Mid Century Modern Fused Glass
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Mid-Century Fused Art Glass Ashtray by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century fused art glass ashtray by Higgins, circa 1950s. The pattern, called “Tortoiseshell” is created by sandwiching enameled glass panels of periwinkle blue and avocado green ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Higgins Fused Turquoise Gold, White, Green Glass Platter or Charger Vintage
By Higgins Glass
Located in North Miami, FL
The gorgeous colors of this signed vintage Higgins monumental fused glass plate, large charger and or serving piece has the amoeba pattern. It is signed in the gold Higgins signature...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Midcentury Fused Art Glass Ashtray by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury fused art glass ashtray by Higgins, circa 1950s. The pattern, called “Tortoiseshell” is created by sandwiching enameled glass panels of periwinkle blue and avocado green b...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Large Midcentury Fused Art Glass Ashtray by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
A large midcentury fused art glass ashtray by Higgins, circa 1950s. The pattern, called “Tortoiseshell” is created by sandwiching enameled glass panels of periwinkle blue and avocado...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Galliano Ferro Murano Turquoise, Blue, Red Fused Caned Glass Bowl Vintage
By Galliano Ferro
Located in North Miami, FL
The amazing colors of this sculptural masterpiece of an Italian vintage Murano glass bowl ring with great technical glass blowing expertise by Galliano Ferro. Each cane of different ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Space Age Mid Century Modern UFO Shaped Fused Glass Light Pendant 1960s
By Higgins Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Higgins style studio glass flying saucer shaped hanging light. In fused glass with cool colors of aqua, teal and cream and having wonderfully shaped decorative metal trims in satin b...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Lead
Floral Fused Art Glass Ashtray by Higgins, Signed, circa 1950s
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fused glass ashtray by Michael and Francis Higgins circa 1950s with floral motif.
Signed “Higgins”
Measures 5" x 5" in diameter and 1" tall.
Condition: Good vintage condi...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Floral Fused Art Glass Ashtray by Higgins, Signed, circa 1950s
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fused glass ashtray by Michael and Francis Higgins circa 1950s with floral motif.
Signed “Higgins”
Measures: 10" x 7" in diameter and 1" tall.
Condition: Good vintage con...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Butterfly Themed Fused Art Glass Ashtray by Higgins, Signed, circa 1950s
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fused glass ashtray by Michael and Francis Higgins circa 1950s with butterfly motif.
Signed “Higgins”
Measures approximate: 4.5" x 7"
Condition: Good vintage condition, ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Fused Glass Higgins Style Sculptural Box Vintage
By Higgins Glass
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing glass box is a special combination of Higgins style fused glass meets Brutalist design in execution. It is sculptural and unique.
This is a studio piece and one of a ki...
Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Blown Glass, Glass
"Glass Fused Ceramic Vase" Modern Abstract Glass Fused Ceramic Vase with Colors
Located in Detroit, MI
"Glass Fused Ceramic Vase" is vintage Mid-Century Modern. This handsome vase has an elongated neck with a white glass-fused inlay portion on the front body providing the perfect back...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern More Art
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Modern Framed Fused Glass Wall Art by Higgins Studio, Signed, circa 1950
By Michael Higgins, Michael and Frances Higgins, Higgins Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins were considered to be pioneer's of the fused glass process. The Chicagan duo first developed their craft for Higgins Studio in 1948 and is s...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Large Fused Art Glass Bowl by Higgins
By Michael and Frances Higgins, Higgins Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large glass bowl by Frances and Michael Higgins for Higgins Glass Studio (ca. 1960s, USA).
Labor intensive hand-fused method employed, which entails hand-painting glass segments on ...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
Italian Fused Glass Chandelier
By Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italian fused flush mounted light fixture. Chrome round mounting ring. Each crystal hangs down with a small chain. Fixture is made up of 28 fused slag glass type pieces that measure ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Slag Glass
Higgins Studio Fused Art Glass Hand Painted Design Modern Rectangular Dish 1960s
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in National City, CA
Glass Art Dish
Higgins Studio Fused Art Glass Hand Painted Modern Rectangular Decorative Dish 1960s
Colors of gold mint green and black
Michael and Frances Higgins
13.88 x 7 w x .88 ...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Materials
Art Glass
H .88 in. W 7 in. D 13.88 in.
Rare Art Glass Pendant Lamp by France Higgins with Nine Fused Rondelays
By Wassily Kandinsky, Ralph Pucci, Francis Higgins, Higgins Glass, Paolo Venini
Located in Framingham, MA
Extremely rare Higgins art glass pendant lamp featuring nine "Rondelay" concentric colored circle fused glass squares in a wonderful walnut casing with six sides - three of which hol...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Art Glass, Wood, Walnut
Mithé Espelt Box, Ceramic, Gold and Blue Fused Glass
By Mithé Espelt
Located in New York, NY
Mithé Espelt box, ceramic, gold and blue fused glass. Small scale lidded box with ceramic top decorated with a gold crackle glazed perimeter and two tones of blue fused squares. Bott...
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Frosted Fused C Shape Base "Ice" Glass Blocks Round Top Coffee Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Frostedfused C shape base "Ice" glass blocks round 3/4" thick top coffee table.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass
Modernist Fused Art Glass Decorative Dish Sectioned Plate Higgins Studio, 1960s
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in National City, CA
Art glass dish
Vintage Higgins Studio Hand Fused Art Glass Decorative Divided Glass Plate 1960s
Designers Michael and Francis Higgins.
Colors of gold mint green and black
Three secti...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Materials
Art Glass
H 13.63 in. W 10 in. D 14.75 in.
Large Oversize Fused Marine Chain Base Rectangle Coffee Table Thick Glass Top
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large oversize fused marine chain base rectangle coffee table thick glass top
Studio made custom coffee table with 3/4" thick glass top.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel
H 19 in. W 66 in. D 36 in.
1950s Multi-Color Fused Glass Pendant in the Style of Higgins
By Francis Higgins
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $1,200....With a classic Tiffany shape, this multicolored fused glass chandelier features a crown shaped top, sloping sides and horizontal band in bubbly fused glass wit...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Lead
Bitossi for Raymor Box, Ceramic, Fused Glass, White, Orange, Blue, Signed
By Bitossi, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Raymor Box, ceramic and fused glass, white, orange and blue, signed. Small scale white glazed box with a lid decorated in an abstract pattern of fused glass, containing y...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
H 2.5 in. W 7.88 in. D 4 in.
Pair of Fused Glass Blocks Pedestal Bases Rounded Square Tops Dining Game Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of fused glass blocks pedestal bases rounded square tops dining game table.
Very unusual design game cafe dining tables with 3/4" thick rounded corners glass.
Bases are etched...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Glass
H 29 in. W 42 in. D 42 in.
Mithé Espelt French Gold Ceramic and Fused Blue Glass Rectangular Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Chicago, IL
A mirror created by Mithé Espelt, circa 1960, in France. The mirror is composed of tiled fused glass within a gold crackle glazed ceramic frame.
Very fine original condition.
A si...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Ceramic, Mirror
H 12.50 in. W 9.25 in. D .75 in.
Bitossi Bowl, Ceramic and Fused Glass, White, Red, and Blue, Signed
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi bowl, ceramic and fused glass, white, red and blue, signed. Medium scale white glazed rectangular low bowl with fused glass mosaic interior pattern of light and dark blues, r...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Ceramic
Midcentury Wood and Fused Art Green Glass Higgins Style Box by Robert Brown
By Robert Brown
Located in North Miami, FL
The beautiful work of art fused glass on the top of the box is done by the artist: Robert Brown. It is so much in the style of Higgins Glass. The original paperwork is inside along w...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Glass, Laminate, Wood
H 2.5 in. W 8.5 in. D 4 in.
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic and Fused Glass Pottery Vase, circa 1950s
By Aldo Londi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aldo Londi for Bitossi ceramic and fused glass pottery vase, circa 1950s
Rare ceramic vase with glass front by Italian designer Aldo Londi for Bitossi.
Dimensions 7" wide x 4.2...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
H 13.25 in. W 7 in. D 4.25 in.
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Vase, Ceramic, Fused Glass, Red, White, Brown, Signed
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi for Bitossi vase, ceramic and fused glass, signed. From Londi's Fritte series - large chunky, organic, hand built vase, with coarse matte brown raw clay body, elongated ne...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
H 13.5 in. W 7.5 in. D 4 in.
Mithé Espelt French Gold Ceramic and Fused Cream White Glass Rectangular Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Chicago, IL
A mirror created by Mithé Espelt, circa 1960, in France. The mirror is composed of tiled fused glass within a gold crackle glazed ceramic frame.
Very fine original condition.
A sim...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Ceramic, Mirror
H 12.75 in. W 9.25 in. D .75 in.
Mid-Century Modern Fused Glass Tray by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is an early and rare tray by modernist Chicago glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins, pioneers in working with fused glass. The abstract design parallels the emergence of Ab...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Hanna Bahral fused glass Hanukkah menorah or hanukiah
By Hanna Bahral
Located in Oberstown, Lusk, IE
This is an absolutely sublime fused art glass Hanukkah menorah or hanukiah. Israeli Artist, Hanna Bahral, made this beautiful curved piece. She trained and honed her craft in the US ...
Category
Vintage 1970s Israeli Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
Materials
Art Glass
Fused Art Glass Bowl by Michael and Frances Higgins
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful large bowl executed in the fused glass technique by the Higgins Studio. Please contact for location.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Art Glass
Charles Hollis Jones "Metric" Line Fused Lucite w/ Nickel Accent 5 Shelf Étagère
By Hudson Rissman, Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Houston, TX
Offered is a Mid-Century Modern Charles Hollis Jones "Metric Line" fused Lucite five shelves with Lucite frame and nickel accents étagère. Charles Hollis Jones designed this piece wh...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
Materials
Nickel
H 78 in. W 34 in. D 18 in.
Mid-Century Modern Fused Glass Ashtray by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an early and rare tray by modernist Chicago glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins, with keys design, iconic example of midcentury glass.
Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Fused Glass Petite Ashtray by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an early and rare tray by modernist Chicago glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins, iconic example of midcentury glass.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Fused Higgins Rectangular Glass Tray, Dish, Serving Piece
By Higgins Glass
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful piece of fused Higgins glass is on the rare side. It is an early work of Francis and Michael Higgins work; collectable American glass artists.
The wonderful colors ar...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Higgins Fused Glass Monumental Glass Centerpiece Bowl /Platter / SAT.SALE
By Higgins Glass
Located in North Miami, FL
Luscious colors in blues, yellows red, purples, periwinkle of fused glass and many layers. This is an unsigned Higgins work of glass. Similar pieces are in the books.
What a great c...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Mid-Century Higgins Fused Glass Bowl /Ashtray Dish Entitled" Midnight"
By Francis Higgins
Located in North Miami, FL
This spectacular array of brilliant vibrant color in this signed Higgins Mid-Century fused glass large bowl, ashtray or dish is from the 1950s. It is entitled Midnight and
was influe...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
H 1.25 in. W 14.25 in. D 9.85 in.
Higgins Fused Glass Platter
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in New York, NY
A vintage fused glass platter, produced within the early 1960s period by artisans Michael and Frances Higgins, decorated with an array of stems and dandelion or blotch patterns, with...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Large Fused Glass Ashtray by Higgins Studio, circa 1950
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins were considered to be Pioneer's of the fused glass process. The Chicagan duo first developed their Craft for Higgins Studio in 1948 and is s...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Art Glass
Maurice Heaton Enameled Fused Glass Charger Plate
By Maurice Heaton
Located in Chicago, IL
Maurice Heaton (1900-1990) enameled glass charger with sunburst design in pale blues and a touch of red. Signed M.H. In 1947, Heaton invented a process of fusing crystals of enamel t...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Midcentury Fused Art Glass by Michael & Frances Higgins
Located in St. Louis, MO
Beautiful midcentury fused art glass by Michael & Frances Higgins.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Large Michael & Frances Higgins Fused Glass Charger and Bowl
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Miami, FL
Reduced from $1150.... Delightful fused glass charger and bowl group by Michael & Frances Higgins with stylised florals with stems highlighted in gilt. Both signed with gilt stamp.
...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Glass
Three "Barbaric Jewels" Fused Glass Ashtrays by Michael & Frances Higgins
By Michael Higgins, Higgins Glass, Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins were considered to be Pioneers of the fused glass process. The Chicagan duo first developed their craft for Higgins Studio in 1948 and is st...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Gold
Huge Fused Glass Square Detail Ashtray by Higgins Studio, circa 1950
By Michael Higgins, Michael and Frances Higgins, Higgins Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins were considered to be Pioneer's of the fused glass process. The Chicagan duo first developed their craft for Higgins Studio in 1948 and is s...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Materials
Gold
Murano Black Glass Vases With Fused Gold Leaf
Located in Austin, TX
Fabulous black blown glass vase with "avventurina" 23 carats gold leaf fused in the clear glass handles and base. A bold and classic piece.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls
Materials
Blown Glass
Bitossi Glazed Mustard Ceramic Lidded Box with Fused Glass Mosaic Top Vintage
By Bitossi, Raymor
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely vintage Bitossi for Raymor glazed ceramic round lidded box is from the 1960s and is Italian. It has the fused glass mosaic insert on the top. The rich color of the mustar...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Trio Maurice Heaton Fused Glass art deco machine age glass plates
By Maurice Heaton
Located in Dallas, TX
Nice group of Heaton designs from the '30s - '50s. All signed M.H. in the glass.
The smallest, at 10" dia, has an extreme occluded bubble construction, with fused milk white Satu...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Large Fused Glass Bowl by Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in St. Louis, MO
Beautiful oversized sectioned bowl by Higgins.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
1960s - Rare Fused Glass Footed Bowl - signed Higgins
By Higgins Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important studio glass bowl by pioneering glass makers Frances and Michael Higgins. hand signed : Higgins
This modern fused glass technique was developed in the Higgins studio.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Higgins Violet, Orange, White Fused Art Glass Vide Poche, Tray
By Higgins Glass
Located in New York, NY
Mid century art glass catch with an abstract asterisk center design. Signed.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Fused Art Glass Plate by Michael and Frances Higgins Signed
By Higgins Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful large plate executed in the fused glass technique by the Higgins Studio. Great Atomic design signed in the back. Great condition no chips or scratches.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Materials
Art Glass
Rare Mid Century Modern Ceramic Link Bracelet Turquoise Blue Fused Glass
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Italian Mid-Century Modern link bracelet. Featuring rectangular ceramic elements with gilt enamel and gorgeous blue, turquoise and green glaze, topped with fused crackled glass....
Category
Vintage 1960s Modernist Link Bracelets
Fused Glass Base Side Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Unusual C-shape base side table made out of a large amount of small glass "tiles" fused together.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Fused Glass Fauna Themed Table Lamp
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fused glass table lamp made up of 4 slumped curved panels. Body of lamp is raised on a glass pedestal. We have 4 different models all exhibiting a fauna theme. All have been re-wired...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Art Glass, Opaline Glass, Slag Glass, Stained Glass
Fused Glass Fauna Inspired Table Lamp
By Michael and Frances Higgins
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fused or slumped glass table lamp. Made up of 4 slightly curved pieces of glass. Each panel has a leafy design motif. Base is also 4 pieces of glass. Technique is similar to Frances ...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Art Glass
Set of Three, Round Fused Glass Dishes by Higgins Studio, circa 1950
By Higgins Glass, Michael and Frances Higgins, Michael Higgins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glass artists Michael and Frances Higgins were considered to be Pioneers of the fused glass process. The Chicagan duo first developed their craft for Higgins Studio in 1948 and is st...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Materials
Glass
Vintage Villeroy and Boch Fused Glass Vessel
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in Wilton, CT
Artised designed fused glass red vessel by Villeroy and Boch. Perfect condition.
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vases
Pair of Tall Fused Murano Glass Sconces by Mazzega
By Mazzega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Tall Fused Murano Glass Sconces by Mazzega.
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Chrome
Mithé Espelt Mirror, Ceramic, Gold and Blue Fused Glass
By Mithé Espelt
Located in New York, NY
Mithé Espelt mirror, ceramic, gold and blue fused glass. Medium scale rectangular mirror with gold crackle glazed frame and blue fused glass squares. Felt covered back.
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Ceramic
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Mid Century Modern Fused Glass For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of mid century modern fused glass for your home. An item from our selection of mid century modern fused glass — often made from glass, art glass and ceramic — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect choice in our collection of mid century modern fused glass — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right object in our assortment of mid century modern fused glass, those designed in Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made option in this array of mid century modern fused glass over the years, but those crafted by Higgins Glass, Michael and Frances Higgins and Bitossi are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Mid Century Modern Fused Glass?
Prices for a piece of mid century modern fused glass start at $88 and top out at $12,261 with the average selling for $938.
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 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. The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influence 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.
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 collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Read More
The 16 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about to how they came to be.
Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
Smilow Design Makes Marvels of the Mid-Century New Again
Now guided by the third generation to lead it, the family-run furniture company creates eternally stylish pieces that last lifetimes.
Eileen Gray’s Deco Designs Launched Modernism. That Was Just the Beginning
Decades after her death, appreciation for the legendary designer and architect's work continues to flourish.
Harvey Probber Was the Godfather of Modern Modular Seating
The forward-thinking designer is finally getting his due.
How Noguchi Elevated Ashtrays to Objets d’Art
Smoking might have fallen out of fashion, but these ashtrays have enduring design appeal.
Mid-Century Genius Charlotte Perriand Shines Bright in Paris
No longer in the shadows of her male contemporaries, the trailblazing designer finally gets her due.
Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home
The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.