$750
H 4 in W 4 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
pepper shakers. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, manufactured by Hertha Baller in Vienna, Austria. Made
Glass
Rare Walter Bosse Key Hanger Monkeys
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse key hanger monkeys Original condition.
Brass
Rare Walter Bosse key rack in the shape of monkeys
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
),Walter Bosse (Designer*in) At the end of the 1940s, he developed brass miniatures in the shape of animals
Brass
Midcentury Wall Hook "Monkey" by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized wall hook "monkey". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the
Brass
Monkey Hook Wardrobe Hooks by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "monkey" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Monkey Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Brass Monkey Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder Original condition
Brass
$700
H 4.14 in W 1.97 in D 4.53 in
1950s by Walter Bosse Austria Design Brass Bronze Monkey Cork Screw
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare cork screw by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Excellent condition.
Brass, Bronze
Walter Bosse wall hook, brass Monkey, 1950
Located in Wien, AT
Brass Monkey Wall Hook by Walter Bosse, 1950, Good Condition"
Brass
Walter Bosse, Two Monkey Corkscrews, 1950s, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse, two monkey corkscrew 1950s Austria, good original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse, Two Monkey Corkscrew 1950s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Walter Bosse, two monkey corkscrew 1950s Austria, good original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse Monkey Business Card Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse monkey business card holder Original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian shaker set, displaying a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse
Brass
Walter Bosse Bronze Black Monkey Corkscrew Bottle Opener
By Walter Bosse
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Bronze corkscrew bottle opener designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, circa 1950s. Corkscrew
Bronze
Sold
H 7.09 in W 3.35 in L 7.09 in
Coat Wall Hooks Cat Bull Monkey, Blackened Brass, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A set of three wall hooks in the form of a cat, a bull, and a monkey by Walter Bosse, Austria
Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 7.8 in D 2 in
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Wall-Mounted Monkeys Key Hanger, 1950s, Austria
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Lovely midcentury Austrian key holder designed by Walter Bosse and made by Hertha Baller in 1950s
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse 5 Zoo Brass Wall Hooks, Monkey, Rabbit, Cat, Cow & Lion, Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
, rabbit, cat, cow and a lion, . A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Vienna
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Five Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion, Cow, Dog, Monkey, and Cat, Vienna
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
monkey. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Vienna. Made of black finished
Brass
Walter Bosse Monkey Business Card Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse monkey business card holder Original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse monkey salt and pepper shaker set. Original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse "Monkey" Bottle Opener Vienna Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse " monkey " bottle opener vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 2 in W 3.5 in D 1 in
Walter Bosse Monkey Toothpick Holder Stand by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian toothpick holder, displaying a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter
Brass
Sold
H 4 in W 4 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian shaker set, displaying a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse
Brass
Sold
H 3 in W 4 in D 2.5 in
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian shaker set, displaying a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse
Brass
Walter Bosse Ceramic Monkey Head, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Den Haag, NL
Walter Bosse ceramic monkey head, Austria, 1950s.
Ceramic
Monkey Figurine by Walter Bosse, Europe, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Brass figurine blackened monkey. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Austria
Brass
Monkey by Walter Bosse Marked
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Monkey by Walter Bosse made of brass, designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria
Brass
Brass Monkey by Walter Bosse, Marked
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Monkey by Walter Bosse made of brass, designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria
Rare Walter Bosse Key Hanger Monkeys
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse key hanger monkeys Original condition.
Brass
Rare Walter Bosse Key Hanger Monkeys
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse key hanger monkeys Original condition.
Brass
Monkey Cork Screw by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Monkey cork screw by Walter Bosse. Original condition.
Brass
Monkey Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "monkey" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Monkey Figurine Bottle Opener
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass monkey figurine bottle opener.
Walter Bosse Cat and Monkey Wall Hooks
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat and monkey wall hooks Original condition Measures: Cat H 18cm x W 9cm x D 8cm
Brass
Sold
H 6.3 in W 3.35 in D 3.35 in
Nine Walter Bosse Coat Wall Hooks Brass, Monkey Lion Cat, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A set of nine brass hooks (three of each) in the form of a monkey, a lion, and a cat by Walter
Brass
Sold
H 7.09 in W 3.35 in D 3.35 in
Coat Wall Hooks Lion Bull Monkey, Blackened Brass, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A set of six wall hooks in the form of three bulls, two monkeys, and one lion by Walter Bosse
Brass
Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks, Dog, Bear and Monkey, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Monkey Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass monkey figurine pretzel holder, ring holder Austrian brass monkey figurine
Brass
Monkey Figurine with Salt Pepper Shaker by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine blackened monkey with a salt pepper Shaker. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse
Brass
Sold
H 3.15 in W 3.55 in D 7.29 in
Vintage Coat hooks in shape of cat, lion, cow and monkey, 1950s Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Four vintage Coat hooks from Walter Bosse made around 1950 in shape of cat, lion, cow and monkey
Brass
Walter Bosse 2 Zoo Brass Wall Hooks, Monkey & Cow
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Vienna / Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished
Brass
Sold
H 1.97 in W 3.55 in D 1.19 in
Austrian Toothpick Holder, Displaying a Monkey. Design by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Austrian toothpick holder, displaying a monkey. Design by Walter Bosse.
Cork Screw Monkey by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cork Screw Monkey by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Austria.
Sold
H 2 in W 2.25 in D 1 in
Walter Bosse Three Wise Monkeys Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely sculpture, displaying three monkeys, made of brass, from the 1950s. Designed by Walter
Brass
Walter Bosse Set, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse set, 1950s. Lion, cow, monkey, dog Original condition.
Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 7.8 in D 2 in
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Wall-Mounted Monkeys Key Hanger, 1950s, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Lovely midcentury Austrian key holder designed by Walter Bosse and made by Hertha Baller in 1950s
Brass
Four Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks Displaying a Monkey, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished brass. In good
Brass
Sold
H 7.09 in W 3.55 in D 3.94 in
Six Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of Cat, Cow, Bear, Lion, Dog, Monkey
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Six Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of Cat, Cow,Bear, Lion, Dog, Monkey
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Three Walter Bosse Animal Brass Wall Coat Hooks Cat Lion Monkey, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks Dog, Lion, Cat, Cow and Monkey, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse 4 Zoo Brass Wall Hooks, Cow, Lion, Cat & Monkey, Herta Baller, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
, cat and monkey . A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Vienna / Austria in the
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse 7 Zoo Brass Wall Hooks, Lion, Cow, Cat, Monkey, Dog, Bear & Rabbit
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
, displaying a lion, a cow, a cat, a monkey, a dog, a bear and a rabbit . A humorous design by Walter Bosse
Brass
4 Walter Bosse Animal Brass Wall Coat Hooks Monkey Dog Cow Lion, Vienna, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse, executed by Baller Vienna. Made of black finished brass. In very
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Monkey, Cow and Cat, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Five Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Cow, Dog, Cat, Lion and Monkey, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Five Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion, Cow, Monkey, Dog and Cat, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s
Small Monkey Figurine by Walter Bosse, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small monkey figurine by Walter Bosse. Original condition.
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Three Walter Bosse Animal Brass Wall Coat Hooks Cat Lion Monkey, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished
Brass
5 items: fox, capricorn, virgin, cow, monkey
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
this is 5 items bulk order
Brass
Monkey Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Brass hook "monkey" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very
Brass
$1,696Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 4.15 in W 5.35 in D 7.75 in
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' verdigris patinated outdoor sconce. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in rich v...
Metal
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
$450
H 6 in W 5 in D 2.25 in
Walter Bosse Wiener Dog Brass Figurine with Lantern Thermometer, Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid-Century desk thermometer, consisting of a nice wiener dog / sausage dog figurine made of brass and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A very humorous design by Wal...
Brass
$490
H 5.5 in W 3.5 in D 2.75 in
Walter Bosse Brass Dinner Bell Displaying a Cat by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming midcentury table bell displaying a cat. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in very good condition.
Brass
6 Midcentury Pastel Daisy Porcelain Coffee Cups, Lilien, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of six charming conical coffee cups and saucers from the „Daisy“-series, made of thin, fine china in six different lovely pastel colors, yellow, light blue, light green, bluegr...
Porcelain
$290 / item
H 2 in W 2.25 in D 1.25 in
Carl Auböck Up to Three Midcentury Polished Brass Card Holder, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
*Actually up to three pieces available* A beautiful card stand, made of polished brass, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck, Austria. To be used for business cards, fol...
Brass
$1,300 / set
H 11 in W 11 in D 11 in
Luigi Colani Zen Full Tea Set and Plates, Stoneware, Friesland, Germany, 1970s
By Friesland Ceracron, Luigi Colani
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful tea set made of black glazed stoneware, designed by Luigi Colani in 1973. Executed by Porzellanfabrik Friesland, Germany. All items are in excellent condition. The set co...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$374
H 4.34 in W 2.37 in D 4.73 in
Walter Bosse Elephant Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Elephant Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s Original condition
Brass
Kaj Franck Mid-Century Enamel Tea Pot Kettle, Finel Arabia, Finland
By Raija Uosikkinen, Kaj Franck
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern enameled teapot / kettle from the 1960s. Designed by Kaj Franck and illustrated by Raija Uosikkinen, featuring white and black nordic Scandin...
Metal, Enamel, Iron
$490
H 4 in W 5 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid-Century shaker set, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of metal and wood. In go...
Metal
$1,200
H 12.5 in W 8 in D 5 in
Unique Abstract Carved & Burnt Cedar Wood Owl Animal Sculpture Tiki by Witco
By Witco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This awesome little sculpture displays sophistication and dynamic shapes from every angle. After being carved from a block of thick-grained cedar hardwood the finish was achieved by ...
Wood, Cedar
$290
H 3.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Dwarf Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century bottle opener/cork screw, displaying a dwarf. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black-finished brass, ...
Brass
Midcentury Wall Hook "Cat" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized wall hook "cat". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.
Brass
$549
H 3.55 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in
Walter Bosse Salt Pepper Donkey Set, Black Brass Teak Wood, Hertha Baller, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A salt and pepper shaker donkey set designed by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury in 1950s. The donkey is made of blackened brass. The s...
Brass
$550
H 1 in W 3 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian midcentury Shaker set, displaying a donkey carrying two wooden barrels. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. The don...
Metal, Brass
Credited with thousands of works and models for ceramic pieces, Walter Bosse was an intensely prolific designer. The modernist Austrian sculptor and ceramist was best known for his distinctive “Black Golden” series of decorative objects and figurines, particularly his hedgehog ashtrays. Bosse’s mid-century and Art Deco works were popular as gifts for politicians and royalty worldwide, remaining coveted among collectors today.
Bosse was born in Vienna in 1904 to artist parents — his father, Julius, was a portrait painter for the Austrian Imperial Court. Bosse studied at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna from 1918 to 1921 under Austrian sculptor Michael Powolny and Austrian painter Franz Cizek. Later, he continued at the Munich School of Applied Arts in Germany under Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Vienna Secession movement.
Early in his career, Bosse worked as a designer at several ceramics manufacturers, including Augarten Porcelain Works in 1924, Goldscheider Porcelain Manufactory and Majolica Factory in 1926 and Metzler and Ortloff in 1927. In 1925, Bosse displayed several pieces at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris, which introduced the Art Deco style to a global audience.
In 1931, Bosse opened a shop in Kufstein, Austria, selling ceramic gift items. Owing to the crippling economic effects of the Great Depression, however, Bosse was forced to close his shop in 1937. He returned to Vienna in 1938 and opened another business, Bosse Keramik, where he sold toys, glass, textiles and more. In the late 1940s, Bosse experimented with small-scale brass sculptures and desk accessories coated in black ceramic glaze. With Austrian designer Herta Baller, Bosse formed the Bosse-Baller company to manufacture the “Black Golden” line of figurines, which became wildly popular worldwide.
Despite Bosse’s success, he struggled financially and moved to Iserlohn, Germany, in 1953. Meanwhile, Baller continued to manufacture and sell Bosse’s designs, which were so popular that forgers copied and sold counterfeit editions of Bosse’s works around the world. The 1950s marked the debut of the artist’s whimsically zoomorphic hedgehog ashtrays — these were cast in brass, and a hedgehog ashtray in any other material is not a Bosse original.
Bosse spent the rest of his life embroiled in court battles to protect his designs, leaving him penniless by the time he died. Today authentic Bosse pieces — from wall-mounted sculptures to tableware — continue to be highly sought after by collectors.
Find vintage Walter Bosse serveware, wall decorations and more on 1stDibs.
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.