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Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Midcentury Modern Large Ceramic Bowl Rörstrand AXK Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful largest model of the AXK bowl manufactured in the 1950s at Rörstrand, designed by Gunnar Nylund. The bowl has a wonderful glaze and it lifts the shape of the bowl to a won...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1960, Atelier Palègre Sculpture
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare and unique vase sculpture ceramic (sandstone) made in 1960 by Jean-Paul Brunet / Atelier Palègre.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Sandstone

1970s Textured Stoneware Vase Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stoneware vase with densely textured, abstract pattern in brown with a lightly mottled beige base, circa 1970s. Measures: H 7.25" x D 5.75" Incised signature present AP C8.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Studio Stoneware Floral Vase Signed Pollack, 1975
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1970s Pollack stoneware vase with two-sided floral decoration. Interesting textural elements present with applied linear details and lattice fragments. Signed "Pollack '75."  
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Black 1960s Ceramic Vases from Carlo Zauli, Set of 2
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pair of glazed ceramic vases was manufactured by the pottery master Carlo Zauli in the 1960s. Irregular and rough surface is the hallmark of the artist. Ref. AA.VV. Carlo Zau...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Mid-Century Modern Architectural Pottery Monumental White Cylindrical Pot
Located in Topeka, KS
Iconic vintage Mid-Century Modern monumental white cylindrical pot by Architectural Pottery of California. Mark is on the inside bottom. It is in fabulous...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Mid-20th Century Mythological Terracotta "Medusa" Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sculpture depicting a female, armless figure lying on her side, circa 1960s-1970s. Unsure of the subject, but the style and details of the hair suggest this could depict Medusa. Imp...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta

Dish Designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dish designed by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1970s. Stoneware. Unique. Signed "KAIPIAINEN ARABIA" Dimensions: L: 42 cm / 1'...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Ceramic Bowl by Gustave Reynaud, in the Manner of Jean Derval
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful midcentury handcrafted bowl by Gustave Reynaud for Atelier Le Murier. Earthenware decorated with scarifications on gray enamel and red copper. Wood firing. Hand written ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Modern Rare Pair of Vases Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
These pieces were made in Sweden at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1940-1950s. This is the small size vase and the large vase called "Charmotte". The name in...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Studio Ceramic Vase with Floral Decoration Singed Pollack, 1976
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall 1976 Pollack vase / vessel in a white high-gloss glaze with colorful, hand painted floral decoration. Signed "Pollack '76."
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Blue/Green Pierced Cylindrical Ceramic Fruit Bowl
Located in Oakland, CA
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern design, this bowl is wheel thrown and hand pierced stoneware with satin glaze that breaks from blue to green to grey. Small holes are created when the ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

1973 Studio Stoneware Sgraffito Amphora Signed Pollack
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stoneware Amphora in muted palette with pops of green to the lower portion. Sgraffito pattern present along with applied "face" handles, adding a unique, decorative element. Signed "...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

1950s by Leopold Anzengruber African Woman Vienna Figure
Located in Brescia, IT
Pottery exotic women sculpture.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Harris G. Strong Pottery Fish Tray / Serving Dish
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An early Harris G. Strong pottery fish tray or serving dish with glazed hand painted lions or animal forms to the surface. A rare piece signed to the bottom with style number P-30 an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Amphora Sculpture, Created by Elie Van Damme, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Amphora sculpture, created by Elie Van Damme, 1960s.
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury French Glazed Ceramic Black Cat
Located in Stamford, CT
A charming seated glazed ceramic black cat with yellow glass eyes and gilt bow around neck. What I find most appealing about this feline is the rather se...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Italian Yellow Green Orange Ceramic Vase by Bitossi, 1950s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Vase by Bitossi Italy 1950s in typical midcentury colors.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage "Farm Girl with Lamb" Decorative Stoneware Figural Plate
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming decorative plate in a heavy matte white glaze depicting a farm girl with a lamb. What looks like a small edge chip is merely a spot that wasn't gla...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Petite Stoneware "Tree of Life" Mortar Bowl / Vide Poche
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Heavily textured footed mortar / decorative bowl with sgraffito decoration throughout. The main color is ochre with an attractive top banding of blue and green. The interior design i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Pale Pink and Brown Stoneware Charger Signed Polk, 1972
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Attractive stoneware charger / decorative plate in muted palette of pale pink and brown with pops of green and a strip of red leather attached to the handle. Nice textural elements p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

1970s Concentric Circle Stoneware Charger in Blue and Brown
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Attractive stoneware charger / decorative plate in blue and brown with concentric circles pattern (inner circle is only a partial outline by design). Additionally, the mottled edge a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Abstract Midcentury Art Ceramic Vase and Bowl Gambone Miro Style White Red 1950s
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Midcentury abstract art ceramic vase and organic formed bowl probably, made in Italy, France or Germany, circa 1950. The ovoid vase and the rounded freeform big bowl have a mainly wh...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Large Ceramic Bull Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceramic bull with glaze, marked CW 64. made in Germany in the 1960s original condition.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Modern Large Bottleneck Vase Rörstrand by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This large stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1950s is gifted with light brown harefur glaze. And it has that stunning look of Nylunds great craftsmanship. It really gives...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Glazed Terracotta Oversized Vase with Black Abstract Decoration
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large terracotta bottle vase with hand painted black motifs, Italy, 1971. Massive glazed terracotta bottle vase with black primitive decorations. Handc...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery, Terracotta

Japanese Ceramic Tea Ceremony Chawan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small Han Tsutsu-gata (half cylinder shape) Japanese tea ceremony chawan, circa mid-20th Century. Attractive partially metallic brown / taupe color combin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Decorative Hand-Painted Ceramic Jug by Gustave Raynaud, Vallauris, France, 1960
Located in New York City, NY
Decorative Mid-Century Hand-Painted Ceramic Jug by Gustave Raynaud, Vallauris, France, circa 1960. This delightful jug is cylindrical in shape and h...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Earth Tone Stoneware Charger Signed Polk, 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking stoneware charger / decorative plate in attractive earth tones of ochre and brown with swaths of red and a strip of brown leather attached t...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Studio Stoneware Slab Signed Pollack 1973
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stoneware slab / decorative plate with of an attractive palette of brown, green and navy with a mottled pattern throughout. Attached fragments in ochre and mustard adorn the sides. ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

1973 Pollack Stoneware Slab / Decorative Plate
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stoneware slab / decorative plate with of an attractive palette of earth tones with pops of pink for contrast and a mottled decorative border. Signed "Pollack '73.".
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Fortessa Forta Luxe Super White Ceramic Plate Bowl Centerpiece Dinnerware Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative glazed dinnerware, china, centerpiece, plate, fruit bowl in super white by Fortessa Forta, Italy. The Forta Luxe super white china retains its ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Stoneware Ceramic Brown Asbtract Form by O Giroud La Borne 1977 Midcentury
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Olivier Giroud Realized in 1977, signed under the base. Abstract stoneware ceramic sculpture. Original midcentury design form with brown stonew...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Pollack Figural Stoneware Decorative Plate
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Studio ceramic decorative plate depicting a woman with a headscarf. Linear and geometric details present along with pops of blue and green to enhance the smattering of floral decorat...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Architectural Red and White Ceramic Sculpture by Simone Couderc 20th Century
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Simone Couderc Original 20th century ceramic sculpture. Abstract and architecural stoneware ceramic form with white and red ceramic glazes colors. Signed at the base circ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Heavily Textured Stoneware Vase Signed Pollack
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking and unique stoneware vase made in 1976 by ceramicist, Pollack. Interesting incorporation of textures and patterns - a matte-beige mottled surface with a slight metallic shee...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Ceramic Studio Vase Rörstrand Carl Harry Stålhane, Sweden
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Very nice studio vase from Rörstrand and maker/designer Carl Harry Stålhane. Made in Sweden in the midcentury. Beautiful glazed vases in good condition. Measures: H 12 cm, D 13cm.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Harrison Mcintosh Signed Monumental Midcentury Large Ceramic Pottery Charger
Located in Studio City, CA
A very rare and early atomic themed or motif (a motif he would later come back to some years later) substantial charger by renowned American West Coast Californian master ceramist Ha...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Enamelled Ceramic Mask, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Enamelled ceramic mask, circa 1950.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1974 Studio Stoneware "Birds" Sculpture Signed Pollack
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive stoneware sculpture in matte sepia with pops of blue and green. Interesting form, with bird motifs incorporating cut outs and open exposures as compositional constructs. ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Ivo Sassi Mid-Century Modern Design Italian Ceramic Vases Bottles Set, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design ceramic vases or bottles set serie “Gli Etruschi” designed by Italian artist Ivo Sassi, 1950s Dimensions from left: Height 32 cm, width 6 cm, de...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1960s by Antonio Salvador Orodea ASO Valdemorillo Ceramic Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
Enameled ceramic vase Excellent condition.
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Sven Bolin Floorvase for Höganäs, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare floorvase from the 1940s by Sven Bolin for Höganäs. Good vintage condition with minimal signs of use.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Four Piece California Pottery Smoking Set by Marc Bellaire, Excellent Condition
Located in Kansas City, MO
Hand painted, Signed Marc Bellaire set of four ceramic dishes. Three have indentations for whatever you are smoking and the fourth is to hold whatever you are smoking. Fruit motif in...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Midcentury Modern Ceramic Studio Vase Rörstrand Carl Harry Stålhane, Sweden
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Round studio vase from Rörstrand and maker/designer Carl Harry Stålhane. Made in Sweden in the midcentury. Beautiful glazed vases in good condition. Dimensions: H 16 cm, D 15cm.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Andrea D'Arienzo Ceramic Vase, Italy 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Andrea D'Arienzo ceramic vase, Vietri, Italy 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Aldo Londi Bitossi Beige Glazed Ceramic Round Wall Mirror with Leaf Motifs
Located in Barcelona, ES
Round wall mirror by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, beige glazed ceramic and leaf motifs, Italy, 1960s. Italian Mid-Century Modernist handcrafted beige-taupe terracotta glazed ceramic circular mirror...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery, Terracotta, Mirror, Ceramic

Brown Stoneware Ceramic Conical Vase Midcentury Design by Bernon
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Marius Bernon French brown ceramic stoneware vase by French artist, circa 1950. Conical elegant form and stoneware ceramic glaze color. Signed under the base Dimensions: ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Glazed Ceramic Corn on the Cob Glasses and Pitcher, France, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Majolica glazed ceramic corn on the cob jug and tumbler set of four. France, 1960s. The set is comprised by a large ceramic jug with co...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

Il Pino Barletta , 1950s Vinegar and Oil Set Container, Hand-Decorated Ceramic
Located in Vigonza, Padua
“The pine still lives”, this is how Barletta remembered his centuries-old giant “Il pino vive ancora”, così Barletta ha ricordato il suo gigante secolare Mid-Century Modern, vinegar ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Midcentury Ceramic Vases from Valceresio, 1950s, Set of Two
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful set of two colorful pieces ceramic vases or vessels with typical pattern from the midcentury, approximate 1950-1960. Made in Northern Italy by Valceresio Ceramic near Cere...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Studio Stoneware Pale Green Floral Vase Signed Pollack, 1976
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pale green stoneware vase made in 1976 by ceramicist, Pollack. Abstract floral decoration present on both sides. Signed "Pollack '76."
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Orange Ceramic Chess Pieces Sculpture by Il Picchio, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Five chess pieces in orange ceramic by Il Picchio, Italy, 1970s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Ceramic Reptile Optic Style Glazed Platter
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully created and in excellent condition vintage ceramic platter. The finish on this platter evokes an optic illusion of reptile skin in ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Teapot and Jug Blå eld by Hertha Bengtsson for Gustavsberg Sweden
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A Mid Century Modern teapot and milk jug from the series "Blå eld" translated to Blue fire in English is quality earthenware from Rörstrand, Sweden desig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

Graceful Glazed Ceramic Vase by C.A.S. Vietri, Italy, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Attractive, lively glazed ceramic C.A.S. Vietri vase in the style of Guido Gambone, with a graceful leaf and imbricated triangle motif. Hand-thrown with blue, brown, and white salt glaze...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Sculpture, Dated 1966
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual and quite compelling American midcentury glazed stoneware geometric sculpture signed and dated 1966. Raw stoneware, a little glaze and some cobalt and iron were the standard ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

White Midcentury Abstract Ceramic Vase by Veronique Grandjacques, circa 1980
By Veronique Grandjacques
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Veronique Grandjacques, Midcentury abstract ceramic sculpture vase White and black ceramic glazes colors, circa 1980. Signed under the base. Measures: Height 45cm.
Category

1980s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Modern ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern ceramics for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern ceramics made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Roger Capron, and Bitossi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $113,467 while the average work can sell for $901.

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