$29,900
H 34.5 in W 70.5 in D 17.75 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, "Colosseum" Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut "Colosseum" cabinet designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb Furniture
Walnut
$17,500
H 30 in W 54 in D 18 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Colosseum Walnut Console Table Model #3360 for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Lynn, MA
Rare Colosseum Console table designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Cataloged as Model
Walnut
$3,800 / set
H 24 in W 24 in D 17.25 in
Thomasville Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands. In the manner of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Walnut, Burl
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 60.5 in D 60.5 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Colosseum Dining Table 1956
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Colosseum Dining Table, 1956 United Kingdom / USA Elegant
Walnut
Robsjohn-Gibbings Colosseum Cocktail Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare walnut colosseum cocktail table accented with ivory lacquer. Recently refinished and repainted.
Walnut, Lacquer
Robsjohn Gibbings Colosseum Cocktail Coffee Table, Large-Size Version
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Robsjohn Gibbings design for Widdicomb large round coffee table from the classic "Colosseum" line
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Colosseum Console Table, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut "Colosseum" console, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb, Grand
Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 76 in D 19.5 in
Thomasville Mid-Century Modern Burled Walnut Dresser or Credenza, Refinished
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
. Robsjohn-Gibbings "Colosseum Collection" By Thomasville USA, Circa 1950s Walnut case, with
Walnut, Burl
Sold
H 24 in W 24 in D 17.5 in
Thomasville Mid-Century Modern Burled Walnut Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands In the manner of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Walnut, Burl
Sold
H 30 in W 72 in D 19 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Rare "Colosseum" Cabinet, Walnut, Widdicomb, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
/ American designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Walnut
Sold
H 34.75 in W 71 in L 34.75 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Rare "Colosseum" Cabinet, Walnut, Widdicomb, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
/ American designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Walnut
Sold
H 34.75 in W 71 in L 34.75 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Rare "Colosseum" Cabinet, Walnut, Widdicomb, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
/ American designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Walnut
Sold
H 28.5 in W 31 in L 28.5 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Rare "Colosseum" Chests, Walnut, Widdicomb, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Labeled In
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Console Table "Arch Colosseum" for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stunning and rare console table designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1956
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Rare Arch Colosseum Wall Mirror for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A monumental wall mirror designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Features four arched
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 25 in W 24 in D 24 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Arch Colosseum Side Tables / Nightstands for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare pair of oversized end tables or nightstands by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb “Coliseum
Walnut
Sold
H 28.5 in W 31 in D 24 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut Colosseum Dresser or Cabinet for Widdicomb, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in High Point, NC
Furniture Company and designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. The stylized front mixes arches resembling
Walnut
Robsjohn Gibbings Colosseum, Coffee, Cocktail Table and Side Rectangular
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great and traditional matching colosseum line, coffee or cocktail and rectangular Robsjohn Gibbings
Sold
H 31.38 in W 76 in D 19.38 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Style Cherry and Burl Dresser by Thomasville, Refinished
By Thomasville, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
. Robsjohn-Gibbings "Colosseum Collection" By Thomasville USA, 1962 Cherry wood case, with sculpted
Cherry, Burl
Sold
H 52.5 in W 41.75 in D 19.5 in
Thomasville Mid-Century Modern Burled Walnut Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
-Gibbings "Colosseum Collection" By Thomasville USA, Circa 1950s Walnut case, with sculpted burled
Walnut, Burl
Rare Pair of Colosseum Cabinets by Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. Use them separately as nightstands or drawered chests, or put them
Wood
$2,179 / item
H 17.72 in W 14.18 in D 12.21 in
Mike Hexagonal Stool or Side Table in Reclaimed Oak with Butterfly Wingnuts
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Mike was born out of a geometrical game of combining rhombi. 12 wooden elements with rhombus-shaped tops are assembled with handmade brass butterfly wing bolts to form a stool or sid...
Brass
Vladimir Kagan Burl Wood Wall Unit Cabinet Sideboard
By Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern burl wood liquor cabinet bar, display cabinet or sideboard by V. Kagan. Measures: 8' Tall.
$4,500 / set
H 36 in W 16 in D 21 in
Fun Orange Slice 1960s Dining Table Four Chairs Probber Style Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous fun set of four dining chairs with matching orange slice flower dining table. All the metal frames have been freshly powder coated in the same exact color they originally we...
Metal
Fine French Art Deco amboyna vanity/ dressing table w/ brass trim
Located in New York City, NY
As an ode to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, this stunning original 1930s dressing table exudes Hollywood glamour with its exotic amboyna grain. The wood exhibits exquisite an...
Brass
Tri-Fold Opaque Lacquer Folding Screen / Room Divider
By Atlas Industries
Located in Newburgh, NY
Sculptural, handcrafted, self-supporting screen for use as a stand-alone or combined to create a larger privacy wall. The tri-fold design can be oriented with the form tapering eithe...
Hardwood
French Art Deco Console
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Classic French Art Deco wooden carved console in green patina. Polygonal top shape in predominately geometric motifs with fine carving details. The console features a beautiful mat...
Wood
$4,650
H 28.75 in W 49.22 in D 23.63 in
Jean Prouvé Compass Direction Desk Limited RAW Steel and Natural Oak by Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
Jean Prouvé Compass direction desk in natural oak and clear lacquered steel for Vitra. Originally designed in 1953, Prouvé's iconic desk is based the design on the structural princip...
Steel
Art Deco Wrought Iron Vanity
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural hand hammered and forged Art Deco Desk/Vanity/Console in the style of Edgar Brandt circa 1930s. Mixed materials.
Aluminum, Copper, Wrought Iron
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 65.75 in W 54 in D 20 in
John Van Koert Casa del Sol Tawny Walnut and Stenciled Tall Cabinet
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Chicago, IL
From John Van Koert's Casa del Sol collection for Drexel. Two-piece tall cabinet in bleached walnut, with original hand stenciled green and yellow floral detail on the upper cabinet ...
Walnut
$22,000
H 28 in W 84 in D 36.5 in
Royere Gouffe Cerused Oak Daybed Deco, France, 1930s-1940s Midcentury
By Jean Royère, Maison Gouffé
Located in New York, NY
Royere Gouffe cerused oak daybed deco, France, 1930s-1940s midcentury Amazing rare pair of daybeds designed by Royere and made by Maison Gouffe. In lovely original condition. Pair a...
Oak
Tri-Fold Solid Walnut Folding Screen or Room Divider
By Atlas Industries
Located in Newburgh, NY
Sculptural, self-supporting screen for use as a stand-alone or combined to create a larger privacy wall. The tri-fold design can be oriented with the form tapering either up or down....
Walnut
$5,000 / set
H 37 in W 18 in D 18 in
4x SHAKER Counter Stools by AMBROZIA, Cowhide, Premium Vinyl & Walnut
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The shaker modern counter stool chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame and a premium vinyl upholstered seat and a beautiful cowhide bac...
Steel
$4,159 / item
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Console Table Mod.i Concrete Light Blue Cement
By Marialaura Rossiello
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
$7,265
H 26.78 in W 74.02 in D 32.29 in
Scandinavian Sofa Modell 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sofa model 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S, Norway. This high-quality sofa with timeless design is upholstered in cognac coloured leather with a beautiful natural...
Leather, Wood
Roslin Leather and Solid Wood Dresser by Crump and Kwash
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Roslin Dresser by Crump and Kwash Features both solid wood and laminate construction / low VOC acrylic or hand oiled finish / sustainably sourced leather wrapped drawer fronts / pr...
Brass
Wrought Iron Martini Table, Small
Located in London, GB
A wrought iron martini table, hand made in England inspired by a 1940s original design. Shown here finished with a natural bronze patina. Available in bronze or black finishes. Dim...
Wrought Iron
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.