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.
Kienzle Clock Golden Brass Table or Desk Clock, Art Deco Vibe, 1967, Germany
By Wilhelm Kienzle, Junghans Uhren GmbH, Kienzle Clocks
Located in Andernach, DE
This table or desk clock comes in an elegant art deco style, a beautiful piece, close to the ''Heliomat''. Very special and kept strictly in the art deco style are the housing, dial ...
Brass, Aluminum
Vintage George Nelson Model-2202 Sunburst Clock for Howard Miller
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage George Nelson Model 2202 sunburst clock for Howard Miller is an iconic example of mid-century modern design, combining playful geometry with timeless radial symmetry. Cr...
Metal
$584Sale Price|20% Off
Fornasetti Glass Wall Clock, Italian Design, 1990s
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous wall clock in glass by Fornasetti it's signed on the bottom. Made in Italy. It's in excellent condition and it works perfectly with an AA battery (quartz mechanism by ...
Glass
Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock with Square Dial, Full-Set with Box and Documents
Located in Greven, DE
Atmos Clock with Square Dial in Full-Set Switzerland Gold-plated brass Year of manufacture 1963 Dimensions: H x W x D: 23 x 21 x 16 cm Description: Atmos VI in matt brushed and go...
Brass
$227Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern Hawkeye Measured Time Clock & Timer, circa 1932
Located in Studio City, CA
A fabulous Midcentury original Hawkeye Measured Time clock/timer created by famed Japanese American designer Isamu Noguchi. This clock was the first Noguchi's designs to go into mas...
Metal
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
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
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
Vintage Mid-Century Atlanta Sunburst Starburst Brass Wall Clock
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning original 1960s Atlanta sunburst starburst wall clock. Featuring beautiful brass sunburst surrounding illustrating perfectly the mood of the decade. It is battery operated by...
Metal, Brass
$1,501Sale Price|32% Off
Iconic Wall Clock Junghans Uhren, Hard to Find Marmolada Design Max Bill
By Max Bill, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Bochum, NRW
Important modernist glazed ceramic kitchen clock designed by Max Bill for Junghans, Germany 1956, featuring a 60-minute timer, a mechanical 8-day movement, a yellow-and-white ceramic...
Brass
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
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
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
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
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
Travel alarm clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre, Swiss, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
2-day travel alarm clock by famous Swiss watch factory Jaeger-LeCoultre made in Swiss in the 1950s. Swiss manual winding movement. The lid folds down, allowing the alarm clock to be...
Metal
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
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
Junghans Pastel Yellow Max Bill Style Midcentury Wall Clock, Germany, 1950s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH, Max Bill
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely rectangular mid-century wall clock in landscape format, crafted by Junghans in Germany during the 1950s. Designed in the characteristic style of the era, it features elegant...
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
Hawkeye Time Clock by Isamu Noguchi, Bakelite & Metal, Circa 1932
Located in Centreville, VA
The Hawkeye “Measured Time” clock by Isamu Noguchi is a rare and highly collectible early work, notable as Noguchi’s first industrial design. Produced by Stevenson Mfg. Co. in La Por...
Metal
Original Mid Century Sunburst Atlanta Universe wall clock made of heavy brass
Located in München, DE
Beautiful original 1950s Sunburst Atlanta Univers wall clock made of heavy brass. Made in Germany. It has a mechanical seven-day movement. I have tested it extensively. It keeps tim...
Brass
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
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
Travel leather Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
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
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 desk or table clock with a world map clocks face and world time zones. Executed in the 1960s by Kienzle in Wester...
Brass
Travel Alarm Clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
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
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
$1,816Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier Pendulette Colisee Alarm Clock, Gold Plated, 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette "Colisee". Made in France It's in gold plated 24K. White enamel dial. Quartz movement. Clock case numbered 0545316. With original case, ...
Gold Plate
Cartier Romane Alarm Clock Pendulette, Gold Plated, Swiss, 1980s
By Cartier
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier Romane alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's in gold plated 18K. White enamel dial. Clock case numbered 66021 . With case, ...
Gold Plate
Travel Alarm Clock from "Emes", Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock from "Emes", Germany, circa 1960s Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Italora Lucite and Brass Table Clock, Italy, 1950s
By Italora
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant Art Deco–style table clock by Italora, crafted in a refined combination of clear lucite and brass. This stylish piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully original ...
Brass
Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos "Embassy", Swiss Vintage Clock, manufactured 1969
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos VII "Embassy" Switzerland Gold-plated and lacquered brass Year of manufacture 1969 Dimensions: H x W x D: 22 x 17 x 11 cm Description: Rare Atmos VII "Emb...
Brass
Very beautiful small 1960s mechanical brass alarm clock table clock from Europa
Located in München, DE
Rare, beautiful, small, original 1960s mechanical brass table clock by Europa. It features a built-in 7-day mechanical movement with an alarm function. The clock runs very accurately...
Brass
$696Sale Price|34% Off
1960s Omega 8-Day Solid Brass Gold Gilt Desk Clock Ref. 5550
By Omega
Located in Krefeld, DE
Beautiful solid brass gold gilt desk clock by Omega from the 1960's. The clock comes with the original and good working 8-day movement, the dial is signed with Omega. Backside the Re...
Brass
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
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
Guillerme & Chambron Longcase Clock in Oak with Brass Accents
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, longcase clock, oak, brass, steel, France, 1960s. Wonderful and large clock designed by Guillerme and Chambron. The piece shows a natural and...
Brass, Steel
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
French Handstitched Brown Leather Clock, Jacques Adnet Attributed, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
French handstitched brown leather clock, Jacques Adnet attributed, 1950s.
Brass
Mid-century Brass Frame Wall Clock by Atlanta, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-century Brass Frame Wall Clock by Atlanta, 1960s, Germany It is working medium battery Measurements : 24 cm x 24 cm x 6 cm Please do not hesitate to ask us if you have any que...
Brass
Vintage Mid-Century Sunburst Starburst Wall Clock, Germany, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning 1970s sunburst starburst Junghans wall clock. Made of heavy resin, gilded, with a junghans battery operated clockwork. working condition. Will look great on your wall. Nice ...
Resin
Brutalist Wall / Table Clock by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini, Italy, 60
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Enamelled brutalist copper clock by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini, Laurana Rame D'Arte in Pesaro, Italy 1960s. Handcrafted on a copper base, enameled on fire with striking colors. The clock is working and in very good vintage condition. The back has a double hook to hang it on the wall or become a table clock...
Copper, Enamel
Black and White Flip Clock Large Station, Factory Clock, 1970s, France
By Bodet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Timeless Bodet black and white flip-flap station clock designed by the company that has been equipping French and Belgium stations for their big clocks for several decades. They inform travelers of the time that is running! This pretty specimen from the 1970s and 80s will ensure your punctuality while offering a beautiful Industrial and modern look to your interior decor. The flip-flap clock...
Plastic, Lucite
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 Stationmaster 611 Oak Wall Clock by Arthur Umanoff for Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly designed mid-century modern wall clock by Arthur Umanoff for powerhouse clock maker Howard Miller. The model 611 Stationmaster has a round solid oak case, white face wit...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Iron and Copper Wall Clock by Mauthe Electric, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stunning wall clock made of Iron & copper. An eye catcher par excellence. Made in Germany. We have tested it and it works. Electric, battery operated clock.
Metal, Brass
Original Midcentury Tischuhr Uhr danish design skandi Teak 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eine wunderschöne kleine Vintage Tischuhr aus den 1960er/70er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Korpus ist aus hochwertigem Teakholz gefertigt, während die Beschläge aus Messing ...
Teak
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
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
Hourglass Murano Clear Ribbed Studio Art Glass Objects Venini Style
By Venini, Seguso, Barovier&Toso, Cenedese
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
An optical blown art glass hourglass with a ribbed surface by unknown artist.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
Mid Century Modern Spartus Atomic Wall Clock! Hyper-Rare NOS Unused & Mint!
By Spartus Clocks
Located in Peoria, AZ
Time Warp! 1959 Sputnik Styled Spartus Wall Clock New Old Stock! Mint Vintage Condition! This is a spectacular find! An unused Sputnik style mid century modern Spartus wall clo...
Metal
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
Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with green faux leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3cm,...
Brass
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
Austrian Wooden Round Art Deco Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Wooden walnut round clock face and brass clock hands. Fitted with a battery movement. Made in Austria in the 1930s. Fully restored with glossy finish.
Brass
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
Mid-Century Brushed Aluminum & Bakelite Telechron Saucer Wall Clock Model 2H101
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and iconic Mid-Century Modernist "Saucer" wall clock, model 2H101, was designed by Telechron, a celebrated leader in American clockmaking. Dating to circa 1950, the clock ...
Aluminum
1940s Art Deco Telechron Electric Clock GE
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Electric Clock Telechron General Electric 7H209 Maker label 4.25 h x 4 w x 2.25 d Electric. Non-Working condition. Preowned unrestored. Refer to images
Brass
A Very Large Retro Chic French Bistro Wall Clock This is a Large piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Very Large Retro Chic French Bistro Wall Clock This is a Large piece, the clock has an Oval Frame with White Face ands Black Hands, it is has a rather age weathered condition with...
Metal