Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
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 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.
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color: Beige
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planter by Willy Guhl. Concrete planter in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good vintage condition. Only one available.
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outs...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Concrete Tree Planter by Willy Guhl, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive concrete tree planter by Willy Guhl. Tall planter with 4 post feet raising the planter slightly off the ground. Very good condition. Perf...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Urn Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream, pastel yellow and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth giving it a beautiful minimalist design with ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl, Set of 7 Planters, Eternit, Switzerland 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Berlin, DE
A set of 7 rectangular planters by Willy Guhl.
6 with 100cm length, 1 with 120cm.
Overall good condition, one of the 100cm planters with a non visible hole in the bottom, but no stru...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
John Follis White-Glazed Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White bisque planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery, USA. This example has a soft rounded bowl shape. A perfect size for a table top or shelf.
Dimensions
7" diameter x 4" ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
Willy Guhl Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl for Eternit 47" planter on stand.
Floating saucer planter on base.
Sculptural garden vessel.
The base can be flipped upside down for u...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Large Bamboo and Rattan flowerpot , circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Bamboo and Rattan flowerpot , circa 1970
the flowerpot is tinted yellow
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Large Bamboo and Rattan flowerpot , circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Bamboo and Rattan flowerpot , circa 1970
Good condition.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-Century pair of Italian Planters
Located in Brussels , BE
Mid-Century pair of Italian Planters
mesurement of the largest Planters : 20 x 81 x 32
mesurement of the smallest : 20 x 91 x 32
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Architectural Pottery M-2 Planter by Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional ceramic planter model “M-2” designed by Paul McCobb for Architectural Pottery in the United States, circa 1960s. This planter has a shape that starts from a narrow neck a...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
Erwine & Estelle Laverne, Planter or Jardiniere, circa 1950, aluminum and iron
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Erwine & Estelle Laverne, Planter/Jardiniere, circa 1950, aluminum and iron with yellow and white enamel paint
55cm high, 17.5cm diameter
Generally good condition with signs of use consistent with age.
Erwine & Estelle Laverne designed and produced innovative furniture...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Aluminum, Iron
Mid Century Art Deco Wrought Iron Plant Stand
Located in New York, NY
Great Art Deco, mid century freestanding plant stand having a circular body, with three round pot holders, each 4 inches in diameter. Unusual modernist geome...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Wrought Iron
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In original grey concrete patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it dept...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In a beautiful washed out patina from layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl 23" Concrete Bowl, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement bowls by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Very unusual size in 23" diameter. Most bowls start at a much larger 31" diameter and are only to be used outdoors d...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl, Large Eternit Planter, Switzerland, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Willy Guhl, large planter in concrete.
Executed by Eternit in Switzerland in the 1960s.
Very nice patina.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Small Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement amoeba bowl by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Bright red base and grey top. Very unusual design with beautiful patina. Good vintage condition. Wear as shown.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
French Midcentury Light Colored Planter with Reeded Motifs and Weathered Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage French planter from the mid 20th century, with decorative handles and patina. Created in France during the Midcentury period, this pl...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Stone
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it depth...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Small Swiss Concrete Ball Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina to each planter. Great for indoors or outside. Heavy and substantial. Priced i...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Box Planter on Metal Stand, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete box planter sitting on a sturdy metal stand by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1970s. Box is 20.25" long and wide. In...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete, Metal
Vintage French Jardiniere
Located in Austin, TX
Jardiniere from France made of reconstituted stone.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Stone
Italian mid-century modern Square planter in steel and brass, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Square planter in steel and brass, 1970s
Square planter in brass and steel intertwined. On the edge there are a thick brass profile. At the base it has 4 w...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Brass, Steel
3 Large Eternit Saucer Planters Designed by Willy Guhl with Wrought Iron Base
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
3 large Eternit saucer planters designed by Willy Guhl with wrought iron base.
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete, Wrought Iron
Plant Stand, Jardiniere, Flower Stand, in Style of Mathieu Matégot
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wrought iron lacquered cachepot or planter in style of Mathieu Mategot, 1950s France. In original good condition.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Malachite, Wrought Iron
Large Double Cone Planter by LaGardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large double cone planter by LaGardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
Willy Guhl for Eternit, 2 Pairs Mid-Century Modern concrete Garden Dish Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, two matched pairs of Mid-Century Modern concrete garden dish planters in good condition.
Measures: Height - 11 inches W - 31.5 inches D n- 31.5 inches.
Height...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
California Studio Pottery Ikebana Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
California studio pottery signed ikebana vase with multiple openings, circa 1960s. This very unique piece measures: 4.5" D x 14.5" H and is signed on the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Pottery
4 Large Eternit Saucer Planters Designed by Willy Guhl with Wrought Iron Base
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
4 large Eternit saucer planters designed by Willy Guhl with wrought iron base.
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete, Wrought Iron
Italian Mid Century Hand Painted Tiger Planter
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Italian mid century hand painted ceramic Tiger planter. Uniquely hand painted one of a kind ceramic planter made in Italy. Quickly add animal reference a...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
John Follis and Rex Goode Planter
Located in Chicago, IL
John Follis and Rex Goode
Planter, model F-112 bisque stoneware with wrought iron stand.
"Whenever we see a white cylinder planted with a tree or flowers inside or outside an off...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Pottery
Beige Indoor Decorative Planter Swirled Cane Vase, a Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Beige Finish decorative indoor planters in swirled cane into this cone shaped Vessel.
Coming from a famous Florist in Paris, France...
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cane
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Italian Mid-Century Alabaster Planter
Located in New York, NY
Italian mid-century (1940s) large alabaster round bowl (jardiniere) with handles supported on a solid conical shaped base.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Alabaster
Large Early John Follis Architectural Pottery Planter Pot in Wrought Iron Base
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large early and rare Architectural Pottery planter pot. Bisque finish pot in original wrought iron base. Designed by John Follis one of the earlier...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Pottery
Bamboo Plant Holder circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bamboo plant holder circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Bamboo
Willy Guhl for Eternit, Enormous Midcentury Saucer Planter, Garden Element
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Schagen, NL
This huge fibre cement garden element was designed by the Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit in circa 1950s-1960s. Absolute eye-catcher which remains in good vintage condition. S...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Molded concrete off-kilter planter, designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. A play on the classic diabolo form. Strong and robust, this tilted garden planter is sculpted from fibrous cem...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Bob Kinzie Stoneware Pottery Planter Vase for Affiliated Craftsmen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bob Kinzie stoneware pottery planter vase for Affiliated Craftsmen.
Category
1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
Willy Guhl, Rare & Large Shamrock Shaped Planter in Concrete, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Berlin, DE
A large & rare shamrock shaped planter, designed by Willy Guhl and executed by Eternit in 1960s in Switzerland.
Great shape, for indoor or outdoor use.
Measures: Diameter 153cm / hei...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Ceramic Glazed Hand Painted Giraffe Animal Head Vase or Planter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A lovely animal vessel of a giraffe. This whimsical piece will be great used as either a planter or a vase. Can't you just see a bouquet of fresh blooms sticking out?
Dimensions:...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Large Pair of Willy Guhl "Diablo" Hourglass Shaped Planters Sold as Pair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Charleston, SC
Large pair of Willy Guhl "Diablo" hourglass shaped planters foe Eternit Schweiz AG. Measure: (37.5").
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Rare, Very Large Architectural Planter by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Rare, very large planter / jardinière / architectural element in fiber concrete by Willy Guhl.
The piece is a Minimalist sculpture in a sleek, t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Two-Tier Stone Planter from Switzerland Attributed to Swiss Designer Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large two-tier cast stone planter from Switzerland. This unique stacked planter from the mid-20th century is attributed to Swiss artist Willy Guhl. It h...
Category
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Stone, Cast Stone
Lagardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mint condition original Lagardo Tackett design bisque planter for Architectural Pottery, U.S.A.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Large Cream Studio Pottery Planters by Piet Knepper for Mobach, 1980's
By Piet Knepper, Mobach
Located in London, GB
Studio Pottery planter created on the turning wheel by sophisticated and advanced skilled Dutch ceramist Piet Knepper for Mobach Studio, Utrecht in the Netherlands 1970's. The cylinder shape planter has an over sized rim to make the plant stand out even better, in a mat cream glaze.
Inside dimensions; Diameter 22 cm, Height 24 cm
See our other listings of planters and vases and planters...
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Ceramic
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip detail by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter wou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Mid-century Modern planters and jardinieres for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern planters and jardinieres 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 planters and jardinieres created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern planters and jardinieres 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 planters and jardinieres, popular names associated with this style include Willy Guhl, Eternit, Architectural Pottery, and David Cressey. 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 planters and jardinieres differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $36,500 while the average work can sell for $1,796.
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