Mid-Century Modern Boxes

1,300 Results

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

Emerged during the mid-20th century
Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
A heyday of innovation in postwar America
Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
Promotion of functionality

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

Charles and Ray Eames
Eero Saarinen
Milo Baughman
Florence Knoll
Harry Bertoia
Isamu Noguchi
George Nelson
Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa

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.

Style: Mid-Century Modern

FIAT Iron Construction Site Container, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1963

$1,294 / set

FIAT Iron Construction Site Container, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1963

By Fiat

Located in bari, IT

A Fiat storage container, this iron artifact represents an authentic fragment of Italian manufacturing memory, a loading unit from the historic FIAT plants of the mid-20th century. M...

Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Iron

Vintage Burl Wood Angled Box

$475

Vintage Burl Wood Angled Box

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Discover the exquisite beauty of this handcrafted Modernist keepsake box, a masterclass in studio woodworking from the late 20th century. Meticulously constructed from premium bird’s...

Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Burl

Vintage French Italian Florentine Jewelry Accessory Wood Trinket Box

$695

Vintage French Italian Florentine Jewelry Accessory Wood Trinket Box

Located in Seattle, WA

This French-Italian style marquetry jewelry accessory box features exquisite craftsmanship and intricate design. The exterior showcases a beautifully detailed carved top, adorned wi...

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage Crackled Abalone Jewelry Boxes / Karl Springer

$1,250 / set

Pair of Vintage Crackled Abalone Jewelry Boxes / Karl Springer

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of vintage crackled abalone jewelry boxes. Unmarked. Attributed to Maitland Smith. Possibly Karl Springer. Measures: Larger box dimension: 7 7/8"...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Abalone

Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Perignem - Belgium 1950s

$340

Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Perignem - Belgium 1950s

By Perignem

Located in Linkebeek, BE

Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Perignem - Belgium 1950s The Perignem ceramic workshop in Beernem, Belgium was the foundation of modern Flemish ceramics which flourished in the 19...

Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Roberto Rida 'Diamante Murano' Large Glass Box

$8,000

Roberto Rida 'Diamante Murano' Large Glass Box

By Roberto Giulio Rida

Located in New York, NY

Roberto Giulio Rida exquisite purple 'Diamante Murano' glass box with thick glass ground and polished to create faceted fitted top with gilt brass base covered inside with steel, Ita...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Steel, Brass

Snuffbox Miniature Pastoral Image Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni

$3,223

Snuffbox Miniature Pastoral Image Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Round snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with hand-painted miniature pastoral image fired enamelled. 18th century French style. Diameter cm. 8 cm high. 1.8. Weight gr. 171. Designed by Franco Salimbeni in 1968 on inspiration from previous boxes also manufactured in the Salimbeni company headquarters with manual workmanship by talented artisan artists with a thick plate suitable for supporting numerous glazing firings at high heat at around 800° C. Miniature is a very ancient technique which consists of painting works in small proportions. It was born for the decoration of the first letter of the paragraph of the books. Over the years, however, this technique is refined and enriched, then moving on to precious personal items. Hand-painted miniatures can be done with multiple different techniques. The most important that we use on our articles are of three kinds: 1) Fire enamel. 2) Water tempera on an ivory plate. 3) Painted on mother-of-pearl. Fire enameled miniatures: On a first layer of enamel generally white or very clear or even transparent suitably liquefied at a temperature of about 750 ° C, the chosen subject is painted using miniature...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Box Made In Rosewood With A top Made Of Ceramic From 1960s

$441

Box Made In Rosewood With A top Made Of Ceramic From 1960s

Located in Lejre, DK

This elegant box, crafted in rosewood with a ceramic top, hails from the 1960s, showcasing the refined craftsmanship typical of mid-century Danish design. The rich, dark hues of the ...

Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Modernist 1981 Sculptural Secret Table Box Carved In Marble Sandalwood And Shell

$2,245

Modernist 1981 Sculptural Secret Table Box Carved In Marble Sandalwood And Shell

Located in Miami, FL

Sculptural marble secret box. Exceptional decorative box, created by an American artist back in the 1981. This modernist box has been made up with carvings of white marble and sanda...

Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Marble

Rare Vintage Pottery Bird Ken Edwards style

$65

Rare Vintage Pottery Bird Ken Edwards style

Located in Seattle, WA

Rare Vintage pottery el Paloma’s Mexico pottery bird. Sugar bowl Home Decor. Ken Edwards style.! Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for des...

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Maitland Smith Coral or Pink Jewelry Box Karl Springer

$1,500

Vintage Maitland Smith Coral or Pink Jewelry Box Karl Springer

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Maitland Smith coral or pink jewelry box. Unmarked. In the manner of Karl Springer.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Mid-century Silver and Enameled Box Spain 1960

$1,641

Mid-century Silver and Enameled Box Spain 1960

Located in Antwerp, BE

Beautiful midcentury enameled silver decorative box, Spain, 1960.

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Janetti Mid-Century Geometric Box

$1,700

Janetti Mid-Century Geometric Box

By Janetti

Located in Westport, CT

Janetti Italian Mid Century Brass Copper geometric Lucite Plexiglass interior top..

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper

Letter Press Box Trinket Shelf with Glass Door

$525

Letter Press Box Trinket Shelf with Glass Door

Located in Seattle, WA

Everything in shelf included. Repurposed Letter press box into a trinket shelf with lots of unique trinkets and a glass door.Vintage condition as picture...

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Old ceramic box circa 1950, brand to decipher.

$1,118

Old ceramic box circa 1950, brand to decipher.

Located in Mouscron, WHT

Old ceramic box circa 1950, brand to decipher.

Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Decorative Box 1950s

$450

Vintage Italian Decorative Box 1950s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Italian Decorative Box 1950s: A beautiful and collectible decorative box from 1950s Italy. Crafted with attention to detail an...

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Metal

1970s American Faux Bone Decorative Box with Silver Rods Design

$350

1970s American Faux Bone Decorative Box with Silver Rods Design

Located in Queens, NY

American Contemporary (1970s) faux bone tesselated decorative rectangular box with a horizontal pattern of silver rods going across top and resting on 4 ball feet

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Bone

Bitossi Decorative Lidded Box

$950

Bitossi Decorative Lidded Box

By Bitossi

Located in San Francisco, CA

Bitossi decorative ceramic lidded box, Italy. Sophisticated table top box for jewelry, cards or hide the T.V. remote. In very good original condition.

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Murano Glass Jewelry Box by Alessandro Mandruzzato, 1990s Modern

$2,001

Murano Glass Jewelry Box by Alessandro Mandruzzato, 1990s Modern

By Alessandro Mandruzzato

Located in Venezia, IT

Medium Rectangular Murano Glass Box – Space and Beauty in a Single Object Elegant and spacious, this large rectangular Murano glass box is the perfect choice for those looking for a ...

Category

1990s Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Murano Glass

Large Light Blue Rectangular Unique Murano Glass Jewelry Box

$2,589

Large Light Blue Rectangular Unique Murano Glass Jewelry Box

By Alessandro Mandruzzato

Located in Venezia, IT

Large Rectangular Murano Glass Box – Space and Beauty in a Single Object Elegant and spacious, this large rectangular Murano glass box is the perfect choice for those looking for a s...

Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Mid 20th Century Decorative Stands With Brass Mountings

$1,400 / set

Pair of Mid 20th Century Decorative Stands With Brass Mountings

By Maison Jansen

Located in West Hollywood, CA

American, 20th century. Pair of ornamental black plant or urn stands in the style of Maison Jansen. These unmarked stands feature square, tapering bodies with brass lion's head and r...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Roberto Rida Amber 'Diamante Murano' Large Glass Box

$8,000

Roberto Rida Amber 'Diamante Murano' Large Glass Box

By Roberto Giulio Rida

Located in New York, NY

Roberto Giulio Rida exquisite amber olive 'Diamante Murano' glass box with thick glass ground and polished to create faceted fitted top with gilt brass base covered inside with steel...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Steel, Brass

Mid Century Italian Decorative Round Box 1970

$780

Mid Century Italian Decorative Round Box 1970

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The Vintage Italian Decorative Brass and Blue Glass Box from the 1960s is an elegant and unique piece of retro decor. Crafted in Italy during the mid-20th century, this box features ...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Italian painted ceramic jewel box or casket

$1,695Sale Price|20% Off

Vintage Italian painted ceramic jewel box or casket

By Midcentury Italian school

Located in Milano, IT

In the midst of the 1970s, in the heart of the enchanting Italian island of Sicily, artisans crafted a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication—a jewel of a jewelry box, if you wil...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

1980s Italian Vintage Decorative Oversize Box

$1,400

1980s Italian Vintage Decorative Oversize Box

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful Italian decorative vintage box made with wood and silver plate, the box is in good conditions and is ready to be inserted in a mid century modern room.

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Chrome

1960s Brazilian Rosewood Tray Vessel by Jean Gillon for Wood Art

$1,250

1960s Brazilian Rosewood Tray Vessel by Jean Gillon for Wood Art

By Jean Gillon

Located in Victoria, BC

We are excited to offer this standout piece from the Jean Gillon collection: a decorative wood serving tray crafted from the finest jacaranda. Crafted with meticulous detail and unde...

Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Norwegian Wood.chest With Hand Painted Floral Motif

$796Sale Price|20% Off

Vintage Norwegian Wood.chest With Hand Painted Floral Motif

Located in Seattle, WA

Intricate Detailing of Flowers and Letter Markings as Pictured. Features a Small Compartment inside. Dimensions. 9 W ; 5 D ; 6 H

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Italian Decorative Big Box 1950

$1,200

Beautiful Italian Decorative Big Box 1950

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful decorative Italian oversize box made with wood , the box is divided into 2 spaces as you can see from the photo the box is in vintage conditions. STUNNING.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood

Italian Enameled Brass Box by Studio Del Campo, Mid-Century Modern, 1982

$2,000

Italian Enameled Brass Box by Studio Del Campo, Mid-Century Modern, 1982

By Studio Del Campo, Del Campo

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful decorative lidded-hinge box from famed Italian ceramic house Studio Del Campo of Turin, Italy. Lid is comprised of an enamel coated copper square with a brass trim and lin...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Vintage Barton's Creation Italy Hand Painted Art "Gears" Modern Lacquered Box

$210

Vintage Barton's Creation Italy Hand Painted Art "Gears" Modern Lacquered Box

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Barton's Creation Italy Hand Painted Art "Gears" Modern Lacquered Wooden Narrow Box. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 1.5" H x 14.25" W x 4.5" D.

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Boho Yellow Stone Trinket Box

$295

Vintage Boho Yellow Stone Trinket Box

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Charming mid-century rectangular trinket or jewelry box made from solid yellow Bakelite (or similar early plastic/resin), featuring a striking inlaid lid design in tones of red, oran...

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Stone

Vintage Hand Painted Tin With Floral Motif on Top.

$175

Vintage Hand Painted Tin With Floral Motif on Top.

Located in Seattle, WA

Nice Patina. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Dimensions. 8.5”W ; 8.5”D ; 1.5” H

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Metal

Ceramic Covered Pot, Jean Mégard, Biot 1952

$6,827

Ceramic Covered Pot, Jean Mégard, Biot 1952

By Jean Mégard

Located in St Ouen, FR

Extremely rare covered pot. Rich glazes with a juxtaposition of white and vivid colours forming an abstract overprinted decor. The inside of the cover features a generous dedication...

Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury American Modern Walnut Jewelry Chest

$1,200

Midcentury American Modern Walnut Jewelry Chest

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Elegant jewelry chest composed of two small drawers with brass pulls below a sweeping walnut surface. Sculptural legs have a slight taper at the top and expand out at the end. At 33"...

Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Brass

Bronze Pineapple Jar

$2,400

Bronze Pineapple Jar

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Midcentury pineapple form lidded jar or container crafted in cast bronze with a dark lush patina and signed Maitland-Smith on the bottom.

Category

20th Century Thai Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Plastic Box, Apple, 1970's

$176

Mid-Century Plastic Box, Apple, 1970's

Located in Praha, CZ

Made in Czechoslovakia. Made of Plastic. Re-polished. Good Original condition.

Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Plastic

1960s Brazilian Rosewood Humidor by Jean Gillon for Wood Art

$1,750

1960s Brazilian Rosewood Humidor by Jean Gillon for Wood Art

By Jean Gillon

Located in Victoria, BC

We're thrilled to introduce the latest addition to our revered vintage Brazilian smalls collection: an iconic piece from the legendary designer Jean Gillon's Wood Art collection. Beh...

Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Blue Python Snakeskin Box Attributed to Karl Springer with Silver Mountings

$5,800

Blue Python Snakeskin Box Attributed to Karl Springer with Silver Mountings

By Karl Springer

Located in Westport, CT

Attributed Karl Springer blue python snake skin silver mounted Art Deco skyscraper stepped base and top trim.

Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Metal

Decorative Bronze Box with Lion Detail by John W. Mills (1933-2023)

$5,052

Decorative Bronze Box with Lion Detail by John W. Mills (1933-2023)

By John Mills

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

A solid bronze box or decorative casket detailed with lion masks in relief to the lid by acclaimed British sculptor, John W. Mills. Possibly unique, this unusual piece forms part o...

Category

Late 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Large Italian Silver Plated Metal Pear Ice Cube Bucket Container

$950

Large Italian Silver Plated Metal Pear Ice Cube Bucket Container

Located in Chicago, IL

Large Metal Pear Ice Cube Bucket Container. No makers mark. Most likely made in Italy 1960s. Hammered brass stem mounted to the top. Nicely crafted artistic & functional object. Plenty of patina to the metal which give the pear a nice character. Being sold unpolished with patina. Possibly Silver Plated. I believe there was probably a lining glass bucket inside at one time. unmarked. Uncertain to the designer...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Boxes

Materials

Metal

Mid-century Modern boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern boxes 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 boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern boxes 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 boxes, popular names associated with this style include Bitossi, Line Vautrin, Piero Fornasetti, and Gabriella Crespi. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $34,396 while the average work can sell for $850.