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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.
Kienzle Clock Golden Brass Table or Desk Clock, Art Deco Vibe, 1967, Germany
By Junghans Uhren GmbH, Kienzle Clocks, Wilhelm Kienzle
Located in Andernach, DE
This table or desk clock comes in an elegant art deco style, a beautiful piece, close to the ''Heliomat''. Very special and kept strictly in the art deco style are the housing, dial ...
Brass, Aluminum
Italian Mid-Century Rattan and Leather Magazine or Decorative Basket, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique large decorative basket in curved rattan and brown leatherette. This stylish organic basket was produced in Italy during the 1970s. In amazing condition and wit...
Brass
Two large Beetle Bug Miniature Figurines, Vintage German 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of two larger decorative miniature figurines dating to approximately the 1960s. These charming vintage pieces are crafted from metal, possibly brass, and display an attractive ag...
Metal, Brass
1960's Italian Rosa Pink Marble Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
Hand carved and polished pink Italian marble jewelery box, with lid, made in Italy, c. 1960's. May be used in many ways, as cigarette box, trinket box and as many uses that one needs...
Marble
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Green, Sculptural Design, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condition witho...
Murano Glass
Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Star Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pitcher
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown multi-color Millefiori flower and star mosaic Italian art glass pitcher / vase. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The pitcher ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Abalone shell vanity box, Alpaca & wood, Mexico, circa 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb jewelry box designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal set with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. A beautiful item to display i...
Shell, Abalone, Alpaca, Wood
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red & Yellow, 1960s Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous red and yellow ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condit...
Murano Glass
Abalone shell & alpaca silver turtle box, Mexico, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb turtle-shaped jewelry box designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal set with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. More than a box...
Silver
Ceramic abstract birds sculpture by Sousa, Spain, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Striking vintage ceramic sculpture depicts a pair of abstract birds, handcrafted in Spain during the 1970s and signed by Sousa. The terracotta form features a textured, earthy bronze...
Ceramic
Archimede Seguso Murano Sommerso Opal Pink Alabastro Glass Bowl, Italy 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching hand blown Murano Sommerso pink and opalescent white glass flower bowl with folded rim. Design Attributed to Archimede Seguso for the Seguso Factory. Italy, 1950s. This ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
ROYAL DOULTON - HN1037 - Bone China Cocker Spaniel Figurine - UK - Circa 1931-68
By Thomas Frederick Daws, Royal Doulton
Located in Chatham, ON
ROYAL DOULTON (Manufacturer) - FREDERICK THOMAS DAWS (British Designer / Artist 1878-1956) - HN1037 (Model Number) - Vintage bone china figure of a cocker spaniel designed by the wel...
Ceramic
Danish Studio Pottery Vase from Lisbeth Voigt Durand
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Studio Pottery Vase from Lisbeth Voigt Durand
Ceramic
1960s Mid-century Blue Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s This blue ashtray/catchall is a stunning example of Mid-Century Modern Italian glassmaking, sculptural bowl/ashtray was designed by the legendary Flavio Poli . This piece featu...
Murano Glass
Pair of Oversized Hand-Carved Wooden Dice Sculptures, Mid-Century Folk Art Decor
Located in San Diego, CA
A charming pair of oversized hand-carved wooden dice sculptures featuring richly patinated wood and deeply recessed pips with contrasting dark interiors. These substantial decorative...
Wood
Patinated Etruscan Horse Bronze Sculpture Statue Weinberg Style 1970s
By Pepe Mendoza
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Etruscan horse figure is a bronze Italian museum replica made in the 1970s - 1980s. The piece is a reproduction of a classic Italian style, showcasing the historical and...
Metal
Longchamp 20th century design dog ceramic and leather cigarette box 1970
By Longchamp
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Longchamp 20th century design ceramic and leather cigarette box Brown ceramic piece with dog decoration Original vintage good condition Singe...
Ceramic, Leather
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Cat Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Shell jewelry box, silver plated, Italy, circa 1980's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite 1970s Italian lucite, rattan and brass jewelry box, attributed to Gabriella Crespi for Dior Home. This elegant piece combines timeless craftsmanship sophisticated design, a...
Metal, Silver Plate
Alessandro Pianon Pulcino Glass Bird Sculpture for Vistosi Murano Italy 1960s
Located in Troy, MI
Pulcino bird sculpture designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Italy, circa 1960's Rare form with tail feathers in deep blue hand blown glass with murrine decoration and inset mur...
Copper
Vintage Spanish Hand-Carved Don Quixote Sculpture, Artesanía Spain No. 576
Located in San Diego, CA
Hand-carved Spanish figural sculpture depicting the iconic literary character Don Quixote, rendered in an expressive elongated form with deeply faceted carving and exaggerated propor...
Wood
Pulcino Glass Bird Sculpture by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Murano Italy 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Pulcino glass bird sculpture designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vetreria Vistosi. Blue and green on a grayish background. Applied murrine eyes. Textured copper legs. One of the two ta...
Metal
Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano Sommerso Glass Vases, Set of 3, Italy, 1950s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Stockholm, SE
A striking and sculptural set of three Murano glass vases designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d’Arte, Italy, circa 1950. Exemplifying the mastery of the Sommerso (“submerged”) t...
Murano Glass
Rörstrand Set of 6 Signed Miniature Vases, Nylund & Stålhane, Lundgren, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Bertil Lundgren, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and beautifully curated set of six signed Rörstrand miniature vases, executed in Sweden during the 1950s, representing the golden era of Scandinavian modern ceramics. Each pie...
Ceramic
Brutalist candlestick by David Marshall, bronze and aluminum, Spain, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candlestick designed and crafted by the sculptor david marshall in the 70s in spain. Bronze and aluminum handcrafted sculpture. Rare item that will elevate your i...
Bronze, Aluminum
Mid-Century Hand-Blown Murano Glass Triangular Sommerso Citrine & Emerald Vase
Located in New York, NY
This striking Mid-Century Modernist Murano glass triangular "Sommerso" vase, rendered in radiant citrine and emerald hues, was hand-blown on the iconic island of Murano, Italy, circa...
Murano Glass
Sascha Brastoff Signed Figurative Ceramic Sculpture, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Sascha Brastoff Signed Figurative Sculpture, 20th Century.
Ceramic
$399Sale Price|35% Off
Cabinet of Curiosities Cabinet Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden cabinet. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the productio...
Wood
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Vase, Sommerso Technique, Green, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s This striking Murano glass vase, designed by the renowned Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, is a quintessential example of mid-century Italian glassmaking. Showcasing Poli's...
Murano Glass
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bull Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
$352Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Murano Glass Vase, Space Age Design, Lime Green, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Murano glass vase. Featuring a bold, biomorphic "Space Age" silhouette, this Italian masterpiece showcases a vibrant lime green incamiciato (layered) glass technique. A tall, s...
Murano Glass
Large bronze statue of a stylized African Ndebele Ndebele woman, atr. Hagenauer
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
A fantastic life-size bronze sculpture from the early 1950s. The design is attributed to Karl Hagenauer. Approx. 30 kg. This life-size sculpture of an exotic African Ndebele woman, ...
Bronze
Mid-Century Hand-Blown Faceted Murano Glass Sommerso Ruby & Transparent Vase
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist hand-blown faceted Murano glass "Sommerso" vase, crafted in ruby red and transparent glass, is an extraordinary example of 1960s Italian glass artistry. Or...
Murano Glass
White alabaster vanity box by Romano Bianchi, Italy, 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb white and black alabaster box designed and produced by romano bianchi in italy in the 1970s. Handcrafted alabaster box with chromed metal structure. Decorative object that wil...
Alabaster
Wooden box, France, 1970
By Lorenz
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wooden box, France, 1970s, an elegant vintage piece characterized by a burl wood veneer with particularly decorative swirling patterns. Its clean design and soft lines make it both f...
Wood
Midcentury Box Wood and Glass Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Style, Italy 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular decorative box in wood and beveled glass attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1950s. Perfect desk object or gift idea.
Glass, Wood
Red Wing Pottery Ruffled Square Bowl
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage ceramic bowl by Red Wing Potteries Inc. of Minnesota, USA. Square shape with a unique ruffled edge on 2 sides. Finished in a two toned glaze with a terra cotta exterior and...
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Modern Onyx Jewelry Box, Made in Italy, Excellent
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing box in onyx. Made in Italy. This box is amazing and in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,51 x 3,93 x 1,57 H inches 14 x 10 x 4 H cm
Onyx
Mid-Century Hand-Blown Murano Glass Nude Sculpture signed Giancarlo Signoretto
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite hand-blown Murano glass sculpture by Giancarlo Signoretto captures the human form with a strikingly modernist sensibility, rendered in a luminous citrine gradient that...
Murano Glass
Astonishing Onyx Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern, Made in Italy, 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing box in onyx. Made in Italy. This box is amazing and in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,31 x 3,93 x 1,93 H inches 13,5 x 10 x 5 H cm
Onyx
Rectangular wooden box, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rectangular wooden box, France, 1970s, characterized by a richly veined veneer, likely burl, offering a particularly expressive natural design. Its surface displays a warm palette of...
Wood
Murano Pink Cased Glass Vase, Optic Swirl Design, Italy, Circa 1970s
By Venini
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Murano pink cased glass vase, produced in Italy in the 1970s, is a finely executed example of vintage Murano glass and Italian art glass, featuring a pronounced optic swirl patt...
Murano Glass
Pair of brass small Decorative brass birds figurines, France, 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of small, finely crafted decorative brass birds, dating from the 1950s and of French origin. Each bird features a stylized body covered in a design punctuated with colorful cabo...
Brass
$419Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Art Glass Vase Green and Yellow Organic Form
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant Italian Murano art glass vase. Executed using the traditional Sommerso technique, the piece features a luminous gradient of opaline yellow and vivid green encased in clear gl...
Art Glass
Vintage George Nelson Model-2202 Sunburst Clock for Howard Miller
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage George Nelson Model 2202 sunburst clock for Howard Miller is an iconic example of mid-century modern design, combining playful geometry with timeless radial symmetry. Cr...
Metal
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bird Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Owl Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Large Paolo Soleri Brutalist Bronze Wind Bell Arcosanti 1970s
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Large Paolo Soleri Brutalist Bronze Wind Bell Arcosanti 1970s
Bronze
1970s Murano Glass Bowl, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Sommerso Geode Design
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Murano glass bowl produced in Italy circa 1970s, is formed in a distinctive geode-style sommerso design with a compact, sculptural presence. Thickly cast in layered glass, the ...
Murano Glass, Sommerso
Large wooden box, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large wooden box, France, 1970s, crafted from burl veneer with particularly rich and decorative patterns. Its surface displays a magnificent, intricate grain with amber and gold hues...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Danish Glass Vase by Per Lütken for Holmegaard, 1960s
By Holmegaard
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Glass Vase by Per Lütken for Holmegaard, 1960s
Glass
Seguso Murano Coral Orange White Opal Italian Art Glass Vanity Perfume Bottle
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent white over coral orange Italian art glass vanity footed perfume bottle. The piece is documented to designer Archimede Seguso. It has be...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Opaline Glass
Vintage porcelain vase in the style of "Old Paris", China, Mid-20th Century
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage porcelain vase in the style of "Old Paris". Made in China in mid-20th Century. Gilt swan neck handles to the shoulder, with flared neck, and sitting on a round socl...
Porcelain
1960s large Rimini Blu ceramic pig money box by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy
Located in München, DE
A beautiful, large, decorative 1960s ceramic piggy bank from the Rimini Blu collection. The design is by the renowned Italian artist and painter Aldo Londi. Manufactured by Bitossi. ...
Ceramic
$584Sale Price|20% Off
Fornasetti Glass Wall Clock, Italian Design, 1990s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous wall clock in glass by Fornasetti it's signed on the bottom. Made in Italy. It's in excellent condition and it works perfectly with an AA battery (quartz mechanism by ...
Glass
Picture Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful rectangular picture photo frame in tortoiseshell lucite effect and brass in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect desk object...
Brass, Metal
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bird Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Mid Century Expressionist Metal Sculpture on Travertine Base Brutalist Style
Located in Troy, MI
Abstract expressionist sculpture by Robert Stoetzer USA 1964 Two hand formed metal figures, the upper a winged angelic form in ascent and the lower figure caught between release and...
Travertine, Copper
1970s Mid-Century Blue Vase by Ind. Vetraria Valdarnese. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Vintage spherical vase manufactured in Italy by the prestigious IVV (Industria Vetraria Valdarnese). Expertly blown from high-quality glass, this piece features an exceptionall...
Blown Glass
Mid Century Bronze Etruscan Horse Sculpture on Slate Base Attr Frederic Weinberg
Located in Peoria, AZ
Monumental! Hand-Gilded Horse Sculpture Here is a beautiful Etruscan bronze sculpture of a horse. The sculpture is enameled bronze and has a turquoise polychromed finish to the b...
Slate, Bronze
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