Bolta Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell Handbag with Oversize Ball Clasp – 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
the premier manufacturers of Lucite housewares during the mid-century. This clamshell handbag reveals
Bolta Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell Handbag with Oversize Ball Clasp – 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
the premier manufacturers of Lucite housewares during the mid-century. This clamshell handbag reveals
Centerpiece Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass by Team Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
By Team Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Round centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effect lucite with brass details and decoration by Team Guzzini
Metal, Brass
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing octagonal serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell effect Lucite and brass
Metal, Brass
Tortoiseshell Serving Tray Plexiglass 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
Alpac Midcentury Faux Tortoiseshell Plexiglass and Brass Magazine Rack, 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful faux tortoiseshell plexiglass magazine rack with brass edges. This fantastic piece was
Brass
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing large octagonal serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell effect Lucite and brass borders
Metal, Brass
Set of Willy Rizzo Tortoiseshell Plexiglass and Brass Italian Placemats, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Set of six octagonal placemats in tortoiseshell plexiglass and brass. This set was designed by
Brass
Set of 5 Willy Rizzo Tortoiseshell Plexiglass and Brass Italian Coasters, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful set of five tortoiseshell effect coasters in lucite and brass. This beautiful set was
Brass
Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Coasters Tortoiseshell Plexiglass and Chrome, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Set of 6 Willy Rizzo coasters. Tortoiseshell plexiglass and chrome metal, 1970s, Italy.
Tortoise Shell, Lucite, Plexiglass
1970s Modernist Chrome and Tortoise Lucite Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lucite in tortoiseshell textured pattern. Impressive quality, lovely translucent changing pattern
Chrome
Willy Rizzo Italian-Style Tortoiseshell Plexiglass and Brass Tray
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Prato, Tuscany
finished with brushed brass bars. The tortoiseshell effect on plexiglass (Lucite) is achieved through a
Brass
Christian Dior 1970s Tortoise Lucite Magazine Rack Holder
By Dior Home, Christian Dior
Located in Atlanta, GA
geometric shape with polished brass trim gallery and faux tortoiseshell textured pattern Lucite. Great
Brass
Willy Rizzo Style Tortoise Lucite Chrome Coaster, 6 pieces
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Atlanta, GA
with tortoiseshell translucent Lucite and chromed metal framing. Measurements: 3.94 in. diameter (10 cm
Chrome, Metal
Serving Tray Faux Tortoise Shell Lucite and Brass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Oval serving tray in faux tortoiseshell-effect Lucite featuring brass handles and borders. Made
Metal, Brass
Christian Dior Midcentury Lucite Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury Lucite serving tray with a tortoiseshell-like effect. This fantastic piece was
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Tortoise Shell Effect Lucite and Wood Serving Tray Centerpiece, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Vintage rectangular serving tray or centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effet lucite and raised handles in
Lucite, Plexiglass, Wood
Christian Dior Home Collection Barware Serving Tray Tortoise Lucite and Brass
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
. Large rectangular shape with Lucite in faux tortoiseshell pattern and color and brass metal border.
Brass
Tortoise Lucite Magazine Rack Holder for Christian Dior Home Collection, 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning Mid-Century Modern magazine rack, holder, stand made of Lucite and chrome designed for
Chrome
Christian Dior Barware Serving Tray Tortoise Lucite and Brass, France, 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular serving tray by Christian Dior in tortoiseshell effect Lucite and brass borders. France
Metal, Brass
Tortoise Shell Effect Lucite and Brass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Bowl centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effect lucite with brass border in Christian Dior style made in
Metal, Brass
Christian Dior Home Collection Barware Serving Tray Tortoise Lucite and Chrome
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
. Large rectangular shape with Lucite in faux tortoiseshell pattern and color and chromed metal border.
Metal, Chrome
Christian Dior Home Collection Barware Serving Tray Tortoise Lucite and Chrome
By Christian Dior
Located in Atlanta, GA
. Large rectangular shape with Lucite in faux tortoiseshell pattern and color and chromed metal border
Chrome
Serving Tray Tortoise Lucite & Silver Plate For Christian Dior Home Collection
By Christian Dior
Located in Atlanta, GA
1970s. Large rectangular shape with Lucite in faux tortoiseshell pattern and color and silver plate
Silver Plate
Christian Dior Home Collection 1970s Tortoise Lucite Magazine Rack Holder
By Dior Home, Christian Dior
Located in Atlanta, GA
the 1970s. Geometric shape with polished brass trim gallery and accents and faux tortoiseshell
Brass, Metal
Willy Rizzo Style Tortoise Lucite Chrome Coasters set of 9 pieces
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Atlanta, GA
shape with tortoiseshell (tortoise) translucent Lucite and chromed metal framing. Measurements: 4.32 in
Metal, Chrome
Ice Bucket in Tortoise Shell Effect Lucite Attributed to Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Ice bucket in tortoiseshell-effect lucite attributed to Guzzini. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Midcentury Lucite and Brass Cubic Magazine Rack in Rizzo Style, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant magazine rack made of tortoiseshell effect Lucite with a brass top finish. The item was
Brass
Italian Rede Guzzini Modernist Tortoise Lucite & Gold Plate Barware Serving Tray
By Rede Guzzini
Located in Atlanta, GA
with 24-karat gold-plate gallery and Lucite in tortoiseshell pattern color. Perfect for your next
Gold Plate
Set of Barware Coaster and Placemats Lucite & Chrome Christian Dior, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Set of barware coaster and placemats in tortoiseshell effect lucite framed by chrome in the style
Metal, Chrome
Christian Dior Midcentury Lucite and Chome Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
. It is an iconic tray or serving plate with tortoiseshell effect Lucite with chrome-plated brass edges
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Folding Tray Table Tortoise Lucite and Chrome, Italy, 1980s
Located in Atlanta, GA
-up edges and central large chromed metal band inlaid. Thick Lucite with faux tortoiseshell color
Chrome
Willy Rizzo MidCentury Lucite, Brass Large Serving Tray for Christian Dior 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
iconic square serving piece in lucite with a tortoiseshell effect and an elegant brass frame, with clear
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Midcentury Lucite and Brass Serving Tray for Christian Dior, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
iconic square serving piece in lucite with a tortoiseshell effect and an elegant brass frame, with clear
Metal, Brass
Midcentury Willy Rizzo Brass and Lucite Italian Trolley with Service Tray, 1980s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant golden brass and Lucite tortoiseshell trolley. This item is attributed to Willy Rizzo and
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Tortoiseshell Pattern Ice Bucket with Lucite Handle
Located in Houston, TX
Offered is an exquisite faux Mid-Century Modern tortoiseshell Lucite ice bucket with a clear Lucite
Lucite
S/S 1996 Prada by Miuccia Prada Orange Tweed Skirt Set
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in North Hollywood, CA
concealed button closure. Features circular tortoiseshell lucite brown closure at side. As seen on the
Sold|$1,295
Italian Faux Tortoiseshell Box, 1940
Located in London, GB
An Italian faux tortoiseshell box with brass inlay perspex, circa 1940.
Brass
Sold|$2,200
Faux Tortoiseshell and Bronze Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
faux (lucite) tortoiseshell panels.
Bronze
Faux Tortoiseshell Tray with Brass Handles
Located in Houston, TX
Offered is a gorgeous faux tortoise Shell tray made from Lucite and fabulous built in brass handles
Brass
Sold|$22,500
Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House Cabinet
By Grosfeld House
Located in Los Angeles, CA
tortoiseshell, surrounding oxidized mirror and lucite fretwork. Amazing. Labelled "Grosfeld House-New York"
Louis Vuitton Sac Ambre Handbag Monogram Vinyl MM
By Louis Vuitton
Located in NY, NY
tortoiseshell-patterned lucite straps, protective base studs, and gold-tone hardware. It opens to a brown
Louis Vuitton Sac Ambre Handbag Monogram Vinyl MM
By Louis Vuitton
Located in NY, NY
tortoiseshell-patterned lucite straps, protective base studs, and acrylic and gold-tone hardware accents. Its
Pair Two Trays Brass and Tortoiseshell Lucite Acrylic, Midcentury Italy, 1970s
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Pair 2 trays Midcentury tortoiseshell Lucite (acrylic) and brass in serving tray, Italy. Elegant
Brass
American Polished Aluminium Art Deco Torchiere, Floor Lamp with Brass and Tortoiseshell Lucite Accents.
Located in Port Hope, ON
-lighter dish shade as well as inserted disks of tortoiseshell Lucite which glow when the lamp is lit. The
Aluminum, Brass
German Art Deco Tortoiseshell Bakelite and Lucite Mechanical Mantel Clock
By Emes
Located in Port Hope, ON
tortoiseshell Lucite. This is supported by blocks of opaque tortoise shell Bakelite and mounted to an oblong
Chrome
Lote of Three Trays Midcentury Lucite and Brass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Lote of three trays midcentury tortoiseshell Lucite (acrylic) and brass in serving tray, Italy.
Brass
Trays with Display Midcentury Lucite and Brass, Italy, 1970s, Pair
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Lote of 2 trays with display midcentury tortoiseshell Lucite (acrylic) and brass in serving tray
Brass
Cocktail Set Tray and Ice Bucket and Thermos Brass and Lucite Italy Midcentury
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
bucket an tray and a thermos ,tortoiseshell Lucite and brass, Italy
Brass
Midcentury Tray and Ice Bucket Green Tortoise Shell Lucite
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
a thermos but as a jug. Midcentury ice bucket and tray (thermos is free) tortoiseshell Lucite
Brass
Midcentury Ice Bucket, Napkin Holder, Thermos and Coaster & Tray Lucite
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
elegant set. Midcentury ice bucket, napkin holder, thermos and coaster tortoiseshell Lucite and brass
Brass
Large Brass and Faux Carey Pear Ice Bucket Italian Modern Manetti Style
By Mauro Manetti
Located in Escalona, Toledo
an ice container is made of lucite with a tortoiseshell appearance on the outside, its interior is
Metal, Aluminum, 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.