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Mid-Century Modern Andirons

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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Modernist Brass Andirons, Screen & Toolset, Italy 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Unusual set of matched andirons, screen and tools with grooved details.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass

Donald Deskey Andirons, Brass, Signed Bennett
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey andirons, brass, signed Bennett. Newly refinished by Empire Metal of Astoria, NY. Completely disassembled and built back better. Brass elements were refinished in "Butl...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mid-Century Andirons in Brass and Iron in the Style of Donald Deskey
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a high-style pair of andirons constructed of brass and iron from the mid-20th century. Although the designer and maker is unknown, they are similar to the andirons designed b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of French Equestrian Andirons in Wrought Iron and Bronze, 1950s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A striking pair of mid-century French andirons, beautifully combining the strength of wrought iron with the elegance of cast bronze. Each piece is topped with a finely detailed hors...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Stylish Pair of Mid-Century Modern Andirons or Firebogs
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Lovely pair of Mid-Century Modern andirons. Inspired by an opening flower, these heavy wrought iron andirons open up to reveal a polished hand hammered "floating" shiny ball. Nice ...
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Vintage Ornamental Andirons Made from Brass Iron
Located in Vienna, AT
Nice pair of andirons from France, circa 1950s, made from iron and brass with handmade embossed ornaments. The condition is good with patina to the brass. Measurements are 14.96"/4....
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron, Brass

Pair of Donald Deskey Mid-Century Modern Nickel Plated Sculptural Andirons
Located in St. Louis, MO
Sculptural Donald Deskey for Bennett Andirons in Nickel, having a J shape with solid nickel disc in center. Older restoration, light use since then. Depth of uprights are 1.25" d. Same design shown in Wolfgang Joop...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Nickel, Iron

Pair of Custom Mid-Century Modernist Style Polished Brass Rectangular Andirons
Located in New York, NY
This ultra chic pair of custom andirons feature a minimalistic vertical rectangular front panel displayed in polished brass. They are fully customizable in terms of the dimensions an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Donald Deskey Style Andirons, Brass Buckles
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey style andirons, brass buckles and wrought iron. Handsome pair of modernist andirons with square brass buckle fronts, semicircle bases and wr...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, circa 1950, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Very decorative pair of andirons, circa 1950, France. Blackened wrought iron. Dimensions: 39 cm D, 27 cm W, 15 cm H. Original condition. All purchases are covered by our Buyer Protec...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Brass Flame Andirons, circa 1960, Italy.
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant pair of mid-century andirons, circa 1960, Italy. Stylised flame, polished brass. Blackened tubular steel. Dimensions: 27 cm H, 12 cm W, 43 cm D. All purchases are covered by ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of Custom Mid-Century Modernist Style Polished Nickel Caliber Andirons
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural and sophisticated pair of andirons were custom fabricated by artisans in New York State. Offering a vaguely figurative form, these polished nickel andirons are compos...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Torqued Flame Andirons in Polished Chrome
Located in New York, NY
This bold and elegant Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Torqued Flame Andirons in Polished Chrome originate from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a dynamic minimal composition ren...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Cast Iron Flame Andirons , circa 1950, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice pair of sculptural andirons, France circa 1950. Stylized flame in cast iron. Dimensions: 25 cm H, 18 cm W, 39 cm D. Good original condition. All purchases are covered by our Buy...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron

Pair of Ibex animal wrought iron Andirons, France, 1950's, mid century
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, Ibex wrought iron andirons, with golden brass horns. Great condition.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid Century Fireplace Tool Set by Bennett Attributed to Deskey
Located in New York, NY
Great midcentury fireplace tool set signed Bennett, design attributed to Donald Deskey. This set is in exceptional clean, ready to use o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Mid Century Modern Brass Scroll Andirons in the Style of Raymond Subes
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful pair of Mid Century scroll form andirons in the style of Raymond Subes. The scrolls are solid brass and the legs are forged iron. These have the original finish.
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Roccoco Style Decorative Ormolu Fireplace Chenets Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of early 20th century highly decorative bronze ormolu (gilt metal) chenets in the Rococo style. These Chenets or fire dogs are in the typical Rococo design of scrolling fol...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Jean Charles ‘’Teardrop” Andirons, France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Solid nickel plated andirons by Jean Charles with wrought iron.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Nickel

Pair of Cast Iron and Wrought Ironandirons, French, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of cast iron and wrought iron. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron, Iron

Pair of Arts & Crafts Modern Chrome Andirons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
A very modern take on a pair of hand forged Andirons that are chrome over iron. Tall sleek and elegant. Signed Cahill?
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Alessandro Albrizzi Chrome Fire Screen and Andirons Mid Century Modern
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Clean Lined Chrome Andirons and Fire Screen, designed by Alessandro Albrizzi, American, circa 1960s. They are priced at $1250 each, or $1950 for both the andirons and fi...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair Donald Deskey Brass & Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of fireplace andirons designed by Donald Deskey circa 1950 for Bennett. Sculpturally cut and formed forged blackened iron J swoops (al...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Modernist Wrought Iron Andirons, French, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of modernist wrought iron andirons have pure lines and are very elegant. Very nice quality with rivets. French work, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Modernist Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Pair of modernist wrought iron andirons, French, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair Of Artistic Wrought Iron Andirons, circa 1970, France.
By Lynn Chadwick
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of graphic and minimalist andirons, circa 1970, France. This pair can be presented in two different positions, for two unusual geometric compositions. Wrought iron. A very nice ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron

Raymond Subes, Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French, Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This fire place tools are made of wrought iron. This is a work by famous French designer Raymon Subes, Circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Raymond Subes, Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French, Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of wrought iron. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Modernist Chromed Steel and Iron Andirons, French, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful pair of modernist andirons are made of chromed steel and Iron. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron, Steel

Brass Art Deco Modern torqued Andirons and Fire Tools Set, Deskey Style
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique designed solid brass in the Art Deco style andirons and fire tool set. in the style of Donald Deskey. The andirons and tools are in a brushed satin brass finish. These tools a...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Art Deco, Modernist Flat Bar Helix Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury andirons with twisted flat bar polished nickel elements resting on black iron backs.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Nickel

Pair of Chinese Style Andirons in Hammered Brass 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese style Modernist andirons in hammered brass, American 1950's. These andirons are very chic. Dimensions are for each.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Donald Deskey Andirons for Bennett, Nickel Chrome, Wrought Iron, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey andirons for Bennett, nickel chrome and wrought iron, signed. Nickel-plated brass tapered blades with newly restored matte black wrought iron shanks. Deskey's design wa...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron, Nickel

Pair Of Large Andirons In Wrought Iron with Brass Orbs 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large andirons in wrought iron with brass orbs on top by Stover, American 1970's (signed “STOVER MFG. CO.” on base of andiron). Thes...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Donald Deskey Style Andirons, Geometric, Brass Buckles
Located in New York, NY
Donald Deskey style andirons, geometric, brass buckles. Handsome pair of andirons with square brass buckle decorative fronts and wrought iron shanks.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Polished Brass Twisted Arrow Style Andirons, Vintage Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
These simple and yet classic designed andirons in a polished brass with twisted neck and spade finial.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron, Brass

Pair of Brass Andirons Attributed to Donald Deskey
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of midcentury fireplace andirons. We're reasonable sure they were designed by Donald Deskey. Brass portions have been polished. The...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Steel

Donald Deskey Style Mid Century Brass Andirons
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Donald Deskey Style Mid Century Brass Andirons Each andiron measures: 9.5 wide x 22.5 deep x 18 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detai...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of Elegant Flame Andirons in Polished Chrome 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of flame andirons in polished chrome, American 1960's. These andirons are very chic. The flames of a fire would reflect beautifully off the gently curving surfaces of the andir...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Chrome, Wrought Iron

American Modern Steel Andirons
Located in Queens, NY
American Modern Steel Andirons
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Steel

Donald Deskey Andirons and Wall Mounted Fireplace Tools by Bennett
Located in Hanover, MA
An original five piece set of modernist Art Deco andirons and matching fireside tools designed by Donald Deskey and produced by Bennett-Ire...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Brass Andirons by Saarinen Swanson Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass andirons for Saarinen Swanson Group by J. Robert Swanson, Pipsan Swanson Saarinen and Eliel Saarinen, c.1940s, USA. Pipsan, part of the famous Saarinen created this p...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of modernist cast iron andirons circa 1970
Located in LE CANNET, FR
Pair of andirons dating from the 1940s-1950s. French work. Ideal for a chic and minimalist decor
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Metal

Pair of French 1970s Flame-Shaped Solid Bronze Andirons
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of modernist 1970s French solid bronze andirons in the shape of flames.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Rare Pair of Horse-Shaped Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Unusual pair of wrought iron fire dogs with stylized horses.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Andirons, Brass and Iron, in the Style of Donald Deskey
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of vintage andirons in brass plated steel and iron in the style of Donald Deskey. Very good condition and ready to use. We can pack and ship thes...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Steel, Iron

Pair of modernist wrought iron andirons, France, 1950's, mid century
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, wrought iron andirons in the style of Jean Royère.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Donald Deskey Brass Blade Andirons by Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning pair of modernist andirons by legendary designer Donald Deskey. They were made by Bennett in the United States, circa 1950. The andirons are polished brass with an amorphi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Post-War Brass Cylinder Andirons
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Post-War Design brass andirons with a center tall cylinder surrounded by 2 smaller cylinders. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of Heavy Brass or Bronze Andirons
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice scroll details heavy brass or bronze andirons. Measures: 27" Tall.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Pair of Modernist Brushed Steel, Brass and Iron Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of modernist andirons is made of brushed steel, brass and iron. This is a very nice model, large and made of very good quality. This is a French work. circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Steel, Iron

Pair of sea horses andirons France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Nice pair of wrought iron French andirons circa 1950 with sea horse shape In the front Heavy high quality of iron
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

1960-1970’s MCM to Modern Andirons or Firedogs Solid Brass Wave Scroll or S Shap
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage MCM or Mid-Century Modern to Modern Andirons or Firedogs comprised of solid brass wave, scroll, or S shaped. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vint...
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass

Spectacular Pair of Danny Alessandro Fireplace Andirons Chrome Brass Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular pair of Danny Alessandro andirons in chrome and brass.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Pair of Andirons in Chrome, Enameled Steel & Glass, Designed as Knights
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing 1950s designed pair of Andirons in steel, chrome and glass, depicting two Knights with shields and lances. Very whimsical and HEAVY! NOTE: One of the knights head reclin...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of wrought iron andirons are very elegant and made of a very good quality. It is a french work, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Donald Deskey Nickel Blade Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modernist andirons in blackened iron with a polished nickel blades. Designed by Donald Deskey for Bennett. Mint restored. On display at 200 Lexington...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Rare Belt Andirons With Gold Bronze Buckels by Jules Wabbes, Belgium 1960.
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of "Belt" cast iron andirons with polish bronze "Buckels". General Decoration for Jules Wabbes. Litt. "Garde feu" of the same design by General...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Chic Flower Andirons in Brass 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of loop andirons, brass with stylized flowers, American 1950's. These andirons would lend a touch of elegance to any fireplace. Dimensions are for each.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Chrome Andirons
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Chrome andirons.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Chrome Andirons
Chrome Andirons
$1,800 / set

Mid-century Modern andirons for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern andirons 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 andirons created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern andirons made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original andirons, popular names associated with this style include Donald Deskey, Bennett Co., Virginia Metalcrafters, and Afra & Tobia Scarpa. 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 andirons differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $395 and tops out at $12,500 while the average work can sell for $2,728.

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