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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 Abstract Marble and Steel Spray Sculpture 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century abstract steel spray sculpture with a marble base. Unsigned. 1960s
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Italian Glass Studio of Murano Handcrafted Fish Aquarium
By Murano 5
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern splendid aquarium with two colorful fish and controlled bubble by Murano.
Made
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid Century wooden Shoeshine Stool
By IKEA
Located in Bern, CH
Mid Century wooden Shoeshine stool.
Nice decorative object. Also useful to assist in putting on
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Stools
Materials
Wood
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 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 Acrylic Wall Hanging Lenscope by Karl Gerstner Swiss, 1960s mobile
By Karl Gerstner
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Mid-century Acrylic Wall Hanging, titled "Lenscope" by Karl Gerstner Swiss, 1960s designed by Karl
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Wooden & Metal Kinetic Ferris Wheel with 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
Mid-Century Miguel Berrocal Mini "Portrait De Michelle" Puzzle Sculpture
By Miguel Berrocal
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Mid-Century Modernist mini puzzle sculpture, titled "Portrait De Michelle" by
Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Nickel
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
Pair of Italian Mid Century Bedside Tables
Located in Westport, CT
Sleek angles compose these Mid-Century Modern two-tier bedside tables with floating glass shelf and
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
Mid-Century Modern Kinnarps mobile Drawer units for office - Circa 1970
By Kinnarps
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid-Century Modern Kinnarps mobile Drawer units for office - Circa 1970
Desk - Office pedestals
Category
20th Century Swedish Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
H 24.22 in W 16.93 in D 27.96 in
Mid-Century Modern Tea Cart by Brazilian Designer, 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Tea Cart by Brazilian Designer, 1960s
This beautiful tea cart, manufactured by
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Metal
Credenza Mobile Bar Stile Scandinavo Mid-Century Design Modernariato 1950’s
Located in Taranto, IT
Credenza Stile Scandinavo Mid-Century Design Modernariato 1950’s.
Struttura interamente in legno
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
Materials
Glass, Wood
H 42.92 in W 47.25 in D 18.51 in
Mid-Century Modern Window Decorative Metal Pendant
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
wall hanging or mobile, which will look great in a room or in a window. It has a very Mid-century
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Contemporary Art
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-century French Maison Jansen Brass Tree, 1960s
By Maison Jansen
Located in LEGNY, FR
Rare piece: Magnificent brass tree from the 60s by the famous French Maison Jansen representing a three-branched Yucca on a square base in black lacquered wood and circled with brass...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Italian mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Hosoe Marinelli for Arflex, 1980s
By Isao Hosoe, Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Hosoe Marinelli for Arflex, 1980s
Coffee table in
Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
H 15.75 in W 34.65 in D 34.65 in
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Green Multicolor Geometric Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
An 8 x 10 rug in green and multicolor geometric patterns, from Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
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
Mid-Century Swedish Desk Table Lamp from Ledu, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
: Cream
Styles: Mid-Century Modern
Country of Origin: Sweden
Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Beige-Brown Geometric Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A 6x8 modern rug from Rug & Kilim’s bold Mid-Century Modern Collection, in collaboration with
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Beige-Brown Geometric Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A 6x8 modern rug from Rug & Kilim’s bold Mid-Century Modern Collection, in collaboration with
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Blue and Brown Geometric Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A 9x12 rug from the Mid-Century Modern Collection by Rug & Kilim, in collaboration with modern
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Blue and Brown Geometric Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A 9x12 rug from the Mid-Century Modern Collection by Rug & Kilim, in collaboration with modern
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool
French Mid-Century Childrens Bed /- Vintage mobile Cot in Rattan and Chrome-60s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Mid-Century Children's-Baby Bed - Mobile Cot in Rattan Cane and Chrome from the early 60s
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
H 31.11 in W 46.86 in D 23.23 in
Mid-century modern italian dry bar floor lamp by Luigi Massoni, Italy, 1960
By Luigi Massoni
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dry Bar floor lamp in Style of Luigi Massoni, Italy, 1960s
This
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic, Plexiglass, Wood
Brutalist Abstract Welded Steel Pendulum Mid Century Modern Kinetic Sculpture
Located in Sarasota, FL
Purchased from fine estate in Ft Lauderdale.
Beautifully hand made pendulum sculpture of a man in a ring.
Swings beautifully, very well balanced.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
H 21 in W 6.25 in D 3.5 in
Signed Vintage handmade mid century modern retro style abstract pottery
Located in Seattle, WA
Handmade wall Decor with a floral bird motif. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured.
Dimensions. 13” Diameter ; 0.75” H
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Mid-Century Modern Style Rug with Geometric Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This 9x12 rug is from Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern collection in collaboration with Jenn Ski
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Mid-Century Modern Style Rug with Geometric Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This 10x14 rug is from Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern collection in collaboration with Jenn Ski
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Mid-Century Modern Style Rug with Geometric Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This 10x14 rug is from Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern collection in collaboration with Jenn Ski
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Mid-century serving trolley in teak wood and chrome steel frame, Belgium 1960s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1960 / Serving Trolley / teak, chrome steel / Vintage / Mid-century / Scandinavian modern
Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Metal, Chrome
H 27.56 in W 33.86 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wood Dining Chairs Piero Bottoni Attributed, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage ash dining chairs, set of six, which design is attributed to Piero
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Ash
H 31.11 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
Mid Century Rosewood Bar Cart / Tea Trolley by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
the elegance and functionality of mid-century modern design. The piece is constructed from high
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Safari Chairs by Erik Wørts for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Erik Wørts
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
The image depicts a pair of Danish mid-century ‘safari’ chairs, which are iconic in their
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Rosewood
H 29.93 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Mid-Century Replogle Globe Atribbuted to Paul McCobb Patinated Brass Base
By Paul McCobb, Replogle Globes
Located in San Diego, CA
Replogle globe on a solid brass patinated stand in the manner of Paul McCobb circa 1950s, with a solid patinated brass base, beautiful patina due to age can be polished if desired. t...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mid Century Modern Abstract Wire Kinetic Figure Sculpture Hand Painted
By Donald Max Engelman
Located in Troy, MI
Unique and whimsical abstract kinetic table top sculpture circa 1970s
Minimalist wire figure with a hand painted hat mounted to a brutalist foot base
The movement is reminiscent of...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Wire
H 9.5 in W 7 in D 6 in
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Custom Mid-Century Modern Rug with Geometric Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
, modern artist Jenn Ski has been designing and producing an impressive collection of mid-century modern
Category
2010s Indian Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Silk
Mid-Century Campaign Style Mahogany Flip Top Dry Bar Cabinet Server or Chest
Located in Plainview, NY
A stylish mid-century campaign style rolling dry bar cabinet server or chest. The functional and
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Lounge Chairs by Pierluigi Colli
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in New York, NY
A rare and Important pair of Italian Mid-Century hand carved walnut lounge chairs, club chairs or
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
H 33 in W 27.25 in D 32.5 in
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Polychromatic Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This 9x12 rug is an exciting new addition to the Mid-Century Modern rug collection by Rug & Kilim
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Silk
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Polychromatic Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This 9x12 rug is an exciting new addition to the Mid-Century Modern rug collection by Rug & Kilim
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Silk
Mid Century Modern Wire Spray Table Sculpture style of Harry Bertoia 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage wire spray table sculpture in the manner of Harry Bertoia circa 1970s
Executed in fine steel wires with fluid kinetic movement on a rare black marble base
Unmarked
29 inch...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Steel
Mid Century Fiber Art Crocheted Wool Hanging Sculpture by Jane Knight 1970s
By Jane Knight
Located in Troy, MI
Suspended macrame sculpture by Michigan fiber artist Jane Knight circa 1970s
Three dimensional open weave crocheted sculpture in a muted chartreuse wool, adorned with a hanging bras...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wool
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Beige-Brown and Red Retro Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A 9 x 12 rug from Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Collection, hand knotted in a unique wool and
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Style Rug in Beige-Brown and Red Retro Pattern
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
A 9 x 12 rug from Rug & Kilim’s Mid-Century Modern Collection, hand knotted in a unique wool and
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Indian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Space Age Mid Century West Germany Sputnik Weather Station Desk Top Barometer
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool space age brass and lucite small globe weather station , barometer made in West Germany , Post war piece. great and unique piece.
Category
20th Century German Space Age Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Space Age Mid Century West Germany Sputnik Weather Station Desk Top Barometer
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool space age brass and lucite small globe weather station , barometer made in West Germany , Post war piece.
Category
20th Century German Space Age Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Rug & Kilim x Jenn Ski Blue Mid-Century Modern Style Rug with Geometric Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mid-Century Modern rug collection. A collaboration with contemporary artist Jenn Ski, this piece is
Category
2010s Nepalese Central Asian Rugs
Materials
Silk, Wool
Mid-Century Modern "Okay" Sofa by Adriano Piazzesi in New Boucle Fabric, Italy
By Adriano Piazzesi
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern "Okay" Sofa by Adriano Piazzesi In New Boucle Fabric, Italy 1970s.
Adriano
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel
H 30.71 in W 64.18 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Italian Space Age Bar Trolley or Side Table by Giovanni Pelis, 1960s
By Giovanni Pelis
Located in Hamburg, DE
:
Materials: Plastic
Color: Black
Styles: Mid-Century Modern
Country of Origin: Italy
Item Type: Vintage
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Plastic
H 21.65 in W 16.93 in D 15.75 in
"Stand Bar", by Sergio Rodrigues, 1965, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
functionality.
Sérgio Rodrigues was one of the most important mid-century Brazilian designers, known for his
Category
Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Glass, Wood
Italian Mid-Century Modern Wooden Two Tier Serving Cart
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish and elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern Jatoba wood two tier serve / bar trolley with two
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Plywood
Charlotte Perriand High Berger Stool Authentic & Rare Mid-Century Modern
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Zürich, CH
French mid-century modern design artefacts by Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Elm
'Aran' Mid-Century Modern style Dry Bar in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
overall aesthetic and mid-century modern style make it a striking piece that is imposing yet delicate and
Category
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Dry Bars
Materials
Brass
H 37.41 in W 42.52 in D 19.69 in
Italian mid-century modern lamp Maniglia De Pas D'Urbino Lomazzi Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Stilnovo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern lamp Maniglia De Pas D'Urbino Lomazzi Stilnovo, 1970s
Wall lamp mod
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
H 21.66 in W 5.52 in D 63.78 in
Spider Leg Italian Mid Century Black Coffee Table by Carlo de Carli
By Carlo De Carli
Located in Weesp, NL
with nine meticulously crafted bent wooden arms, this coffee table captures the essence of mid-century
Category
Vintage 1950s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Michael & Frances Higgins Fused Art Glass Mobile, Signed
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Dallas, TX
Enhance your mid-century modern space with our Exceptional 12 pieces fused multi-color glass mobile
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Brass, Opaline Glass and Carrera Marble Table Lamp
By Stilnovo
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish, elegant and classy Italian Mid-Century Modern opaline glass, brass and Carrera marble
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-Century Credenza Palazzi del Mobile with Showcase , Paolo Buffa atributed
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Cupboard two bodies 1940s curved walnut folder, Cantu production by Paolo Buffa designer
Top: Central display case with internal shelf and sandblasted stained glass; two doors with i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Cupboards
Materials
Walnut
H 72 in W 70 in D 20.8 in
- 1
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Midcentury Mobile For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal midcentury mobile for your home. Each midcentury mobile for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and art glass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect midcentury mobile — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A midcentury mobile is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one midcentury mobile that is appealing in its simplicity, but Venini, Fulvio Bianconi and Associazione Artigiana Canturina del Mobile produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Midcentury Mobile?
Prices for a midcentury mobile start at $199 and top out at $9,979 with the average selling for $3,013.
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 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.
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