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.
Junghans 1950s Green‑White Ceramic Kitchen Clock with 8‑Day Movement & Timer
By Max Bill, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Bochum, NRW
Junghans 1950s Ceramic Kitchen Clock with 60‑Minute Timer - Fully Serviced, Exceptional Condition Condition: Excellent, fully serviced, movements like new Dimensions (W × H × D): 26 ...
Brass
Battery-operated Mid-Century wall clock by Mauthe with a glazed ceramic case
Located in München, DE
A very rare and beautiful battery-operated Mid-Century Modern wall clock featuring an additional mechanical timer. Manufactured by Junghans; made in Germany. The casing is made of gl...
Metal
Table clock "Europa", vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Table clock "Europa", vienna around 1950s with place for a picture. Original condition
Metal, Brass
1980s Cartier "Romane" 18K Gold Plated Alarm Clock with Original Box and Papers
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Cartier Romane pendulette (desk/alarm clock). A true testament to Swiss horological precision and French luxury design, this rare timepiece perfectly embodies the timeless soph...
Gold Plate
1980s Gorgeous Cartier Alarm Clock Pendulette Lapis Lazuli. Made in Swiss
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Cartier Paris pendulette alarm clock. Clock case numbered 9819 02638. Masterfully crafted in Switzerland, this exquisite timepiece perfectly captures the era's luxury, featuri...
Lapis Lazuli
Swiss Jaeger-Lecoultre Atmos Mantle Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Perpetual Mantel Clock, made in Switzerland, circa 1981. The LeCoultre Company was founded in 1935 and produced some of the most iconic luxury mantle and table...
Brass
Aurora Clock by Kirsch Hamilton
Iconic 1970’s Aurora Clock by Kirsch Hamilton in original box. Part of the Museum of Modern Art in NY. Was converted to LED some point, shows some minor wear small dent in front an...
Aluminum
Cartier Alarm Clock, Lapis Lazuli & Gold, Mid-Century Modern, Swiss
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's lapis lazuli and golden metal with manual winding. Clock case numbered 7503 07516. With original case, lined with r...
Lapis Lazuli
Kundo Brass Electromagnetic Mantel Clock 1950s Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
A Kundo brass electromagnetic skeleton mantel clock. The clock is a Kleninger-Obergfell electronic, electromagnetic carriage clock with a brass ...
Brass
Vintage Travel Alarm Clock Seiko, 1970s, Brass with Faux Leather Cover
By Seiko
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Seiko Travel Alarm Clock, Japan, 1970s A compact marvel of mid-century Japanese design, this 1970s Seiko travel alarm clock combines precision engineering with sculptural ele...
Metal
French Ceramic Clock No. 01 by Jacques Poussine, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1970s ceramic wall clock by Jacques Poussine, produced at the Sant-Vicens workshop in Perpignan, France. The piece is formed in terracotta as a vertical panel in relief, structure...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Beautiful large original 1960s brass sunburst wall clock by Junghans ATO-MAT
Located in München, DE
Beautiful, large, original 1960s brass sunburst wall clock by Junghans ATO-MAT. Very beautiful, elaborate mid-century design. Battery-operated with a new clock mechanism. Dial with R...
Brass
Cartier Alarm Clock Pendulette, Lapis Lazuli & Gold, Swiss, 1980s
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's lapis lazuli and golden metal with manual winding. Clock case numbered 7507 10267. With original case, lined with r...
Lapis Lazuli
German 1960s Junghans Pendulum + Weights + Gong Wall Clock
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wall clock Design & produced by Junghans in 1960s. Brass metal and Teak wood. Mechanical movement and gong is in good working condition. Very nice gong but if you don't like it is po...
Brass
Jaeger-LeCoultre Wrought Iron and Bronze Table Clock, France, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre table clock, made in France circa 1950, featuring an exceptionally decorative combination of verdigris-patinated wrought iron and gilt bronze details. The o...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Junghaus Wall Clock 1970s "ELECTORA"
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Vintage Wall mounted clock designed in the seventies by the Manufacture Junghaus, Germany, model Electora. The clock is in original...
Brass
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Excellent original condition Brass with a brown faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it has two jewels. Measures: Open: Height 8cm x wide 8cm x deep 8 c...
Metal, Brass
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s Excellent original condition Brass with a green faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it has two jewels. Measures: Ope...
Metal, Brass
$474Sale Price|40% Off
Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Midcentury, Germany, 1960s
By Kienzle Clocks, Wilhelm Kienzle
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative Mid-Century Modernist solid brass Kienzle desk or table clock with a world map clocks face and world time zones. Executed in the 1960s by Kienzle in Wester...
Brass
Rare 1970s Vintage Howard Miller MCM Floating Lucite Wall Clock - Roman Numerals
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in St. Louis, MO
This exceptionally rare vintage wall clock by the celebrated Howard Miller Clock Company is a phenomenal example of high-end Postmodern design. The clock features a unique, minimalist frame composed of a heavy-gauge clear Lucite (acrylic) C-shaped band. This outer ring is intentionally separated at the top and bottom, creating a striking architectural gap that frames the piece. Suspended inside the clear casing by small pins is an elegant, translucent inner dial fashioned from premium peach/copper-tinted acrylic. Rather than sitting on a surface, the clock is engineered to hang directly from its central black quartz movement housing, allowing the open Lucite frame to float weightlessly against the wall. In a bold design twist, the dial is printed with oversized, crisp white Roman numerals that appear to float mid-air, paired with sleek white hour and minute hands and a vibrant red sweeping second hand. Driven by a precision battery-operated quartz movement, this sculptural timekeeper beautifully bridges the gap between Space Age materials and 1980s Postmodern aesthetics. Can't find another example out there. Manufacturer: Howard Miller Clock Company (Zeeland, Michigan, USA) Designer Attribution: While many collectors automatically look for George Nelson when they see vintage Howard Miller lucite...
Metal
Large battery-operated brass world clock Heinrich Möller for Kienzle from 1978
Located in München, DE
Rare large heavy brass world time clock by Kienzle Chronoquartz. Designed by Heinrich Johannes Möller. Made in Germany. Kienzle is the oldest clock company in Germany. It was founded...
Brass
Vintage German Ceramic Wall Clock from Junghans, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Ceramic Wall Clock from Junghans, 1970s
Metal
Travel Alarm Clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s Excellent original condition Brass and painted hart cover Still working It is marked Germany on the front of the clock. Tw...
Brass
United Brass Spindles Sunburst Atomic Clock, 1960s
By United Clock Corp
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The vintage starburst wall clock features radii of brass rods, radiating outwards from the round central face and ending with alternating walnut tips and brass rings. It's equipped ...
Brass, Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Wall Clock by Richter Quarz in Brass, 1960s Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stunning sunburst wall clock made of brass, metal and glass. One of the most beautiful models I have seen to date. An eye catcher par excellence....
Metal, Brass
Swatch Wall Clock Maxi 1980s
By Swatch
Located in Čelinac, BA
Swatch wall clock maxi 1980s
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Junghans Ceramic Wall Clock, Germany 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional vintage wall clock by the renowned German manufacturer Junghans is a quintessential example of Mid-Century Modern "Rockabilly" era design. Crafted in Germany during ...
Brass
George Nelson Birch & Brass Wall Clock for Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Birch & Brass wall clock for Howard Miller.
Brass
Midcentury Wall Clock in the Form of a Wristwatch in Leather and Brass, Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Midcentury wall clock in the form of a wristwatch in leather and brass, Germany Made in Germany by Meister Anker. Electric, battery operated clock.
Metal, Brass
Organic Scandinavian Modern Mid-Century Wall Clock, Teak & Brass, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian-style wall clock from the 1950s. The clock impresses with its clean, organic design featuring elegantly curved and gently domed lines. The...
Brass
Travel leather Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with braun leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 7,5cm, wide 9cm, deep 8cm Closed height 2,5cm, wide ...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Wall Clock by Meister Anker in Brass, 1960s Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stunning sunburst wall clock made of brass, metal and glass. One of the most beautiful models I have seen to date. An eye catcher par excellence. Made in Germany. Electric, batt...
Metal, Brass
Swiza 8 Day Rare Gilt Sphere Clock with Smoked Lucite Base, Box and Guarantee
By Swiza
Located in Roma, IT
In 1975, the prestigious Swiss watch company Swiza chose this watch as the solitary protagonist of its magazine advertising campaign. You can see why. Modern and very unique, it features a nicely weighty gilt ball clock, an 8 day power with an alarm, that sits cradled on a very modern lucite base. The clock can stand without the lucite base, although you probably won't want to separate this duo. The sphere clock...
Metal, Gold Plate
Howard Miller Iconic Clock by George Nelson
Located in Riverdale, NY
Iconic and classic Howard Miller ball clock from the 1950's by George Nelson. Wonderful Atomic style with a central clock motif with 50's styl...
Metal
Vintage Hans Christian Andersen Pendulum Wall Clock from the 1960s
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage Lund and Clausen of Copenhagen Han’s Christian Andersen pendulum wall clock from the 1960s. With the title “once upon a time” 12 of his most famous fairy tales one for each h...
Brass
Junghans Germany Wall Clock, 1950
By Junghans Uhren GmbH, Max Bill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare, oval ceramic wall clock, attributed to Max Bill for Junghans Germany, 1950, with a Dual tone ceramic housing, powered by mechanical manual-winding clockwork, in fine working co...
Brass
Vintage Teak Weather Station by Barigo, Germany, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish and sleek wall or table weather station with thermometer, barometer and hygrometer. Designed and made in Germany during the 1960'erne by Barigo. Measurements: W: 17.5 cm,...
Acrylic, Teak
Howard Miller George Nelson Grandfather Clock Model 677
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A newer sophisticated take on the grandfather clock with the case in smoked Lucite defining the outline of the clock. The face has a brushed aluminum face with mod hands in red and w...
Chrome
A 20th century Jaeger-Le-Coultre weather station timepiece
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful Weather station housed in a rectangular brushed steel case with main clock dial mounted on a dark blue ground with white raised chapter ring signed ‘Jaeger Le Coultre, Elec...
Steel
Jaeger Lecoultre, Atmos Clock from 1967 with Original Box
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos clock Switzerland Brass gold plated Year of manufacture 1967 Dimensions: H x W x D: 22 x 17 x 11 cm Description: Atmos VII in gold-plated brass case with black lacquered sides and matt gold brushed dial. Instead of numbers, we see two double lines for 3, 6, 9 and 12 and single lines for the remaining hours. There is a raised logo below the 12, and the words "JAEGER LECOULTRE" and "ATMOS" above and below the hands. A stamped "Swiss Made" logo is located above the dragonfly. Serial number: 252201, year of manufacture 1967. This clock is based on the calibre 528/1 movement and was listed by Jaeger LeCoultre under ref. number 5900. The model was only built from 1967-1970 and is rare to find in the trade today due to its small number of pieces. The original transport box, the so-called "tabernacle", makes this clock doubly interesting. Instead of the usually used levelling screws, which are operated from inside the case, the Atmos VII has a wheel each on the left and right outside of the base for levelling. Condition: The movement runs absolutely reliable and accurate. The condition of the case is also very nice. The gilding is well preserved. There are minimal traces of cleaning on the dial, barely visible to the naked eye. There are also some rusted screws on the underside of the clock, which is not visible in use. The photos are not "embellished", the case condition is as shown in the photos. Points to know: Although Leonardo da Vinci was already able to prove that the production of a perpetual motion machine is physically impossible, it has been tried again...
Brass
French Handstitched Brown Leather Clock, Jacques Adnet Attributed, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
French handstitched brown leather clock, Jacques Adnet attributed, 1950s.
Brass
Henry Dreyfuss Wall Clock
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Highly graphic chrome wall clock with classic 50's details. Sweeping hand movement on this wonderful clock designed by one the greatest industrial designers of this century.
Chrome
George Nelson for Howard Miller Model No. 522 Wall Clock, c. 1950s
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful Model No. 522 wall clock designed by George Nelson & Associates, and manufactured by Howard Miller. In good working condition. While Nelson’s iconic “Ball Clock” (Model 475...
Aluminum
Junghans Large Pink Max Bill Style Midcentury Wall Clock, Germany, 1950s
By Max Bill, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely round mid-century wall clock, crafted by Junghans in Germany during the 1950s. Designed in the characteristic style of the era, it features elegant brass hands, a brass fram...
Brass
1970s Howard Miller Wall Clock designed by Arthur Umanoff Zebra Wood & Chrome
By Arthur Umanoff, Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving Harper
Located in Miami, FL
This 1970s mid-century modern wall clock, designed by Arthur Umanoff for Howard Miller, features a striking Zebra Wood veneer, a polished chrome frame, and original George Nelson-style hands, making it a highly collectible decorative piece. The clock is model 616, created by Arthur Umanoff Associates in the 1970s for Howard Miller. It showcases a Zebra Wood veneer, referred to in the 1975/1976 Howard Miller catalog as "Leriex rosewood veneer," combined with chrome accents including the frame and hour markers. The hands are the original George Nelson-style metal hands, reflecting Umanoff’s mid-century modern aesthetic. This design harmonizes with other Vintage Retro Furniture pieces from the era, such as Peter Protzman desks...
Zebra Wood
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Excellent original condition Brass with a brown faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it has two jewels. Measures: Open: Height 8cm x wide 8cm x deep 8 c...
Brass
$720Sale Price|40% Off
Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Midcentury, Germany, 1960s
By Wilhelm Kienzle, Kienzle Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative Mid-Century Modernist solid brass Kienzle Chronoquartz desk or table clock with a domed glass and a 7“ diameter world map clocks face and world time zones....
Brass
Mid-Century Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye Measured Time Clock and Timer
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Noguchi's first mass-produced design, completed circa 1932, predating his design for the "Radio Nurse" baby monitor by about five years. Produced...
Metal
Max Bill White Wall Clock & Timer Mid-Century Modern, Junghans Germany, 1950s
By Max Bill, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic minimalist Bauhaus-inspired wall clock and timer from the 1950s, designed by Max Bill and manufactured by Junghans, Germany. This beautiful and charming wall clock features an oval white ceramic case and the characteristically Max Bill clock...
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Swiss Gilt Brass & Lapis Lazuli Swiza 8 Day Alarm Clock, 1960s
By Swiza
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous Mid-Century Swiza with 8-day movement and original 1960s alarm clock in a stunning combination of gilt brass and real lapis lazuli. This amazing piece was designed in Switze...
Lapis Lazuli, Metal, Gold Plate
Beautiful elegant heavy Mid Century Kienzle wall clock made of bronze and brass
Located in München, DE
Beautiful, very elegant and heavy 1960s Kienzle wall clock made of bronze and brass. Made in Germany. Very nice, typically minimalist Mid Century Kienzle design. With battery-opera...
Brass, Bronze
Round Modernist Blue Mosaic Wall Clock "Europa, " Germany, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A mid-century round wall clock featuring a brass frame, elegant brass hands and indices, and a stylish blue mosaic clock face. Manufactured in the 1950s by Europa, Germany, this cloc...
Stone, Marble, Brass, Metal
rare 1961 ultra tropical 5512 rolex submariner
By Rolex
Located in Munich, DE
eye catching and rare rolex 5512 . purchased at christie´s nyc a few years ago and now searching for a new owner. will be shipped by ups capital pro,worldwi...
Stainless Steel
Howard Miller Desk Clock by Design Office of George Nelson
By Howard Miller, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Arthur Umanoff for The Design Office of George Nelson for Howard Miller Desk or Table Clock. In great shape and running flawlessly! Been in use for about 6 months on my desk at th...
Chrome
Modernist Swiss Table Clock, Onyx & Brass - Paperweight Clock, Switzerland 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Modernist Swiss Table Clock, Onyx & Brass - Paperweight Clock, Switzerland 1970s Sculptural and elegant table clock made of onyx with a diamond-shaped design. Beautiful layers ...
Stone, Onyx, Brass
Mid-Century Wall Clock by Klenoty, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Wall clock made by Klenoty in Czechoslovakia in 1960s. Made of glass and brass. Fully functional.
Metal
Cartier Pendulette Alarm Clock, Gold-Plated Frame
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette with white dial in perfect condition, steel hands, roman hour markers on gold-plated frame. Made in France. Quartz movement. Clock case...
Gold Plate
Cartier Desk Alarm Clock, Lapis Lazuli & Gold-Plated, Swiss, 1964
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock from the 1960s (1964). Made in Switzerland. It is made of lapis lazuli and gold-plated metal, and is manually wound. It features the original walnut case...
Lapis Lazuli
Large Bakelite Industrial, Train Station Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Bakelite industrial wall clock from about 1940's, 1950's. Diameter 49 cm and a depth of 10,5 cm. The clock is in perfect condition, no major scr...
Bakelite, Glass
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Standing Grandfather Tall Clock Étagère Shelving
Located in Wayne, NJ
Modern chrome standing open grandfather fall clock étagère. This modern clock has three shelves, two in glass and the bottom is black. It has an inner do...
Other