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.
Crab jewelry box, silver plated & alpaca, Spain, 1950's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite sculptural crab form box realistically rendered, crafted in Spain, 1950's. Made to look like a real crab crawling with movement masterfully with sharp detail and execution....
Silver Plate
Vintage Cartier Sterling Silver Pill Box c.1980
By Cartier
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful vintage solid sterling silver pill box, beautiful quality to be expected from the world renowned luxury retailer, Cartier. The lid has the large Cartier "C" logo integra...
Sterling Silver
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
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
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
Midcentury Decorative Box in Wood and Steel Willy Rizzo Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular box in wood and steel in the style of Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Great accessory for any modern interior.
Metal, Steel
Wooden Box, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Decorative carved wooden box, France, 1970s. An elegant wooden box crafted in a traditional style with a striking faceted geometric design. Its domed lid is topped with a conical ha...
Wood
Mexican Modernist "Metales Casados" Box by Los Castillos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Period Style: Mexican Modern Materials: Silver, Copper, Brass Plated, Wood Liner Designer: Humberto Castillo Manufacturer: Los Castillos
Silver, Brass, Copper
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
$182Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-Century Italian Green Onyx Marble & Brass Jewelry Box, 1960s
Located in Toronto, CA
A beautifully handcrafted mid-century Italian jewelry box carved from richly banded green onyx and accented with elegant brass trim and decorative brass feet. Dating to the 1960s, th...
Onyx
Abalone shell vanity box, Alpaca Mexico, 1970's
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...
Shell, Abalone, Alpaca
Liwan's Rome Large Italian Decorative Box in Brass & Stainless Steel, 1970s
By Liwan's Rome
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and incredibly elegant large decorative box made from a combination of gilt brass and polished stainless steel, lined internally with black-colored glass. This stylish piec...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Amazing box by Christian Dior Home, wickerwork, Vintage, 1970s, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Amazing box by Christian Dior Home, made in the 1970s in Italy. This exceptionally decorative folding box features a polished brass frame, acrylic and Viennese wickerwork. The de...
Brass
Hermes, Paris - Sterling Silver Pill Box With 1873 Coin Inset
Located in Bath, GB
From the iconic French luxury retailer, this solid / sterling silver box was made by Hermes of Paris, fully signed on the side of the box together with the Minerva head mark (silver)...
Sterling Silver
Beautiful Hand Crafted Cigar Humidor Box Catchall Antique Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A cigar or desktop catchall box from Austria in the 1900s, made of patinated brass and wood, sounds like a unique and valuable antique. The fact that this particular box is an antique from the early 1900s adds to its value and collectability. Depending on the condition and other factors such as the brand or maker, it could be worth a significant amount of money to collectors of antique smoking...
Metal
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
$322Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Lapis Lazuli, Onyx & Sterling Silver Pill Box - Mexico - Circa 1970's
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage sterling silver pill box - hand made - featuring a chevron pattern hard stone lid set with lapis lazuli and black onyx with silver spacers - round sterling silver box and bas...
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Sterling Silver
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
Mid-Century Modern Wood and Enamel Box by J. Capo Esmaltes, Spain, 1960
Located in Atlanta, GA
Designed by the esteemed J. Capo Esmaltes and crafted in Spain circa 1960, this exquisite Mid-Century Modern lidded box is a true fusion of artistry and craftsmanship. Its refined re...
Metal, Copper, Enamel
Mid-Century Decorative Box in Rosewood and Walnut, Ralph Lauren Style
By Ralph Lauren
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful mixed wood decorative box. This piece created in rosewood, walnut and oak presents itself as a unique gift or personal item that is special for keepsakes or other uses such...
Oak, Rosewood, Walnut
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mithe Espelt Ceramic and Fused Glass Jewelry Box France c 1968
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Chicago, IL
Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s Ceramic enamels in shades of green gold with fused glass with iconic blackened wood box. Literature: Mithé Espelt, le luxe discret...
Ceramic
Bitossi Lidded Ceramic Box, Italy, c.1955
By Bitossi
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bitossi Lidded Ceramic Box, Italy, c.1955.
Ceramic
Large Green Majolica Money Bank Squirrel Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large green Majolica Money Bank Squirrel Circa 1950.
Ceramic
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...
Wood
Christian Dior Midcentury Lucite Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass Jewelry Box 1970
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century square shaped decorative jewelry box in an elegant tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This fantastic piece was designed in France during the 1970s for Christ...
Brass
Italian 1960s Fish Mosaic Trinket Box in Ceramic and brass
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Mid-Century Modern brass box with vibrant fish mosaic ceramic tiles top, Italy 1960s. This stunning vintage rectangular box is crafted from brass with a striking hand-crafted tile to...
Brass
$468Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Coca Cola Trash Can, Mid-Century Metal, USA, 1960s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, vintage Coca Cola trash can mid-century. White paint with chrome plated steel. Interior galvanized can. Original unrestored. Dimensions: 29" H x 14" Diameter...
Metal
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
Abalone shell & alpaca silver turtle box, Mexico, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb turtle-shaped 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. More than a box...
Silver
Mid-Century Accordion Cigarette Box, Noble Woods & Bakelite, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Elegant and unusual French Mid-Century Modern accordion cigarette box, crafted in France during the 1950s from fine wood and Bakelite. Its ingenious accordion-style opening mechanism is the defining feature of the design: the articulated sections unfold to reveal the interior, transforming a functional smoking accessory into a sophisticated piece of decorative design. The combination of richly toned wood with Bakelite details is highly representative of postwar French design, a period when designers and manufacturers increasingly combined traditional materials with modern synthetics to create innovative household objects. With its geometric lines, clever construction and compact proportions, this vintage cigarette box...
Bakelite, Wood
Moraccan Thuya Wood Box Marquetry, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Little wood box decorated with symetrical marquetry representing a flower. Made circa 1960 in Morocco. Good condition, very few signs of use. Shipping: 11 / 15 / 6 cm 0.5 kg
Wood
Italian Florentine Square Green and Gilt Wood Trinket Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming small Italian Mid-Century Florentine hand crafted box. This gilt-wood box can be used to store your favorite pieces of jewelry as well a stand alone piece on a coffee table ...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Lobster jewelry box, silver plated, Italy, 1950's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite sculptural lobster form box realistically rendered, crafted in Italy, 1950's. Made to look like a real lobster crawling with movement masterfully with sharp detail and exec...
Silver Plate
Metal and Wood Sliding Box – France, 1970s – In the Style of Maria Pergay
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Metal and Wood Sliding Box – France, 1970s – In the Style of Maria Pergay Description: This is a decorative storage box made of metal and wood, designed in France during the 1970s,...
Metal
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
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
Tessellated Mid Century Marble Decorative Box, Vintage Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Maitland Smith tessellated marble and brass trinket or jewelry box circa 1970's. It features a mosaic of pinkish-red marble tiles accented with brass. A rare find in very goo...
Marble, Brass
Solid Wood American Studio Craft Jewelry Box in the style of Sam Maloof, 1970's
By Wharton Esherick, Wendell Castle, Sam Maloof, 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
Rectangular onyx jewelry box Italy 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rectangular Onyx jewelry box
Onyx
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
Tiger Eye Lidded Semi Precious Stone Box
Located in New York, NY
Tiger eye lidded semi precious stone box. Gold, brown and yellow richly changing colour hardstone box with gold-wash silver hinge attributed ...
Stone, Silver
Vintage Geometric Inlaid Wood Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage geometric inlaid wood box with a distinctive triangular form and bold marquetry patterning. The design combines a warm reddish-brown wood with lighter golden inlays arranged ...
Wood
$1,800
FORNASETTI Malachite Box
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage decorative rectangular lacquered walnut wood box with motif golden guns on green malachite / designed by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s Original mark at the fel...
Wood
Large Mid-Century Modern Oak Sewing Box on Wheels, Netherlands, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Solid Oak wood sewing box ,on wheels . opened with two hinged doors on the top, while the accordion style (with layered shelves that used external hinges to store more stuff in...
Oak
Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Blue Italian Murano Glass Apothecary Lidded Jar
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese very rare vintage midcentury modern new old stock Murano solid light blue colored / coloured glass round Apothecary jar or storage container with lid made circa 1970 with or...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Small Round Alabaster Jewelry Box with Flowers Italy 1960s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small Round Box 1960 Alabaster jewelry box with flower decal,
Alabaster
Round alabaster jewelry box with flower decal 1960s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
alabaster round box with flower decal
Alabaster
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
Mid Century Modern Gilded Aluminum and Macassar Wood Box, circa 1960
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning original decorative box was expertly crafted in France, circa 1960. The rectangular form, featuring a Macassar wood main body, is complemented by a brushed gilded anodi...
Metal, Aluminum
Italian Florentine Rectangular Gold Embossed Leather Box with Lock and Key
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
We are always on the hunt for these vintage Florentine boxes and rarely we come across one with a lock and a key. This Italian rectangular box, lined in yellow velvet, is prefect to ...
Leather, Velvet
Pecari Leather Box in the style of Dupré Lafon, France, 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant stitched Pecari leather box with a raised handle. 6x4x4
Leather
Rare Hermès, Paris Equestrian / Horse Box c.1970
Located in Bath, GB
A very rare example of a French mid-century modern silver plate and gold plate box by the iconic French fashion house, Hermès of Paris. A stunning design in silverplate with a gilde...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate
1970s Mid-Century Modern fake Tortoiseshell Lucite Italian Jewelry Box
By Guzzini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1970s Mid-Century Modern Italian jewelry box is a beautiful example of the era's design sensibilities, combining elegance, functionality, and high-quality craftsmanship. Here's ...
Lucite
Lucite and Silver Plate Large Modernist Box, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking modernist box evokes the sophisticated artistry of renowned Italian designers such as Tommaso Barbi, Gabriella Crespi, or Willy Rizzo. The rare piece was crafted in Ita...
Metal, Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Decorative Box Tea Caddy Marquetry Wood Brass Details, Italy
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant Mid-Century Modern decorative tea caddy box crafted in carved wood with refined brass details. The piece features a distinctive sarcophagus-inspired shape, with a rectangular...
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Onyx Jewelry Box, Made in Italy, Excellent
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship. The piece is expertly carved from natural stone, displaying a mesmerizing organic landscape of pale sage green, warm cream, and rich caramel v...
Onyx
Odette Dijeux Mid-Century Signed Ceramic Box, circa 1950, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice Odette Dijeux mid-century decorative box, circa 1950, Belgium. White and brown enameled ceramic. Signed underneath Odette Dijeux . Each piece of this artist is unique and po...
Ceramic
Wooden box, France, 1970
By Lorenz
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wooden box, France, 1970s, an elegant vintage piece characterized by a burl wood veneer with particularly decorative swirling patterns. Its clean design and soft lines make it both f...
Wood
Mid Century Brass Shopping Bag Sculpture 1970s Made in Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vessel sculpted brass shopping bag. This stylish piece is whimsical as it is glamorous. Brass sheets have been sculpted to create a vessel that mimics a shopping bag. E...
Brass
Scandinavian Midcentury Teak Box with Blue & Green Ceramic Tiles, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Interesting and unusual box or trinket executed in teak and wenge wood and showcasing teal green, blue and white mini-tiles to all 4 sides and the lid. Unknown Scandinavian/Danish ma...
Ceramic, Teak, Wenge