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Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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
20th Century Large Exotic Embossed Leather Vertical Valet Wardrobe Trunk
Located in Encinitas, CA
Mid century embossed leather steamer trunk on caster wheels, with brass plated hardware. A vertical trunk - a royal traveling companion functioning as a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

4-step spiral library staircase made of walnut wood and leather from the Middle Ages
Located in Cantù, IT
4-step spiral library staircase made of walnut wood and leather from the Middle Ages
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid 20th Century Modern Folding Screen by J. Baumann, 1950s
Located in Brugge, BE
1950s France Pine 180cm high, 200cm wide, 2cm deep
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, Set of 8
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-century bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, set of 8. Very decorative Danish modern bookends in rosewood and metal designed by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for Feldball...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Hardwood

Italian Bamboo and Mirror Room Divider, 1960's
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Behold this charming room divider from the 1960s, crafted with love and care from bamboo and mirror glass. This exquisite piece features a unique design with beautifully arched panel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Mirror

Solid Glass Block Bookends By Blenko
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Solid Glass Block Bookends By Blenko, textured edge.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Midcentury Walnut and Ceramic Tile and Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of mid-century bookends. Solid walnut with inlaid copper colored ceramic tile. Unsigned.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Massive Pair of Brass on Walnut Base Rams Head Bookends by Sarreid
Located in San Diego, CA
A massive pair of brass rams head bookends on walnut bases by Sarreid, circa 1970s. The bookends, which were made in Spain, are in very good condition and have a great look. They mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pine

Egg Shaped Marble Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Egg shaped marble bookends. Each egg has a flat side to hold books tight! White marble with gray graining throughout. Nice size measuring 5.5 tall and 3.5 a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Replogle Terrestrial Floor Globe
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
This floor globe by Replogle floats within a ring of walnut, supported by four 'turned' chrome stiles, which connect to a base of walnut. The ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Curtis Jere Mars & Venus Gold Gilt Bookends Sculptures Signed Jeré, 1968
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A beautiful, and in lovely condition, pair of Mars and Venus Curtis Jere sculptures or bookends depicting the male and female gender symbols on square bases made of gold leafed cast iron. In beautiful condition with original patina and signed "C. Jeré 1968". The gilt really adds a nice warmth and glow. These would look exquisite displayed in a lit bookcase, in a master bedroom, master bath...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron, Gold

Pair of Glossy Black Porcelain Eagle Head Bookends by Hispania Daiso / LLadro
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool pair of glossy black porcelain bald eagle head bookends by Hispania Dasio / Lladro of Spain, circa 1985. The set is quite striking and in v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Porcelain

Classic 1970s Gucci Leather Brief Case, Made in Italy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic 1970s Gucci leather brief case, made in Italy, nice original condition, monogramed, no key.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Folding Screen, Wooden Structure, Vinyl Upholstery - France
Located in Girona, ES
Nice folding screen, three parts, wooden structure, cotton filling and "prehistoric horses" pattern vinyl upholstery. Golden studs decoration. Fran...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Vintage Danish Teak Bookends 1960s, Set of 2
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak bookends 1960s, Set of 2 Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern bookends in solid teak with metal base. Very good original condition. Ready to support.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak

Post Modern Marble Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of vintage Italian marble bookends, circa 1970s. In the style of Sergio Asti. Stone is beautifully veined and in great c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Pair of Acrylic Lucite Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Lucite / Acrylic bookends by Ritts and Co. - super sleek and perfect for any space. Especially good for the modern or minimalist space. The pair a...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

Large Black Marble Decorative Pyramid
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful large black marble decorative pyramid, circa 1970s. The base of the pyramid is 9.75" x 9.75" and the height is 10.5". There are some very ...
Category

Late 20th Century Pakistani Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Travertine Horse Head Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Very stylish pair of mid-century Italian travertine horse head bookends, circa 1970's. The bookends are heavy and solid and well crafted. They wold ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Travertine

1940s Polished Aluminium Steamer Trunk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This polished aluminium cabin trunk is very unusual. It is magnificent and mirror polished. Golden brass studs. Leather handles. Its interior still has been relined in black velvet...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Roger Tallon Aluminum Helicoid Staircase
Located in New York, NY
French Post-War Design (1966) polished aluminum helicoid form circular 13 step staircase with rubber step surface (designed by ROGER TALLON)
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Black Room Divider Wall Unit by Ludvik Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov, 1960s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Designed by Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov, a well known furniture manufacturer and dealer. In the last few years, these claustras have become increasingly rare with an equally increa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Plywood, Lacquer

Exquisite Custom Studio Trompe L'oeil Four-Panel Folding Screen
Located in Camden, ME
Impressive midcentury 84" tall four-panel folding floor screen. Brass sabots on the base supports, brass hinges, gloss black lacquer reverse with gilt stenciled Buddhist symbols. The...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1958 Danish Teak Hutch Bar Credenza by Hans Wegner for Ry Møbler
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Born on April 22nd in 1958, this free-standing wall-unit / hutch is truly an architectural masterpiece. The entire construction can be easily broken down and assembled without any h...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak, Pine

Desk Ornament World Globe with Chromed Stand A super piece and useful
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Desk Ornament World Globe with Chromed Stand A super piece and a useful desk ornament for the desk that has everything else This small globe is set on a chrome stand, in good cond...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Decorative Obelisks in Pure Glass Signed "Save Venice 1989", Italy
Located in Brescia , Brescia
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your space with this pair of decorative obelisks crafted in pure glass, signed "Save Venice 1989". These unique pieces serve as both a captivating...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Mid Century French Baumann Paravent Paris Pine Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Burton, TX
Found in France, this French Art Deco freestanding tambour room divider / folding screen in patinated heart pine was made by Baumann, Melun Paris. This flexible paravent is made out ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pine

Charlotte Perriand Modernist Luggage Rack, Tubular Steel, Les Arcs, France, 1950
Located in Labrit, Landes
Luggage rack made by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1968 for the ski resort Les Arcs. Support formed by wooden slats, resting on a chromed metal structure. Lot 2 Shipping: 64/51/41 ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4635 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Wall Unit by Ludvik Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov
Located in Vienna, AT
Flower (dividing) wall made of the bent beech plywood and features geometric paterns. In restored condition. This is the seldom version with the round corners. Designed by Ludvik V...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Colorful 6-Panel Room Divider
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A colorful vintage room divider with a beautifully textured surface, decorated in a Mid-Century or Art Deco style. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood, Paint

Room divider by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960’s
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Room divider designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. This set features two black lacquered steel supports and a large cabinet with 2 shelves on each side. In g...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

French wooden room divider, Tambour Screen by Jomain Baumann, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, ZH
In the 1930s Jomain Baumann designed a room divider made of pine wooden slats attached with metal wire. He named it the Tambour screen. The individual wooden slats allowed the screen to be folded in any desired shape. It was produced by Melun Paris...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metallic Thread

Vintage Large Handmade Iron Jack by Bill Curry
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large vintage handmade cast iron Jack, Jax, designed by Bill Curry of Design Line, 1967. This bookend is made of cast iron and is in original condition. Great addition to any decor, Industrial retro Pop Art...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Oggetti Italian Marble Bookends
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Oggetti Italian marble bookends. Brilliant veining throughout. Signed. Small chip on bottom of one (please refer to photos). Please note they are slightly different in height. One st...
Category

1980s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Style Drexel Heritage World Silver Globe Chrome Metal Base
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Elegant Silver World Globe in a clean design Stable chrome metal base. Tilted design single axis Attributed to Drexel Heritage 15 h x 12.5 diameter Preowned vintage condition See al...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mid Century 12" Reploge World Globe 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury 12" fiberglass and metal earth globe by Reploge Globes Inc. Chicago. Incredibly mod piece that stands on a metal base with full detail. This whimsical piece brings an al...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Modernist Pair of Solid Marble Bookends Memphis Era
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible pair of modernist solid marble bookends in emerald green and white tones, circa the 1980s. The pair has a sharp "Memphis Era" design by its bold profile. The organic beaut...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Mid Century Danish Modern Slim Rosewood Bookcase with Lower Bar Unit with Key
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-century Rosewood wood wide and bookcase with 6 adjustable shelves and a lower right locking bar or desk storage area. Beautiful rosewood backing with Slim design and sits on 4 ta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rosewood

1980s Brass Stirrup Bookends Equestrian made Korea
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Stirrup Bookends Vintage Equestrian Stamped Korea 5.25 h x 4.75 w x 3 .38 d Preowned unrestored vintage condition See images shown.
Category

Late 20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modernist Chrome Chain Link Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of modernist chrome chain link bookends, circa 1970s. The pair are very heavy and in good vintage condition; they measure 14.75"W x 6.25"D x 6.5"H. Great addition to an...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Vintage Cast Glass Bookends by Blenko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic pair of heavy Mid-Century Modern cast glass semi-circular column bookends by Blenko. In very good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. 5" x 5" x 2.5...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Folding Screen with Tibor Reich Etruscan Horse Fabric
Located in Savannah, GA
A four panel antique mahogany folding screen with a special Tibor Reich etruscan horse jacquard fabric from the 1960s. Both front and back are upholstered and pictured. 101 inches ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Jacquard, Mahogany

Goyard Trunk, 1910 France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Astounding vintage Goyard trunk in a rare extra large size. The oldest and largest antique Goyard trunk available for sale anywhere. Completely original leather, canvas and brass, un...
Category

1910s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Teak Cedar Chest
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century Danish made blanket chest with cedar inside. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Cedar Chest by Lane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century American made blanket chest with cedar lining. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Oak, Cedar

Mid-Century Articulated Paravent Baumann Screen Room Divider
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage articulated paravent screen in the style of Baumann France. Flexible Paravent made out of strips of wood allows the screen to be placed in different shapes and angels. Adroi...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Oak

French industrial brise-soleil aluminium panel by Jean Prouvè, 1956
Located in MIlano, IT
French industrial brise-soleil aluminium panel by Jean Prouvè, 1956. Aluminum panel or brise-soleil, from the facade of the school in Beziers, France. The structure is composed of a...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Restored Rattan Seven-Tier Tic-Tac-Toe Display Shelf Wall Etagere Unit
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage seven-level rattan shelf room divider wall with mahogany shelving. The unit features a unique broken up seven-level shelf design with modernist "Tic-Tac-Toe" rattan pole back...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rattan

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Neon Yellow Italian Murano Glass Obelisk
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare 'new old stock' polished faceted Murano glass obelisk in a beautiful light neon yellow colored / coloured glass, made circa 1970. Won...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Mid Century A to Z Brushed Steel Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible pair of midcentury, solid brushed steel, "A to Z" bookends circa 1970s. Incredibly solid with an impactful presence, these sculptural pieces render style to any decor. C...
Category

1970s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Cast Brass Mallard Duck Bookends Mid Century Modern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage pair of Mallard duck bookends is made of polished cast brass with detailed eyes, cheeks and beaks. The wide bases curve gently down, providing extra stability to the heavy, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1964 Mr. Zip Leather Postal Sling Bag
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Behold, the vintage 1964 Leather Mr. Zip Postal Mail Bag, a timeless relic of postal history. Crafted from supple leather, this bag exudes a sense of elegance and durability, reminis...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1970s Black & Clear Lucite Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of mid-century modern bookends in black and clear lucite. Sophisticated and clean with a light-catching quality that adds a polished element to any bookshelf. In good vintag...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

Four-Panel Bamboo Wicker Rattan Folding Screen Room Divider, France 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
This Mid-Century-Modern eye-catching rattan or wicker and bamboo four-panel room divider with filigree decoration was crafted in France in the 1960s. This rattan screen combines mid-...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rattan

Vintage Mid Century Modern Illuminated Globe on Mahogany Stand By Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Illuminated World Globe on Mahogany Stand By Edward Wormley for Dunbar This light up globe is perfect for anyone searching for eclectic light sources. This soft light will make any living room or waiting area cozier. American designer Edward Wormley was inspired by sleek Scandinavian modernism with this wood stand. This is a great for history buffs, as the globe displays mid...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Art Deco Architectural Bird Bookends Art Brass Co NY Geometric Pair Owl Falcon
By Art Brass Co.
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Pair of brass American Art Deco Bird bookends designed in sharply geometric patterns, like metropolis architectural elements of the 1920-1940. Each bird is stamped "Art Brass Co NY...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Don Shoemaker for Señal Bookends in Solid Cocobolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of solid wood bookends by Mexican-American designer Don Shoemaker for his company, Señal. Rendered in highly figured cocobolo wood, a species of local tropical wood similar to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cocobolo

Mid-century Modern home accents for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern home accents 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 home accents created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern home accents made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original home accents, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Blenko, Ben Seibel, and Replogle Globes. 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 home accents differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $188,000 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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