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Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

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
Place of Origin: North American
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...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

1960s Los Castillo Modernist Drawer Pulls Malachite Taxco Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Los Castillo Modernist Pull Handle Set (2) Mexico Drawer Cabinet Door Hardware Brass and Malachite Stone Inlay Stamped by Maker 1 D x 2.63 W x 6.5 Long Preowned original vintage cond...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Malachite, Brass

Vintage Cast Brass Double Golf Club Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of two golf clubs and a golf balls. USA, Mid-20th Century Measures: 4.5"W x 1.25"D x 6.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

"Casa del Sol" Enameled Drawer Pulls by John Van Koert
Located in Belle Mead, NJ
Exquisite drawer pulls salvaged from John Van Korey’s Casa Del Sol line. Priced as a set of 6.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Mid Century Red & Ivory Bakelite Pull Knobs Set of Twelve
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Never used Mid-Century Red & Ivory Bakelite Pull Knobs Set of Twelve, candy apple red Bakelite drawer pull nobs perfect for living up a mid-century kitchen or cabinet. Bakelite hardware vintage knobs...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bakelite

Vintage Cast Brass Owl Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of an owl perched on a branch. What a charming piece to add a touch of uniqueness to your home. USA, Mid-20th Century Measures: 3"W ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Los Castillo Lapis Lazuli , Malachite, bronze Inlay Silver Plate Fish Door Pulls
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning matched pair Los Castillo Stylized "Fish" Door Pulls .....Lapis Lazuli , Malachite, bronze Inlay Silver Plate.. Salvaged from the William Kesling estate in Los Angeles Ca. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Silver, Bronze

Desktop Barometer / Weather Station by Airguide Instrument Company
By AirGuide
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool desktop barometer / weather station by Airguide Instrument Company, circa 1950s. The device is packaged in a walnut case with brass feet and accents. It has gauges and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cast Brass Whale Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous cast brass whale door knocker, perfect for your Nantucket, Cape, or Hamptons home! USA, Mid-20th Century Measures: 6.75"W x .75 "D x 5"H. Ver...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cast Brass Tennis Racket Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of a tennis racket. USA, Late-20th Century Measures: 2.75"W x 1.5"D x 8.25"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Entrance or Passage Way Large Starburst Door Hardware Kit
Located in South Charleston, WV
Aaron Saxton for History Never Repeats. We have 2 listings for either single or double doors. This listing is for the single door pattern. We produce the kit for doors up to 50" wide and 120" in height, with kits over 96" tall being Price On Request. The last image showing a double white door is an example of a customer who has installed our starburst kit for reference. In 2015 we started building the modern Mid-Century Modern starburst door...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Entrance or Passage Way Large Single Door Starburst Hardware Kit
Located in South Charleston, WV
Aaron Saxton for History Never Repeats LLC. Produced for doors from 24" to 50" wide and from 79" to 120". All doors exceeding 96" will be custom quoted. See other listings for custom...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Tall Pair of Pine and Brass Obelisks, 1970's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Knotty Pine Obelisks, 1970's. Featuring three solid panels of smooth, adhesed Knotty Pine forms with thin tipped pyramidal apex, atop 1.25H balanced square Brass box bases a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Patinated Bronze Wind Chimes in the Style of Walter Lamb
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful set of patinated bronze wind chimes in the style of Walter Lamb, circa 1960s. This set features five patinated bronze tubes attached to a star shaped top with nylon rope. The chimes are in very good vintage condition with a gorgeous verdigris patina and measure 4" D x 16" H. The set has a wonderful sound and pitch! #2777 Walter Lamb was an American designer best known for his outdoor furniture for Brown Jordan. Originally conceived in the mid-1940s by using surplus bronze tubing from the U.S. Navy, his classic outdoor...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of American Mid-Century Wooden Architectural Elements
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of American (20th Century) large stripped wood architectual elements having a ball finial top over a bottle form and resting on a square tiered base (PRICED AS PAIR) Conditi...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Entrance or Passage Way Large Double Door Starburst Hardware Kit
Located in South Charleston, WV
Aaron Saxton for History Never Repeats LLC. Produced for doors from 56" to 78" wide and from 79" to 120". All doors exceeding 96" will be custom quoted. See our other listings for custom doors and single door kits also. The last image showing a double white door is an example of a customer who has installed our starburst kit for reference. In 2015 we started building the modern Mid-Century Modern sunburst door reimagined with solid brass bars or stainless steel. We are now offering a hardware door kit that will allow you to install these modernist bars on any interior or exterior flush...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Midcentury Stained Glass Window Panels by Rainbow Studios NY, circa 1965 #3
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular window panels by Rainbow Studios NY. Windows were created for a house in Nyack NY which overlooks the Hudson River. Amazing craftsmanship and style in these panels with...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lead

Cast Aluminum Architectural Elements, 1960s
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Cast Aluminum Architectural Elements, 1960s.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Modernist Architectural Aluminum Panels / Railings
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We're offering a 9.5 foot section of aluminum railing from an apartment building that went thru a remodel. We had this one sand blasted to reveal the ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Midcentury Stained Glass Window Panels by Rainbow Studios NY, circa 1965 #1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular set of 6 stained glass window panels by Rainbow Studios NY. This listing is for one panel. All other panels are listed separately. Amazing craftsmanship and style in thes...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lead

Vintage Miniature Group of Midcentury Table and Chairs
Located in San Diego, CA
Group of Mid-Century Modern-style Miniature Wooden Furniture, featuring a table and two chairs. This vintage set was created by hand in the ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Modernist Translucent Architectural Panel with Repeating Curlicue Field Motif
Located in New York, NY
Groovy architectural panel constructed of translucent plastic with embedded wood curlicue elements repeating throughout. I believe this panel was originally a room divider, or some s...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Vintage Hardware Drawer Pulls Brass Knobs with Wood Insert Set of 2 Canada
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Hardware drawer pulls brass knobs with wood insert set of 2 Set of 2 stamped Canada 1.13 diameter x 1 tall Original vintage condition...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

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.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Mid-20th Century Crouching Plaster Panther
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-20th Century plaster crouching panther that was likely a table base, now a very cool piece of sculpture. The weathered surface and intense gaze give this a wonderful presence. Yo...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Plaster

Evelyn Ackerman Panelcarve Redwood 1960's Panels
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Evelyn Ackerman for Panelcarve 8' redwood panels. These very rare examples were meticulously removed from an executive office where they had been install...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Stunning Mid-Century Modern Planter in the Style of Finn Juhl
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern Planter in the style of Finn Juhl. Terracotta with paint finish. Needs to be restored or used in current condition. We can help.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Cast Aluminum Large Door or Gate Pulls in the Style of Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of cast aluminum large door or gate pulls. The pattern is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's textile block design. Suitable for out...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Etageres Shelving Units Flat Chrome & Glass
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern flat bar chrome Etageres with 1/2 inch thick glass shelving. In excellent vintage condition with small chips to the glass corners. 5 glass shelves. Chrome ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1960s Southwestern Brass Aztec/Mayan Door Handset Manner of Pepe Mendoza #1
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Set of 3 Plastic Leaded Glass Bullseye Style Panels
Located in New York, NY
Interesting set of three plastic panels, they are a mid century reinterpretation of an earlier leaded glass form. These were probably set in wood frames originally, now that they are...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Plastic

Mastercraft Brass and Metal Freestanding Fireplace, circa 1970s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A sexy Scandinavian vibe emanates with a warm glow from this vintage Mastercraft faux fireplace, which can conveniently move with you as there is no installation required. Faux logs...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mexican Stone Inlay Brass Kidney Shape Door Handle
Located in New York, NY
Mexican kidney shape stone inlay brass door handle attributed to Pepe Mendoza, circa 1970s. Stamped MEXICO on back.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Mexican Hand-Wrought Brass and Stone Door Escutcheon Plate
Located in New York, NY
Large Mexican brass door escutcheon / plate with stone tile inlay, circa 1970s. Attributed to Pepe Mendoza. Stamped MEXICO on back.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

John Johansen Presentation Board for "Spray Form House"
By Frederick John Kiesler, Le Corbusier
Located in New York, NY
Large format presentation board (silverprint photograph mounted on 1/2 inch thick cardboard) of a working model for "Spray Form House," a 1955 proposal for a biomorphic structure com...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Paper

Monumental Mirrored Sliding Door by Mid-Century Modern Architect Bud Oglesby
Located in Littleton, CO
A rare mirrored door from an iconic Mid-Century apartment building designed by celebrated architect Enslie "Bud" Oglesby. The buidling stood at 3525 S. Congress Avenue in the Oak La...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Mirror, Wood

1960s Modern Architectural Solid Aluminum Gates 14 Available
Located in Dallas, TX
Architectural modern gates from a government installation. Set consist of 14 panels. Meticulously constructed from solid bar brushed aluminum stock with in...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Massive Orange Lacquered Planters by Architectural Fiberglass
Located in Dallas, TX
Perfectly simple, modern forms in an extraordinary scale planters by Architectural fiberglass. Radical for their time, their pure forms, startled the eye in 1950s America, where fat-...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Fiberglass

Large Scale 1960s Custom Walnut and Gold Anodized Aluminum Architectural Screen
Located in Dallas, TX
This one of a kind Mid-Century Modern screen was custom made in the 1960s for a commercial structure in East Texas. It was part of the architect's original design for the interior. It was mounted floor to ceiling in the entry space as a decorative element. It is in excellent original condition and would be an amazing in the right environment. The solid walnut bowties and the anodized gold frame are an absolutely stunning example of Classic Mid-Century Modernism. It could be hung horizontally as well or perhaps even suspended from the ceiling. It would perhaps make an interesting oversized...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Richard "Dick" Harvey Sculpta Grille Room Divider by Modernica
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a free standing "Contemporary" model C-20 Sculpta room divider. Born in 1919 and raised in New York City, Richard "Dick" Harvey studied art at Brooklyn Tech High school an...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Resin, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Mexican Room Divider with Shelves in Mahogany and Brass
Located in Mexico, DF
Amazing Mid-Century Modern Mexican room divider formed with two structures in mahogany and polished brass attached by three horizontal shelves in the style of Eugenio Escudero. Each ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Sunshine Yellow Powder-Coated Metal Chandelier
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Mid-Century six-arm iron chandelier, powder-coated in bright sunshine-yellow paint. Recently rewired, UL standardized.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Large Modular Cast Aluminum Orange Yard Art Indoor Outdoor Playground Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Modular in that this is three pieces of cast aluminum. Each has been sand blasted and powder coated. Measures 75" tall assembled.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Wrought Iron and Wood Mediterranean Modern Folding Screen or Divider
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wrought iron and wood (balls) Mediterranean Modern folding screen or divider. Wonderful bronzed verde green patina, bi-fold, hand delivery availab...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Patinated Copper Hood
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large scaled and beautifully constructed custom copper flue or hood made of standing seam tapered panels having a warm patina.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Copper

Aluminum Paper Mixing Blade Sculpture Model II
Located in Oakville, CT
Aluminum Paper Mixing Blade Sculpture Model II. Complete set of three available. Aluminum on steel base. Measures: 52" in height, 19" in width, 14" in depth. Base is 14" x 14".
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Collection of Approximately 40 Steel Letters
Located in New York, NY
Heavy hand cut steel numbers, and letters salvaged from a defunct resort in the Poconos ca 1950. Great to use as a graphic element, or rearrange to spell what ever is possible. The...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Midcentury Stained Glass Window Panels by Rainbow Studios NY, circa 1965 #4
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular windows, have 6 available, one in this listing. See the other listings for the entire collection. Fruits vegetables and flowers dominate with amazing color and style. Whe...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Lead

Mid Century Red & Ivory Bakelite Bridge Drawer Handles Set of Twelve
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century New Dead Stock, has never been used! This elegant vintage drawer pulls in a stunning candy-red hue with white trim. These are brand ne...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bakelite

Vintage Cast Brass Double Golf Club Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of two golf clubs and a golf balls. USA, Mid-20th Century Measures: 4.5"W x 1.25"D x 6.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Solid Cast Bronze Large Scale Room Divider Syracuse, NY 1964
Located in New York, NY
Lobby room divider from the Public Safety Building in Syracuse, NY and crafted in 1964. This is a magnificent example of Mid-Century Modern design. Composed of alternating pod-shape...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Mid-century Modern architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, wall decorations, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern architectural elements 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 architectural elements, popular names associated with this style include Juliette Belarti, Mastercraft, and Pepe Mendoza. 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $55 and tops out at $1,078,195 while the average work can sell for $1,598.

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