Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

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.

44
to
10
23
21
44
44
44
44
20
18
15
12
8
6
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
44
35
4
1
4
5
3
Height
to
Width
to
42
40
19
19
16
33
26
8
4
4
5
3
1
1
1
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Silver
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Stylized Grape Leaf Decorative Dish
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid-Century Modern silver plate decorative dish was realized in the United States circa 1960. Offering the form of a stylized grape leaf with pointed scalloped sides and...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

A.Ve.M. Murano White Millefiori Flower Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white, silver flecks, copper aventurine, millefiori flower murrines and twisted ribbons Italian art glass bowl / ashtray. Documented to the A.Ve.M. (Arte Vetraria Muranese) company. The pattern is published in the company book. The bowl has a squared shape with tall sides. There is an indent on one of the corners (see last photo) for a cigarette, but you can hardly notice a difference from the other corners from the top. The bowl is made with a rainbow of colors. It has pink, silver, bright green, light and cobalt blue, pink, yellow, copper and white. The design is often called "end of day" and "tutti fruity...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Bowl 'Candara' by Lino Sabattini, Italy, 1970
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A bowl with the name Candara with a simplistic and iconic design by renowned italian designer Lino Sabattini from circa 1970. The condition is good albeit with some wear (see picture...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Plate

Ceramic Bowl by Wilhelm Kage Argenta Serie for Gustavsberg Sweden, 1930 Signed
Located in Paris, FR
A bowl in ceramic with handmade silver inlay from the 1930s Argenta collection made by Wilhelm Kåge for Gustavsberg, signature underneath. The now iconic argenta stoneware collecti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver

Barovier Toso Murano Cobalt Blue Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Shell Bowl Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown cobalt blue, silver flecks, controlled bubbles Italian art glass bowl or vase. Attributed to the Barovier e Toso company. The piece has a clam she...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

1, 1 kg Murano Glass Bowl silver Flakes Shell Ashtray by Dino Martens Italy 1960s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element, Silver FLAKES. DINO MARTENS FOR AURELIANO TOSO, 1960s Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s This original glass ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass

F.B. Rogers Midcentury Silverplate Footed Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate bowl made by F.B. Rogers Silver Co. Lifted by a set of cute module feet, iconic midcentury modern. This bowl is ready to hold coins, keys...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate, Silver

A.Ve.M. Murano Green Millefiori Flower Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green, silver flecks, copper aventurine, millefiori flower murrines and twisted ribbons Italian art glass bowl / ashtray. Documented to the A.Ve.M...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

A.Ve.M. Murano White Millefiori Flower Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white, silver flecks, copper aventurine, millefiori flower murrines and twisted ribbons Italian art glass bowl / ashtray. Documented to the A.Ve.M...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray / Vide-Poche by Giulio Radi for Avem
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This ashtray / catchall is made in murano glass with murrines and silver leaf. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Leaf

Three Metal Signed Copper, Brass and Silver-Plate Small Bowl Mid Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This Mid-Century Modern handvwrought Mexican 3 metal bowl is sliced in metals like a pie. Brass, copper and silver-plate. it has copper footed 3 ball feet. It was professionally poli...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Copper, Brass, Silver Plate

Midcentury Silverplate Collection with Jewel Tone Color Glazes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A colorful mid-century collection of silverplate with bold, enamel-like surfaces of ruby red, sapphire blue, and emerald green/gold The set consists of a shallow square dish with rounded corners and a biomorphic teardrop or comma-shaped shallow footed bowl; both pieces introduced by Reed and Barton in 1961. The compote / tazza in Oneida Silversmiths...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Silver Plate Ice Bucket and Tongs with Lizards
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout modernist ice bucket and matching tongs crafted in silver plate on copper featuring stone clad lizard handles. Signed Wolmar Castillo Silversmiths...
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Paavo Tynell Silver Plated Bowl
Located in North Miami, FL
Silver plated bowl designed by Paavo Tynell and manufactured by his own company Taito circa 1950's. Has wear and patina (pictured).
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver Compote with Amber Stem
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Modern Compote - sliver plate or stainless steel with a very tasteful amber style ribbed stem to hold base. wonderful for key, the desk or work station or decorative piec...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate, Stainless Steel

Murano Orange Silver Flecks Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Abstract Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual vintage Murano hand blown orange, controlled bubbles and silver flecks Italian art glass abstract bowl. The piece has a scissor cut rim in the shape of a butter...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Seguso Silver Flecks Blue Murano Star Glass Bowl, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Crossshaped star / flower art glass bowl, murano glass, silver flecks. Attributed to Seguso, Italy, 1950-1960s. Eye-catching hand blown cobalt blue Murano glass Sommerso bowl with c...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Leaf

Mid Century Italian Large Hand Hammered Decorative Bowl or Centerpiece 1960s
By Mario Pinton
Located in Tilburg, NL
Superb and large hand hammered centerpiece made in Padova (Padua), Italy, mid-20th century. This bowl is special in both shape and execution. The basic shape of the bowl with the distinct raised corners gives this centerpiece a dynamic and surprising appearance. Next to that, the hand-hammered surface and the hand-applied decoration on the inside give it a very decorative quality. The style of this centerpiece resembles works by the artist Mario Pinton and Atelier des Orfevres...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Dior Style Mid-Century Tortoiseshell Lucite and Silver Pocket Emptier, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century pocket emptier in lucite with tortoiseshell effect and silver. This fantastic piece was designed in France following the style of Christian Dior Style during th...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Metal, Silver

Dino Martens AVEM Multicolor Murrine Millefiori Blue Rim Art Glass Bowl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sculptural multi-color Tutti Frutti Murano art glass bowl /ashtray attributed to Dino Martens and Arte Vetraria Muranese. Italy, 1950s-1960s Zanfirico and latticino techniques in pastel colors and vibrant colors, silver aventurine flecks inclussions and a sky blue rim...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Leaf

1960s Italian Decorative Oversize Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian decorative oversize bowl, silver plated with goose-shaped handles.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Amorphic Mexican Mixed Metal Large Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Large amorphic Mexican mixed metal centerpiece bowl or tray, with 3 brass sphere feet. Beautiful form, hand wrought of brass, silver and copper c. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver, Brass, Copper

1960s Decorative Italian Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorative Italian bowl made with brass and chrome in Italy in 1960s.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver Leaf Dish
Located in Chicago, IL
A chic vintage hammered silver leaf-form dish with a horn handles with silver mounted cap, and resting on three ball feet. Perfect for catching your keys at the end of the day, or an...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver

Pair of Bowls Silver Metal by Lino Sabattini, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of bowls, one composed of 7 bowls and the other of 4 bowls, by Sabattini. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Dimensions: - First 7: diameter 19.5 cm, height 3 cm. - Other 4: widt...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Metal

Seguso Murano Red Black Silver Flecks Large Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Colorful flower shaped Murano art glass bowl with silver flecks in red and black glass cased into clear glass. Attributed to Seguso Factory, Italy, 1950s. This heavy hand blown glas...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Murano Red and Silver Flecks Art Glass Flower Bowl or Ashtray, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Midcentury handblown Murano glass bowl in a deep vibrant red cased over clear glass with silver aventurine flecks, Italy, 1960s. Highly decorative placed in a set with ...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Silver Italian Clam Shell Duck by Gabriella Binazzi
Located in Hastings, GB
This beautiful clam shell duck designed and made by Gabriella Binazzi, Italy circa 1970s. The natural shell is mounted on a silver plated pair of feet and decorated with a fantastica...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Plate

Modernist Bowl in Silver Plate and Green Enamel by DGS, Denmark, 1950s
By DGS
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Patinated conical silver plate bowl decorated to the interior with a deep green enamel. Manufactured and designed in Denmark during the late 1950s by DGS (Danish silver- and goldsmit...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate, Enamel

A.Ve.M. Murano Green Silver Aventurine Flecks Italian Art Glass Striped Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green, copper aventurine and silver flecks Italian art glass bowl. Documented to the A.Ve.M. (Arte Vetraria Muranese) company. The piece has alter...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Wolmar Silversmiths Castillo Silver-Plated Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
Wolmar silversmiths Castillo silver-plated nowl.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

1950 Barovier e Toso "Zanfirico" Glass and Silver Italian Murano Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
White "Zanfiro" glass Silver stand "Barovier & Toso" signed Perfect condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass

Viennese, Austrian Sterling Silver Crafted Footed Bowl from Mid 20th Century
By Wiener Silber Manufactur
Located in New York, NY
Viennese mid-century period silver bowl. The bowl is of oval form, with an oxidised surface externally, and a planished interior. The bowl is stamped "Wiener Silber Schmiede Handsges...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Monteith Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Conical with wide mouth and curved bottom on fleur-de-lys mounted hoof supports. Monteith-style rim with a...
Category

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

Materials

Sterling Silver

Murano Italian Art Glass Ashtray, Bubbles Design and Sterling Silver Details
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano glass ashtray with million bubble drops and sterling silver accents. Italy, 1960s. Beautiful Murano art glass ashtray with circular shape, sterling silver cigarette holders...
Category

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

Materials

Sterling Silver

Murano Sommerso Smoke Brown Star Shaped Art Glass Bowl with Silver Flecks
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano smoked and clear Sommerso star shape glass bowl with silver flecks, Italy, 1950s. Amazing 5-pointed star shaped hand blown Murano art glass bowl or ashtray made of smoked amb...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

1930s Harrods Ltd Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edward VIII English sterling silver presentation bowl; an addition to our range of collectable silverware. This exceptional antique Edward VIII English sterling silver bowl has a circular rounded form onto a circular domed spreading foot. The body of this antique silver footed bowl...
Category

1930s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Murano Barovier Toso Orange Art Glass Bowl with Silver Flecks, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amazing hand blown Sommerso orange and clear silver flecked Murano glass decorative bowl or ashtray. Attributed to Barovier e Toso, Italy, 1950s It has an incredible design with small silver flecks creating stripes ending with an air bubble. It is made with orange glass submerged into clear glass and a coat of Aventurine silver flecks thorough. The stylish organic shape and its color make this piece highly decorative. The piece is in excellent condition. Perfect as a gift idea. It can be used as vide-poche, ashtray, decorative bowl or rings bowl. Measures: 18.5 cm W x 10 cm D x 7 cm H. We are specialists in Murano glass decorative objects. More art glass bowls, ashtrays and vide-poche are avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. We invite you to enjoy the whole collection. Murano Glass Ashtray // Murano Glass Decorative Bowl // Murano Glass Jewelry...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Murano Orange Art Glass Bowl with Silver Flecks, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
An amazing colorful hand blown Murano glass bowl with controlled bubbles and aventurine technique with silver flecks. The stylish organic shape and its color make this piece highly decorative. The piece is in excellent condition. Great gift idea. Murano, Italy, 1950-1960. Murano Art Glass Bowl // Orange Murano Glass Bowl...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Italian Murano Blue Glass Bowl or Ashtray with Air Bubbles and Silver Flecks
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gorgeous hand blown Murano glass bowl with controlled bubbles and aventurine technique, Italy, 1950-1960s. Beautiful deep sky blue color, silver flecks and amazing triangular flower...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf, Silver

Mid-Century Modern Handblown or Cup Sculptural Translucent Bowl with Silver Base
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern handblown sculptural translucent four flecks bowl with silver base.    
Category

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

Materials

Silver

1960s by Lino Sabattini Italian Design Silver Metal Pair of Bowls
Located in Brescia, IT
Couple of bowls. Excellent condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate

Modern Silver and Brass Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury silvered metal and brass bowl set on a hammered sculptural metal stand with four legs and brass ball feet. The hammered bowl with sleek lines has two brass handles for ser...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Brass

Towle Silversmiths Modern Blue Enamel Silver Plated Bowl Vintage 1970s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Offering you: Towle Silversmiths mid century silver plate blue enamel bowl vintage piece circa 1970s Measures: 7 in diameter x 3.88 inches Lustrous Blue Colored Enamel with Silver ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Silver Plate, Enamel

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

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern decorative bowls 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 bowls created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, murano glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern decorative bowls 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 decorative bowls, popular names associated with this style include Archimede Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Barovier&Toso, and Flavio Poli. 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 bowls differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $34 and tops out at $46,574 while the average work can sell for $646.

Recently Viewed

View All