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.
Brutalist candlestick by David Marshall, bronze and aluminum, Spain, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candlestick designed and crafted by the sculptor david marshall in the 70s in spain. Bronze and aluminum handcrafted sculpture. Rare item that will elevate your i...
Bronze, Aluminum
Diminutive Italian Modern Ceramic "King" Candle Holder by Giovannni De Simone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small hand-painted ceramic candle holder by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone. Unique, king figural form in De Simone's signature vibrant colors of yellow, red, o...
Ceramic
Rare Wedgwood Jewelry Box, Round Light Blue Jasperware Lidded Box
By Wedgwood
Located in Bochum, NRW
Light Blue Wedgwood Jasperware Trinket Box - Round Shape with Grape Leaves Dimensions: Measure 10 cm in height and 12 cm in diameter. In excellent condition.
Porcelain
Crystal 'Medusa Lumière' Candleholder by Versace for Rosenthal 1990s
Located in Milano, MI
Crystal candle holder, "Medusa Lumière" collection designed by Versace for Rosenthal in the 1990s Ø cm 10 h cm 27 The Versace for Rosenthal collaboration, launched in 1992 under th...
Crystal
Jens Quistgaard, Candlesticks, Brass, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass candlesticks designed and produced by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass Wear consistent with age and use Holds one 1.0” Diameter candl...
Brass
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Cobalt Blue Murano Glass Candlesticks, Pair
By Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of cobalt blue Murano glass candlesticks Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Produced by Archimede Seguso Italy, Circa 1970s Measures: 3.25"W x 3.25"D x 4...
Murano Glass
Solid Bronze Pair of Candleholders, Mid-Century, Mantle Candlesticks
Located in Bochum, NRW
A beautiful pair of massive bronze candleholders from the 1940s. Marked under the bottom MALM. For candles of 4.8 or 5.8 cm in diameter. Retro, vintage and used with nice patina. D...
Bronze
Vintage Black Metal and Brass Candle Holder, Bauhaus Style, 1940s
Simplistic black metal and brass wall candle holder for two standard size candles. Slender black mount with brass cone shaped holders. Likely manufactured in the 1940s in the style o...
Metal, Brass
Ceramic mermaid statuette / candle holder, Italy
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Magnificent ceramic mermaid statuette / candle holder, Italian production from the 2nd half of the 20th century. The mermaid's tail forms the handle of the candle holder. In the styl...
Ceramic
Pair of French Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, 1980s
Located in Salzburg, AT
A fantastic pair of sculptural candlesticks by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, signed by hand. These fire-gilded cast bronze birds in in surreal design with their roughly textured surfa...
Bronze, Gold Plate
A Pair of Turned Walnut Candlesticks by Rude Osolnik 1970's
By Rude Osolnik
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of turned walnut candlesticks by Rude Osolnik, ca' 1970's. "Osolnik was widely admired as one of the finest wood turners in America and his workshops and seminars were in dema...
Walnut
Knot candlesticks, brutalist design, bronze, Italy, 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candlestick in the shape of a knot, designed and produced in italy in the 1970s. Bronze candlestick. Magnificent decorative object that will bring a real design t...
Bronze
$1,900 / set
Vintage Ostrich Egg Candlestick Holder
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Classic Ostrich Egg candle holders in the manner of Anthony Redmile. Beautifully proportioned egg forms balanced upon brass base with brass candle h...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Brass Candle Snuffer Wand - India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A long brass candle snuffer, made in India. Created from brass, this long candle snuffer will be a beautiful accent on any side table. With a long twisted handle, it will make snuffi...
Brass
J.L. Lobmeyr „Lights of Vienna“ Pair Candleholders, Faceted Swarovski Crystals
By J.L Lobmeyr, J. & L. Lobmeyr Company
Located in Vienna, AT
Delightful pair of petite Mid-Century modernist candle holders / candlesticks, designed in 1963 by Hans Harald Rath and manufactured by J. L. Lobmeyr Vienna/Austria in the 1980s. Crafted from nickel-plated brass adorned with sparkling Swarovski crystals, these pieces exude timeless elegance. They remain in good condition, displaying only marginal patina on the metal. Standing at a height of 4 inches, they add a touch of sophistication to any space. Lobmeyr Wien is a renowned Austrian company famous for its high-quality glass creations and crystalware. Established in 1823, Lobmeyr has built a reputation for craftsmanship, quality, and timeless design. The company's prestigious history includes notable commissions such as the creation of the Metropolitan Opera chandeliers...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
Feldman Brass Lotus Flower Candle Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful brass candle stick by Feldman - the leaves from the base up reveal a lotus pattern. We have left the piece patinated, but could be polished to a high sheen. A handsome ...
Brass
Vintage Barovier Attributed Murano / Venetian Art Glass Pedestal Candlestick
By Barovier, Gio Ponti, Venini, Salviati, Fratelli Toso
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Italian art glass candlestick. Attributed to Barovier. In clear glass with gold foil with a flower-shaped candle cup supported by a pedestal with two tessuto black &...
Art Glass
Pair of Silver-Plated Ram's Horn Form Candlesticks, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking pair of silver-plated candlesticks, each cast in the sculptural form of a curling ram's horn, complete with deeply carved ridged texture that faithfully mimics the natural...
Metal, Silver Plate
1986 Tropical Pink Flamingo Ceramic Candle Holder Pair by Five & Dime
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century pink and green ceramic flamingo tabletop Candle Holders set of two by Five & Dime. The set features two beautifully detailed pink flamingos in lush green leaves and grass...
Ceramic
Hans Agne Jakobsson Oil Lamp Markaryd Sweden, 1950s Typ L47
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, AB Markaryd
Located in Krefeld, DE
Very nice Typ L47 Hans-Agne Jakobsson oil lamp in amber colored glass and brass. No dents, no damages with beautiful patina.
Glass
Ystad Metall Ivar Åhlenius Björk Sweden Lily Brass Mid Century Candlesticks Pair
By Ystad-Metall, Ivar Ålenius Björk
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A pair of "Sweden Lily" brass candlesticks designed by Ivar Åhlenius Björk Design and made by Ystad Metall in Sweden. 1950s. Original patina and condition....
Brass
Pair of pretzel candlesticks by Dorothy Thorpe, Lucite and Gilt brass, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Iconic pair of 1970s Dorothy Thorpe "Pretzel" candlesticks. Each features a fluid, twisted clear Lucite base forming an elegant pretzel knot, topped with a polished gilt brass candle...
Brass
Murano Barbini Signed Italian Art Glass Red Aqua Hourglass Candle Holders Labels
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown aqua green and ruby red Italian art glass hourglass shaped candle sticks. They are documented to designer Alfredo Barbini. Each piece has a "Barbi...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,200 / set
Oggetti Murano Large Murano Glass Candle Holders
By Oggetti
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of large 1980's Oggetti Italy Murano glass cnadle holders, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use. Smaller candle holder height 2...
Murano Glass
Pair of Tall Sterling Silver Mid-Century Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, tall, Mid-Century candlesticks, Empire Silver Co., New York, Ca 1940's. Graceful in design, the column of each candlestick ends in a tulip-shaped candle cup....
Sterling Silver
Modernist Japanese Iron Nesting Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Iron candle holders from Japan. Stamped. Great patina. 1950s.
Metal
Pair of Brutalist Candlesticks by David Marshall Bronze and Aluminum Spain, 1980
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful pair of brutalist candlesticks designed and made by david marshall in the 70s in spain. Bronze and aluminum structure. Design objects that will decorate your interior wonde...
Aluminum, Bronze
Pair of Danish Candle Holder, in Teak, Signed Dismed, Denmark, circa 1950, Brown
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This pair of candle holder, has been made in Denmark around 1950. They are in Wood, more precisly in Teak. The color is brown, and they are signed DISMED DENMARK.
Teak
Set of Two Mid Century Yellow Glass Candlesticks, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of two midcentury Polish modern glass candlesticks, circa 1960. Very good condition. No damages. Beautiful yellow glass.
Glass
Vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Cream on Blue Ceramic Collection
By Wedgwood
Located in Bochum, NRW
Midcentury small collection of four pieces Wedgwood Jasperware diamond cream on blue. Comprising 2 lidded boxes, a cachepot, an ashtray and a pair of candleholders. Vintage, 1960s. A...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak and Cast Iron Candleholder from Digsmed, 1960s
By Digsmed
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak and Cast Iron Candleholder from Digsmed, 1960s
Iron
Timo Sarpaneva Signed Iittala Festivo Art Glass Candle Holders
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of icy crystal candlesticks with 6 defining rings and signed TS on verso. Designed for taper candles and made in Finland. Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 3 1/2" W Condition: good. no c...
Art Glass
1960s Orrefors Crystal Votive Candle Holder
By Orrefors
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Orrefors Crystal Votive Candle Holder Sweden signed 3.75 h x 4.5 diameter Original vintage Refer to images listed
Art Glass
Pair of Wall Candlesticks in Wrought Iron, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Wall Candlesticks in Wrought Iron, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Wrought Iron Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 8.5 x 15....
Wrought Iron
Set of Three Candle Holders by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn-Silversmiths
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of three candle holders with a circular saucer base and side handle. All refinished in antique bronze. Designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn-S...
Brass
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Candlesticks Mid-Century Modern
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver candlesticks in Mid-Century Modern style, with an elegant, geometric design, standing on a stepped octagonal base. They measure 9 2/3'' in heigh...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Modern Danish Silver-Plated Double Candelabras by Berg Denmark
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian double candelabras is crafted in silver-plated brass by the renowned Danish manufacturer Berg, dating from the 1950s to 1960s. ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Seven Mid-Century Modernist Danish Black String Iron Candleholders "Dance Party"
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
"Dancing Party" Seven Mid-Century Modernist Danish Black String Iron Candleholders by Laurids Lonborg for Lonborg, 1960s. Tallest 11" inches, (30.5cm.) Assorted Heights and Width's.
Iron
Rare Set of 3 BMF Quist Variomaster Candle Holders, 1970s
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This great set of modular candle holders is a centerpiece of West German Space Age design. Produced in the 1970s by the famous BMF and Quist manufactories (Variomaster model), these ...
Chrome
Pair of scandinavian candleholder in Wood, Denmark, 1980's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Elevate your interior with these pair of 1980s Scandinavian candle holders. Crafted with sleek, tapered designs, they feature a polished finish in rich dark brown and golden-brown wo...
Wood
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
24 Modern Chrome Candleholders + Ashtray Bowl, Werner Stoff Nagel Germany 1960s
By Stoff Nagel, Caesar Stoffi, Nagel AG, Bmf Nagel
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 24 S-22 model stackable 3-legged chrome modular candleholders plus an S-44 Ashtray/Bowl by two German artists, Hans Nagel (1926-1978) and Werner St...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Festivo Candle Sticks by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala A vintage set of eight Festivo candle sticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala in 1966. A total of 8 different heigh...
Art Glass
Pair Vintage Mid Century WMF Ikora Silver-Plated Candlesticks
By WMF Ikora
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of vintage mid-century WMF Ikora silver-plated candlesticks. Dimensions: 2.63" H x 4.5" W x 2.5" D, Candle opening 1" diameter. Please visit take a l...
Silver Plate
Pair of Carl Auböck Patinated Brass Candle Holders
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of patinated candle holders designed by Carl Aubock in 1948. This signature piece from the Auböck collection is hand made manufactured in Vienna Austria workshop ever since 1948...
Brass
Pair of Large vintage ikea floor candle sticks by Ria Falk ‘Snygg’ , 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Pair of Large vintage ikea floor candle sticks by Ria Falk ‘Snygg’ , 1990s Dimensions: 95cm Height, 11,5cm Diameter Condition: Good has some small damages on paint see photos Materi...
Metal
Large Green Glass Candlestick by Vetri Taddei di Empoli, Italy, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Large Green Glass Candle Stick by Vetri Taddei di Empoli
Glass
1960s Rune Strand for Nybro Swedish Art Glass Votive Candle Holder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Swedish Art Glass Votive Volcano Candle Holder 1960s Rune Strand for Nybro Swedish Art Glass Votive Candle Holder Nybro Glasbruk Sweden. Heavyweight Sculpt...
Art Glass
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Teak and Steel Candleholders by Digsmed Designs
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of teak and steel candleholders by Digsmed Designs, circa 1960s. They are made in Denmark and support a six .25" tapered candles per holder. Classic Mid-Century Modern look! #11...
Steel
Set of 14 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Brass Candlesticks, Sweden, 1950
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern set of fourteen finely worked candlesticks in a variety of shapes in brass, in good condition. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1950, Sweden and D...
Metal, Brass
20th Century Silver Swedish Svenskt Tenn Candle Holder by Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A silver, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish " Vänskapsknuten " candle holder made of handcrafted silvered metal, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good conditi...
Metal
$729Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Ceramic Birds Candlesticks - Candle Holders - Japanese Pottery 1970s
By Dominique Pouchain, Jacques Pouchain
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Pair of Ceramic Birds Candlesticks - Candle Holders - Japanese Pottery 1970s Charming pair of bird-shaped ceramic candlesticks. Japanese 1970s pottery. Each candlestick is hand-cr...
Enamel
Mid-Century Danish Pottery Candleholder by Johannes Andersen Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder from Johannes Andersen Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, Offici...
Ceramic
1940s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Pewter Candlesticks
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen mid century candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 1950´s. The candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked with Jus...
Metal, Pewter
Mid-Century Modernist Japanese Iron Candle Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful mid-century modernist Japanese iron candle holder, circa 1950s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 4.75"D x 1.5"H. Very cool piece! ...
Iron
Vintage Set of 12 Finnish Candle Holders by Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern set of Twelve Finnish Ljusstakar, candle holders made of hand blown molded glass, designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Festivo - Iittala, in good condition. Th...
Glass
Four Mid Century Sterling Silver Double Branch Candlesticks by J. Tostrup Norway
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four double branch sterling candlesticks were made in the period and style of Mid-Century Modern and are signed by J. Tostrup of Norway. Each candlestick has a black enameled 'bulls eye' style medallion between the two branches. The branches of either side each candlestick are different in height by approximately one half an inch. Each base is clearly hallmarked and signed "NORWAY" "J TOSTRUP...
Sterling Silver
$250 / set
Brass Poinsettia Candle Holders, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of brass poinsettia candlestick holders. Perfect for setting a holiday table. Dimensions: 5" Diameter 2" Tall.
Brass
Aldo Londi Bitossi, Midcentury Rimini Blue Ceramic Candleholder Incised Floral
By Bitossi
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Candleholder by Aldo Londi for Bitossi of Italy, Rimini blue ceramic jug shaped with hand incised floral decoration, circa 1970s Measures: Height 5...
Ceramic
Jens Quistgaard Dansk Designs Spider Cast Iron Candle Holder Danish Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
This industrial clamp lamp is an authentic mid-20th-century American work light, originally produced for factory, workshop, and maintenance environments where durability, safety, and...
Iron
$753Sale Price|20% Off
Arne Bang Stoneware Candle Holder Bowl, Mid-Century Denmark, 1950s
By Arne Bang
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Oval shaped stoneware ceramic candle holder / bowl by acclaimed Danish artist Arne Bang (1901-1983). Round base and organic floral decor on each side. Beautiful speckled earthy smoke...
Pottery, Clay, Ceramic, Stoneware