Taichiro Nakai Rare pair of armchairs in cherry wood
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV200 Taichiro Nakai Rare pair of armchairs in cherry wood and upholstered fabric designed and
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cherry
Taichiro Nakai Rare pair of armchairs in cherry wood
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV200 Taichiro Nakai Rare pair of armchairs in cherry wood and upholstered fabric designed and
Cherry
Taichiro Nakai Reupholstered Blue Armchair in Cherry
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Taichiro Nakay (Nakai) for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, armchair, cherry, fabric, Italy, 1955
Fabric, Cherry
Pair of Taichiro Nakay Armchairs in Cherry Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Taichiro Nakay for La Permanente Mobili, lounge chairs, cherry wood, fabric, Italy, 1955 Taichiro
Fabric, Cherry
$30,000
H 31.5 in W 87.8 in D 48.82 in
Taichiro Nakai Rare Freeform Sofa for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1954
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Taichiro Nakai rare freeform sofa for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, steel and velvet, Italy, 1954
Velvet
$22,000
H 50.01 in W 103.55 in D 17.13 in
Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Mobili Adjustable Wall Cabinet in Teak
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Taichiro Nakay (Nakai) for La Permanente Mobili, bookcase, lacquered iron, teak, glass, brass
Brass, Iron
$27,404
H 65.75 in W 61.03 in D 16.54 in
Taichiro Nakai Teak Wall Cabinet by Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
by Consorzio la Permanente Mobili, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly talented Japanese
Metal, Brass
$21,700
H 65.36 in W 100.4 in D 16.74 in
Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Mobili Wall Cabinet in Maple and Mahogany
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Taichiro Nakay (Nakai) for La Permanente Mobili, bookcase, coated steel, glass, brass, maple and
Metal, Brass
$3,850
H 17.52 in W 39.38 in D 20.48 in
Taichiro Nakay for La Permanente Mobili Cantù Coffee Table in Cherry
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Taichiro Nakay (Nakai) for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, coffee table, cherry, maple
Steel
Japan Furniture Exhibition '61
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
, Taichiro Nakai, Kozo Asari, Hideo Saito, Takeshi Mineo, Yujiro Yamaguchi, Ryuchi Ise, Fukuji Suzuki
Paper
Double Top Coffee Table Attributed to Taichiro Nakai
Located in Lille, Hauts-de-France
A double top coffee table attributed to Taichiro Nakai, in black lacquered metal, black laminate
Metal
Taichiro Nakai Cabinet Permanente Mobili, Italy, 1953
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A fantastic, and unique constructed cabinet designed by Japanese designer Taichiro Nakai and
Metal, Brass
Very Rare and Important Sofa by Taichiro Nakai
Located in Munich, DE
black iron legs. nakai made 3rd prize in the "concorso internazionale del mobile," in cantu 1955. the
Sold
H 65.75 in W 100.4 in D 16.93 in
Taichiro Nakai cabinet for Permanente Mobili Cantù, Italy ca. 1955
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Exquisite cabinet by Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Italy, ca. 1955. Striking
Metal
Sold
H 24.02 in W 80.71 in D 35.44 in
Daybed by Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Furniture 1950s restored
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Milano, IT
Daybed disegnato da Taichiro Nakai e realizzato da La Permanente Mobili Cantù per la Prima
Metal
Sold
H 16.54 in W 56.7 in D 26.78 in
Shaped Maple Table Designed by Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Cantù, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Aci Castello, IT
. Taichiro Nakai conceived turnable wicker round tray used as a supplementary plane.
Wicker, Maple
Sold
H 33.47 in W 93.71 in D 52.76 in
Taichiro Nakay La Permanente Mobili Cantù Sofà Pierre Frey Fabric Italy 1955
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Catania, IT
Corner sofa designed by the Japanese Taichiro Nakay for La Permanente Mobili Cantù in Italy, 1955
Metal
La Permanente Cantu lounge chair and stool Italy 1955
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
important furniture makers from the 1950s, making pieces for Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi, Taichiro Nakai and
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 50.01 in W 104.34 in D 16.54 in
Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Mobili Cantu 1953 adjustable cabinet
Located in Diest, BE
Taichiro Nakai (Japan) for La Permanente Mobili, bookcase, lacquered iron, teak, glass, brass
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 19.69 in W 36.62 in D 17.72 in
Rare Taichiro Nakai Teak Coffee Table by Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Mobili Consortium, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly talented Japanese designer, best known
Iron
Sold
H 65.36 in W 100.79 in D 16.15 in
Storage cabinet by Taichiro Nakai for La Permanente Furniture 1950s restored
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Milano, IT
Arredo disegnato da Taichiro Nakai e realizzato da La Permanente Mobili Cantù per la Prima
Ash, Cherry, Maple
Rare Sofa by Taichiro Nakai
Located in New York, NY
, Nakai took 3rd prize in the "Concorso Internazionale del Mobile," in Cantu, 1955. The jury for this
Taichiro Nakai - Free Form Couch, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Taichiro Nakai (Japanese) for the Concorso Internazionale del Mobile in Cantú, 1954
Iron
Taichiro Nakai Freeform Sofa, La Permanente Mobili, circa 1955
Located in Lille, Hauts-de-France
A rare freeform sofa by the Japanese designer Taichiro Nakai, in cherry wood, black lacquered metal
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 90.56 in D 51.19 in
Freeform Sofa by Taichiro Nakai, La Permanente Mobili, circa 1955
Located in Lille, Hauts-de-France
A rare freeform sofa by the Japanese designer Taichiro Nakai, in cherry wood, black lacquered metal
Metal
Taichiro Nakai Cabinet for La Permanente Mobili, Italy 1960
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Wilnis, UT
This outstanding cabinet is a design by Taichiro Nakai, manufactured by La Permanente Mobili in
Metal
Leather Meander Wall Sconce
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Our updated Meander Reader light with leather wrapped flexible arm and a larger cone shade and new upward angle feature. Bulb can be fully recessed. Comes with suggested LED bulb. ...
Brass
$950 / item
H 25.6 in W 32.67 in D 13.78 in
New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Cushion, Savonarola, Throne
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench with cushion, Savonarola, Throne. Cushion included.
Iron
$20,138 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Giovannetti, 1970s Anfibio Foldable Sofa in Cream Colored Fabric Project, Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Wool, Cotton
$6,500 / item
H 14 in W 36 in D 20 in
Modern Oval Coffee Table in Oak Wood Cylinder Base and Glass by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palazzo oval coffee table with green and ivory glass sits on 2 Rift White Oak Wood pedestals by Ercole Home. This new bespoke coffee table design by Ercole Home is available today fo...
Art Glass, Walnut, Cut Glass
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Oak Wood by Master for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Envisioned by designer Yaniv Chen, the Constant nightstand exudes an air of refined luxury, celebrating the inherent splendor of wood. Meticulously crafted with impeccable proportion...
Oak
Pair of Modern Walnut Side Tables
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Pacific walnut side table, the square top with rounded corners and a reeded edge above a similar under tier, on bobbin turned legs. Dimensions: 26" W x 26" D x 28.5" H.
Wood
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
Murano Sputnik Spherical Green Glass and Brass Chandelier
Located in Roma, Lazio
A fantastic emerald green sputnik, with a surprising design and for its very low height, which allows it to fit in both high and low ceilings. Very elegant, it will furnish and decor...
Brass
$2,950 / item
H 11.82 in Dm 21.66 in
Mint Condition Florian Schulz Onos Polished Brass with Side Counterweight
By Florian Schulz
Located in Berlin, DE
This lamp is in perfect condition. The height is adjustable with the counter weight to any needs. To be on the safe side, the lamp should be checked locally by a specialist concer...
Brass
$280 / item
H 35.43 in W 21.25 in D 17.71 in
Garden Or Dinning Armchairs in Black Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor. Price/Piece
Located in Miami, FL
Garden armchairs in black wrought iron Handmade. Dining armchairs PRICE PER ITEM.
Wrought Iron
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
$268 / item
H 10.24 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
21st Century ‘Volute’, in White Ceramic, Hand-Crafted in France
By Inhee Ma
Located in Marchaux-Chaudefontaine, FR
A part of a captivating new line blending ancient Greek pottery with contemporary design, the ‘Volute’ vase showcases delicate black underglaze illustrations that harmonize tradition...
Clay, Stoneware
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$57,192 / item
H 77.17 in W 67.33 in D 21.26 in
Bongo Marble Wardrobe, Closet, Manual Doors, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bongó Closet, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bongó marble wardrobe is a reinterpretation of the original Bongó bar cabinet, bringing it...
Onyx, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Rattan Drape Side Table
Located in Paris, FR
Side Table Rattan Drape with all structure in rattan in natural finish.
Rattan
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.