Sensational Tortoise Shell Lucite Ice Bucket Modern Flair Georges Briard, 1970s
By George Briard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sensational faux tortoiseshell Lucite Ice Bucket Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Flair Georges Briard
Lucite
Mid-Century Lucite & Vienna Straw Wicker Box, Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
tortoiseshell lucite. Simple and elegant, perfect for a midcentury-style bedroom.
Brass
Willy Rizzo Lucite Tortoiseshell Cart with Serving Tray Mid Century Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
tortoiseshell lucite. This incredibly unique and charming cart was produced in Italy during the 1970s and is
Brass, Chrome
1940's Large Raffia Woven Aubergine Bag
Located in London, GB
This fabulous 1940's large aubergine woven raffia bag is lined with a tortoiseshell lucite clasp
Midcentury Modern By Guzzini Italian Lucite and Brass Oval Serving Tray, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and large Mid-Century tray in a gorgeous lucite with a tortoiseshell effect and brass
Brass
Dior Ashtray or Vide-Poche in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Chrome, Italy 1970
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury ashtray or pocket emptier in a combination of tortoiseshell effect lucite
Chrome
Art Deco Style Picture Frame in Lucite Tortoise and Picture Frame in Burl Wood
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
tortoiseshell lucite with triangular pattern of mother of pearl. Behind the glass there is a a green fabrick
Acrylic
Lucite Tortoiseshell Handbag by Tyrolean, New York
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Lucite tortoiseshell handbag or purse by Tyrolean, New York, Art deco style.
Lucite
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray Lucite Willy Rizzo Style Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Tortoiseshell serving tray Lucite Willy Rizzo style, Italy, 1970s.
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Faux Tortoiseshell Serving Tray Lucite and Brass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful large rectangular shape serving tray with Lucite in faux tortoiseshell pattern and shiny
Brass
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray, Lucite, Rizzo Style, Italia 1970s, Midcentury
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Tortoiseshell serving tray, Lucite, Rizzo style, Italia, 1970s. Midcentury.
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray Made of Lucite and Brass by Guzzini
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Serving tray in Lucite with tortoiseshell pattern and brass handles. Made by Guzzini. Excellent
Brass
Large Serving Tray or Centerpiece Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing large serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect in the style of
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Decorative Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1980s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular decorative jewelry box in tortoiseshell-effect lucite in Christian Dior style. Made
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Decorative Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1980s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular decorative jewelry box in tortoiseshell-effect lucite in Christian Dior style. Made
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Large Serving Tray or Centerpiece Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing large serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect in the
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell and Lucite Italian Serving Tray 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century tray in lucite with tortoiseshell effect. The tray has two lines in amber
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell and Lucite Italian Serving Tray 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury piece of serveware in lucite with tortoiseshell effect and stunning briar
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing large rectangular serving tray in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect in the style
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect in the style of
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Mid-Century Modern Tortoiseshell & Clear Lucite Decorative Box with Compartment
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modernist Lucite decorative covered box, circa 1960s. Large rectangular shape with
Plastic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Midcentury Italian Lucite Large Serving Tray with Tortoiseshell Effect, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and very large midcentury lucite tray with a fantastic tortoiseshell effect. This amazing
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Faux Tortoiseshell Serving Oval Tray Centerpiece in Lucite, 1970s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
Splendid oval serving tray / centerpiece in faux tortoiseshell, Italy, circa 1970.
Acrylic, Lucite
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell and Lucite Italian Serving Tray 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
tortoiseshell and lucite serving tray or platter that will amaze your guests. The lacquering on the handles
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell and Lucite Italian Serving Tray, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
attributed to Willy Rizzo for a Christian Dior home production. It is an iconic metal-framed tortoiseshell
Metal
Guzzini Midcentury Lucite and Brass Italian Serving Tray, Tortoiseshell Effect
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Tray in lucite and brass midcentury with a fantastic tortoiseshell effect. This
Metal, Brass
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Team Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and
Metal, Brass
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell and Lucite Italian Serving Tray, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
gorgeous tortoiseshell effect and an elegant chromed metal frame. An iconic serving tray or plate that
Metal, Chrome
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray Lucite and Brass Willy Rizzo Style Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Tortoiseshell serving tray , lucite and brass, willy rizzo style, Italy 1970s.
Brass
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray Lucite and Brass Willy Rizzo Style, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Tortoiseshell serving tray, Lucite and brass, Willy Rizzo style, Italy 1970s.
Brass
Magazine Rack Holder in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite & Brass, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
1970s Italian rectangular magazine rack in tortoise shell-effect lucite structure, brass borders
Metal, Brass
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Chrome Willy Rizzo style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular centerpiece / serving tray in lucite faux tortoiseshell and chrome in the style of
Metal, Chrome
Set of Nine Barware Coasters in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Set of Nine Coasters in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite in the style of Christian Dior. Made in
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Chrome Christian Dior style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular box in tortoiseshell-effect lucite with chrome borders in Christian Dior style
Metal, Chrome
Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Silver Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1980s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Squared decorative jewelry box in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and Silver in Christian Dior style
Metal, Silver
Christian Dior Midcentury Lucite Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass Jewelry Box 1970
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
tortoiseshell with its lucite structure and has precious brass finishes. A wonderful piece that will complete
Brass
Christian Dior Tortoiseshell and Lucite and Chrome Serving Tray, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Serving tray in tortoiseshell effect Lucite and squared chrome borders. Italy, Mid-Century Modern
Metal, Chrome
Round Serving Tray in Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy, 1970s
By Guzzini, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and brass handles
Metal, Brass
Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Silver Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1980s
By Dior Home, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular decorative box in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and Silver in the style of Christian Dior
Metal, Silver
Midcentury Tortoiseshell and Lucite Italian Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
attributed to Willy Rizzo for a Christian Dior production. It is an iconic tortoiseshell and Lucite
Metal
Magazine Rack in Chrome & Lucite Tortoiseshell Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury magazine rack with handle in chrome and tortoiseshell effect lucite in the style of
Metal, Chrome
Guzzini Mid-Century Lucite and Brass Italian Serving Tray, Tortoiseshell Effect
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful tray in lucite and brass midcentury with a fantastic tortoiseshell effect. This
Metal, Brass
Guzzini Mid-Century Lucite and Brass Italian Serving Tray, Tortoiseshell Effect
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Tray in lucite and brass mid-century with a fantastic tortoiseshell effect. This
Metal, Brass
Guzzini Mid-Century Lucite and Brass Italian Serving Tray, Tortoiseshell Effect
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Tray in lucite and brass mid-century with a fantastic tortoiseshell effect. This
Metal, Brass
Dior Rectangular Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular midcentury serving tray in an incredibly charming tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass
Brass
Guzzini Mid-Century Lucite and Brass Italian Serving Tray, Tortoiseshell Effect
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful tray in lucite and brass midcentury with a fantastic tortoiseshell effect. This
Metal, Brass
Gabriella Crespi Style Photo Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell Brass, Italy, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Roma, IT
Attributable to Gabriella Crespi photo frame in Lucite tortoiseshell and brass, Italy, 1970s.
Brass
Wonderful Mid-Century Lucite and Brass Tableware with Tortoiseshell Effect 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century lucite and brass tableware with tortoiseshell effect. This amazing piece was
Metal, Brass
Vintage JEAN CHARLES de CASTELBAJAC Lucite Tortoiseshell Futuristic Sunglasses
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN CHARLES de CASTELBAJAC Lucite Tortoiseshell Futuristic Sunglasses Measurements: Frame
Gabriella Crespi Style Photo Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell Brass, Italy, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century photo frame in tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This incredibly
Brass
Dior Mid-Century Lucite Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass Jewelry Box, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
tortoiseshell with its lucite structure and has precious brass finishes. A wonderful piece that will complete
Brass
Willy Rizzo Italian Side or Coffee Table in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
tortoiseshell-effect lucite. The design of this stylish and unique piece is attributed to Willy Rizzo and it was
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass, Wood
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray in Lucite and Brass by Guzzini, 1970s, Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Serving tray in plexiglass with tortoise pattern and brass handles. Italy, 1970s.
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Willy Rizzo Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century rectangular serving tray fully made in a gorgeous and vibrant tortoiseshell
Metal, Brass
Large Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy 1970
By Christian Dior, Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning large mid-century tray in tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This charming rectangular
Metal, Brass
Italian 1970s Serving Round Tray in Indian Yellow Lucite and Faux Tortoiseshell
By Christian Dior, Romeo Rega
Located in Roma, IT
given by a lucite circle; this tray or table centerpiece has a diameter of 38.5 cm and is 2.5 cm high
Lucite
Willy Rizzo Italian Table Lamp in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Brass, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning table lamp in tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass completed by an ecru linen lampshade
Metal, 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.
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Prehistoric motifs give the mid-century Italian fireplace an elemental feel.
Their charming solid-oak pieces offer homes utility and comfort.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Designer Susan Yeley turned to 1stDibs to outfit an Indiana home with standout pieces that complement its modernist style.