Skip to main content

Flavio Poli Teardrop

Tall Murano Glass Sommerso Teardrop Sculpture by Flavio Poli, Italy, circa 1950s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Sommerso technique. Weight about 2kg unpacked We attribute this piece to Flavio Poli who designed
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Large Purple Blue Sommerso Glass Teardrop Vase
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic Large blown glass vase , tear drop shape circa 1970's excellent condition no chips or scratches beautiful colors , great Murano Italy Mid Century Modern Home decor.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Set of 3 Murano Sommerso Teardrop Art Glass Sculptures - Flavio Poli
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Flavio Poli
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
designer Flavio Poli. The 3 sculptures are all in good condition. Beautiful colors and great quality
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Small 1950's Italian Sommerso Murano Glass Vase Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to mid-century Italian designer Flavio Poli, this 1950's vase is composed of green in
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Small 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Large 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Large 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso 29cm Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s These
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Grey 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Sommerso Red, Yellow & Clear Glass Teardrop Tall Vase
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
A wonderful Sommerso red and yellow hand blown Murano glass teardrop large vase. Designed by Flavio
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Flavio Poli Soliflor Teardrob Vase Archimede Seguso Murano Studio Art Glass
By Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A wonderful hand blown Murano soliflor glass vase of the Sommerso collection designed by Flavio
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Teardrop Murano Glass Sculpture Sommerso Signed M.P
By Flavio Poli
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful teardrop sommerso glass sculpture beautiful colors and shape no chips or cracks navy blue
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Murano Italian Modernist Amber Sommerso Small Teardrop Bowl
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Murano glass small decorative bowl or dish, circa 1950's. Piece measures 1.5" by 6.25" and is unsigned. In very good vintage 1950s condition.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Italian Art Glass Minimalist Murano Sommerso Teardrop Sculptures, 1950s
By Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in VALENCIA, ES
Mid-Century Modern exquisite pair of Murano ¨sommerso¨ glass teardrop sculptures. Crafted with
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass, Sommerso, Art Glass

Murano Glass Sommerso Stem Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy unsigned circa 1960s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Murano Glass Sommerso Stem Vase
Murano Glass Sommerso Stem Vase
H 14 in W 4.25 in D 2.5 in

People Also Browsed

Belvedere Hotel 2, Blizzard 3 series by Christophe Jacrot, Landscape photography
By Christophe Jacrot
Located in Paris, FR
Belvedere Hotel 2 (2019), by contemporary photographer Christophe Jacrot. Fine Art print on Etching Hahnemühle paper. 70 x 105 cm : edition of 8 For many years, Christophe Jacrot's...
Category

2010s Contemporary Landscape Photography

Materials

C Print

Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and thin funneled neck with textured hexagonal shaped pattern atop surface of glass in aquamarine. Featured in aquamarine colored glass and designed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Bookend White Marble and Stainless Steel
Located in Mexico City, MX
Introducing a truly luxurious addition to your personal library - a stunning pair of hand-carved marble bookends from the artisanal experts at bruci. These spherical bookends are exq...
Category

2010s Vases

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

Bookend White Marble and Stainless Steel
Bookend White Marble and Stainless Steel
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Consolidated listing for Hugh Abdullah
By Fort Standard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large Contemporary Brass Cone Spindle Candle Holders Pair of Candle Holders Each candle holder: Height: 18 in. (45.72 cm) x Width: 2.5 in. (6.35 cm) x Depth: 2.5 in. (6.35 cm) Small...
Category

2010s American Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Consolidated listing for Hugh Abdullah
Consolidated listing for Hugh Abdullah
H 12.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Small Vintage Posy Vase, English, Carnival Glass, Decorative, Flower, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage posy vase. An English, carnival glass decorative flower vase, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950. Dashing iridescent spectrum Displaying a desirab...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Vases

Materials

Glass

Gemme Short Glass Vase in Violet by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with shaped body and neck in violet designed in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors on ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Set of 6 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
By Roberto Beltrami
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Category

2010s Italian Minimalist Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Great 18 Palmette Shallow Flush Ceiling Mount, Murano
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the larger version of the successful 12 leaves compact palmette ceiling fixture. This group of shallow ceiling mount Murano chandelier was first designed for a luxury yacht low...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Metal

Pink and White Vintage Centerpiece in Blown Murano Glass and 24kt Gold, 1950s
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in Villaverla, IT
Pink and white Vintage centerpiece in blown Murano glass and 24kt gold, 1950s. This unique centerpiece stands out for its harmonious shape and its refined color patterns. It is enti...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Fratelli Toso Murano Red Aventurine Candy Cane Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Only 1 Left! Beautiful vintage Murano handblown red over white, and aventurine Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. Published in their book (last p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass

Jade and Royal Blue Cylinder Shaped Vase, China, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Chinese ceramic vase in a cylinder shape. Tapered top in royal blue color with shades of jade. Sits nicely with taller style S5586 and shorter size S5587.     
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Dino Martens Murano Optic Swirl Ribbons Italian Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl
By Dino Martens, Aureliano Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and gorgeous, vintage Murano handblown white, yellow, aqua, blue, purple and aventurine ribbons Italian art glass centerpiece bowl. Documented to designer Dino Martens for Aurel...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Gold Leaf

Christopher Dresser Watcombe Aesthetic Movement Twin Handled Persian Taste Vase
By Christopher Dresser
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Aesthetic Movement flow glaze twin handled vase in the ‘Persian Taste’ by renowned British designer Christopher Dresser (British, 1834 – 1904) for Watcombe Torquay and dat...
Category

Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Vases

Materials

Earthenware

Ulrica Hydman Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden, Vase in Mouth Blown Art Glass
By Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
Ulrica Hydman Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Vase in mouth blown art glass decorated with women's face. Swedish design, 1980s. Measures: 9.5 x 5 cm. In perfect condition. Signed.
Category

Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Val Saint Lambert Sculpted Crystal Vase Green with Sommerso Core, Belgium
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Heavy Val Saint Lambert crystal vase. The central Green color (a traditional favorite for VSL) has been given a thick Sommerso (clear layer on the outside) and sculpted with subtle c...
Category

Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Large Midcentury Murano Chandelier by Toni Zuccheri for Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini, Salviati, Toni Zuccheri, Seguso
Located in Houston, TX
Large midcentury Murano chandelier by Toni Zuccheri for Venini. Stunning large midcentury clear Murano glass chandelier by Toni Zuccheri for Venini. This beautiful Murano glass chand...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Recent Sales

Murano Vetreria Artistica Laguna Sommerso Extra Large 'Teardrop' Poli 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Halstead, GB
Murano Vetreria Artistica Laguna Sommerso extra large 'Teardrop' Poli 1970s Venice Measures
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern style of Flávio Poli Glass Teardrop Sculpture Murano
By Flavio Poli
Located in Miami, FL
You are looking at two Italian Murano Sommerso glass teardrop sculptures in the style of Flávio
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Murano Sommerso Tear Drop and Mandruzzato Pillar Vase, Jade Green and Yellow
By Flavio Poli
Located in Halstead, GB
Poli Large Teardrop Measures: Height 32 cms Width at widest 11 cms Weight 1.048 kgs Mandruzzato
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Sommerso Teardrop Vintage Art Glass Vase Late 1960s-1970s Blues and Pinks
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Halstead, GB
"Flavio Poli" Sommerso style include Mandruzzato, Formia and Onesto. Measures: Height 17 cms Width 11
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Sommerso

Teardrop Murano Glass Sculpture by Flavio Poli Sommerso at Klassik
By Flavio Poli
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful teardrop glass sculpture by Flavio Poli, beautiful colors and shape no chips or cracks
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Murano Glass Flavio Poli Gold Sommerso Teardrop Vase
By Flavio Poli, Oggetti
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical Sommerso glass vase. An art glass work attributed to Flavio Poli. Amazing shape and great
Category

20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Large Murano Glass Flavio Poli Purple and Blue Sommerso Teardrop Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical purple and blue Sommerso glass vase. An art glass work attributed to Flavio Poli. Amazing
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Teardrop Table Lamp in Clear Glass with Pink & Blue, Flavio Poli for Seguso 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
. Flavio Poli for Seguso 1950s Dimensions: height: 54 x base diameter: 14cm.
Category

Vintage 1950s Table Lamps

Materials

Glass

Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy, circa 1960s. The teardrop shaped vase features a
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Flavio Poli Murano Triple Cased White, Red, Black Glass Geode Bowl
By Flavio Poli
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful vintage Italian Murano Flavio Poli triple cased glass bowl is unusual. It has white
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Purple Murano Glass Bottle, Italy 1950s
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Naples, IT
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte in the 1950s-1960s. Purple glass in a very elegant teardrop shape.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Murano Glass

Teardrop Perfume Bottle in Green and Yellow Murano Glass by Flavio Poli, c. 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern decorative bottle or vintage perfume bottle by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Murano Glass Bottles in Green and Yellow by Flavio Poli, Italy, c. 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern decorative bottles or vintage perfume bottles by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Murano Glass

Amethyst and Blue Murano Sommerso Teardrop Vase
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Soquel, CA
-blown glass attributed to Flavio Poli (Italian, 1900-1984) of Seguso Vetri d'Arte studio. Measures 9.75
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass, Sommerso

1970s Italian Large Seguso Murano Sommerso Organic Glass Teardrop Vase
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano, Sommerso organic glass vase. Vibrant
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

A Seguso Sculptural Art Glass Teardrop Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Englewood, NJ
An Italian 1950s sculptural hand blown sculptural art glass vase by, Flavio Poli for Seguso in the
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Flavio Poli Sommerso Lamp, Gold, Glass, Murano
By Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Flavio Poli Sommerso lamp, gold, glass, Murano. Teardrop form glass lamp in gold and clear with
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Blue & Purple Art Glass Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Italian Murano sommerso art glass vase of teardrop shape attributed to Flavio Poli
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Blue & Purple Art Glass Vase
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Blue & Purple Art Glass Vase
Free Shipping
H 7.29 in W 3.65 in D 2.17 in
Murano Glass Flavio Poli Red and Yellow Sommerso Teardrop Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
and Flavio Poli. Amazing shape and vibrant colors. Italy, 1950s. This piece is excellent condition
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Blue and Purple Sommerso Glass Teardrop Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
A wonderful blue and purple hand blown Murano glass vase. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Large Murano Glass Sommerso Vase Designed by Flavio Poli Attrib., Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli attrib. Origin: Murano, Italy
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Large Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Teardrop Murano Glass Sculpture Sommerso
By Flavio Poli
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful teardrop glass sculpture beautiful colors and shape no chips or cracks signed at the
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Green and Yellow Murano Glass Bottle Designed by Flavio Poli, c. 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern decorative bottle with tapered stopper by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Beautifully
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Murano Glass

Genie Perfume Bottle in Green and Yellow Murano Glass by Flavio Poli, circa 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern decorative bottle or vintage perfume bottle by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Flavio Poli Seguso Blue Sommerso Glass Vetri d’Arte Teardrop Vase
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Modernist Italian Murano blue "Sommerso" teardrop form art glass designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Vases

Materials

Glass

Large Sommerso Carafe F. Poli or M Pinzoni for Seguso, Uranium Glass
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Rijssen, NL
Large carafe with stopper in the popular Sommerso technique, the design was either by Flavio Poli
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Seguso Murano Glass Italian Table Lamps, Model 14092
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Angelo Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Miami, FL
Flavio Poli. The heavy blown glass elements have a dark grey color, with purplish hues depending on how
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Nickel

Flavio Poli Sommerso Teardrop Glass Sculpture
By Flavio Poli
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful and vibrant glass sculpture containing colors of pink, green and blue. Unmarked, sticker residue to bottom.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Sommerso Glass Teardrop by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Sommerso teardrop form artglass sculpture by Flavio Poli for Seguso. The glowing glass of blue
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Large Seguso Glass Teardrop Sculpture by Flavio Poli
By Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
A large blue and green Sommerso glass teardrop sculpture designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso.  
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Sommerso Glass Teardrop by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Located in Princeton, NJ
Flavio Poli for Seguso.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

7 Piece Murano Sommerso Glass Set
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 7 piece Murano Sommerso art glass set designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Layers of
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Glass

Materials

Glass

A Murano Sommerso Glass Teardrop Shaped Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
A Murano Sommerso Glass Teardrop Shaped Vase Designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri D'arte with a
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Glass

Materials

Glass

A Murano Sommerso Glass Teardrop Shaped Vase
A Murano Sommerso Glass Teardrop Shaped Vase
H 11.42 in W 3.55 in D 1.58 in
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Flavio Poli Teardrop", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Flavio Poli Teardrop For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the flavio poli teardrop you’re looking for. Each flavio poli teardrop for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using glass, blown glass and murano glass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer flavio poli teardrop, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right flavio poli teardrop, those designed in Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency styles are of considerable interest. Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte and Murano Glass Sommerso each produced at least one beautiful flavio poli teardrop that is worth considering.

How Much is a Flavio Poli Teardrop?

Prices for a flavio poli teardrop start at $225 and top out at $1,933 with the average selling for $631.

A Close Look at Mid-Century Modern Furniture

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 legendary 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.

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.

Finding the Right Decorative Objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation. Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.