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.
Upsala Ekeby Sweden Mid Century Modern Pottery Vide Poche Catchall Bowl
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Sarasota, FL
Stunning bowl by Upsala Ekeby. Great catch all bowl with interesting design. Signed
Pottery
Designed by Le Corbusier for Lumax Glass Desk Tidy, Vide Poche, Catchall
By Lumax, Le Corbusier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Industrial thick molded glass desktop accessory (desk tidy, ashtray, or catchall) manufactured by Lumax, France. Original design by Le Corbusier. The vide-poche is in excellent cond...
Glass
Green and Yellow Le Sirenuse Ashtray Vide-Poche
Located in New York, NY
Green and Yellow Le Sirenuse Ashtray Vide-Poche. Hand-painted vide-poche ashtray dish with two stylized sirens / mermaids holding a small yellow house inscribed Le Sirenuse, Positano...
Ceramic
Designed by Le Corbusier for Lumax Glass Desk Tidy, Vide Poche, Catchall
By Le Corbusier, Lumax
Located in Atlanta, GA
Industrial thick molded glass desktop accessory (desk tidy, ashtray, or catchall) manufactured by Lumax, France. Original design by Le Corbusier. The vide poche is in excellent cond...
Glass
Danish Mid-Century Modern Pottery Plate or Vide-poche by Michael Andersen, 1960s
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A small stoneware vintage Bornholm pottery plate or Vide-poche from Denmark. Made by the talented Michael Andersen, this plate is iconic and so typical for this company, especially w...
Ceramic
Murano Red Heart "Cuore" Art Glass Vase by Maria Christina Hamel for Salviati
By Maria Christina Hamel 1, Salviati
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Murano art glass heart-shaped vase was designed by Maria Christina Hamel in the 1990s and produced by the renowned Venetian glasshouse Salviati. Expertly mouth-blown on...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
French Ceramic Plate by Etienne Daniel, Vallauris, France - 1950s - Era Picault
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
French Ceramic Plate By Etienne Daniel. Signed. Vallauris, France - 1950s Large dish enamelled in white, green and brown tones adorned with stylized t...
Enamel
Murano Sommerso Green & Amber Geode Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Murano Sommerso geode art glass bowl designed by Flavio Poli, featuring his signature color-layering technique that beautifully blends vivid green with warm amber and deep...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Verdigris Bronze Vide-Poche Bowl by Maurice Ascalon for Pal Bell Isreal 1950's
Located in Troy, MI
Cast bronze vide-poch bowl designed by Maurice Ascalon Pal-Bell Isreal circa 1950's Solid bronze with ribbed design of alternating polished finish and applied verdigris patina Inte...
Bronze
Carl Auböck Brass Hand Catchall Vide-Poche Accessory Bowl, Vienna, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Catch-All storage utility bowl, model number 4209, designed by Carl Auböck IV and traditionally handcrafted by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck workshop. It consists of a round...
Brass
Mid-Century Set of 3 French Ceramic plates by Naumovitch Era Vallauris Capron
By Ljuba Naumovitch, Le Grand Chêne 1
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Set of 3 French Ceramic plates by Naumovitch Era Vallauris Capron Exceptional set of three plates decorated with women's faces. Emblematic creations of Ljuba Naumovitch in the Atelier Grand Chêne...
Enamel
Pablo Picasso Ceramic Dish Editions Picasso Madoura Bird C 1952
Located in Chicago, IL
Pablo Picasso Oiseau dish bird with tuft and pointy beak, editions Picasso Madoura France, circa 1952. 15 hand painted brush strokes under the birds feet referring to food. Impresse...
Ceramic
Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand Ashtray for Lumax Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
About product: Lumax ashtrey by Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand. Manufactured in France, circa 1970. The Lumax Ashtray by Le Corbusier is an iconic design piece. It was designe...
Art Glass
Alabaster Decorative Dish - Yellow Stone Bowl / Trinket - Italy 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Alabaster Decorative Dish - Yellow Stone Bowl / Trinket - Italy 1970s Nice yellow alabaster dish or catchall. Entirely made of alabaster, with beautiful natural stripes on the sto...
Stone, Alabaster
Tommaso Barbi Signed Cream Ceramic and Brass Ashtray or Catchall, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful round ashtray or valet tray in gorgeous burgundy ceramic and brass. This rare decorative piece is signed on the bottom and was designed by Tommaso Barbi and produced in It...
Brass
Lumax Ashtray by Le Corbusier & Charlotte Perriand, circa 1970 — France
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Elegant Lumax ashtray designed by Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, manufactured in France around 1970. Crafted in glass, this piece embodies the purity and functionality of moder...
Glass
French Ceramic Decorative Dish with Flower Motif by Albert Thiry (circa 1970s)
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
French ceramic decorative dish with flower motif (circa 1970s) by Albert Thiry. An oblong-shaped ceramic dish has a chalk-white glaze surface. Within the dish's recess, a thistle flo...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Murano Glass Ashtray or Bowl by Flavio Poli, Faceted Murano Glass
By Flavio Poli
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Murano Glass ashtray or bowl by Flavio Poli - Faceted Murano Glass This is a beautiful Murano glass ashtray or decorative bowl. It is made according to the technique of ...
Glass, Murano Glass
Dior Silver Plated and Tortoiseshell Lucite Serving Serving Tray, Italy 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous midcentury serving tray in silver plated metal and tortoiseshell effect lucite. This stunning and unique piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s and its design is attr...
Silver Plate
Ceramic Ashtrays blue and Pink color from France 1960 Rond Shape
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of Ceramic Ashtrays with Sea Urchin Motif, Pink and Blue, Decorative and Functional This pair of ceramic ashtrays, designed with a striking sea urchin motif, combines artistry ...
Ceramic
Alley Cats Ceramic Abstract Platter, Attributed To Alessio Tasca, Nove, Italy
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Alley cats ceramic platter attributed to Alessio Tasca of Nove, Italy Depicts two animated felines with characteristic Tasca markings Likely created for Raymor, who specialised in m...
Ceramic
Pablo Picasso Ceramic Pitcher Tetes Visages Editions Picasso Madoura
Located in Chicago, IL
Madoura turned pitcher of white earthenware clay with decoration by Pablo Picasso black and white drawings. This work is stamped with the 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and 'EDITION PICASSO' po...
Ceramic
Whitefriars Geoffrey Baxter Ruby-Red Glass Dishes, Model 9099, 1960s
By Geoffrey Baxter, Whitefriars
Located in Glasgow, GB
A matching pair of decorative ruby-red glass dishes, crafted in 1960s Britain by the esteemed English glassmakers Whitefriars. Both dishes are the m...
Glass
Willy Rizzo Style Mid-Century Lucite Ice Effect Ashtray, Desk Tidy, Catchall
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking modernist Lucite ashtray or vide‑poche, crafted with a bold architectural sensibility reminiscent of Willy Rizzo's aesthetic. This substantial catchall features a square, ...
Lucite, Plexiglass
Bowl Pocket Emptier Murano Glass Amber Mid-Century Design Italian 70s
Located in Palermo, IT
Bowl / pocket emptier in faceted, transparent and amber Murano glass. wavy borders.The vibrant color makes this items highly decorative. This original vintage element was designed a...
Murano Glass
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Round Bowl, 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rimini Blue Bitossi Aldo Londi Bowl, Glazed Ceramic Italian midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue glazed ceramic circular bowl. Italy, 1950-19...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Pietro Chiesa Hammered Nile Green Crystal Ashtray or Catchall, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful nile green hammered crystal ashtray or catchall. This charming piece is attributed to the mastery of Pietro Chiesa and was produced in Italy during the 1950s. This squar...
Crystal
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Blue Glass Tray, Italy 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
A refined and highly architectural Italian glass vide-poche or serving tray designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1960s. Executed in deeply saturated cobalt blue curved cry...
Glass
Huge Vide-Poche or Bowl in Malachite Green Italian Marble, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent organically shaped and materially exquisite Mid-Century modernist vide-poche or bowl made in solid Malachite from Elba Island in Tuscany, Italy, circa 1970. Featuring a...
Malachite, Marble
Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Decorative Desk Organizer by Aldo Londi, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century ceramic decorative piece or desk organizer in the iconic and vibrant Rimini Blu color. This lovely and unique piece was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by B...
Ceramic
Angelo Mangiarotti Red Levanto Marble Decorative Bowl, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular round decorative bowl or centerpiece in striking Red Levanto Italian marble. This marvelous decorative piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s and is attributed to t...
Marble
Brass Plate Keys Table Decorative Hollywood Regency Vintage 70s Ashtray Art Deco
Located in London, GB
A lovely vintage heavy solid brass plate from France made out of pure brass, dating back to the 1970s. The design features an elegant, organic shape with a slightly raised decorativ...
Brass
Egidio Di Rosa and Pier Alessandro Giusti Up&Up Black Marble Dish or Vide Poche
By Up&Up
Located in Chicago, IL
Black marble dish or vide poche designer by Egidio Di Rosa and Pier Alessandro Giusti for Up&Up International, Italy, circa 1960-1970. The dish in an amazing polished black marbl...
Marble
Olive Wood Sculptural Plate or Dish circa 1950 French Design Bowl
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 g...
Wood
Murano Sommerso Green Yellow & Clear Faceted Block Bowl Dish by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Murano Sommerso faceted block bowl designed by Flavio Poli, showcasing the masterful Venetian glassmaking of the mid-20th century. This sculptural piece features beautiful...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Los Castillo Taxco Silver-Plated Tray with Lapis & Azurite Inlay, Mexican Modern
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural and highly collectible vintage serving tray designed and manufactured in Taxco, Mexico by the legendary Los Castillo during the 1960s, a period widely regarded as the go...
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Silver, Silver Plate
Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Pink Opalescent Italian Art Glass Heart Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown pink and opalescent Italian art glass heart shaped bowl with wild flower murrines. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso, circa 1950s. The ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine, Opaline Glass
Large Mid-Century Modern German Ceramic Stockholm Series Plate Melitta, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Mid-Century Modern German Ceramic Stockholm Series Plate from Melitta, 1960s
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #281
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri on a nude female torso, no.281 / made in Milano Italy circa ...
Porcelain
Sommerso green pocket emptier by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano glass Italy 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful sommerso empty pocket or ashtray designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Artisanal glasswork using the sommerso technique (superposition...
Murano Glass
Paolo De Poli and Gio Ponti Enamel Vide Poche, Italy 1956
Located in Milan, IT
Paolo De Poli and Gio Ponti Enamel on Copper Vide Poche, Italy 1956 Original label / Sold through the historical Frangi design store in Milan.
Copper, Enamel
French Ceramic Vide Poche circa 1960s, in the style of Georges Jouve
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
French ceramic blue Vide Poche circa 1960s - in the style of Georges Jouve, Ruelland Large hand-shaped pocket organizer. Mid-century plaster enameled with glossy enamel circa 1960...
Enamel
Hermes, Paris, Rare Double Golf Vide Poche / Trays c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome and rare pair of silver plated dishes or bowls jointed together with a decorative Golf ball handle in the centre. Just back from our silversmith's workshop where it has b...
Silver Plate
Walter Bosse Rooster Ring Catcher/Ashtray/Catch-all C1950s Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Trensacq, FR
Walter Bosse Rooster Ring Catcher/Ashtray, Vienna, c. 1950s A rare rooster ring catcher/ashtray in solid blackened brass, designed by Walter Bosse and pr...
Brass
Seguso Murano Sommerso Green Yellow Art Glass Huge Ovoid Centerpiece Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Massive hand blown green, yellow and clear ovoid shaped geode Murano glass art bowl / centerpiece. Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, 1950s. This magnificent Sommerso green yellow bowl...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese tray is executed in patinated and p...
Brass
Large Murano Vase in Multicolor Cobalt Attributed to Barovier & Toso, 1960s
Located in Verviers, BE
Attributed to Barovier & Toso this lobed vase is handcrafted with Cobalt core and Sommerso (colored outer layer), extending into the Colored glass collar which has a naturalistic lea...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Murano Latticino Swirl Art Glass Bowl Dish Gold Accents Fratelli Toso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite vintage Murano art glass dish features an elegant intricate latticino swirl pattern in a vibrant blue hue, interwoven with shimmering gold accents. The expertly hand-b...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Murano Decorative Bowl Vide-Poche in Acquamarine Frosted Sommerso Glass, '60s
By Mandruzzato
Located in Roma, IT
Splendid Murano decorative bowl or vide-poche in a stunning combination of "sommerso" frosted acuamrine and light green blown glass. This stunning piece was produced in Italy during ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Decorative Metal Tray, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern decorative metal tray, by an unknown designer. Manufactured in Spain, circa 1950. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserv...
Metal
Archimede Seguso Pink Murano Sommerso Bullicante Glass Bowl / Ashtray, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gorgeous hand blown glass bowl in pink color with controlled bubbles and organic design shape. Attributed to Archimede Seguso. Italy, 1960s. Cranberry pink glass cased into clear gla...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Murano Sommerso Pink & Amber Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A refined Murano Sommerso art glass bowl attributed to Flavio Poli, featuring a sophisticated blend of pink, amber, and smoky tones—an elegant color palette characteristic of mid-cen...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Leucos Murano Glass Empty Pockets Decorative Object Mid-Century Modern Italy 70s
By Leucos
Located in Palermo, IT
Leucos Murano Empty Pockets made in Italy in the 70s. Thanks to its solid roots and high craftsmanship, the company operates in the high-end market, combining tradition, design and t...
Murano Glass
Agate Catchall Bowl - Precious Stone Trinket - Orange and White colors - 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Agate Catchall Bowl - Precious Stone Trinket - Orange and White colors - 1970s Decorative piece, perfect for holding small items like jewelry, keys, or coins. Cut and polished int...
Stone, Agate
Tommaso Barbi Signed “Egg” Ashtrays / Catchall in Brass & Chrome, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic and iconic sculptural “egg” stacking ashtray in an elegant combination of brass and chrome-plated metal. This iconic piece was designed by Tommaso Barbi and produced in Ita...
Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Heavy Blown Glass Vide Poche by Elis Bergh, 1960
By Elis Bergh
Located in London, GB
A beautiful heavy blown glass vide poche by Elis Bergh for Kosta Boda. Good pontil mark.
Blown Glass
Set of 3 Italian Sculptural Solid Brass Ashtrays, Carl Auböck, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous modernist set of three interlocking ashtrays entirely made in solid brass. This refined and unique set was produced in Italy during the 1970s, clearly designed in the style...
Brass
Vintage Georges Pelletier Ceramic Vide-Poche or Decorative Wall Plate - 1970
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid Century - Vintage - Ceramic Measures : 31x31cm H:5cm Material : Ceramic Decorative plate or trinket dish by the ceramist Georges Pelletier, France. Handcrafted ceramic with a re...
Ceramic
Antique Ceramic Soap Dish, Mid-Century Modern, Spain, Circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique ceramic soap dish. Manufactured in Spain, circa 1940. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materia...
Earthenware
Ceramic Vide Poche from France 1960 Multicolor Color, Rond Shape Brown and Green
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Ceramic Vide Poche from France 1960 Multicolor Color, Rond Shape Brown and Green
Ceramic