Avid collectors of 1950s sculpture, table lamps and decorative objects have no doubt encountered the quirky mid-century modern creations of Frederic Weinberg, even if they didn’t know his name. Weinberg is best known for his extensive range of wall-mounted sculptures, clocks, lighting and semi-abstract paintings that bring playful figurative art into the home.
Weinberg, a Philadelphia-based artist and industrial designer, trained at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. Throughout the 1950s, he designed, produced and sold a wide variety of functional and decorative items under his company, Frederic Weinberg Co.
Working with wire, iron and gilded bronze, Weinberg crafted furniture and furnishings for use in homes, businesses and institutions. His most notable pieces included swivel stools with a wrought-iron base and seats made with leather, sheepskin or woven wicker; Atomic Age–style clocks; and sculptural table lamps constructed with paper shades and metal frames shaped like lutes and guitars.
Weinberg also made figurative wall sculptures depicting everything from ancient Roman gladiators and Etruscan-style horses to musicians and dancers to fencers and football players. Figuration also features heavily in his bent iron, brass and fiberglass sculptures, many of which he based on his semi-abstract paintings.
Although little is known about Weinberg’s design career, his pieces are highly sought by modern art collectors and interior designers. Philadelphia designer Ron Rowe and his partner Glenn Nadeau even mounted an extensive showcase of Weinberg’s rarest works in their Cherry Hill, New Jersey, home.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Frederic Weinberg wall decorations, decorative objects and seating.
1950's Pair of Atomic Age Stackable Triangle tables in Iron & White Laminate Top
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in San Diego, CA
1950s American Mid Century Modern, Atomic age pair of stackable triangle table with white color laminate top great accent table for indoor or outdoor use, can be combined with Memphi...
Iron
$548Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Frederic Weinberg Iron End Table or Stacking Shelf
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in New Windsor, NY
A classic 1950s iron and masonite design by Frederic Weinberg. This Weinberg design was specifically made to stand alone or added to by stacking the ...
Iron
$1,820
H 16.15 in W 17.72 in D 32.29 in
Silvio Cavatorta Midcentury Iron and Teak Wood Oval Italian Coffee Table, 1950s
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury oval coffee table in Iron and Teak Wood. This item was designed in Italy during 1950s by Silvio Cavatorta. It has...
Brass, Iron
French Designer, End Table, Wood, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood end table designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Minimal signs of wear. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.75"H x 8.5"D All items ship from High Point, North ...
Wood
$1,145
H 20 in W 28 in D 21 in
Lane Acclaim Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table or End Table with Bottom Shelf
Located in Miami, FL
Lane Acclaim Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table or Wooden End Table A very stylish Scandinavian style coffee table or end table made of solid walnut. Clean lines and natural groves of...
Wood, Walnut
$6,300 / set
H 25.25 in W 25.5 in D 25.75 in
Ico Parisi Attributed End Tables for Singer & Sons, 1950s
By Ico Parisi, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Coronado, CA
A wonderful and highly sculpted pair of end tables attributed to Ico Parisi for Singer & Sons, made sometime in the 1950s. The tables are constructed of European walnut, and show...
Walnut
$1,950Sale Price / set|66% Off
H 17.5 in W 19 in D 16 in
Vintage Alvar Aalto, 1950s Stacking End Tables, Original Set of 3
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Denver, CO
A rarely found in tact, set of three stacking Alvar Aalto end tables in a beautiful rich shade of teak stained plywood. Each table in this set of three has identical dimensions as co...
Bentwood, Plywood
Spanish Drinks Table, Gilt Wrought Iron, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish gilt wrought iron gueridon end drinks table on a tripod base, Spain, 1960s. An Spanish wrought iron guéridon table, stand or drinks table with gold leaf finish. Beautiful t...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Glass Top and Chrome Coffee Table
By Kill International, Horst Bruning
Located in Antwerp, BE
1970s coffee table minimalist modern chrome base with a clear glass top.
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Stacked End Tables in Black Ceruse
By Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Inspired by the iconic designer Paul Frankl, these rustic modern end tables blend timeless elegance with contemporary flair. The oversized drawer frames and subtly curved fronts crea...
Brass
Alberts Tibro, End Table, Teak, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Alberts Tibro
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass side table produced by Alberts Tibro, Sweden, c. 1950s. Heavy oxidation present on brass legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16.75"H x 15.25"W x 15.25"D All items ...
Brass
$2,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 63 in D 23.63 in
Large Wrought Iron Coffee Table in the Manner of Gilbert Poillerat, France, 1950s
By Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Iron forged gilt coffee or cocktail table with original glass top designed in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat. In very good condition with nice age related patina on the fram...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Modern White Laminate Nightstands
By Memphis Milano
Located in Pasadena, CA
This postmodern white gloss laminate nightstand, circa 1980, features a sleek waterfall-front design with two drawers on smooth metal glides with s...
Laminate, Wood, Plywood
$2,795 / set
H 19.63 in W 24 in D 18.25 in
1950s Paul McCobb Iron Rod Birch Sofa End Tables Vintage Mid-Century
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1950s rare early Paul McCobb iron rod sofa end tables. Pair of solid staved Canadian Birch surfaces on 1/2 inch iron rod bases and plastic feet on each leg ti...
Iron
1950's Atomic Age Triangle table in Iron & Graphite Laminate Top
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in San Diego, CA
1950s American Mid Century Modern, Atomic age triangle table with graphite color laminate top great accent table for indoor or outdoor use, can be combined with Memphis postmodern de...
Iron
Whimsical Frederick Weinberg Horse Motif End Table or Bar Cart
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful abstract wrought iron and wire sculptural horse table or bar cart on wheels by Frederick Weinberg. The show stealer in a room.