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.
Guillerme & Chambron Pair of 'Fumay' Dining Chairs in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, pair of dining chairs model 'Fumay', oak, fabric, France, 1960s Beautifully shaped chairs in oak by French designer duo Jacques Chambron and ...
Fabric, Oak
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Unusual Dark Blue Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi Set of Four 'Sapporo' Dining Chairs in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi, set of four dining chairs model ‘Sapporo’, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s A stunning set of dining chairs designed by Mario Marenco in the 1970s, craft...
Leather, Walnut
Sistina dining chairs by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi, Italy 1980s Set of 4
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Set of 4 dining chairs Sistina Saddle by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi. Made in Italy in the 1980s. Tito Agnoli originally comes from the Peruvian capital Lima, but studied at the Po...
Leather
Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern M154 "Dog Biscuit" Dining Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Bradenton, FL
A set of four birchwood M154 "Dog Biscuit" dining chairs designed by Heywood Wakefield, circa 1950. One of their most iconic designs, the sculptural frames feature the famous Dog Bis...
Birch, Maple
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Set of Four Dining Chairs in Beige Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll, set of four dining chairs, model '72', lacquered steel, leather, United States, design 1948, later production Set of four organic shaped chairs designed by ...
Steel
Giuseppe De Vivo Dining Chair in Perforated Black Coated Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe De Vivo, dining chair, model ‘55136’, coated steel, reupholstered in Pierre Frey Georges Vieux Rose fabric, Italy, design circa 1933, production 1950s This rare dining cha...
Steel
$6,450 / set
Artisanal Mid-Century Dining Chairs in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, oak, Europe, 1950s This set of four dining chairs, crafted in solid oak, reflects a clear balance between rustic simplicity and modern restraint. Their straightforwar...
Oak
French Mid-Century Rustic Modern Dining Chairs in Wood and Rush
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, beech, rush, France, 1950s These chairs reflect a restrained French approach to design from the 1950s, grounded in utility, materials, and clear proportions. They are...
Rush, Beech
George Nakashima Set of Four 'Conoid' Chairs in Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for Nakashima Studio, set of four 'Conoid' chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1962 This stunning set of four Conoid dining chairs are designed by woodwork mast...
Hickory, Walnut
Set of 6 Chairs Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina, Walnut
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 chairs Mod. 693, Designed by Carlo de Carli for Cassina. Solid walnut, chairs have been recently recovered in a charcoal grey cotton velvet. Ready for a new home.
Faux Leather, Walnut
Set of 4 Pcs. Mid-Century Marcel Breuer Cesca Chairs by Cidue
By Cidue, Marcel Breuer
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 4 pieces Cesca chairs designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928's. Production circa 1980's. These chairs are created in tubular chrome and woven cane rattan seat and back. With Cidue ...
Chrome
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno Stackable 'S83' Dining Chairs
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, dining chairs, model 'S83, moulded plywood, lacquered wood, aluminum, Italy, design and production 1962 Dining chairs model S83, designed by Eugenio Gerli ...
Aluminum
Thonet Bentwood Cafe Chairs with Carved Floral Seats, Set of Four
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Thonet bentwood cafe chairs exemplify the revolutionary steam-bending process pioneered by Michael Thonet in the 1850s. Each cha...
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage Danish 1960s, Brutalist Modern Oak Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Set of six dining chairs, crafted in Denmark circa 1960s-1970s, embodies the raw sophistication of Henning Kjærnulf’s iconic Brutalist/Baroque style. Each chair showcases robust oak ...
Wool, Oak
Set of Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell DSS Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Original set of 5 DSS molded fiberglass shell chairs on stacking base, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Very nice glossy fiberglass shells on steel stacking base...
Steel
Set of 4 Vintage Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs
Located in Gardiner, NY
Set of 4 authentic vintage mid century modern dining chairs. This set is in excellent condition with brand new black vegan leather upholstery and very few signs of age-related wear ...
Wood
Tito Agnoli for Molteni Set of Four 'Fiorenza' Dining Chairs in Leather & Walnut
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Molteni, set of four 'Fiorenza' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1968 These chairs are an excellent example of Italian Mid-Century design. The back is slightly...
Leather, Walnut
George Nakashima 'New' Armchair in Walnut and Hickory
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, ‘New’ armchair, walnut, hickory, United States, 1976 With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and refined joinery, this custo...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima Set of Six 'New' Dining Chairs in Walnut and Hickory
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, set of six ‘New’ dining chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1976 and 1977 With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and re...
Hickory, Walnut
Vico Magistretti for Cassina Carimate Dining Chairs in Leather & Dark Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 'Carimate' dining chairs, model '115' leather, stained beech, Italy, 1963 This large set of dining chairs belongs to the 'Carimate' line, one of Vico ...
Leather, Beech
Dutch Set of Six Organically Curved Dining Chairs in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, teak, the Netherlands, 1960s Elegant and durable, these strongly curved dining chairs are crafted from teak. The design, a testament to both form and funct...
Teak
8 Natural Oak and Rush Chairs by Charles Dudouyt , France 1955
By Charlotte Perriand, Charles Dudouyt, Pierre Chapo
Located in Den Haag, NL
Set of 8 French dining chairs by Charles Dudouyt 1950's. Beautiful Natural Oak frames with legs that taper slightly from top to bottom. With woven Rush seats and the characteristic b...
Rush, Oak
Italian Dining Chairs with Carved Backs and Straw Seats
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight dining chairs, beech, straw, Italy, 1950s Crafted with a refined decorative allure and a rustic inclination, these chairs present exquisite craftsmanship and intricate ...
Straw, Beech
Vintage 1960s Brutalist Danish Oak Dining Chairs in the style of H. Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This set of six Danish Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, crafted in the 1960s, showcases the “Baroque Modern” or Brutalist style of Scandinavian design. Often attributed to Henning K...
Fabric, Oak
Ignazio Gardella for Azucena Set of Six ‘R63’ Armchairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ignazio Gardella for Azucena, set of six armchairs, model P10 / R63, faux leather, nickel-plated brass, Italy, design 1963 A rare set of armchairs by Milanese architect Ignazio Gard...
Brass, Nickel
Set of 8 Dutch Mid-Century Stacking Chairs with Single Shell Seat
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome, Mid-Century reddish teak toned dining chairs with blue enameled metal frames. Metal legs and side hooks for creating a single row of chairs. Very comfy single pressed wood ...
Metal
1950s Sculptural French Chalet Set of Eight Carved Chairs in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, solid pine, brass, France, 1950s Crafted in solid pine and preserved from a 1950s ski hotel-lodge tucked high in the French mountains near Switzerland, these chairs ...
Brass
Mid Century Upholstered English Klismos Dining Chairs with Black Frames - Set 12
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this set of 12 dining chairs date from approximately 1950. Frames have painted black satin finish and have a klismos shaped style with cantered legs. Currently uph...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$38,500 / set
Lovö Chairs Axel Einar Hjorth Pine Wood, 1940
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Vienna, AT
Two pairs of “Lovö” easy chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth, executed in solid pine and defined by a robust, deliberately rustic character. The expressive construction is complemented by wr...
Pine
Erik Gunnar Asplund Wood Leather Dining Chairs '501 Göteborg' For Cassina Italy
By Cassina, Erik Gunnar Asplund
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of ten (10) Göteborg chairs produced by Cassina Italy 1980. Originally designed designed by Erik Gunnar in 1934-1937. Cognac brown leather, all chairs have a producer stamp and c...
Leather, Wood, Ash
Set of 4 Dark Brown Stained Thonet "N. 218" Inspired Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Thonet "N. 218" style dark stained bent wood bistro chairs with cane seats. In original condition with visible wear consistent with their age and use. Wear includes scratchi...
Cane, Bentwood
Charles Flandre Set of Six Naturalistic Chairs in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Charles Flandre set of six chairs, elm, France, 1960s Designed by French cabinetmaker Charles Flandre in the 1960s, this sculptural set of chairs reflects the same philosophy of mat...
Elm
Sculptural Dining Arm Chairs in the Style of Gio Ponti Walnut
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
Custom Sculptural Dining Chairs in the style of Gio Ponti. Solid walnut frames, upholstered backs and seats. Arm height is 25.25”. Available seat height is 17.5" - 19”. Made in the U...
Fabric, Walnut, Leather
Mid Century Modern Space Saver Minimalist Hide Away Dropleaf Table & 4 Chairs
Located in Bensalem, PA
Please look at pictures for overall detail feel free to reach out with any questions
Brass
Nest Dining Chair, Yellow Nouvelles Vagues Velvet by Dedar, Vintola Studio
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stable dining seating. A contemporary chair inspired by the spirit of 1960s design, reinterpreted through a softer, more embracing form. With its integr...
Jacquard, Linen, Velvet, Beech
Vico Magistretti 'Carimate' Dining Chairs in White Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti, ‘Carimate’ dining chairs, model '892', stained beech, fabric, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Carimate’ chair is one of Vico Magistre...
Fabric, Beech
André Sornay Pair of Dining Chairs in Teak and Ash with Dark Grey Seats
Located in Waalwijk, NL
André Sornay, pair of dining chairs, teak, ash, lacquered wood, France, 1950s/1960s This set of chairs is exemplary of his later work and showcases his innovative use of the patente...
Wood, Ash, Teak
Silvio Coppola for Fratelli Montina Pair of '330' Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Coppola for Fratelli Montina, pair of '330' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s Stunning organic looking dining pair of chairs by Italian designer Silvio Coppola. Th...
Leather, Walnut
Early Pierre Chapo 'S11' Dining Chair in Solid Elm and Cognac Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining chair, model 'S11', elm, leather, rope, brass, France, ca. 1966 This design is an early edition by Pierre Chapo. Crafted from solid elmwood, the chairs exhibit ...
Metal
Pair of French Mid Century Dark Grey Wooden Metropole 305 Chairs by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and iconic pair of French mid century "Metropole 305 / standard chairs" by Jean Prouvé in the not often seen grey lacquered metal frames and dark stained plywood seats an...
Metal
Italian Naturalistic Set of Six Dining Chairs in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, pine, Italy, 1960s The substantial size, peculiar material use, and superb carvings, combine to form an exceptional ensemble perfect for anyone looking to ...
Pine
Set of Six Shell Dining Chairs, Linen Schwarzwald by Dedar, Vintola Studio
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile dining seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vi...
Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Beech
Joe Colombo for Pozzi Set of Eight '300' Dining Chairs in Red Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Pozzi, set of eight dining chairs, model ‘300’, fabric, stained beech, Italy, 1966 In 1966, Joe Colombo designed the dining chair known as the ‘300’ model for Pozzi....
Fabric, Beech
Early Pierre Chapo 'S11' Dining Chairs in Solid Elm and Cognac Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining chairs, model 'S11', elm, leather, rope, brass, France, ca. 1966 This design is an early edition by Pierre Chapo. Crafted from solid elmwood, the chairs exhibit...
Metal
Art Deco set of black lacquered "Model 81" Thonet armchairs, 1980s
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four black lacquered, bent wood "Model 81" manufactured by the renowned Gebrüder Thonet firm in Vienna, Austria. Originally created in 1904 and subsequently reissued in 1987, ...
Fabric, Bentwood
Robert Haussmann for De Sede Dining or Conference Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Robert Haussmann for De Sede, 'Unesco' dining or conference chairs, model 'RH-304', leather, chrome-plated steel, Switzerland, 1957 Designed by Robert Haussmann, these cantilever c...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 4 pcs. Mid-Century Italian Claudio Salocchi Dining Chairs
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 4 pcs. Mid-Century Italian chrome frame dining chairs with fur skin upholstery by Claudio Salocchi from 1960's. Very good original vintage condition.
Chrome
Set of 6 Vintage Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs by G Plan
By G Plan Furniture, Victor Wilkins
Located in Gardiner, NY
Set of 6 authentic vintage mid century modern dining chairs. Designed by Victor B Wilkins for G Plan. Maker's label on bottoms. This set is in excellent condition with brand new v...
Teak
Augusto Savini for Pozzi Set of Four 'Pamplona' Dining Chairs in Red Lacquer
By Augusto Savini, Poggi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Augusto Savini for Pozzi, set of four 'Pamplona' dining chairs, lacquered wood, fabric, aluminum, Italy, 1960s 'Pamplona' armchairs in red lacquered wood and red textured upholster...
Aluminum
Large Set of Modernist Dining Chairs in Wood and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, beech, coated steel, Europe, 1980s The design of these 1980s chairs avoid sharp edges or overly angular forms, leaning instead into cylindrical legs and rounded corne...
Steel
Rustic French Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Solid Oak and Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight dining chairs, stained oak, iron, France, 1960s Characteristic set of French dining chairs. In absence of decoration, the rounded gap in the backrest gets an important ...
Iron
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina '121' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather and Walnut
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, dining chairs, model ‘121’, walnut, cognac leather, Italy, 1965 Pair of stunning dining chairs by the Italian designer couple Tobia and Afra Scarpa....
Leather, Walnut
Gijs van der Sluis Style Beech Wood and Metal Stacking Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Gijs van der Sluis style stacking armchair exemplifies Dutch Mid-Century Modern design with its blend of natural materials and industrial functionality. The pressed beech wood s...
Metal
Set of Eight French Oak Dining Chairs in Forest Green Cotton Velvet, c. 1945
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of eight (8) midcentury French oak cerused oak dining chairs, c. 1945. The seats and backs have been newly upholstered in forest green cotton velvet. The front legs are straight ...
Velvet, Oak
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Wood Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining chairs, with greatly shaped wooden structure and upholstered seat. The unique and typical design, with the clean geometric sha...
Fabric, Wood
Brazilian Modern Dining Chairs in Rosewood by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Troy, MI
Exceptional and rare set of dining chairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte Brazil circa 1956 Sculpted Brazilian rosewood frames w...
Cane, Rosewood
Set of 12 Danish Henning Kjærnulf Razor Blade Chairs of Oak + New Sheepskin 1970
By Henning Kjærnulf, Nyrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Here is a set of 12 Danish vintage razor blade chairs in great country style. They are designed by Henning Kjærnulf and manufactured by the Danish company Nyrup Møbelfabrik/ EG Furn...
Sheepskin, Oak
Shell Dining Chair, Linen Schwarzwald by Dedar, Vintola Studio
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile dining seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vi...
Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Beech
French Rustic Dining Chairs in Solid Wood with Seats in Patterned Multicolor Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, beech, fabric, France, 1960s Crafted in France in the 1960s, this lovely and cheerful set of rustic chairs is a fresh add to an interior. The frame is made from solid...
Fabric, Beech