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.
Vintage French Brutalist Amber Glass Push/Pull Door Handles, 1960s
Located in Bristol, GB
MID CENTURY DOOR HANDLES We have three of these sets of door handles available to purchase individually which include handles for each...
Chrome
$1,295 / set
New Starburst Kit for Flush Modern doors
By History Never Repeats, Aaron Saxton
Located in South Charleston, WV
Hand-crafted by Aaron Saxton in the United States. Produced for clients not wishing to purchase our doors directly and to provide their own existing door for adornment, or newly pu...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Entrance or Passage Way Large Double Door Starburst Hardware Kit
By History Never Repeats, Aaron Saxton
Located in South Charleston, WV
Size fitted to your door. Produced for clients not wishing to purchase our doors directly and use their own existing or newly purchased door for a modern look For use on exterior or...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Entrance or Passage Way Large Single Door Starburst Hardware Kit
By History Never Repeats, Aaron Saxton
Located in South Charleston, WV
Size fitted to your door. Produced for clients not wishing to purchase our doors directly and use their own existing or newly purchased door for a modern look For use on exterior or...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$680Sale Price|44% Off
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Brass, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in London, GB
Circular push-pull door handle in brass, with hammered texture. Mid-20th century. Found in France. The handle is made up of two separate pieces with hammered texture; each trimmed w...
Metal, Brass
Puerto Rico Oval Water Meter Cover
Located in New York, NY
Puerto Rico Oval Water Meter Cover. Vintage cast iron oval Puerto Rico water meter cover; chestnut brown iron meter cover manufactured by Ford Meter Box Company, Wabash, Indiana. Ha...
Iron
Pair of Finnish Mid-Century Design Door Pulls in Brass & Wood, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Two very distinct and elegant Finnish Mid 20th century door pulls in brass and oak wood. The handles feature a ribbon like strip of brass with a wooden part along the handle. Very pr...
Brass
French Architectural Mid Century "Brise De Soleil" Aluminum Panel by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and large free standing decorative French mid century aluminium "Brise De Soleil" sun shutter panel on metal feet designed by Jean Prouvé and produced by the Ateliers Jea...
Aluminum
Midcentury Hardware Hammered Round Drawer Pulls Knobs
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Drawer Hardware Hammered Round Pulls Knobs Set of two 2 diameter x .75 tall Original vintage condition. Refer to images please.
Brass
$60Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Modernist Brass Triangular Pull Knob Carl Aubock Style
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modernist Brass Triangular Drawer Pull Knob Triangle pull 1.13 h x 3.88 w x .75 d Original vintage, refer to listed images
Brass
Entrance or Passage Way Large Starburst Door Hardware Kit
By Aaron Saxton, History Never Repeats
Located in South Charleston, WV
Size fitted to your door. Produced for clients not wishing to purchase our doors directly and use their own existing or newly purchased door for a modern look For use on exterior or...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Murano Clear Glass Door Handles by Ercole Barovier, Barovier & Toso 1950's
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in London, GB
Pair of elongated 1950's Murano push and pull handles in twisted clear glass set in chrome fittings, by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso. The elegant door handles will perform...
Chrome
Murano Sommerso Glass Push and Pull Door Handles with Chrome, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Push and pull door handles in solid glass hand blown Sommerso Murano attributed to Seguso Vetri d`Arte, glass with centre in chocolate brown and outer ring in clear glass fitted to a...
Brass
Set of Eight Mid-Century Modern Bronze Pull Handles, Germany, 1970
Located in London, GB
Bronze pull handles are suitable for drawers, cupboards and any type of cabinet furniture,. The design is inspired by vintage leather handles on suitcases with a textured surface bu...
Bronze
Set of Six Seahorse Shaped Drawer Handles in Brass & Abalone by Peñoles, Mexico
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate the aesthetic of your home with this exquisite Set of Six Door Handles in Brass & Abalone Shell designed and manufactured in Mexico Distrito Federal by Peñoles. The handles w...
Brass
Lateral Bronze Push-Pull Handle with Abstract Pattern European 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A lateral push-pull door handle made of cast bronze featuring a raised abstract pattern and soft ovaloid outline. 20th century design, found in Germany. The piece is in good vintage...
Bronze
$17,777Sale Price / set|35% Off
Important Fireplace & Wall Copper Clading By Oborzil & Jeney, Hungary 1969
Located in Trieste, IT
Copper cladding is very durable, lightweight compared to other materials and techniques, and at the end of the building life is also 100% recyclable. The image shows copper elements ...
Copper
Collection of 23 Italian Hand-Painted Glazed Terracotta Tiles — From Iris Apfel
By Deruta
Located in Morristown, NJ
Colorful collection of twenty-three Italian hand-painted glazed terracotta tiles, mid-20th century, in various floral and geometric patterns. Likely produced in Deruta or Vietri sul ...
Ceramic
Pair of Unusual Architectural Lamps with Travertine Bases
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of unusual architectural lamps, circa 1980s. Heavy and well made, travertine bases, on a dimmer providing uplight. These lamps could also be room dividers, etc...
Metal
Hexagonal Midcentury Door Handle of Hammered Brass and Copper, Italy
Located in London, GB
Italian mid-century door handle of hammered brass and blackened copper, in long asymmetrical hexagonal form. Hand-crafted piece with a hammered pattern to the brass and smooth dee...
Copper, Brass
Mid Century Bronze & Enamel Door Knocker "Peace To All Who Enter Here"
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Manufactured in Israel in 1969, this Brutalist-style door knocker features a "groovy" incised font with the welcoming message "Peace To All Who Enter Here". Cast in solid bronze with...
Bronze, Enamel
$9,000 / item
Lalique door handles "Fauns"
By Marc Lalique
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Created by Marc Lalique in 1962, the Faunes door handles show two crystal fauns sculpted in relief, set amongst a motif of vine leaves and bunches of grapes. Handcrafted in France ...
Crystal
Bronze Door Handle and Bell Push with Brutalist Design 20th Century, European
Located in London, GB
A rectangular bronze push or pull door handle, with Brutalist geometric design, together with matching bell push, mid-late 20th century, European. This is a heavy handle, made of ca...
Brass, Bronze
Jean Prouvé "Aerator" Air Vent, France 1958
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Aerator 1958 l JEAN PROUVÉ Aerator component, created for the La Doua campus of the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon, 1960-1963 This aluminium panel was designed by...
Aluminum
Round Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze with deep Relief
Located in London, GB
Single round door handle with deep relief that is textured. Cast bronze relief in perfect condition. The bronze has a subtitle patina due to the textured surface and its age, circa ...
Bronze
$5,698 / item
Jean Prouvé INSA facade panel France 1957 large
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Architectural ribbed “grill” façade element designed by Jean Prouvé and manufactured by Compagnie industrielle du matériel de transport in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, 1957. This panel...
Aluminum
Circular Bronze Push-Pull Door Handle, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in London, GB
Circular push-pull door handle in bronze (or brass), mid-20th century, France. A very simple elegant handle, made up of two separate pieces - each side with a slightly concave dish ...
Bronze
$1,800 / set
Door Pull Handles in Copper and Steel
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Large scale polished copper and steel door handles, circa 1960s. These examples have wonderfully patterned polished copper fronts and are framed in ...
Copper
Italian mid-century modern beige metal wood ceiling fan Marelli Casablanca, 1999
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern beige metal and wood ceiling fan Marelli by Casablanca, 1999 Ceiling fan model Marelli with three curved wooden blades. The central round-section structure...
Metal, Brass
Set of 6 Solid Brass Cabinet Pulls, Mexico 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a touch of vintage charm to your cabinets with this set of 6 Solid Brass Cabinet Pulls from Mexico, dating back to the 1950s. Each pull features a unique spiral design, crafted f...
Brass
Kitchen Drawers by Charlotte Perriand, Les Arcs 1800 ski resort Pinewood, 1960s
By Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Kitchen drawers designed by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs, a ski resort in the Alps. These doors come from a kitchen of Les Arcs 1800, Résidence La Nova. Manufactured in France in...
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Zebra Ceramic Door Handle 1960's
Located in London, GB
Single square push & pull door handle made with a hand painted ceramic tile depicting zebra's in black and white glaze is set in aluminium. The door handles was designed in the 1...
Ceramic
French Mid Century Ventilation Shutter by Jean Prouvé for CIMT France, 1950s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare French mid century architectural "areator" ventilation shutter panel in naturally patinated aluminum by Jean Prouvé for the C.I.M.T in France, 1950s. In great original co...
Aluminum
20th Century Set of 3 Authentic Ceramic Tiles Lisa Larson for Gustavson, 1970s
By Lena Larsson
Located in Rijssen, NL
A most unique and unusual piece of wall art by the well known Swedish Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg, 1970s. There are 3 individually tiles plaques. Each pattered tile is a work of art ...
Earthenware, Pottery
Very elegant Mid-Century Modern Brass and Metal Christmas Tree Stand, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Elegant and stylish, typical 1950s. White and gold. Slight signs of use, see pictures. The opening for the tree is about 5.5cm wide.
Metal, Brass
Vintage Wood Room Divider, Mid-Century Modern, 1967, 217cm Tall
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage wood room divider - 1960s Wear consistent with age and use. Room divider - Séparateur de pièce Measures : 61,5x19,5cm H:217cm
Wood
$2,279Sale Price|20% Off
Hand woven bamboo screen partition Italian 1960s Pink
Located in Palermo, Sicily
RARE PIECE OF ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP , woven bamboo separe and pink lacquered, small shortcomings as pictured.
Bamboo
$280Sale Price / set|20% Off
1950s Sculptural Italian Brass Door Pulls Set of Four
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Set of flared wings Italian Sculptural hardware Brass Door Pulls Drawer handles. 4 pieces in set. Lovely design Italy Mid Century Modern. 6.75 W x...
Brass
Jean Prouvé isolation facade panel Béziers France 1965
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare enamelled steel façade isolation panel designed by Jean Prouvé and manufactured by C.I.M.T. (Compagnie Industrielle du Matériel de Transport) in France, circa 1962–1965. This pa...
Metal, Enamel
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in London, GB
Circular push-pull door handle in bronze (or brass), mid-20th century, France. A very simple elegant handle, made up of two separate pieces - each side with a slightly concave dish ...
Bronze
French Brass Vertical Mailbox with Repousse Lion - with Eye Hook for locking
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Here's a refined version with a luxurious, collector-oriented tone suitable for 1stDibs. A charming vintage French brass mailbox, beautifully crafted wi...
Brass
$1,595 / set
Pair of Italian Brass Door Pulls
Located in Hanover, MA
Stylized pair of 1950's Italian brass door pulls in the form of abstract wings. New Old Stock.
Brass
Pair of Carved Redwood Door Panels by Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Incredible 1960’s carved redwood panels for entry doors by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman. Designed to go over a double entry doors. Four panels with frame f...
Aluminum
Set of Two Bronze Push-Pull Door Handle with Raised Abstract Design
Located in London, GB
A set of two cast bronze push-pull door handles with raised abstract design. Mid to late 20th century. The set comprises two pieces of the same design, which can be turned to use on...
Bronze
Two Modernist Panels of Wrought Iron Railings, Gates or Screens Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Two modernist panels of wrought iron - railings, gates or screens. Mid-20th century, found in Sweden. Striking modernist design of folded triangles and rods finished in black paint....
Iron
1947. rare Tropical house by Ferdinand Fillod
By Ferdinand Fillod
Located in Perpignan, FR
Galerie Clément Cividino is pleased to offer for sale a superb Fillod pavilion, a rare and highly sought-after example of French lightweight architecture. Currently on display at the...
Metal
$1,590 / set
Two Italian Brass Door Pulls
Located in Hanover, MA
Two 1960's Italian door pulls in solid brass in the form of stylised wings or feathers. New Old Stock. NOTE: Both are RIGHT hand orientation unless one is inverted; these are not a ...
Brass
Pair of Midcentury Door Handles of Hammered Brass and Blackened Copper, Italy
Located in London, GB
Pair of Italian midcentury door handles of hammered brass and blackened copper. Handcrafted pieces with a hammered pattern to the brass and deep gre...
Copper, Brass
Rare Pair Alfredo Barbini Venetian Blown Glass Door Handles, Polar Bears, 1940s
Located in London, GB
Rare Venetian blown glass push and pull door handles from a hotel in Venice late 1940's, by Alfredo Barbini (1912-2007) for Vitreria Gino Cenedese, Italy. This exceptionally was ori...
Brass
Set of 3 Large Door Pulls in Brass & Abalone Shell by Peñoles, Mexico 1950's
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance the elegance of your doors with this exquisite Set of 3 Large Door Pulls in Brass & Abalone Shell designed and manufactured in the 1950's in Mexico Distrito Federal by Peñol...
Brass
Pair of Door Pulls in Brass & Abalone Shell by Peñoles, Mexico 1950's
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance the elegance of your doors with this exquisite Set of 2 Door Pulls in Brass & Abalone Shell designed and manufactured in the 1950's in Mexico Distrito Federal by Peñoles. ...
Brass
Finnish Mid-Century Modern Design Door Pull in Full Brass, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare solid brass door pull manufactured in Finland during the 1950s, originally from the old Vanha Mestari restaurant in Helsinki. Beautifully proportioned and made entirely from h...
Brass
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Wall Barometer in Brass & Glass by Taylor
By D. Taylor
Located in San Diego, CA
The beautiful design on this wall barometer by Taylor in patinated brass and glass can be hung on the wall or table top.
Brass
Aluminium Door Handle with Art Ceramic Panel, Second Half 20th Century, Germany
Located in London, GB
A solid aluminium door handle inset with a single art pottery panel. Second half 20th century - likely 1960s - found in Germany. The tile is decorated with a strong geometric patter...
Aluminum
$90,000Sale Price|30% Off
Japan Important 1961 Over Life-Size Bronze Man Child "Coming Generation", Tadao
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan an important life-size plus 94 Inch high sculpture of a man with child by Mid-Century Modern master sculptor Koga Tadao, (Meiji 36 (1903) to Showa 54 ...
Bronze
1960s Southwestern Brass Aztec/Mayan Door Handset Manner of Pepe Mendoza #1
By Pepe Mendoza
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Vintage Southwestern Door Handle Handsets Brass Aztec Mayan Green Patina and Gold Accent in the Manner Of Pepe Mendoza. Listing 1 Handset At A Time. These Beautiful Handsets...
Brass
Pair of Square Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles and Letterbox
Located in London, GB
Two architectural push and pull square cast bronze door handle with matching letterbox fine linear textural surface like straw. They have a gol...
Bronze
Pair of Ivan Kristufek Czechoslovakian Mid-Century Art Star Pattern Glass Tiles
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Ivan Kristufek Czechoslovakian Mid-Century Op Art glass tiles with a lenticular star pattern centered with a rippled background (PRICED AS PAIR)
Art Glass
Eight 1930's Italian Brass Door Pulls After Borsani
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of 8 Italian art deco solid brass door or drawer pulls in the manner of Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1930's. Very similar to maniglie used by Michele Marelli and cabinet maker Cusartel...
Brass
Schaffenacker Large Square Tile Glazed Round Relief Multicolor
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a rare, large ceramic wall relief created by the renowned German artist Helmut Friedrich Schäffenacker. The mid-century modern artwork features a highly stylized, abstract fa...
Ceramic