Question 1

What is the difference between mid-century and mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

The difference between mid-century and mid-century modern comes down to specificity. When it comes to furniture and architecture, for example, mid-century refers to works that emerged during the middle of the 20th century, usually between 1950 and 1970. The more specific descriptor, mid-century modern, is used to refer to a particular style of design that emphasizes simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Mid-century modern furniture designers generally drew on the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Bauhaus design, Scandinavian modernism and more. Any piece of furniture produced during the 1950s and ’60s can be referred to as mid-century, but only those with specific characteristics are mid-century modern. That said, when enthusiasts of furniture and architecture use the shorter of the two phrases, they may indeed be referring to modernist works created during that period in history. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 2

What is mid century furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century furniture is furniture created within the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would argue that the style began to emerge in the postwar years. This style of furniture is known for its sleek lines and organic shapes. The creators most frequently associated with mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living. Mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is mid-century jewelry?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century jewelry is a style of jewelry that rose in popularity along with the mid-century modern design movement. Pieces from this era typically feature bold, geometric designs. Shop a variety of mid-century jewelry and accessories from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What does mid century mean?

Accepted Answer

The mid-century modern style emerged primarily in the years following World War II. This style of decor is characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Creators of mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living, and mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is a mid-century chair?

Accepted Answer

A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture 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. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.

Question 6

What is a mid-century sofa?

Accepted Answer

A mid-century sofa is any sofa created during the mid-20th century. Mid-century modern sofas are pieces of seating furniture that embody the venturesome attributes that we associate with mid-century modern furniture — while not all sofas designed in the mid-century modern style are the same, they frequently have a low profile and are characterized by gentle curves, clean lines and an organic shape. Mid-century furniture is a timeless classic due to its elegant simplicity. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary mid-century sofas from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

Are the 1970s mid-century?

Accepted Answer

No, the 1970s are generally not considered to fall within the era identified as mid-century. With respect to mid-century modern design, while there is some debate between collectors and design experts about the specific time period that saw the emergence of the style, most furniture enthusiasts agree that by the late 1960s, interest in MCM had largely declined. Writer Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” suggests that “the period from the end of World War II to 1960 – from V-J Day to JFK – was the heyday of innovative furniture design in America.” Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by clean lines and inviting, organic shapes. Furniture makers of the era believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Find a variety of vintage mid-century modern furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is mid-century artwork?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century artwork is any piece of art produced during the middle of the 20th century. It includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, collages, pottery and other media. You'll find a large selection of mid-century artwork from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is mid century decor?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern decor was popularized during the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would suggest that the style emerged during the years that followed World War II. This style of decor is typically characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Find the finest mid-century modern furnishings and more on 1stDibs.

Question 10

Is rattan mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some rattan is mid-century modern. Designers of the mid-century modern movement often preferred to use natural materials, including rattan, in their designs. However, not all rattan furniture was made during this period. Rattan was also a popular material for furniture produced during the Victorian era and continues to be used to produce furniture today. Shop a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Question 12

How can you tell if furniture is mid century?

Accepted Answer

To tell if furniture is mid-century modern, examine the piece, looking for labels and markings that indicate who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and what styles of furniture they made. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. A knowledgeable dealer or certified appraiser can help you determine if a particular piece is genuine mid-century modern or a reproduction. Shop a range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

Is Mondrian mid century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mondrian’s art is believed to be one of the great inspirations for the mid-century modern approach to minimalism. His artworks were not just a departure from figurative works, but a new look at abstract art as well. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

Question 14

How do you identify mid century lamps?

Accepted Answer

To identify mid-century lamps, look for a manufacturer's label or stamp on the base or the shade. You can use trusted online resources to determine when the company or artisan was active. Some lamps may also have a date stamp that you can use for identification purposes. Pieces dating from the late 1950s through the early 1970s are mid-century in terms of their age. A mid-century modern lamp will show off hallmarks of the design style, such as curvy hourglass or globe forms. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer may also be able to help with the identification. Find a range of mid-century lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What time is considered mid-century??

Accepted Answer

Mid-century is considered the middle of the century, however as it pertains to furniture and design, mid-century is an American design movement known for its modern style, construction and the Modernist movement. It is typically simple and clean lines without embellishments. Shop a range of mid-century modern designs on 1stDIbs.

Question 16

Why is mid century modern popular?

Accepted Answer

Most experts agree that mid-century modern correlates specifically to the years following World War II. It has grown in popularity in the decades since, particularly due to the media and cultural institutions that have promoted the truly innovative era of design. Not only did the MoMA promote modern furniture, but pieces are prominently visible on the set of very popular television shows such as Mad Men. Shop a wide and beautiful range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 17

What makes a dresser mid-century?

Accepted Answer

A dresser is a mid-century dresser if it was made during the middle of the 20th century. The years that encompass the mid-century modern period are roughly 1933 until 1965, but most experts argue, however, that the mid-century modern period correlates specifically to the years following World War II. Mid-century modern dressers will likely have specific characteristics. There was a use of natural and man-made materials that included alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. An authentic mid-century modern dresser will also be characterized by simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Shop an assortment of vintage mid-century dressers on 1stDibs.

Question 18

Is mid-century modern timeless?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mid-century modern is timeless, in the opinion of many experts. Many characteristics of furniture and decorative accents produced in this style remain popular today. Among them are silhouettes marked by organic forms and clean lines, the promotion of functionality and the use of natural materials like teak, rosewood and oak and synthetic materials such as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 19

What does mid century modern mean?

Accepted Answer

Mid century modern refers to the middle of the 20th century — specifically 1930s through the mid-1960s. This period represents a design and architecture movement characterized by simple shapes, clean lines, and organic materials. Some of the most famous mid century modern designers include Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen.

Question 20

What is mid century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.

Omega Mid Century

Vintage 1970s British Modernist Wrist Watches

Roy King for Omega Large Yellow Gold and Lapis Dial Midcentury Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega Yellow 14k Gold Unisex Mid-Century Mesh Dress Wristwatch

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Omega Ladies Mid Century 18Kt. Solid Gold Dress Watch

Vintage 1960s American Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks

Mid Century Gold Diamond-Encrusted Women's Wristwatch by Omega

Mid-20th Century Retro Vanity Items

Omega Lighter 1950S

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry

Mid-Century Era 9 Karat Yellow Gold Men's Omega Wristwatch with Boxes & Papers

Mid-20th Century European Wrist Watches

Omega Vintage Bumper Steelo case

Vintage 1960s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Omega Seamaster Automatic 34mm

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega Ladies Diamond Yellow Gold Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Cocktail Diamond & Emerald Set Watch

Mid-20th Century European Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

1950s Swiss Omega Square Table Clock

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega Men's Classic Automatic Rose Gold Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

10K Yellow Gold Omega Century Gold and Black Vintage, Circa 1956, Deco, Retro

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega Men's Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Vintage Stainless Steel Omega Constellation c.1970s

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Constellation Steel Screw back Case Original dial

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega Ladies Diamond Bezel White Gold Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Ladies Diamond Yellow Gold Bracelet Wristwatch

Vintage 1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Mirrors

Omega Table Top Store Display Mirror, 1980s

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Stainless Steel Speedmaster Mark II Chronograph Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega King Midas Yellow Gold Quartz Men's Wristwatch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches

Omega Dynamic Vintage C. 1960s Watch W/ Tricolored Dial

Mid-20th Century Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches

Omega Dynamic Vintage C. 1960s Watch W/ Tricolored Dial

Vintage 1960s Retro Wrist Watches

Omega Gold and Diamond Concealed Bracelet Watch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Gilt Tiffany & Co Stainless Steel Gold Automatic Wristwatch

Antique Mid-19th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

Very Rare Vintage 1944 Omega Chronometer Watch US Navy Issued

Mid-20th Century Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches

Omega Constellation Automatic Wristwatch, Cal.564, 35 mm, Ref 168.009 168.017

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Stainless Steel Constellation with Original Dial circa 50 / 60's

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Omega 14 Karat Ladies Wristwatch 18.2 Grams Without Works, 17 Jewels

Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Omega Stainless Steel Constellation with Original Dial circa 50 / 60's

Mid-20th Century Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Omega 9.00 Carat Total Mixed Shape Diamond Vintage Ladies Wrist Watch

Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry

Omega Seamaster 120m Automatic Chronograph 1971 a.k.a. Big Blue

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

OMEGA Automatic Self-Winding Cal.501 Off White, Leather Wristwatch, Circa 1960

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Vintage OMEGA 18K Gold Pearl Sapphire & Diamonds Grape Watch Bracelet Very RARE

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry

Rare Vintage 1960's Omega De Ville Swiss Made 18k Gold Plated Ladies Watch

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Omega Calibre 30T2PC 18 Karat Yellow Gold Men's Hand-Winding Watch, 1940s

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

1960s Omega 8-Day Solid Brass Gold Gilt Desk Clock Ref. 5550

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Vintage Retro Omega Lady Sport 18 K Gold Dynamic, Circa 1973, Rare & Chic

Mid-20th Century Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches

18 Kt Gold Omega Cosmic Triple Date Moon Phase Collectors Wrist Watch Ref 2473

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches