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 Taichiro Nakay is an incredibly talented Japanese designer who is mostly known for his p...
Fabric, Cherry
outstanding rare and amazing TN55 coffee table by taichiro nakai
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Munich, DE
Taichiro Nakay was an incredibly talented japanese designer who is mostly known for his participation at the Selettiva del Mobili competition in Cantù. This coffee table was presente...
Metal
$22,000 / set
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 Nakay is an incredibly talented Japanese designer who is mostly known for his part...
Fabric, Cherry
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, maple, ca. 1955 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly talented Japanese designer who is most...
Brass, Iron
$16,347Sale Price|40% Off
Taichiro Nakai Teak Wall Cabinet by Consorzio La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Produced by Consorzio la Permanente Mobili, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly talented Japanese designer, best known for his participation in the Selective Furniture compe...
Metal, Brass
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 mahogany, Italy, ca. 1955 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly talented Japanese designe...
Metal, Brass
Taichiro Nakai, Sofa, Mohair, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown mohair fabric and wood sofa designed by Taichiro Nakai and produced by Mobili Cantú, Italy, c. 1950s.
Mohair, Wood
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, lacquered steel, Italy, 1950s Taichiro Nakay is best known for his participation in...
Steel
Taichiro Nakay for La Permanente Mobili Cantù Armchairs in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Taichiro Nakay (Nakai) for La Permanente Mobili La Permanente Mobili Cantù, lounge chairs, cherry, fabric, Italy, 1955 Taichiro Nakay is an incredibly talented Japanese designer who...
Fabric, Cherry
Japan Furniture Exhibition '61
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
The 24 page catalog presents chairs, tables, and case pieces by prominent Japanese architects and designers including Katsuo Matsamura, Taichiro Nakai, Kozo Asari, Hideo Saito, Takes...
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 and wood marquetry, circa 1960 Black top : H_42 cm L_118,5 cm P_52,5 cm Marquetry...
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 manufactured by Permanente Mobili Cantu, Italy 1953.
Metal, Brass
Very Rare and Important Sofa by Taichiro Nakai
Located in Munich, DE
made for an furniture competition in 1954. curved form with floating back, black iron supports and black iron legs. nakai made 3rd prize in the "concorso internazionale del mobile," ...
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 produced for the Permanente mobili exhibition in 1955.
Cherry
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.
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 Selettiva del 1955.
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
An amazing maple and rosewood side table made in Italy in the 1950s in very good vintage conditions. 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. It is a rare sofa with unique and sinuous lines supported by four cherry wood feet...
Metal
La Permanente Cantu lounge chair and stool Italy 1955
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
La Permanente Cantu was one of the most important furniture makers from the 1950s, making pieces for Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi, Taichiro Nakai and Vittorio Dassi, some of the most import...
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, maple, ca. 1953.
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
Produced by the La Permanente Mobili Consortium, Italy, 1953 Taichiro Nakai is an incredibly talented Japanese designer, best known for his participation in the Selective Furnitur...
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 Selettiva del 1955.
Ash, Cherry, Maple
Rare Sofa by Taichiro Nakai
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Curved Form with Floating Back, Black Iron Supports, & Conical Legs. *With this sofa, Nakai took 3rd prize in the "Concorso Internazionale del Mobile," in Cantu, 1955. ...
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, this couch was awarded a prize by a jury including Gio Ponti, Finn Juhl, Alvar Aalto ...
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 and flecked fabric, manufactured by La Permanente Mobili, Italy, circa 1955 A sim...
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 and flecked fabric (Pierre Frey), manufactured by La Permanente Mobili, Italy.
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 Italy around 1960.
Metal
Danish Modern Z Chair in the Manner of Poul Jensen
By Poul Jensen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern walnut "Z" lounge chair, in the manner of Poul Jensen, Denmark, circa 1960s. This chair has been completely restored. The wood has been refinished and the cushions have...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
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
$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
$2,838 / item
H 24 in W 24 in D 24 in
Modern Fabric Pendant Light by Studio Mirei, Nebula 60, from Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Nebula collection is drawn out of the interstellar clouds of dust and gas in space - regions where stars begin to form. Made of a woven natural fiber from the banana tree, which ...
Natural Fiber
$2,800 / set
H 17.5 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in
Pair of Art Deco Style Murano Smoked Glass Wall Sconces, Italy Contemporary
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Art Deco style Murano smoked glass wall lights, contemporary Smoked / fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finial and brass accents Art Deco inspired de...
Brass
$7,950 / set
H 30.32 in W 26.78 in D 29.53 in
1940s Kozelka & Kropacek Armchairs in Texel Sheepskin & Brown Patinated Frame
By Jindřich Halabala, Karel Kozelka & Antonin Kropacek
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Czech design by Kozelka & Kropacek, reupholstered in luxurious Texel sheepskin with warm brown patinated bentwood frames. Comfort, craftsmanship, and timeless style. De...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Bentwood
$158,000 / set
H 27.56 in W 22.84 in D 20.08 in
Exceptionally Rare Set of Eight George Nakashima 'Grass-seated Chairs' in American Black Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, set of eight 'Grass-seated Chairs', American black walnut, sea grass cord, United States, early 1960s Through its pure form, thoughtful use of materials, and exqui...
Seagrass, Walnut
Paolo Buffa, Walnut Mid-Century Daybed, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Rare and very elegant wooden daybed Varnished walnut and fabric Model created circa 1940 H 58 × L 205 × W 95 cm Paolo Buffa was an Italian furniture des...
Velvet, Walnut
$2,800
H 35 in W 22 in D 34 in
Japanese "Heron" Chair and Ottoman by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko, c1970s
By Tendo Mokko, Mitsumasa Sugasawa
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Now available is an amazing "Heron" chair designed by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko. Truly a classic design that any collector would be happy to have. The chair measures approxi...
Fabric, Bentwood
Swedish Designer, Coffee or Side Table, Wood, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden coffee or side table designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Wood
$4,264 / set
H 28.75 in W 29.53 in D 55.12 in
Dining Set Leonardo Fiori, Teak Wood and Metal, Prod I.S.A., Italy, 1950
By I.S.A. Italy, Leonardo Fiori
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Stunning dining set by Leomardo Fiori in teak wood and metal, pro ISA Italy 1950, composed by Measures: 1 table: 140 x 75 cm H 73 cm 6 chairs: 42 x 48 x 84 cm.
Metal
$16,500 / set
H 14.97 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase.
By Maisa
Located in Almelo, NL
Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase, Milan, Italy, 1970s The Dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries in the 1970s designed this unique modular cab...
Glass, Ash
$3,517
H 19.69 in W 63 in D 18.51 in
Brutalist Style Bench with Solid Oak Pyramid Bases and Ivory Bouclé Upholstery
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary Italian bench in a striking Brutalist style, featuring sculptural, architectural lines. The piece consists of two truncated pyramid-shaped bases in solid oak supporting ...
Bouclé, Wood, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Bench in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bench, walnut, faux leather, Europe, 1950s This European bench from the 1950s combines a walnut frame with black faux leather upholstery. The design is straightforward and functiona...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Sold|$2,664
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 15.75 in
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.
Wood
Petite LUsaucer Brass Fixture by Lumfardo Luminaires
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sharp and elegant 12" ceiling flush mount or wall mount fixture. This fixture is a new take on the traditional concept of indirect lighting that functions to accent a room with rich ...
Brass
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.