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Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

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

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: Mid-20th Century
1960s Dunhill Lift Arm Ostrich Leather Lighter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Dunhill lift arm lighter made in the 1960s. Body wrapped in ostrich leather that has a perfect patina. Amazing texture and practical size perf...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Gucci Brown Leather Brass Bucket Desk Stationary Set Pen Pad Write, circa 1960s
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of original circa 1960s Vintage Gucci brown leather desk accessories A wonderful suite. This set includes the original pad, writing slope with removable secondary writing board and lastly the pen pot...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Suede

Mid-century Typewriter/Consul, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Metal,Plastic With aged patina Re-polished Fully Functional Good Original condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Antonio Botta Burl Wood and Chromed Italian Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing mid-century chromed brass and burl wood photo frame. Felice Antonio Botta designed this item in Florence, Italy, during the 1970s. This ama...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Sigi Pineda Silver, Brass, Rosewood, Sodalite, Turquoise Stone Hinged Box
Located in North Miami, FL
This unique abstract signed Mid-Century Modern mixed media hinged box is by Sigi Pineda and from Taxco Mexico in the 1950s. It is signed Sigi Taxco 8. The box is silver, brass, rosewood interior with the crushed turquoise, sodalite and other crushed stones...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Brass

Mid-Century Pinched Murano Glass Bowl, Silver Flake, Seguso, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A Mid-century beautiful organic designed mouth blown purple glass bowl with silver fleck inclusions. The base retains a partial Made in Murano S...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950 Original condition Pencil not included
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Teak Wastebasket by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wastebasket by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen, c.1960s, Norway. This bin features a thin teak plywood body and solid teak handles. Dimensions: 15” width x 9” depth x 17.5" height. ...
Category

1960s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

French Handstitched Brown Leather Desk Clock by Bayard, 1950´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Handsome French Handstitched brown leather desk clock by Bayard. Great Restored condition. Keeps good time. Excellent patina. Great vintage condition. Paul Dupré-Lafon / Adnet Sty...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Wood

Midcentury Nut Cracker Bowl, Hammer & Anvil by Richard Rohac, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and charming nut cracker, consisting of a wooden bowl, a hammer and an anvil, both made of brass. Designed and executed in the 1950s by Richard Rohac in Austria. Marked on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Sculpture of a Ice Bear Designed by Livio Seguso, Ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized ice bear in smoke grey glass. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, germany. Designed by Livio Seguso ca. 1970. Base with incised...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Midcentury Liwan's Rome Italian Picture Frame for Maison Mercier Freres, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Astonishing midcentury chromed brass and dark red glass photo frame. This item was designed in Italy during the 1970s by Liwan's of Rome for Maison Mercier Freres...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

AEG Fan, circa 1940
By AEG
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
AEG fan. Manufactured Germany, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. The mechanical...
Category

1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Coffee Grinder, 1950's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany Made of wood, metal, steel Original condition.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Steel

Seguso Murano Red Gold Flecks Purple Pulveri Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright red, dark purple and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture. Documented to Archimede Seguso, in the "Pulveri" design. The piece is pr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Hermes, Paris, Silvered Bronze Letter Opener, Equestrian
Located in Bath, GB
A superb and scarcely found letter opener made in silvered bronze, the handle in the form of a horse. Dating to c.1960, the underside is fully marked "Hermes, Paris" together with...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Don S. Shoemaker Mexican Modern Inlaid Mixed Woods Parquetry Hinged Box
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Inlaid mixed woods parquetry box created by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960s. Box measures 2.25" by 6.5" by 5.5" and is in very good vintage condition showing some wear. Signed with the Do...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

MCM Japanese Patinated Iron Winking Owl Pen Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A fun MCM Japanese patinated iron winking owl pen tray, circa 1970s. The tray is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W X 8.25"D X .5"H. A very co...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Roy COX Thimble Drone Race Car in Fine Original Condition
By COX
Located in Ferndale, MI
Cox Thimble drone race car. Never been motorized. Appears to not have been played with. Fine condition in original paint .
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

1950s Style of Hermès Distressed Leather and Wood Memo Note Pad Holder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
French style of Hermes leather wrapped wood memo note pad holder desk accessory vintage circa 1950s. Unmarked. 7 L x 4.75 W x 1.5 tall Original unrest...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Wood

Olivetti "Valentine" Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
Famous portable typewriter by Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy from the 1960s. Totally functional with some wear. 3 pieces available.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Coffee Grinder, 1950’s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany Made of Wood, Metal,Steel The worm is no longer active Original condition.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Steel

Brazilian Modern Patinated Brass Astray or Catchall
Located in Miami, FL
Patinated brass sculpted insect ashtray or catchall. Brazil, 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Modernist Italian 800 Silver Desk/Jewellery Box c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A great looking box, Italian in origin made from 800 silver wrapped around a wooden interior. Both the base and lid are hallmarked "800" together with an additional mark "833 F1"....
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Two Peter Max Op Pop Mod Disco Era Mens Wide Ties
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two brightly colored ties in abstract design by Peter Max. On the wide side 4.75" at 54" long. Sold and labeled by famous mid west clothing store Hughes Hatcher Suffrin. Signed with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Silk

Ico Parisi Italian Design Object Ashtray for Stildomuselezione
Located in Chicago, IL
A rosewood and walnut posacenere or ashtray model 1402 designed by Ico Parisi for Stildomuselezione, circa 1959. Ashtray 5" diameter x 2.75" height. Pictured in the Ice Parisi book...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Italian Mid-Century Modern Applied and Decorated Murano Large Art Glass Vase
Located in Englewood, NJ
A highly decorative and vibrant Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano glass vase with decorated with transparent gradient between lime and aqua hues, multicolor vertical bands on body, a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Carl Auböck Letter Opener, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Leather and Brass Letter Opener, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Walnut & Fabric Dresser "Catch All" by Georges Briard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice mid-century walnut & fabric dresser "catch all" by Georges Briard, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 10" W x 9" D x 1.5" H. Cool piece in grea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Stig Lindberg Gustavsberg Vintage Signed Ceramic Tray or Dish Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage chic Swedish Mid-Century Modern hallmarked Stig Lindberg glazed ceramic tray, dish or desk accessory is hallmarked in 2 places with numbers; Gustavsberg Sweden with a sy...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1968, Československo
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition. - Fully functional. - Tesla manufacturer. - Uncleaned, suitable as a movie prop. - After agreement, I will clean the assembly.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

1970s Space Age Orange Vetrochina Ceramic Triple Vase by Il Picchio
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish space age triple vase designed and manufactured in Italy in the Seventies by Il Picchio famous italian manufacturer of the period, the orange colo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Saint Clement Style Crackle Finish Ceramic Vase
Located in Miami, FL
French mid-century ceramic vase in the style of Saint Clement crackle finish pieces. Good quality craftsmanship. Unmarked. Measures: 6 1/8" diameter x 12" high.  
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Aviation Lockheed Super Constellation Vintage Desk Airplane Model, circa 1940s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Aviation Lockheed Constellation vintage aluminium desk top display airplane model. The model has movement, you can change the position of the airplane...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Fluted Twisted Brass Mid-Century Modern Box with Ball Lid
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage fluted and twisted brass Mid-Century Modern box has a lid with a ball on top. The box is from the 50s and has been professionally polished. it makes a great des...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950 Round "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta cigar ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy with hand c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware

Hermes, Paris, Equestrian Horse Head Magnifying Glass c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent and grand vintage desk-top magnifying glass / loupe made with it's beautifully cast Hermes Horse head handle, lovely quality to be expected from this most famous of lux...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

1960s Libelle Streamline Table and Wall Fan by Schoeller & Co. Made in Germany
Located in München, DE
Fantastically beautiful original 1950s Streamline table and wall fan by Schoeller & Co. Model "Libelle". Made in Germany. Very good condition. Stepl...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Seguso Murano Label Vintage Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture / figurine. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso. The piece is profusely covered in gold...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Leaf

Cactus Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s by Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Cactus holder Vienna around 1950s by Auböck. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Lucite Hourglass Sand Timer Sculpture After Charles Hollis Jones 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury hourglass in bubble lucite with straight external lines. This fantastic item was produced in Italy during the 1970s in the manner of Charles Hollis Jones. The 15-minute sand timer...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Midcentury Double Letter Tray by Peter Pepper Products
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and functional double letter tray by Peter Pepper Products, circa 1970s. The trays are made of solid oak with aluminum dividers. The set is in very good condition and would...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Mid-Century Geode and Bronze Pen Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible and unique vintage piece. This piece brings its natural elements to sculptural statues. Raw bronze is artistically handled to form a base ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Three Metal Signed Copper, Brass and Silver-Plate Small Bowl Mid Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This Mid-Century Modern handvwrought Mexican 3 metal bowl is sliced in metals like a pie. Brass, copper and silver-plate. it has copper footed 3 ball feet. It was professionally poli...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper, Brass, Silver Plate

Carl Auböck for Hermes Letter Opener, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Hermes letter opener, 1960s by Carl Auböck
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Enamel Sterling Silver and Silver Plate Vintage Bowl
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous artist vintage bowl from the 1960s is enamel black with rose toned center with swirls of sterling silver and the bottom is silver plate. It ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Silver Plate, Enamel

Midcentury Small Globe with Wooden Base, by Prof Paul Rath, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany Made of paper, wood Original condition.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Paper

Gilded Bronze Box with Poem by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze poudrier box with cast poem on surface by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The poem "Les 4 ages de la Femme" was an old French lyrical poem th...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Large Exotic Mixed Wood Tray by Don Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large rectangular wood tray designed by Don Shoemaker and handcrafted by SEN~AL, S.A. Mexico circa 1950. Using exotic local wood in Mexico such...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Midcentury Red and Burgundy Sommerso Vases
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautiful pair of Sommerso vases in a lovely red and burgundy colors, with the characteristic yellow stripe around the main color.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Teak Paper Bin, circa 1960s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis teak paper bin, circa 1960s Vintage waste basket bin by Stow and Davis. The bin is made from teak. Good vintage...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

Murano Fish Sculpture by Livio Seguso for Gral, Germany, ca. 1970ties
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized fish in blue and pink glass. Hand made in the gral glass manufactory, Germany. Designed by Livio Seguso, ca. 1970. Incised signature of the artist (LS) on t...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Mid 20th Century Italian Art Glass Picture Frame for Venini by, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Englewood, NJ
A fine Italian Mid Century Modern glass "Mezza Filigrana" picture frame designed by, Carlo Scarpa for Venini. The mirror frame is internally decorated with pink lattice decoration an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Scandinavia Modern Blue Art Glass Vase Mid-Century Modern
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Scandinavia Modern Mid-Century Modern blue art glass vase with a tiny, controlled bubble design, mid-20th century, Denma...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Black Stained Bentwood Sculptural Magazine Stand, Rack Mid Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous and very uncommon Mid-Century Modern bentwood magazine stand or rack is from the 1950s. It is stained black from how it was acquired. The cutout holes are so very moder...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Bentwood

Carl Auböck Horn Pen Holder, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck horn pen holder, Austria, 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Mid-Century Ceramic Sculpture Cat/Royal Dux, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of ceramic - good, original condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

20th Century Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Model 2392 in Crystal & Nickeled Brass
Located in Turin, Turin
FontanaArte is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and specializing in glass processing and the production of furnishing acce...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern more desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern more desk accessories 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 more desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern more desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original more desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Walter Bosse, Herta Baller, and Barovier&Toso. 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 more desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $34 and tops out at $28,500 while the average work can sell for $603.

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