Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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
Door Handle in Petrified Wood and Bronze Push Pull
Located in London, GB
Solid pertrified wood slice push and pull door handle in a refined organic pattern in a range of colors from brown to ocher and chalk white with a rough edge. The slice of stone is c...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Bronze
Mid Century Door Knocker “Peace To All Who Enter Here”, Israel
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very rare and unique midcentury door knocker, "peace to all who enter here", in Spanish. Made by Terra Santa Guild, Israel.
Category
1960s Israeli Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Metal
1970s Italian Wooden Door Stop
Located in Carimate, Como
Vintage 1970s Italian stylish wooden doorstop
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Vintage Italian Brass Handles
Located in Milano, IT
Set of three magnificent Italian handles from the 1950s. The set is made with a nickel-plated brass frame and hand drummed brass edges and contours. The shap...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
$1,421 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Italian 1950s Handles in Chromed Brass Airplane Tail Silver
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Italian 1950s handles in chromed brass airplane tail silver.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Large Door 50s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Large hinged door with related frame made of solid beech wood and beech veneer and with glass.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Glass, Beech, Walnut
$2,027 Sale Price
20% Off
Carl Auböck Model #9070-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9070-1 polished brass drawer pull.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Large Arched Garden Gate in Wrought Iron
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
With its unusual ironwork, this wrought iron gate is a beautiful design piece for gardens large and small. It pairs classic arched styling with unique details for a fusion of contemp...
Category
Late 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Wrought Iron
Carl Auböck Model #9061-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9061-1 polished brass drawer pull.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Set of Mid-Century Reclaimed Glazed Internal Doors
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Dating from the 1950s, this pair of reclaimed glazed internal doors make a stylish set of dividing doors. Channelling a mid-century look, they are...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Two Giant Enameled Door Handles by Hagenauer Workshop Austria, circa 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of two giant enamel door handles, by Hagenauer Workshop [Werkstätte] Austria, circa 1960s.
This original Hagenauer giant and heavy enameled...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Enamel
Mid-Century Satin Brass Handles Italian Design, 1950, Gold and Black
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury satin brass handles Italian Design 1950 gold and black.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Fausto Melotti Pair of Abstract Glazed Ceramic Door Pulls
By Fausto Melotti
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of blue and white glazed ceramic door pulls attributed to Fausto Melotti (1901-1986). See his maniglie for Casa Fornaroli.
Signature indecipherable.
Each with two screw holes. S...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and Brass 1940s Gold
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and Brass 1940s Gold
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Door Handle in blown Murano Glass vibrant Red color 1950s Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Door Handle in blown Murano Glass vibrant Red color 1950s Italy.
Unique Italian Venetian Murano glass door handle in red color, circa 1950s, ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and Brass 1940s Gold
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and brass 1940s Gold
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Pair Mid Century Venini Handles Brass Satin and Murano Glass 1950s Made in Italy
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair Mid Century Venini Handles Brass Satin and Murano Glass 1950s Made in Italy
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Large Door 50s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Large hinged door with related frame, solid beech wood and beech veneer, glass.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Beech
$1,468 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Enamelled Door or Drawer Handles Italy 1940/50s set of 6
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare set of 6 handles or knobs in glazed ceramic with decorative motifs. Italian production from the 40s/50s. Wonderful to adapt on your chest of drawers or furniture giving that pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Handles Brass Glass Murano 1940s Gold Venini Italy
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of mid-century Italian handles in brass and Murano 1940s gold glass, the brass has been well restored and polished and the glass is clean.
Category
1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Decorated Ceramic Door or Drawer Handles or Knobs Mid-Century Modern Italy 70/80
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare pair of enameled and decorated ceramic knobs or handles. Made in Italy around the 70s. Please watch the video and photos carefully, thank you.
Weight: 0.500 Kg
NOTE: We offer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Copper, Brass
Monumental Monastery Swing Door Architect Dom Hans Van Der Laan, Bossche School
Located in Den Haag, NL
Monumental Monastery Swing Door by Architect Dom Hans Van Der Laan, Bossche School
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Italian Handles in Solid Brass Rational Minimal Design Gold
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century Italian handles in solid brass rational minimal design gold.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Old Handles Brass Copper Sculpture Midcentury Italian Design, 1950 Hammered
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Geometric original old handles brass copper sculpture midcentury Italian Design, 1950 hammered, very particular and extraordinary form, performed by skilled artisans have now disappe...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass, Copper
Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Art Glasses Murano and Solid Brass
By Seguso
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Art Glasses Murano and Solid Brass
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Single Italian 1950s Murano Bubble Glass Door Handle
By Seguso
Located in Milan, IT
Single Italian 1950s Murano Bubble Glass Door Handle.
The brass screw attached to the handle has been newly redone.
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Heavy Organic Gilt Brass or Bronze Pull Handles for Doors, Drawers, Cupboards...
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Handles - Heavy organic gilt metal (I think brass or bronze) pull handles for doors, drawers, cupboards etc..
Please note that the position of the screw holes at the back of the han...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Bronze, Metal, Brass
Midcentury Italian Design Ball Handles in Gold Brass, 1950
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian design ball handles in gold brass, 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Pair 1950's large Italian Brass and Ceramic Colourful Door or Cupboard Handles
Located in London, Fitzrovia
2 large 1950's Italian colorful brass and ceramic door or cupboard handles, assymetrical, barely used.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Vintage Boho Moroccan Carved Wooden Door With Brass Detail
Located in west palm beach, FL
Infuse your space with exotic charm using our Vintage Boho Moroccan Carved Wooden Door with Brass Detail. This stunning piece blends traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with American ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
$2,280 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of large Venini Style handles in Murano glass Torcello Brass 1940s orange
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of large Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and Brass 1940s orange inside center
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Pair of Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and Brass 1940s Gold
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Venini handles in Murano glass Torcello and Brass 1940s Gold
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #9060-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9060-1 polished brass drawer pull.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Pair of Italian 1950s Handles in Chromed Brass Airplane Tail Silver
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Italian 1950s handles in chromed brass airplane tail silver.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Carl Auböck Model #9035-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9035-1 polished brass drawer pull.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Large Double Door Handles with Etched Silver Plated Texture
Located in London, GB
Rare pair of hand made rectangular door handles in hammered copper with strong abstract plant motive created by etching is silver plated. The handles show patina through age that sui...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Silver Plate, Copper
Pair of spiral door handles in Murano glass and silver 1960s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Exclusive spiral handles made of Murano glass and silver powder inside, creating a super elegant contrast between black and silver that will elevate the design and exclusivity of any...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Silver
$1,326 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Giovanni De Simone Handles Ceramic Multicolor Design Mid-Century Modern
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Giovanni de Simone handles ceramic multicolor design Mid-Century Modern.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Large Arched Reclaimed Steel Garden Trellis Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of large arched metal panels, crafted in steel with a repeated quatrefoil pattern. This striking pair could be used as fixed panels within a garden scheme as decorative garden...
Category
Late 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Metal, Steel
Maison Baguès Door Handles, 8 Pairs Available, Priced by Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional and rare set of 12 door handles by Maison Baguès. Executed in bronze.
Only one pair pictured
Priced by pair
Total for a 1 set: Four pieces for a...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Bronze
Carl Auböck Model #9063-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #9063-1 polished brass drawer pull.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #9031-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9031-1 polished brass drawer pull.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Door Handle in Petrified Wood Push Pull Architectural
Located in London, GB
Solid pertrified wood slice push and pull door handle in an organic pattern in a range of colors from brown to ocher. Petrified wood is millions old fossilized wood, literally 'wood ...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Aluminum
Large Brass & Enamel Door Pulls by Pepe Mendoza, Mexico, 1950s
By Pepe Mendoza
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bold and highly decorative pair of large circular brass door pulls by renowned Mexican designer Pepe Mendoza, produced in the 1950s. Each piece showcases a stylized Chinese charact...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Door Pull Aluminum & Lucite
Located in New York, NY
1960s Mid-Century Modern door pull made from aluminum and featuring a unique abstract black, white, blue, and orange Lucite design. The back is stamp...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Aluminum
$320 Sale Price
20% Off
Architectural Push Pull Door Handles and Letterbox with Crater Relief
Located in London, GB
Two square cast bronze door handle and letter box with strong relief like craters in a landscape seen from above.
There is a third
The handle brackets are attached to the main pla...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Bronze
Tall Reclaimed Wrought Iron Side Gate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A tall reclaimed Mid-Century Modern wrought iron side gate dating from the 1930s. Detailed with a repeated scrolling pattern, this gate brings elegance and security to a property, perfect for a narrow side passage or scenic garden archway...
Category
Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Wrought Iron
Big Door of Handles in Chrome
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'View All...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 12”, USA.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 12”, USA. Lovely thick sculptural pieces. 1” diameter. Gorgeous gentle curved form. Approx 12” Center to cente...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Lucite
$1,072 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 10”, USA.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 10”, USA. Lovely thick sculptural pieces. 1” diameter. Gorgeous gentle curved form. Approximately 10” center to...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Lucite
$938 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Bronze Push or Pull Door Handle
Located in London, GB
A bronze push or pull door handle with textured finish and smooth raised central band. Germany, second half 20th century (probably 1970s).
A heavy piece, ...
Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Doors and Gates
Materials
Bronze
Mid-century Modern doors and gates for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern doors and gates 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 doors and gates created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, 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 doors and gates made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original doors and gates, popular names associated with this style include Aaron Saxton, History Never Repeats, Maria Armada, and Werkstätte Carl Auböck. 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 doors and gates differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $224 and tops out at $56,438 while the average work can sell for $1,331.