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Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

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
Viennese wickerwork Mid-Century Modern handcrafted basket, Austria, 1950s`
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Viennese wickerwork Mid-Century Modern handcrafted basket, Austria, 1950s`
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Rattan, Wicker

Decorative Japanese Mid Century Ikebana Bamboo Basket Produced in Japan, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare rectangular and decorative mid century Japanese ikebana basket in bamboo produced in Japan, 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 35 cm / 13.75" W: 35 cm / 13.75" ...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo

Rattan and Bamboo Plant Holder or Basket by Vivai Del Sud, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury squared Plant Holder or Basket in rattan and bamboo by Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and Arpex were the three leading design...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Seguso Murano 1950s Coral Red Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Basket Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful, large vintage Murano hand blown coral red and gold flecks Italian art glass flower basket / vase. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, circa 1952. A similar p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Gold Leaf

Italian Midcentury Rattan Bamboo Magazine Rack, Franco Albini Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Magazine Rack Eye-catching handcrafted bamboo and rattan basket magazine rack in the manner of Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s. This magazine stand features a c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Bamboo, Cane

Rope and Wicker Wastebasket
Located in New York, NY
Rope and wicker wastebasket. Vintage wicker and rope twined litter basket with rope ring handles. United States, circa 1940 Dimensions: 11.5” diameter x 12"Height.  
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Wicker, Rope

Italian Vintage Rattan Frog Basket, 1980s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful basket made of woven rattan in the shape of a frog. Made by hand in Italy in the 1970-1980s. Take a look to the original marble eyes ! The basket is ideal for smaller magaz...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Rattan

Teak basket, 1950s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Teak basket, 1950s. Rare waste paper basket made of fine teak wood connected at the sides with brass studs. The exterior features a silkscreen print by Margaret Dovaston, a British p...
Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Spanish Umbrella Stand in Leather and Brass with Coat of Arms Detail
Located in Barcelona, ES
Umbrella stand or waste basket bin with handles and decorative coat of arms, leather, wood, brass. Spain, 1960s This leather, metal and wood wastebasket...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Rattan Logs Holder, French, Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual logs holder is made of rattan. This is a French work, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Rattan

Set of Two Italian Rattan and Brass Baskets / Centerpieces / Bowls
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Three Mid-Century Modern rattan bowls with brass rims. Italy, 1970s Three rattan bowls in different sizes, one in conical shape. Use them as decorative bowls or fruit bowls to...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Lovely pair of white enameled ceramic baskets by Jean Roger Paris
Located in NICE, FR
This is a pair of mid-century ceramic baskets or fruit holders designed by Jean Roger Paris in the 1960s. Each piece showcases an organic, sculptural ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Ceramic

Large Red French Bowl or Basket Vallauris circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large Red French bowl or basket Vallauris circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Ceramic

Aldo Tura for Macabo Walnut Bowl Basket Centrepiece Wood and Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Aldo Tura for Macabo walnut basket centrepiece hand carved wood and brass, Italy, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Brass

Basket in Rattan, Cooper and Brass, Italy, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This basket is in rattan, it has been made in Italie in the 1970's.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass, Copper

1960s Italian Brass Oval Magazine Holder
Located in New York, NY
1960s modern Italian brass oval magazine holder with handle.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Magazine Rack in Lucite, Rattan and Chrome Christian Dior style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury Magazine rack or basket with handle in rattan and lucite with chrome borders in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Basket or Umbrella Stand in Lucite and Wicker Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful basket or umbrella stand in lucite, wicker and steel in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. This item is a wonderful addition to ever...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Steel

Rattan and Bamboo Round Basket Plant Holder Vase, Italy, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Round basket plant holder vase in bamboo and rattan made in Italy in the 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Fruit Bowl in Glass and Silver Metal Base
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Fruit bowl in glass and metal. Silver metal base, with a rounded and slightly concave shape, providing stability and support to the structure. The central stem, also metallic, featur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Centerpiece Basket Rattan and Brass, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Oval centerpiece basket in rattan with handles featuring brass borders. Made in Italy in che 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Brass

Ilve Wood Sculptural Plate or Dish circa 1950 French Design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
French design - 20th century - In the style of Alexandre Noll Realised circa 1950 Olive wood sculptural plate or dish / vide poche Original p...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Wood

Set of Two Rattan and Brass Midcentury Handcrafted Planter, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Handcrafted in the 1950s in Austria. Good condition with normal signs of use. Two different heights, 16cm and 19cm, diameter 16.5cm and 20.5cm.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

An iron and leather waste basket.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These "paper bag" style leather baskets are held within an iron framework. The juxtaposition of the organically shaped leather and the structure of the square bases makes them eye-ca...
Category

2010s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Iron

1960s Bronze Murano Blown Glass Italian Bowl with Copper and Gold Flecks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Bronze and White Murano Glass with Copper and Gold Flecks Italian Bowl, 1960s. Amazing midcentury Murano glass bowl with copper bronze gold flecks. This piece is an astonishi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Vintage Boho Carved Wood Wastepaper Can
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of rustic charm to your space with this Vintage Boho Carved Wood Wastepaper Can. Hand-carved with intricate detailing, this wastepaper bin combines practicality with bohe...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century French Riviera Bamboo and Wicker Magazine Rack
Located in Charleston, SC
A fantastic French bamboo and woven magazine rack with large circle sides and half moon legs. The woven rattan is in good condition with minor fraying as shown in pictures. Presents...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

Mid-Century Pair of Rattan and Bamboo Oval Basket Plant Holder Vase, Italy 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of oval basket plant holder vase in bamboo and rattan made in Italy in the 1960s. An astonishing piece that will enrich a midcentury-style living room or studio.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Set 1950s Metal Mesh Wire Planter Baskets French Mathieu Matégot Style
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Hard to find, wonderful American made french inspired planter baskets, set of three included.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Steel

French Rattan Basket Stand Iron Legs Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
French rattan basket with his iron stand Midcentury Good condition Shipping: H 74 L 56 P 56 1.6 kg.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Vintage Fruit Basket By EMO Celje Slovenia 1950s
Located in Čelinac, BA
EMO Celje fruit basket 1950s
Category

1950s Slovenian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Large Rattan and Brass Mid-Century Modern Handcrafted Plates, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Handcrafted in the 1950s. A flat plate 1.5 cm high and a bowl 5.5 cm high.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Pair of Wicker Basket Form with Lids
Located in New York, NY
Decorative wicker baskets with removable lid tops. Suitable for use as storage and or end or side table. Priced and offered individually, however we would love to see them stay toget...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Wicker

Perforated Metal Catch All or Fruit Basket by Richard Galef
Located in San Diego, CA
Catch all or fruit basket by Richard Galef for Ravenware. Perforated metal, USA, 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Fine vintage Carl Auböck Leather and Brass paper basket, Austria 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine vintage Carl Auböck Leather and Brass waste paper basket in good original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Industrial Wire Mesh Metal Trashcan Wastebasket
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The industrial metal wire mesh wastebasket boasts a sturdy and durable construction, crafted from robust metal materials. Its open mesh design not only provides a modern and industri...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Rattan and Bamboo Basket, Italy, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Lifted basket with handles in bamboo and rattan made in Italy in the 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Large Rattan and Brass Midcentury Handcrafted Bowl, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Handcrafted in the 1950s in Austria.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Brass Faux Bamboo Magazine Rack or Basket, by Bottega Gadda, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Oval brass faux bamboo magazine rack or basket by Bottega Garda, Italy, 1970s. On the bottom the signature is still engraved "Made in Italy". Bott...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Brass

Raised Ceramic and Mahogany Wood Ernestine Italian Factory 1960 Leaves Colored
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Raised ceramic and mahogany wood Ernestine Italian factory 1960 leaves colored.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Ceramic, Mahogany

1950s Modernist Atomic Fruit Bowl in the style of Ferris Shacknove
By Andree Ferris and Reta Shacknove
Located in San Diego, CA
Ferris Shacknove minimal modernist metal serving display basket/bowl. 1950s. Atomic Mid Century style vintage piece.
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Iron

1970s Italian Bamboo/ Rattan Wastepaper Basket with Polished Brass Rim
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1970s Italian Bamboo/Rattan Wastepaper Basket with Polished Brass Rim This elegant wastepaper basket, made in Italy during the 1970s, exemplifies the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. M...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Jim & Shirl Parmentier Ceramic Basket, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jim & Shirl Parmentier Sculptural Ceramic Basket, 20th Century.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Basket in Lucite Tortoiseshell Christian Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing hexagonal basket or magazine rack in in lucite tortoiseshell effect and chrome with handle in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Rattan Bamboo Magazine Basket Stand by Artimeta, the Netherlands 1960s
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This rattan magazine basket stand was manufactured by the Dutch company Artimeta. It has a braided rattan magazine basket on a black metal stand. An elegant and minimalistic design. ...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Black Iron Wire Organizers
By Sol Bloom, Andree Ferris and Reta Shacknove
Located in Hanover, MA
Grouping of Mid-Century Modern black wire organizers, catch-alls, racks and baskets. These evoke the highly appreciated post-war style of clean structural modern handcrafted decorative accessories by designers such as Tony Paul, Archie Kaplan...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Wire

Danish Modern Hand Woven Fruit Basket Catch All, 1950s
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish modern catch-all or fruit bowl handwoven basket.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Rattan

1970s Wire Basket Woven Aluminum Modern Waste Basket Container
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Wire Basket Woven Aluminum Modern Waste Basket Container Vintage Aluminum Unmarked Original vintage preowned unrestored condition. Presents firm and sturdy. Measures: 12.75...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Aluminum

20th Century Fontana Arte Little Ice Basket in Colored Crystal and Brass, 50s
Located in Turin, Turin
Fontana Arte was launched in 1932 with a mission to develop products with a more artisanal feel. The Italian design company's offerings range from stained glass to furnishings and li...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass

Pair French Midcentury XXL Bamboo Baskets, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
A pair of beautiful, unusual and large standing baskets. They were made in France from bamboo wood in the 1970s and 1980s. They were originally used in a bakery as baguette baskets, ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo

Tony Paul for Raymor Fruit Bowl Wire Mesh Centerpiece Basket, 1950s
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Tony Paul design for Raymor circa 1954-55 Raymor product number W-212 referenced in the 1954-55 Raymor Catalog reproduced in Raymor: Modern in the Tradition of Good Taste by Michael ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Steel

Large Mid Century Modern Teak Waste Paper Bin by Martin Aberg for Servex
Located in Redding, CT
Large Mid Century Modern Teak Waste Paper Bin by Martin Aberg for Servex Sweden 1960s. Classic Iconic design. Perfect for that mid century home office. Base diameter is 10.50 at the ...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Teak

Vintage Woven Handmade Raised Decorative Basket Tray
Located in Seattle, WA
Rattan or similar material. Diamond shaped pattern on the top. No makers mark. Vintage condition consistent with age as pictured. Dimensions: 22.50” Diameter, 6"H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Brass Wire and Wicker Basket with Handle, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern brass wire basket, circa 1970's. This nifty basket is perfect on the table holding bread or as an egg basket in the kitchen. The w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass, Wire

Iron Fruit Basket Catch All, 1950s Atomic Age
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury iron catch all or fruit bowl with atomic balls legs, the 1950s.
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Iron

Italian 1950s Wicker and Bamboo Basket with Lid
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s Wicker and Bamboo Basket with Lid.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

Jacques Adnet Magazine Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome magazine rack by Jacques Adnet. Made of iron and brass. Excellent vintage condition. Star detail on both sides and closed fist on top. Great piece!
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Brass, Iron

Vintage Mid Century Modern Woven Basket
Located in Seattle, WA
This wide vintage woven basket or dish is embroidered with floral Motif. Unknown in origin. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Cond...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Bamboo

Midcentury Knitting Basket, Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Midcentury wicker knitting basked resting on a metal string stand painted in black. Made with a handle so it is possible to carry.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Iron

Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in Brazil, a hand-crafted footed centerpiece sculpture, truly an mid-century masterpiece. A fragile, brass belted, curved Jacaranda (Brazilian Rosewood) slat design. A rare find...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Materials

Jacaranda

Mid-century Modern decorative baskets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern decorative baskets 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 decorative baskets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, natural fiber and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern decorative baskets made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative baskets, popular names associated with this style include Mathieu Matégot, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Vallauris, and Aldo Tura. 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 decorative baskets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $73 and tops out at $17,521 while the average work can sell for $750.

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