modernist sculpture,, garden,, or interior, Hand crafted. Perfect little accent piece,
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Albert Chubac, Important Geometric Sculpture, France, circa 1960
By Albert Chubac
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice, he donated around one hundred works to the City of
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wood
1950s Pepe Mendoza Bronze Elephant Peacock Lamp Chain Mexico
By Pepe Mendoza
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Pepe Mendoza decorative elephant et al. bronze lamp chain Mexico
Measures: 73 long x 5.25 diameter
Fabulous and rare piece in bronze. Decorative chain with beautiful ornament...
Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Nelson Rockefeller Mottahedeh India Brass Bell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Nelson Rockefeller Collection reproduction brass bell by Mottahedeh
Very unusual bell with three bells in one.
Very heavy for the size.
Partial stamp on top: "Mottahedeh India T...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
David Elijah Herschler Hanging Abstract Sculpture
By Elijah David Herschler
Located in San Francisco, CA
David Elijah Herscler abstract chrome plated steel hanging sculpture. Contemporary sculpture inspired by elements of nature and space this is from his space ribbons series, signed an...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Albert Chubac, Sculpture, "TOTEM", Painted Iron, circa 1980, France
By Albert Chubac
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
artist's joie de vivre.
In 2004, following the major retrospective at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Albert Chubac, Cinetic Sculpture, "Cage", Painted Iron, circa 1980, France
By Albert Chubac
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
artist's joie de vivre.
In 2004, following the major retrospective at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Iron
H 14.57 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Modernist wood and metal Kinetic Table Sculpture..Garden... after Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist wood and metal Kinetic Table Sculpture..Garden,, after Bertoia.. Signed and dated. something ? 62,,,.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Wind Chime by Paolo Soleri for Arcosanti
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Danville, CA
Very unique windchime designed by experimental architect Poalo Soleri, for Arcosanti. This beautiful example is the best of Soleri’s work.
Multiple elements, hinged together with p...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum, Bronze
Midcentury Bronze Wind Bell Assembly 1960s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid bronze bell with a wood wind catcher. Years of nice patina. Could be used as a doorbell. It has a beautiful pitch.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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Midcentury Modern Mobiles For Sale on 1stDibs
Find a variety of midcentury modern mobiles available on 1stDibs. The range of distinct midcentury modern mobiles — often made from metal, brass and wood — can elevate any home. We have 247 antique and vintage midcentury modern mobiles in-stock, while there are 32 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of midcentury modern mobiles available, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Midcentury modern mobiles made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Many midcentury modern mobiles are appealing in their simplicity, but Paolo Soleri, par-avion co. and Jim Hunter produced popular midcentury modern mobiles that are worth a look.
How Much are Midcentury Modern Mobiles?
Prices for midcentury modern mobiles can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, midcentury modern mobiles begin at $81 and can go as high as $260,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,300.
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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 Mobiles
- What is midcentury modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Organic 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.
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Iconic Furniture Makes This 1958 Midwestern Home a True Mid-Century Gem
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