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Mid-Century American Collection

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Collection (UNITED STATES, ca. 1933–65)
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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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

Arthur Umanoff Desk Clock, George Nelson & Associates, 1950s
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Houston, TX
George Nelson & Associates table clock. Howard Miller Clock Company, USA. Rosewood, steel. Measures: 4.25 W x 3 D x 5.5 H inches. Signed with decal manufacturer's label t...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

Sofa by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A three (3) seat sofa on a teak frame base retaining the original yellow upholstery.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Teak, Upholstery

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

Low Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low slipper chair with the original faux alligator texture yellow upholstery.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Upholstery

Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern dining chair designed by Eero Saarinen. This chair features an upholstered seat on a white enameled cast iron pedestal base. Upholstery varies. Manufactured by K...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Acrylic, Upholstery

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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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

Frank Lloyd Wright Chair from Price Tower, 1956
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Houston, TX
Frank Lloyd Wright. Chair from Price Tower, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA , 1956. Aluminum, upholstery, plywood, rubber. 24 D x 35 H inches. Early...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Aluminum

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

Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A dining chair with an upholstered seat and white enameled cast iron pedestal base.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Iron

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

Pair of Roger Sprunger Jack Larsen Dunbar Guest Chairs
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Guest Arm Chairs A pair of Mid-Century Modern arm chairs designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar. Ebonized wooden frames with X stretchers. Original ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Fabric, Wood

A Walnut Sideboard by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut server with central compartment having a removable glass-bottom serving tray & one adjustable shelf, flanked by two banks of four drawers over one long drawer all with brass...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Brass

Set of 4 Vintage Eames Chairs by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Vintage Eames Chairs by Herman Miller. All original, not a recent edition. Stamped under.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Acrylic

James Mont Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Oriental Carved bamboo two door cabinet with a light up top. Original silver leaf on the bamboo,original open grain ceruse finish over oak. With Four adjustable shelves
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Wood

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

Warren Platner Custom Wall Sconce
By Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren Platner Associates architects: Wall sconce. Custom for important commission. Features lift-up. Mirrored polished brass shield with four steel louvers.             
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Brass, 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

"untitled" by Claudia Carrel
By Claudia Carrel
Located in Hillsborough, CA
Claudia Carrel American, b. 1921 "Untitled" Polymer and acrylic on canvas Signed 'Cl. Clarrel' lower right 30 by 30 in. w/frame 30 ¾ by 30 ¾ in. Claudia Carrel, born in 1921 was as artist as well as a designer of puzzles in the 1960’s. Carrel received her training at the Boston Museum school of Fine Arts, the Corcoran school of Art in Wachington D.C., the Hans Hoffman school, the Art Students League of N.Y. and the Pratt Graphic Art Center. She exhibited in numerous group shows in the US, Europe and South America and has had several one man shows in New York City. Museums and Exhibitions: Brooklyn Campus, NYC; Rose Art Museum; Long Island University; Brandeis University, Waltham MA; Andrew Dickson White...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century American Collection

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 Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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

A Pair of Charles Eames LCW's Early Original Examples Evans
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare pair of early production (5x2x5 screw mounts) Charles Eames LCW (lounge chair wood). Original analine black finish in very good condition. Bac...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Ash

World Globe by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate world globe designed by Edward Wormley for Rand McNally, USA, circa 1950. Features a rotating globe mounted on a walnut base with brass capped legs. Marked "Rand McNally...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Pair of Two-Toned Flambe Glazed Hexagonal Balauster Vases
Located in Asheville, NC
This pair hexagonal ceramic vases feature a wonderful multi toned flambe glaze. This traditional Chinese form has been given a midcentury treatment similar to examples from Haeger.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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

Framed Gyorgy Kepes Photograph
By György Kepes
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Provocative surrealist image by Hungarian artist Gyorgy Kepes. Kepes was a principal at The New Bauhaus with Laszlo Moholy-Nagy in Chicago and founded the Center for Advanced Visual ...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Glass, Paper

Russel Wright Spun Aluminum Informal Serving Accessories
By Russel Wright
Located in Hanover, MA
Eleven Pieces of Russel Wright Spun Aluminum; 10 1/2" Pitcher with Six Martinis, Bun Warmer with bentwood handle swivel lid and original wire basket liner, 10" high and a two tiered tray with bentwood handles and supports, 12 1/2" high. Two lidded waffle/pancake dishes. Price is for the entire group. See our separate listing LU886614802111 for the Russell Wright Oceana...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Aluminum

Charles Hollis Jones Revolving Lamp/Magazine Rack
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Water Mill, NY
Rare Charles Hollis Jones Midcentury brass and beveled opaque white Lucite revolving lamp/magazine rack with custom shade.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Brass

Set of five prints after Norman Rockwell
By Norman Rockwell
Located in NYC, NY
Set of five prints depicting illustrations by the all-American artist, of Scouting interest. Famed for his Life Magazine covers, Rockwell devoted a large number of his works to Sco...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

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

Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Console Sofa Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern console or sofa table designed by Milo Baughman and made by Thayer Coggin. A chrome base with oval gray laminate top.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Chrome

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

Sterling Silver Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Studio executed solid sterling silver lidded container. Piece has an organic modernist design. Marked on base as pictured.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Sterling Silver

Warren McArthur Library Table, the Library of Virginia, 1940
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Classic side table occasional table by Warren McArthur commissioned for the State Library of Virginia, delivered in August of 1940. The top is laminated Bakelite...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Aluminum

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

Coffee Table with Faceted Olive Burl Pedestal Base by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table No. 6302G with faceted olive burl pedestal base and thick glass top by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1963 (Dunbar metal tag on base).
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Glass, Burl

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

Paul McCobb Side Board
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb side board for Calvin-The Irwin collection walnut case, finished on back, walnut body and travertine marble top, accordion folding d...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Travertine

Val Bertoia Double Vertical Spray Sculpture, Steel Wires with Brass Base, 2014
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Double Vertical Spray Sculpture made in 2014. This Kinetic sculpture was made by cutting one grouping of stainless-steel wires that were made by Har...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Eames LKH-2 Lounge with Girard Upholstery by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Alexander Girard, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Highland, IN
This terrific example of the Eames LKH-2 easy chair has a black wire seat, a bikini pad in magenta naugahyde designed by Alexander Girard and a zinc lounge ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-Century American Collection

Materials

Steel

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