$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.5 in W 30 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb for Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair in Grey Velvet
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
that has a slight sheen. This gorgeous wingback was designed in the 1950's by Paul McCobb for
Velvet, Walnut
$3,000Sale Price|40% Off
H 41.5 in W 29 in D 31 in
Paul McCobb Directional Nº 314 Wingback Lounge Chair Ottoman Mid-Century Retro
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Re-Upholstery required. Not usable as-is. Please ship directly to your Upholsterer, reupholstery is necessary. No woodworking necessary, the framing on chair and ottoman are tight, ...
Birch
$7,912Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 81.89 in D 31.5 in
Newly Upholstered Wingback Sofa 1307 by Paul McCobb for Directional, US, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb sofa model 1307 for Directional features a slight winged back resting on a maple frame
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Maple
Vintage Paul McCobb for Planner Group Series Wingback Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern wingback lounge chair boasts an elegant high back design with slender tapered
Upholstery, Walnut, Fabric
Wingback, Contemporary Classic Armchair with pouf
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, US
The project, a contemporary classic from 1956, is by the American designer Paul McCobb. The
Wool, Hardwood
Rare 1950s Paul McCobb Wingback Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Rare 1950s Paul McCobb Wingback lounge chairs #1329 with sculpted walnut arms and tapered legs
Walnut
Paul McCobb Wingback Lounge Chair Model #1329
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul McCobb Wingback lounge chair model # 1329, having ebonized frame, arms and legs, circa 1950s
Wood
Pair of Paul McCobb Wingback Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
McCobb for Directional, rare pair of model #1329 "Wingback" lounges. Curved backs and sculpted
Upholstery, Walnut
Paul McCobb Wing Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Modernist wing chair designed by Paul McCobb, completely restored and newly upholstered.
Walnut
1950's Designer Wingback Chair in the Manner of Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Paul McCobb, Edward Wormley
Located in Southampton, NJ
size See Gio Ponti, Paul McCobb, Dunbar.
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Wingback Club Chairs by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
A wonderfully reupholstered pair of lounge chairs by Paul McCobb. The chairs are upholstered in a
Mahogany, Upholstery
Paul McCobb Highback Wingback Chair and Ottoman Model 3015
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul McCobb Highback Wing Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Hard to find model! Extremely comfortable
Upholstery, Maple
Sold
H 29.93 in W 80.71 in D 31.5 in
1307 Wingback Sofa by Paul McCobb for Directional 'Upholstery Needed', US, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb sofa model 1307 for Directional features a slight winged back resting on a maple frame
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Maple
Paul McCobb Wingback Sofa, 1955
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb wingback sofa, model 1307 for Directional furniture Fully restored walnut frame
Velvet, Walnut
Paul McCobb Armchair and Ottoman
By Paul McCobb
Located in Montreal, QC
Attractive Paul McCobb wingback armchair with matching ottoman. Newly upholstered in fine mauve
Paul McCobb for Custom Craft Gray Velvet Wingback Lounge Chair
By Custom Craft Inc., Paul McCobb
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Mid-Century Modern high back armchair designed by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group line and
Walnut, Velvet
Paul McCobb for Directional 1950s Modernist Wingback Sofa Model 1307
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant modern design 3-seat wingback sofa designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1950s
Upholstery, Wood
Scarce 1950's Paul McCobb Wingback Lounge Chair, #1329
By Paul McCobb
Located in Washington, DC
Scarce 1950's Paul McCobb Wingback Lounge Chair, model number 1329.
Paul McCobb Wingback Chair and Ottoman
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large, high back lounge chair is sturdy, comfortable and stylish, with nicely pointed wings and a gracefully arched back. Both the chair and ottoman rest on four tapered walnut ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Paul McCobb Wingback Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hadley, MA
Rare pair of Paul McCobb wing lounge chairs, #1329. Arguably McCobb's most daring seating design
Wingback Chair by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Morristown, NJ
Wingback chair w. ottoman by Paul Mccobb in newly upholstered velvet.
Upholstery, Walnut
Scarce 1950s Paul McCobb Sculptural Wingback Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Washington, DC
Scarce 1950's Paul McCobb Sculptural Wingback Lounge Chair
Walnut, Upholstery
Very Rare Paul McCobb Wing Back Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Canaan, CT
a super rare Paul McCobb wing back chair. this chair is really quite rare. it was designed by
Wood
Modernist Wing Chair and Ottoman in the Manner of Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Biscuit tufted back newly reupholstered in Vermillion red woven tweed and refinished wooden ebonized frame and legs. The beautiful streamline Silhouette is an excellent example of th...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 40.75 in W 31 in D 29 in
Modernist Wing Chair and Ottoman in the Manner of Paul McCobb, C. 1960's
By Paul McCobb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern high-back wing chair with matching ottoman. Newly upholstered in vibrant red woven tweed with biscuit tufted back and ebonized wood legs. The beautiful streamline ...
Textile, Walnut
Pair Wingback Chairs Manner Gio Ponti
By Paul McCobb
Located in Baltimore, MD
A fine pair Italian influenced wingback chairs displaying just the right combination of sharp
Wood
Pair of Paul McCobb Model 3015 Wingback Lounge Chairs, circa 1955
By Paul McCobb
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Pair of Paul McCobb Model 3015 wingback lounge chairs, circa 1955. Rare matching pair
Felt, Maple
Sold
H 41.5 in W 30 in D 31 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Wingback Lounge Chair Model 314, circa 1955
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Paul McCobb for Directional wingback lounge chair model 314, circa 1955. Professionally restored in
Fabric, Maple
Paul McCobb Model 1534 Wingback Dining Chairs, Set of Four, circa 1955
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Paul McCobb model 1534 wingback (or bowtie) dining chairs, set of four, circa 1955. Solid maple
Maple
Leather wingback by Paul McCobb for Directional
Located in New York, NY
Oxblood colored goatskin covered wingback chair with dark wood base by Paul McCobb for
Leather, Wood
Pair of Iron Frame Wingback Armchairs and Ottoman, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of two chairs and ottoman newly reupholstered in Loro Piana brushed cotton fabric.
Brass, Wrought Iron
Newly Upholstered Paul McCobb Wingback Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Designer: Paul McCobb Manufacture: Paul McCobb Period/style: Mid-Century Modern Country: US
Rare Paul McCobb for Custom Craft Wingback Lounge Chair
By Custom Craft Inc., Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare and all-original “No. 1000” low wingback lounge or club chair by Paul McCobb for Custom
Fabric, Wood, Birch
$10,336
H 36.23 in W 114.18 in D 35.44 in
Ico Parisi Curved fabric sofa with brass legs by Isa Bergamo, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Ico Parisi
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Curved fabric sofa with brass legs, designed by Ico Parisi, manufactured by Isa Bergamo. This sofa, designed by Ico Parisi, epitomizes the finest stylistic research of the 1950s. It...
Brass
$912 / item
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 33.86 in
Pair of Articulated Sconce Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Black and White
By Stilnovo, Arredoluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This exquisite sconce is a nod to the timeless pieces crafted by mid-century modern Italian studios Arteluce and Stilnovo in the 1950s, but with a unique and distinctive design that ...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
$15,439 / item
H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in
Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This sofa features a wonderfully elegant fan-shaped motif, with its accentuated curvy lines with decadent and lavish finish. The feminine curves are ravishingly enhanced by the diffe...
Velvet
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
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
$3,800 / item
H 15 in Dm 19.63 in
VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Volare draws inspiration from a collection of ornate pendants discovered by founders Kelly and Josh during a family trip to Washington, D.C. Featuring a substantial 20" pressed-glass...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
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
$2,500 / item
H 29 in Dm 19 in
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
$798Sale Price / item|47% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and honey coloured lambskin. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. M...
Oak
$4,121
H 33.47 in W 94.49 in D 64.97 in
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Italian Corner Sofa for Ariberto Colombo, 1950s
By Ariberto Colombo, Ico Parisi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
L corner sofa designed by Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantù. The sofa, as shown in the photo, is L-shaped, has a depth of 165cm and a length of 240cm, therefore it occupies a cor...
Fabric, Beech
$16,679 / item
H 53.15 in W 125.99 in D 59.06 in
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...
Metal, Brass
$4,148 / item
H 37.8 in Dm 25.2 in
Joe 640 Tailored Minimal 20th Century Inspired Pendant Light by Wende Reid
By Wende Reid
Located in Chatswood, NSW
This Classic, tailored pendant light, inspired by the stitching on my father's Mark Cross cuff link box, is reminiscent of mid-century style and the early simplicity of Art Deco. Als...
Brass
$2,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Soda Blown Murano Glass High Coffee Table in Petrol by Yiannis Ghikas
By Yiannis Ghikas, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...
Blown Glass
Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Iron
Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE (LARGE) floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its ...
Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.