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.
Italian Leather Jewelry Box, Mid-20th Century, Italy
Located in New York, NY
An Italian brown/light‑brown leather box with gold detail, Mid‑Century Modern design, circa mid‑20th century, Italy. A cognac brown leather box with hand-applied gold gilt tooling em...
Leather
Mid-Century Italian Green Orange Marble Stone Trinket Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular trinket box featuring green and orange inlay on marble. This stone 2 piece box is super charming and functional for displaying or containing jewelry or other trink...
Marble
1980s Christian Dior Style Silver Plated Shell Jewelry Box
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful jewelry box designed in Italy in the 1980s. Silver plated box depicting a shell symbol of love and beauty since antiquity. Superb design object that will decorate your inte...
Metal, Silver Plate
1960's Italian Rosa Pink Marble Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
Hand carved and polished pink Italian marble jewelery box, with lid, made in Italy, c. 1960's. May be used in many ways, as cigarette box, trinket box and as many uses that one needs...
Marble
Astonishing Onyx Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern, Made in Italy, 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing box in onyx. Made in Italy. This box is amazing and in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,31 x 3,93 x 1,93 H inches 13,5 x 10 x 5 H cm
Onyx
Dior Midcentury Brass, Lucite and Vienna Straw Decorative Oval Box, Italy 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century decorative jewelry box made from a beautiful combination of lucite enriched with Vienna straw, brass, and tortoiseshell-effect lucite. This incredibly stylish pi...
Brass
Vintage Italian Shell Encrusted Grotto Jewelry Box Re-Lined Interior c. 1950
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This finely crafted Italian shell-encrusted jewelry box exudes a charming Grotto style, typical of mid-century decorative art from the 1950s. Its...
Shell
Italian Hand-Carved Alabaster Jewelry Box with Brass Mounts, Green Veined Stone
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Hand-Carved Alabaster Jewelry Box with Brass Mounts, Green Veined Stone A finely crafted Italian alabaster trinket or jewelry box, showcasing the natural beauty of richly ve...
Alabaster, Brass
Italian Tiger Eye Semi-Precious Stone Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic Rectangular Tiger Eye Box featuring a black stone interior. Both form and function best describe this piece. We see this decorative box holding f...
Multi-gemstone
Louis Vuitton Monogram Jewelry Case
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A Louis Vuitton LV Monogram jewellery case of elongated rectangular form, brass mounted and dating to the second half of the twentieth century, circa 1970. ...
Canvas
Jewelry Box Designed by Los Castillo · Silver-Plated with Malachite Inlay
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Taxco, México · Numbered piece #361 · Hand-wrought silver plate, malachite, rosewood There are jewelry pieces. And there are pieces by Los Castillo. The difference is not only one o...
Metal, Silver Plate
Turtle-Shaped Brass Jewelry Box , Italy, 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful turtle-shaped jewelry box designed and produced in Italy in the 1970's. Great brass work. More than a box, this object is a sculpture on its own. Playful design object that...
Brass
Brutalist Italian Jewelry Box, Wood and Resin, 1980 Circa
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist box designed and manufactured in italy in the early 1980s. Great work of resin and wood. Rare object that will elevate your interior. We specialize in vintage de...
Wood, Resin
Mid-Century Modern Green Onyx Jewelry Box with Gilded Lion Feet
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A handmade trinket or jewelry box, crafted with utmost care from exquisite onyx. Details in guilded metal such as the lion feet. This versatile box will work for your treasures, whil...
Onyx
Green Onyx Marble and Brass Jewelry Box 1950s Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
onyx green marble 1950s jewelry box with Brass foot.
Onyx
Cenedese Mid-Century Blue Pair of Italian Murano Glass Apothecary Lidded Jars
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese vintage midcentury modern pair of new old stock Murano solid light blue colored / coloured glass round Apothecary jars or storage containers with lids made circa 1970 with o...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Cenedese Pair of Mid-Century Green Italian Murano Glass Apothecary Lidded Jars
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare pair of Cenedese vintage midcentury modern clear green colored / coloured Murano glass round Apothecary jars or storage containers with lids made circa 1970s. Wonderful Italian ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Rectangular Jewelry Box in Grey Marble 1960 Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Grey marble rectangular jewelry box 1960 Italy
Marble
Solid Wood American Studio Craft Jewelry Box in the style of Sam Maloof, 1970's
By Sam Maloof, Wharton Esherick, Wendell Castle, George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid Wood American Studio Craft Jewelry Box, 1970's unsigned, Artist Unknown In the style of: Sam Maloof, George Nakashima, Wendell Castle, Wharton Esherick. Solid Oak with Solid ...
Oak, Walnut
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Barbini White Black Spots Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Vanity Powder Box
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white, dark purple / black and gold flecks Italian art glass vanity powder or jewelry box. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950s. Th...
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Jewelry Box with Coastal Marquetry, Italy
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Mid-Century Modern hinged wooden box with intricate coastal scene marquetry, Italy 1950s. This elegant vintage rectangular box is crafted from wood, featuring a stunning hand-inlaid ...
Wood
Dior Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Decorative Octagonal Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century jewelry or decorative octagonal box in a beautiful tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This stylish object was made in Italy during the 1970s and is attribute...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Dior Midcentury Gilt Brass and Chrome Decorative Jewelry Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Description Spectacular Mid-Century decorative box in a striking combination of gilt brass and chromed metal. This incredibly elegant jewelry box was produced in Italy during the 19...
Brass
Vintage Mid-Century Jewelry Case with Gold Velvet-like Interior and Exterior.
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage jewelry case features a striking patterned exterior in warm tones of brown, black, and gold, paired with a contrasting golden velvet-like material interior. The hinged l...
Velvet
Onyx Marble Rectangular Jewelry Box Italy 1950s Brass Foot
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Solid onyx marble jewelry box with gilded brass foot Italy 1950s
Onyx
Mexican Silver-Plated Hippopotamus Jewelry Box
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
This charming Mexican jewelry box transforms an everyday object into a playful sculptural work. Designed in the form of a stylized hippopotamus with soft, rounded contours and expres...
Metal
Vintage Italian Smoker's Box Jewelry Box Onyx Natural Stone
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage cigarette case or jewelry box made of natural onyx stone, decorated with gold-colored (copper-plated) metal fittings, Italian in origin, marked G.S.E. Ottone Garantito, circa...
Onyx, Metal, Brass
Small Italian Florentine Jewelry Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage gilt wood storage or jewelry box features one drawer and flip up top with mirror. with storage below lined in an orange velvet fabric. The box has has lots of character,...
Giltwood, Paint, Fabric, Velvet
Yellow-green onyx box, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rectangular box in yellow-green onyx, made in France around 1970. This piece showcases the natural beauty of the stone, with its translucent hues ranging from pale green to honey, tr...
Onyx
Mid-Century Modern Onyx Jewelry Box, Made in Italy, 1960s Design
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous Box in Onyx. Made in Italy. This box is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 5,31 x 3,74 x 1,96 H inches 13,5 x 9,5 x 5 H cm
Onyx
Vintage Walnut Wood Dental Crown Prosthetic Cabinet Jewelry Box
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, is a vintage c. 1950 wooden dental crown/prosthetic cabinet by Unitek, featuring a rich wood grain finish and sliding metal drawer pulls. It can be used a j...
Aluminum
$152Sale Price|20% Off
Small Vintage Red Leather Jewelry Box Fleur-De-Lis, Italy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Mid-Century Italian hand crafted box in red leather and gold embossed with fleur-de-lis decoration. This box can be used to store your favorite pieces of jewelry as well a s...
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Patchwork Cityscape Brass/Chrome Gentlemen's Jewelry Box
By Paul Evans
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Circa 1960's patchwork brass and chrome metal gentlemen's jewelry box. In the style of designer Paul Evans showing fine craftsmanship and detail. Felt lined as well as bottom. Small ...
Brass, Chrome
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Barbini Murano 1950s Blue Gold Flecks Bubble Italian Art Glass Vanity Powder Box
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown blue, gold flecks and controlled bubbles Italian art glass powder / jewelry box. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950s. The piece ha...
Gold Leaf
Italian Florentine Moss Green and Gold Petite Lidded Round Jar Urn, 1960s
By Florentine
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Italian moss green and gold round lidded ceramic jar/ urn. The green shade contrasts beautifully with the gold accents and white pattern that wraps around the piece. The pe...
Ceramic
Lucite & Rattan chromed vanity Box, Christian Dior Style, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite 1970s Italian lucite and rattan chromed jewelry box, attributed to Gabriella Crespi for Dior Home. This elegant piece combines timeless craftsmanship sophisticated design, ...
Rattan, Lucite
1970s Mid-Century Modern Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite Luxury Box Dior Home Style
Capturing the opulent essence of 1970s high-society design, this exquisite decorative box is a masterclass in Mid-Century Modern luxury. Crafted from heavy, high-quality lucite with ...
Brass
Turquoise Glass Mosaic Trinket Box with Aztec Calendar Medallion, Mexico, 1950's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Trinket Box / Jewelry Box, Mexico, 1950's Brass Box with Turquoise Glass Mosaic and Aztec Calendar Medallion on Lid, " A treasure box for your treasures" " In very good as...
Brass
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt — Lunel, France, 1950s. A stunning mid-century ceramic jewelry box crafted by renowned French artist Mithé Espelt in Lunel, France, d...
Ceramic, Wood
Hollywood regency bamboo jewelry box, RCM Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Hollywood regency grissinato bamboo jewelry box RCM Italy 1970 marked H 6 cm - 26 × 15.5 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Bamboo
Mid-Century Jade Green Onyx Marble Brass Decorative Box ITALY, c.1960s
By Gucci
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful green stone box in brass hinged framing. Small chip to one top corner, very small, right at the brass framing. 5.5 x 3.5 in.
Agate, Onyx
Walter Bosse Austrian Lacquered Brass Cigarette Box
By Herta Baller
Located in New York, NY
Walter Bosse for Herta Baller polished cast brass square box with patinated stripe lid, Austria, circa 1950's.
Brass
Ruby Red and Gilt Silver Faceted Murano Glass Jewelry Box, Italy 1920s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning jewelry box in faceted ruby red Murano glass and gilt silver. This incredibly rare piece was produced in Italy in the 1920s. The box feature an exquisite 12 sided faceted ...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Jewelry Box with Abalone and Alpaca, Mexico, Circa 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb jewelry box designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal set with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. A beautiful item to display i...
Abalone, Alpaca, Wood
Italian Mid-Century Acrylic Faux Tortoise and Brass Decorative Box, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Mid-Century Acrylic Faux Tortoise and Brass Decorative Box, 1970s Gorgeous Italian crafted jewelry box made of acrylic with brass details. Can be used as a jewelry box as we...
Brass
Mid-Century Turquoise Opaline Glass Cylindrical Jewelry Casket w/ Gilt Bronze
Located in New York, NY
French Turquoise Blue/Aqua Blue/Celeste Blue Opaline Glass Cylindrical Jewelry Casket with Gilt Bronze Mounts This French turquoise blue opaline glass casket was created as a refine...
Bronze
Italian Hand-Carved Alabaster Jewelry Box with Brass Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Hand-Carved Alabaster Jewelry Box with Brass Mounts, Green Veined Stone A finely crafted Italian alabaster trinket or jewelry box, showcasing the natural beauty of richly ve...
Alabaster, Brass
French Beveled Glass Underglaze Painting Box, circa 1950
Located in Labrit, Landes
Jewelry box completely covered with beveled glass. A rose adorns the lid of the box. Good condition with marks of time and three small losses (please see photos) Shipping L20 /P ...
Fabric, Glass
Endre László Szász for Hollohaza Porcelain Leather Small Jewelry Box Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Endre László Szász for Hollohaza Porcelain tile elegant jewelry box hard to find item , nice elegant trinket box .
Leather
Dior Large Smoked "Frozen" Lucite Italian Decorative Jewelry Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century jewelry or decorative rectangular box, made in charming smoked brownish lucite with a "frozen effect." This elegant object was produced in Italy during the 1970...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite Luxury Box Dior Home Style
By Dior Home
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Capturing the opulent essence of 1970s high-society design, this exquisite decorative box is a masterclass in Mid-Century Modern luxury. Crafted from heavy, high-quality lucite with ...
Brass
Gucci Black Leather Handbag, 10 x 10 x 4.
By Gucci
Located in Buchanan, MI
A Gucci Black Leather Handbag, with goldtone hardware, an adjustable shoulder strap and one interior zip pocket. Together with a box and dustbag. Stamped: Gucci. 10" x 10" x 4".
Leather
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Smoked Grey Faceted Glass Box, Italy 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Sommerso faceted Murano lidded box in grey and clear glass. Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italy, 1950s. Rectangular faceted box in grey gla...
Glass, Art Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Italian Leather Triple Hump Jewelry Box
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well-crafted handmade leather jewelry box with sculptural triple hump top, wavy sides and rare scalloped bottom design. In a darker saddle brown rubbed finish and lined in red...
Leather
Handcrafted Wooden Box Jewelry Keepsake Studio Organic Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a small, handcrafted wooden box, likely a jewelry or keepsake box, featuring a domed lid and various wood types. The box has a polished finish that highlight...
Wood
Dior Mid-Century Jewelry Box Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Chrome, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful mid-century decorative jewelry box in tortoiseshell effect lucite and chrome. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1970s for a Dior Home Production. This...
Metal, Chrome
Onyx Marble Jewelry Box Italy 1960 with flowers
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Onyx jewelry box Italy 1960 with flower decorations
Onyx
Orange sommerso jewelry box , Murano glass, Italy, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful orange sommerso box designed and manufactured in murano, 1970s. Glass craftsmanship according to the sommerso technique (superposition of layers of molten glass) with hand...
Murano Glass
Mid-century grissinato wood jewelry box, Fontana Arte Italy 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-century grissinato woodland mirrored glass jewelry box Fontana Arte, Italy 1960 Glass, wood, brass H 7 cm - 32 × 20 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Glass, Wood
Yellow Alabaster & Brass Jewelry Box - Mineral Stone Box - Italy 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Yellow Alabaster & Brass Jewelry Box - Mineral Stone Box - Italy 1970s Very elegant jewelry or decorative trinket box. Entirely constructed with alabaster stone and a brass hin...
Stone, Alabaster, Marble, Brass