Skip to main content

Midcentury Modern Objects

to
8,793
35,175
31,209
66,381
1,465
823
63,346
3,336
1,011
39
35
17
8
8
6
4
1
1
90
269
66,014
2,289
477
44,124
15,213
33
13
110
451
1,100
8,871
13,450
9,264
1,984
688
21,084
20,161
17,801
7,580
7,568
48,142
20,516
13,320
11,388
8,766
68,472
67,873
68,112
876
830
685
600
596
Sort By
Mid-Century Modern Teak Crane Bird Denmark
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
A very stylish Mid Century object.
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Teak Crane Bird Denmark
Mid-Century Modern Teak Crane Bird Denmark
H 6.3 in W 18.9 in D 1.58 in
Modernist Serving tray in Wengé wood, Henning Seidelin for Voss, Denmark, 1960s
By Stelton, Jens Quistgaard, Voss, Henning Seidelin, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Vorst, BE
that period. Very clean lines and minimalist aesthetic, typical of the scandinavian Mid-Century objects
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Barware

Materials

Formica, Wenge

Modern Sculptural Object
Located in East Hampton, NY
Modern sculptural object. Made from fiberglass.
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Plastic

Modern Sculptural Object
Modern Sculptural Object
H 14.5 in W 28.5 in D 12 in
Decorative Object Elephant Porcelain Mid-century Modern Italian Design 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Very nice and large elephant in white enamelled porcelain with golden definitions. Italian production from the 70s. Please watch the video and photos carefully, thank you. Weight: 2...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Decorative Object Dog Porcelain Sculpture Mid-Century Modern Italian Design 70s
Located in Palermo, IT
Very nice and large dog in white enamelled porcelain with golden definitions. Italian production from the 70s. Please watch the video and photos carefully, thank you. Weight: 1.080 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Hand blown Murano Glass Stylized Zebra Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
This whimsical, yet refined, Mid-Century Modern decorative object in the form of a stylized zebra
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

French Mid-Century Modern Black Matte Decorative Object
Located in Miami, FL
A very good quality French midcentury black matte decorative object. Signed. The top is
Category

20th Century French Jars

Materials

Pottery

Vase Decorative Object Glass Lilac Mid-Century Modern Finland Design, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare vase/jar made of etched glass in shades of lilac with flattened cylindrical body and geometric decorations in relief. Made in Finland in the 1970s. Weight: 0.920 Kg NOTE: We ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

Vaso con tinta a sfumature, anni ’60
By Mid Century Antiques
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Vaso con tinta a sfumature, anni ’60, ottime condizioni, patina dell'epoca.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Abstract Brass Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-20th Cent Modern abstract sculpture of a brass form on a cube form onyx base. (signed)
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Decorative Object Vase Lid Porcelain Hand Painted Mid-Century Modern Italy 60s
Located in Palermo, IT
Vase with lid produced in Italy in the 1960s. The vase was made of porcelain in shades of white, with hand-painted floral decorations in shades of lavender. Mouth diameter: 8.2 cm. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Vase Decorative Object Murano Glass Green Mid Century Modern Italian Design 70s
Located in Palermo, IT
Unusual vase made of ribbed opaque Murano glass, in the shade of bottle green. Made in Italy in the 70s. Please watch the video and photos carefully, thank you. Mouth diameter: 3.5 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Set of 2 Modernist 1970s ceramic objects Peter Müller for Sgrafo Modern, Germany
By Sgrafo Modern, Peter Müller
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
wonderful addition to every modern home or in combination with Mid-Century Modern interior. Dimensions
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Brass, Black Resin Modernist Mid-Century Modern Vase, Vessel, Object Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This tall vintage brass modernist vase, sculpture or vessel with a black resin center on both sides. is from the 60s. There is a raised modernist design that also is on both sides. I...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Vases

Materials

Brass

Decorative Object Candle Holder Glass and 800 Silver Mid-Century Modern Italy 70
Located in Palermo, IT
Thick transparent glass candle holder. The candle is placed in the center. The circular base is covered with a silver 800 sheet. Made in Italy in the 70s. Please watch the video and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Decorative object Murano glass amber spotted Mid-Century Modern Design Italy 70s
Located in Palermo, IT
Artistic Murano glass bottle, Italian design, circa 1970s, unsigned. This vase is characterized by a particular tiger's eye amber color. Please watch the video and photos carefully,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Mid-Century Modern Nude Bronze Sculpture
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Figurative Nude Bronze Sculpture. This small bronze depicts a surrealistic
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Bronze TOTEM Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine mid-century bronze sculpture. In the form of a stylized totem. With a round plinth
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Modern Gilt Bronze Sculpture
By Line Vautrin
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique gilt sculpture in the manner of Line Vautrin. Woman's face with flora and sun sits atop a stainless metal cube. singed and numbered. 9/50.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Gilt Bronze Sculpture
Mid Century Modern Gilt Bronze Sculpture
H 4.25 in W 3.5 in D 1.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Decorative Object Vase Vide-Poche Ceramic Italy 60s Set Of 2
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare set of a circular vide-poche and a cylindrical vase in gold-glazed ceramic with a particular dotted and streaked workmanship. Made in the 1960s in Italy. (We recommend these two...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

French Mid-Century Ceramic Vase Art Brut, Fat Lava Style Decorative Object
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Ceramic Vase Art Brut, Fat Lava Style Decorative Object Unique piece, hand-crafted
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Picture Frame Decorative Object Style Fontana Arte Mid-Century 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Luigi Fontana
Located in Palermo, IT
Double Photo frame style Luigi Fontana for Fontana Arte produced in Italy in the 1940s. The multiform photo frame has a wooden structure and decorated and ground glass with metal acc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Lucite Ram's Head Sculpture
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning lucite sculpture of a ram's head with removable horns USA, Mid 20th Century Measures
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

Sculptural Mid-century Organic Object Holder in brass, Denmark 1960s
By Hans Arp, Henry Moore
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare sculptural holder in solid brass, organic Danish style, it is a work of great refinement and style. A work of applied arete, which can be used as an ashtray, pocket emptier, or ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Bronze TOTEM Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
supported by 4 legs. Simply a wonderful sculpture. Date: Mid tolate 20th century. Marks
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Bronze TOTEM Sculpture
Mid-Century Modern Bronze TOTEM Sculpture
H 13.63 in W 4.13 in D 3.75 in
Lucite Sculpture Mid-Century Modern
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Freeform Mid-Century Modern Lucite sculpture, It has some crazing. Be sure to check our storefront
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

Mid-Century Modern Folding Brass Candelabra
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Mid-Century Danish Modern Articulating Brass Candelabra Holds 6 tapers
Category

Mid-20th Century Candelabras

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Folding Brass Candelabra
Mid-Century Modern Folding Brass Candelabra
H 4.75 in W 3.75 in D 0.75 in
sgrafo mid century ceramic FIGURINE pair of cranes 1970s model no. 1152
By Sgrafo Modern
Located in Mannheim, DE
1970s ceramic figurine manufactured by Sgrafo. A pair of cranes in different shades of brown and beige. Signed to bottom Sgrafo 1152. Dimensions in cm: Height 24 cm, width 16 cm, de...
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Leucos Murano Glass Empty Pockets Decorative Object Mid-Century Modern Italy 70s
By Leucos
Located in Palermo, IT
Leucos Murano Empty Pockets made in Italy in the 70s. Thanks to its solid roots and high craftsmanship, the company operates in the high-end market, combining tradition, design and t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century Modern Spanish Wooden Box with Silver & Enamel Lid
By Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
-Century box! Date: Mid-20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Vintage Mid Century Modern Decor
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Decor Dimensions. 7 1/2 W ; 5 3/4 D ; 7 H
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mid Century Modern Decor
Vintage Mid Century Modern Decor
H 7 in W 7.5 in D 5.75 in
A Large Marble Mid Century Modern Abstract Sculpture
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant hand carved deep rouge marble mid century modern abstract sculpture. The shapely
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Tom Strala TS-KG-290 Concrete Sofa Table 2021
Located in Zürich, CH
authentic contemporary and mid-century objects. The owner of the gallery picks each piece on his own. We buy
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Sofa Tables

Materials

Concrete

Tom Strala TS-KG-290 Concrete Sofa Table 2021
Tom Strala TS-KG-290 Concrete Sofa Table 2021
H 17.72 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Mid-Century Modern bowl.
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern bowl crafted with meticulous detail.
Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern bowl.
Mid-Century Modern bowl.
H 2.37 in Dm 5.52 in
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Steel Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Modern Brutalist sculpture of tortured and burnt welded steel.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern Bronze Female Statue
Located in Bozeman, MT
Mid Century Modern female statue in Bronze. Unknown artist. Ca 1950 - 60s France.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Modern Bronze Female Statue
Mid Century Modern Bronze Female Statue
H 21.26 in W 5.12 in D 4.73 in
Mid Century Modern Brass Pineapple Urn
Located in Rochester, NY
Solid brass pineapple covered urn. Warm gold color.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Urns

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger Brass Box Mid-Century Modern
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in North Miami, FL
This Mid-Century Modern Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths is hallmarked on the back. This
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Bronze Female Statue
Located in Allerum, SE
Mid Century Modern female statue in Bronze. Unknown artist. Ca 1950 - 60s France.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Modern Bronze Female Statue
Mid Century Modern Bronze Female Statue
H 21.26 in W 5.12 in D 4.73 in
Decorative Object Empty Pockets in Steel by Cleto Munari Mid-Century Modern 70s
By Cleto Munari
Located in Palermo, IT
Decorative object in steel. Mattia Pastorino production Cleto Munari. Cleto Munari is a designer
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Materials

Steel

Vintage Mid Century Modern Clock
Located in Seattle, WA
Gold Toned Hardware. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Not Tested , May or May not be Operational. Dimensions. 6.5 W ; 3 1/2 D ; 6.5 H
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mid Century Modern Clock
Vintage Mid Century Modern Clock
H 6.5 in W 6.5 in D 3.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Carrara Marble Bust
By Amedeo Modigliani, Rene Brancusi, (after) Pablo Picasso, Pablo Picasso
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern Carrara Marble Bust. Mid-Century Modern Carrara marble bust. This unusual marble
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Marble

Mid-Century Modern Glazed Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Astoria, NY
Mid-Century Modern glazed art studio pottery urn-shaped vase in brown tones with greenish accents
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Pottery

Mid-Century Modern Abstract Granite Sculpture
By Brancusi, Rene Brancusi
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern abstract granite sculpture. Well executed Mid-Century Modern granite or marble
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite

Mid-Century Modern Electroform Abstract Sculpture (of a Rooster)
By John Prip
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Mid-Century Modern bronze sculpture. Consisting of fused, electroformed bronze elements
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Modern Carole Stupell Lucite Ice Bucket
By Carole Stupell
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mid Century Modern Carole Stupell Lucite Ice Bucket
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lucite

Mid Century Modern Abstract Brass Sculpture
Located in Raleigh, NC
A striking vintage modern sculpture of brass and enamel on a wood base. With precise curves and
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Document File
By Paul McCobb
Located in Denton, TX
mid-century modern desk top document file classic walnut with stainless steel squared post that
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid-Century Modern Document File
Mid-Century Modern Document File
H 6.13 in W 12.13 in D 9.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plated Accessory Box
Located in New York, NY
This handsome early Mid-Century Modern accessory box was realized in the United States circa 1940
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid Century/Modern Deco, Bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very popular Deco sculpture of an Elegant lady in full dress walking down the Grand Steps. Cast in bronze with polished patina finish and cold painted peacock dress. Mounted on a s...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century/Modern Deco, Bronze
Mid Century/Modern Deco, Bronze
H 20 in W 12 in D 9.5 in
Mid Century Modern Fabric Art
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional mid century modern hand made shag. It’s can be displayed as is or flipped over.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Scholar's Objects

Materials

Fabric

Mid Century Modern Fabric Art
Mid Century Modern Fabric Art
H 45.5 in W 72.5 in D 2.5 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Brass Cat
Located in Seattle, WA
Mid Century Modern Brass cat Statue. Dimensions. 12 W ; 2 1/2 D ; 7 H
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Large Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Miami, FL
Great sculpture from the 1960s.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Steel

Large Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
Large Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
H 75 in W 21 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern White Horse Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century modern figure of a white horse on a marble base
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Mid Century Modern Brass Dolphins Sculpture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Incredible vintage mid century modern brass sculpture. Subject is pair of dolphins swimming.
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Vase
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Just a beautiful stylish vase in matte beige with yellow, brown and green circles from the sixties
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Vase
Mid-Century Modern Vase
H 10.63 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Mid-Century Modern Vase
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Just a beautiful stylish vase in matte brown with yellow stripes from the sixties
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Vase
Mid-Century Modern Vase
H 9.85 in Dm 2.76 in
Mid-Century Modern Vase
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Just a beautiful stylish little vase or jug from the sixties.
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Vase
Mid-Century Modern Vase
H 5.91 in Dm 4.34 in
Mid-Century Modern Silver Rectangular Woven Basket
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular MCM Silver-plated basket featuring straight lines and curved ends as well as a plain rim and a single handle. Charming piece for trinkets or keys in a foyer area or stand...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Silver Plate

Signed Mid Century Modern Seagull Sculpture
Located in Redding, CT
Signed Mid Century Modern Seagull Sculpture. Nice decorative abstract table top sculpture of a
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Metal

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Midcentury Modern Objects", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Midcentury Modern Objects For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of midcentury modern objects available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, glass and ceramic, all midcentury modern objects available were constructed with great care. Find 72277 antique and vintage midcentury modern objects at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 2952 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. Midcentury modern objects have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Midcentury modern objects bearing mid-century modern or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many midcentury modern objects are appealing in their simplicity, but Rörstrand, Bitossi and Venini produced popular midcentury modern objects that are worth a look.

How Much are Midcentury Modern Objects?

Prices for midcentury modern objects start at $0 and top out at $1,000,000 with the average selling for $950.

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.

Finding the Right Decorative Objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with antique and vintage decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation: Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Questions About Midcentury Modern Objects
  • 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.