Mid-Century American Collection
Mid-Century Modern Furniture Collection (UNITED STATES, ca. 1933–65)
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the pieces on 1stDibs demonstrate, the mid-century modern American period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Color: Brown
Floral Print Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa of English inspiration, retaining the original dark olive, coral, brown and beige mock-Asian floral print linen upholstery, on straight dark walnut legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Floating Back Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wonderfully long, low and deep upholstered sofa having a floating back and an organic sculptural walnut sled base with a floating frontal stretcher. Reupholstery is recommended.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Writing Desk by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
Storage Bench by Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A powder blue bench with hinged seat cushion in original stripped upholstery. Interior storage. Includes matching petite pillow.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Drop Tambour Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and uncommon drop tambour front cabinet of bleached walnut having recessed finger pulls, the cabinet with drawers, shelves and vert...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut
X-Chair by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An "X" base slat chair with upholstered leather seat and back pillow.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Brass
George Nelson Prototype Domino Clock
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson office, designed by Irving Harper for Howard Miller.
This is the only clock and was never produced.
Purchased from Howard Miller Executive.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Wood
Eames Office radio for Emerson
By Charles Eames
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A nice radio design by the Eames office. Model 578A.
Mahogany veneer case with plastic face and dials.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Metal
Square Raffia Mirror by Edward Womley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square mahogany wall mirror with a woven raffia boarder.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Mahogany, Glass, Raffia
Fabulous Restored Pair of Cane Back Armchairs in the Style of Robsjohn--Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent club chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely Installation Read...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Oceana Series Bowl by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A long rare hand-carved wood bowl with an indented rim, from the "Oceana" series.
Category
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Maple
George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nelson Marshmallow sofa, model 5670
Manufactured by Herman Miller
A great example of an iconic form.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Chrome, Stainless Steel, Steel
Arthur Espenet Carpenter 'Wishbone' Armchair
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wood armchair w/original leather webbing, signed
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Wood, Leather
Drop-Leaf Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A mahogany drop-leaf table with ebonized gate-leg base. Measures: Console table depth of 16.5" deep when closed.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Mahogany
Dining Set for Six by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A drop-leaf console table opens to seat, six (6) for dining. Set complete with two banquette chairs and four side chairs.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Ash Aniline Red DCM by Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare aniline dyed red ash DCM chair with satin chrome frame. By Herman Miller with original foil tag.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
Tambour Door Console by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare curved front console in rich grained rosewood with a single drawer and slatted tambour storage.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Mahogany
A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Swivel Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An upholstered swiveling lounge chair in leather with a tilt mechanism on a metal disc base.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and elegant king size headboard in darkened mahogany having channeled upholstery, adjustable back rests and two pairs of drop-down arms.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
Rare Woven Front Credenza by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare woven front credenza with walnut strips interlacing unique rectangular rods. Four (4) drawers with brass pulls over four sliding doors with interior drawers and shelves.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Brass
Maxwell Royal Settee
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A tall and sculptural settee with tapered wood arms and back, often attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Designed by Maxwell Royal in the 1950's. Hig...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Parsons End Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare low Dunbar "Parson's" end table with the original yellow-orange lacquered frame and a black epoxy top with a constellation of random walnut doy inlays.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut
Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with a lower shelf and singe drawer on cylindrical dowel legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Mahogany
Magazine Box Low Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with magazine boxes on the ends.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
A Faceted Table With Inlays By Andrew Szoeke
By Andrew Szoeke
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare eight sided table by Andrew Szoeke. Made of walnut and exotic wood veneer inlays on top forming a sunburst pattern.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut
Coquina Stone Column Table Lamp Attributed to Samuel Marx
By Samuel Marx
Located in East Hampton, NY
Wonderful solid natural coquina stone column lamp. Shade is Not included .
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Stone
Edward Wormley for Drexel Drop-Leaf Precedent Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel's Precedent collection. The drop leaf table measures 50" x 28" when folded and 70" x 50" when fully extended.
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Ash
Richard Filipowski Metal Sculpture, "Cube"
By Richard Filipowski
Located in New York, NY
Freestanding cast and hand-collaged sculpture of sulphur bronze and silver by Boston-area artist Richard Filipowski. A densely textured, naturalistic form in the shape of a footed cu...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Silver, Bronze
George Nelson Steel Frame Group Rolling Table / Cart
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and unusual George Nelson for Herman Miller table on rollers from the Steel Frame Group, made by Herman Miller. White lamina...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
Pair of Paul McCobb step side tables with drawer from the Predictor Group.
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare pair of Paul McCobb Predictor Group end table manufactured by O'Hearn of New England. The Predictor Group was only in production from 1951 to 1954.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Maple
Mr. Chair by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A swivelling lounge chair and ottoman for Plycraft having molded walnut shells and bases form fitted with seamless upholstery that is devoid of tufting.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
Open Armchair by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Dark stained mahogany frame with modernist lines and open arms. Cut-out, plunging neckline to upholstered seat back. Up to four of these armchairs are available.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut
William Katavolos Lounge T-Chair for Laverne, 1952
By Laverne International
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Very rare lounge version "T-chair" designed by William Katavolos in 1952. The chair is in great condition with new brown leather sling.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Metal
Early Jens Risom Side Chair for Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed for Knoll by Jens Risom in 1943. Basket-woven parachute straps.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Birch, Canvas
Mahogany and Brass Table by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Inlaid brass edged coffee and end table model no. 7012 in mahogany with three drawers by Paul McCobb, American, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Elegant Coffee Coffee Table in Walnut by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings 1940s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Square two-tier coffee table in walnut by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, 1940s (label on bottom). This beautiful clean line coffee table would add to any interior.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503.
Features five drawers one for files.
Modesty panel shows steel reveal details.
(Ten mor...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Metal
Pair of Wardrobes in Mahogany and Leather by Harvey Probber 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully outfitted wardrobes/chests of drawers in mahogany, doors with inset leather and brass bands, by Harvey Probber, American 1950s (label in drawer reads "designed by Harvey ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Brass
Taliesin Cabinet by Frank Lloyd Wright
By Henredon, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately mahogany "Taliesin" cabinet of rectilinear form resting on a cruciform base having two doors with recessed pulls and expressive encircling Greek key embellishment.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Wood
Walnut Low Table
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut low table having a long rectangular top with raised end rails resting on a six-legged base with turned legs and stretchers. The legs attach ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Walnut
Bar Stool by Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully constructed stool having an architectural blackened steel base with a floating chrome footrest supporting a sculptural walnut seat upholstered with thick patinated wove...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection
Materials
Steel
