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.
Stoneware Pear Sculpture by Per Hammarström - Scandinavian Studio Craft, 18 cm
Located in Bochum, NRW
Stoneware Pear Sculpture by Per Hammarström - Scandinavian Studio Craft, 18 cm Height: 18 cm A refined stoneware pear sculpture by Swedish ceramic artist Per Hammarström, showcasing ...
Stoneware
Surrealist Hand-Foot Occasional Table in Mahogany by Pedro Friedeberg
By Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a hand-foot occasional table designed by the famous Mexican surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg. Designed originally around the 1960s and 1970s, this iconic st...
Mahogany
Patinated Etruscan Horse Bronze Sculpture Statue on Wooden Base 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Etruscan horse figure is a bronze Italian museum replica made in the 1970s - 1980s. The piece is a reproduction of a classic Italian style, showcasing the historical and...
Metal
Rare Archimede Seguso Murano Glass Oriental Figure with Gold Leaf and Corroso, 1950
Located in Palermo, IT
An exceptional and exceedingly rare Mid-Century Modern sculptural figurine depicting an Oriental silhouette, masterfully hand-blown in Murano, Venice, circa 1950. This investment-gra...
Gold, Gold Leaf
Large bronze statue of a stylized African Ndebele Ndebele woman, atr. Hagenauer
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
A fantastic life-size bronze sculpture from the early 1950s. The design is attributed to Karl Hagenauer. Approx. 30 kg. This life-size sculpture of an exotic African Ndebele woman, ...
Bronze
Cabinet of Curiosities Cabinet Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden cabinet. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the productio...
Wood
Bronze sculpture of Mercury or Hermes in the style of Giambologna, Italy, 1960s
Located in Naples, IT
This sculpture depicts Mercury or Hermes, depending on whether the Roman or Greek names for the gods are used. The original was sculpted by Giambologna in the 19th century. This bron...
Marble, Bronze
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Cat Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
California Pottery White Pink Figurative Female Hand Ring Holder
Located in Van Nuys, CA
California Pottery salmon pink figurative female hand business card holder. The sculpture features an open hand with a small lip in the center palm for holding business cards. The ha...
Ceramic
Vintage Spanish Hand-Carved Don Quixote Sculpture, Artesanía Spain No. 576
Located in San Diego, CA
Hand-carved Spanish figural sculpture depicting the iconic literary character Don Quixote, rendered in an expressive elongated form with deeply faceted carving and exaggerated propor...
Wood
1950s. Hand-Painted Porcelain Oriental Woman Figure by Ronzan
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This elegant Ronzan porcelain figure represents the peak of mid-century Italian ceramic artistry, characterized by its refined "Orientalist" aesthetic and masterful hand-painted exec...
Ceramic
1960s large Rimini Blu ceramic pig money box by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy
Located in München, DE
A beautiful, large, decorative 1960s ceramic piggy bank from the Rimini Blu collection. The design is by the renowned Italian artist and painter Aldo Londi. Manufactured by Bitossi. ...
Ceramic
Sascha Brastoff Signed Figurative Ceramic Sculpture, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Sascha Brastoff Signed Figurative Sculpture, 20th Century.
Ceramic
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bull Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Bronze Etruscan Horse with Rider Sculpture on Marble Base, Greece Vintage, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a bronze sculpture, in the style of the antique statues and figures of the Etruscans is a gorgeous interior furnishing item. it is an incredibly stylized Etruscan horse with ...
Metal
MCM Vintage Spanish Don Quixote Articulated Figure Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Charming handcrafted Spanish Don Quixote figurative sculpture featuring articulated armor, etched detailing, and a stylized elongated face in the manner of mid-century folk art. Cons...
Metal
Pair of brass small Decorative brass birds figurines, France, 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of small, finely crafted decorative brass birds, dating from the 1950s and of French origin. Each bird features a stylized body covered in a design punctuated with colorful cabo...
Brass
Lalique Signed Virgin Mary Crystal, France
By Lalique
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, A collector’s item made by Lalique in France. This high-end piece is made by Lalique. The Lalique Vierge Mains Jointes is a radiant crystal sculpture of the V...
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jeré "Bird in Flight" Brass Sculpture on Quartz Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern signed and dated Curtis Jeré "Bird in Flight" brass sculpture on quartz base, circa 1981. Capturing the breathtaking spirit of the California Modernist movement, t...
Quartz, Brass
Murano Livio Seguso Sommerso Uranium Apple Gray Bird Italian Art Glass Sculpture
By Livio Seguso, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, large vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso glowing Uranium glass Italian art sculpture, depicting a gray bird on a green apple. The piece is documented to designer Livio Seg...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
Vintage Decorative Egyptian Pharaoh Statue on Marble Base, Grand Tour Souvenir
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted statue of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, I believe it is Ramses the 2nd however I am not completely sure. The statue appears to be made of copper or white metal. ...
Marble, Metal
Crystal glass paper weight made and signed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Sweden
By Kosta Boda, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A fantastic rather large handmade vintage glass sculpture or paperweight made and signed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, Sweden. This piece is showcasing his enormous talent as a glas...
Art Glass, Cut Glass
Mid Century Expressionist Metal Sculpture on Travertine Base Brutalist Style
Located in Troy, MI
Abstract expressionist sculpture by Robert Stoetzer USA 1964 Two hand formed metal figures, the upper a winged angelic form in ascent and the lower figure caught between release and...
Travertine, Copper
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Owl Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Factice Perfume Guerlain Lanvin Store Display Bottles
By Lanvin Paris, Maison Guerlain
Located in Bochum, NRW
Factice perfume Guerlain Lanvin store display bottles Three vintage store display fragrance bottles / Factice perfume bottles, all in excellent c...
Art Glass
Vintage Italian Articulated Harlequin Clown Figures, Set of Four, Hand-Painted
Located in San Diego, CA
Charming set of four vintage Italian articulated harlequin figures, crafted in chromed metal with hand-painted enamel decoration. Each figure features jointed limbs connected by bras...
Enamel, Chrome
Raul Coronel Ceramic Bowl, 1960s
By Raul Coronel
Located in San Diego, CA
Ceramic bowl by Raul Coronel. Signed "Raul" noting it was made by Raul Coronel and not one of his assistants. 1960s Dimensions: 9.5" Diameter X 2.25" High No chips, cracks or repa...
Stoneware
Walter Bosse Mermaid and Fish Wall Sculpture by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Mid-Century wall-mounted brass sculpture, displaying a mermaid and a fish on a frame, made of black-finished brass. Designed by Walter Bosse, manufactured in the 1950s by He...
Brass
Mid Century Sculpture See Saw Signed Manuel Felguérez 1960s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
An incredible mid-century modern sculpture by listed Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez depicting two children on a seesaw. The sculpture, depicting a boy and girl on a seesaw, or teete...
Metal
Transparent Vintage Decorative Mannequin Glass Head Sculpture, 1970s, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Life-size glass head in a unique transparent color. Found at an Estate sale in Vienna Austria. Perfect condition. A perfect addition to the interior, photo prop, display or...
Glass
Fulvio Bianconi, Two Tiepoleschi Figurines, Pulcinella
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Pair of white lattimo figurines with black details. Fulvio Bianconi, designer at Venini. Very good detailed quality. White lattimo glass with black applications. The pieces belong to...
Murano Glass
Vintage Italian Tole Lemon Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical mid century Italian lemon tree handcrafted in metal with hand decorated leaves and fruit in a wall mount tole planter.
Metal
Figurative sculpture in aged metal of a Roman warrior Gladiator 1950
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Figurative sculpture in aged metal of a Roman warrior Gladiator 1950
Metal
Large Ceramic Geisha Elcod, 1940 Cacciapuoti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large ceramic Geisha Elcod 1940 Cacciapuoti, unique elegance, very beautiful colors, small chips.
Ceramic
Los Castillo Abstract Fish- Pull Handles Malachite Sterling Mexican Modernist
By Los Castillo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of pull handles by Los Castillo. Abstract Fish with malachite and silver. Mexico Circa the 1950s. Dimensions: 3.75" W x 3" H x .75" D Please visit t...
Malachite, Sterling Silver
Murano Hand-Blown Glass Table Fountain w Gold Leaf Inclusions, Att Gino Cenedese
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible handcrafted and mouth-blown glass table fountain and light fixture. This rare Murano glass table fountain is a spectacular fusion of sculpture, light, and water — a true ...
Metal, Gold Leaf
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bronze Etruscan Ombra della Sera Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bronze Etruscan Ombra della Sera Sculpture, circa 1950s-1960s. An elegant mid-century grand tour reproduction of the famous "Ombra della Sera" (Shadow of t...
Bronze
Zodiac Sign Twins Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s ( signed )
Located in Wien, Au
Zodiac Sign Twins Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s ( signed ) Original condition
Brass
Bob Bennett Signed Bronze Hand Sculpture, USA, 1970's
By Bob Bennett
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bob Bennett Signed Bronze Hand Sculpture, USA, 1970's. Beautiful original patina.
Bronze
1950s Zelezny Brod Sklo Jaroslav Brychta Nobleman Art Glass Figurine
By Zelezny Brod
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A charming mid-century art glass figurine attributed to Jaroslav Brychta for Železný Brod Sklo, dating to the 1950s. This hand-crafted sculpture depicts a nobleman or rural gentleman...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Modernist Sculpture in Oregon Pine by Kaija Aarikka
Located in Oslo, NO
Modernist figure of an ostrich or crane bird in Oregon pine by Kaija Aarikka. Hard to come by as only a limited edition were made. The figure is in good vintage condition, it’s with ...
Pine
1950s Chinese Figurine Salt and Pepper Holder by Richard Rohac
Located in Wien, Au
1950s Chinese figurine salt and pepper holder by Richard Rohac. Designed and executed in the 1950s by Richard Rohac, who worked also for WHW Ha...
Brass
Dorothy Thorpe Mid-Century Modern Lucite Citrine Gautama Lotus Buddha Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, quite engaging citrine green Lucite seated lotus Siddhartha Gautama Buddha sculpture on attached custom black wood stand by Mid-Century Modern American designer Dorothy ...
Lucite
Midcentury Wood Monk Table Lamp Attibuted to Aldo Tura for Macabo, Italy 1950s
Midcentury amazing sculpture table lamp in wood and metal attributed to Aldo Tura for Macabo. Made in Italy in the 1950s. It depicts a bearded monk holding a stick (removable) in ...
Metal
Brass Lying Deer with Shamanic Inlays
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This lying deer sculpture is made of brass with shamanic inlays. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Brass
Mid-Century Detailed Pink Flamingo Ceramic Tabletop Sculpture Brad Keeler
By Brad Keeler
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century pink and green ceramic flamingo tabletop statue by Brad Keeler. It features a beautifully detailed pink flamingo with highly detailed lush leaves and grass base. The flam...
Ceramic
Vintage Californian Modern "Raindrop" Chrome Sculpture by Curtis Jere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Californian Modern "Raindrop" Chrome Sculpture by Curtis Jere Materials: Polished & Burnished Chrome Metal Disks
Metal, Chrome
Wooden Sculpture of a Woman, France, 1960s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Elegant abstract wooden sculpture depicting a stylized female figure in a graceful dancing pose. Hand-carved from solid wood, the elongated proportions and fluid organic lines are ch...
Wood
Antique German Yard or Garden Gnome Statue with Wheelbarrow, 1910s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue - attributed to Griebel in Germany, a well known manufacturer of this kind of figures. This character statue has been made in German...
Earthenware, Wood
Monumental Patinated Etruscan Horse Bronze Sculpture Statue on Wooden Base 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A striking vintage Italian bronze sculpture depicting an Etruscan horse and rider, created as a museum replica during the 1970s–1980s. Inspired by the stylized equestrian figures of ...
Metal
A studio art ceramic sculpture of two mermaids, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A very special studio art ceramic pottery sculpture of two - perhaps lesbian - mermaids sharing a secret, signed, mid twentieth century. This unique sculpture also doubles as a catch...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage original ceramic sculpture Old Man by Bassano, Italy 1974
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage original ceramic sculpture "Old Man is a drunken" by Bassano made in Italy in the 1974. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft p...
Ceramic
Moked and Clear Art Glass Madonna Figure with Halo
Located in Milano, IT
Smoked and Clear Art Glass Madonna Figure with Halo Decorative art glass Madonna figures, dating from approximately the 1980s, crafted from smoked gray and clear glass. The piece is ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Carl Auböck Model #5275 'Hand Zumbusch' Brass Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5275 'Zumbusch Hand' Brass Sculpture Designed in the 1950s, as an homage to German sculptor Kaspar von Zumbusch, this incredibly refined and sculptural bejeweled ...
Brass
Vintage Carved Jade Grape Cluster, Mid-20th Century Dinner Table Decoration
Located in Andernach, DE
Wonderfully hand carved and crafted jade grapes cluster from around 1960. The green grapes vary all in colour, some seem to be more ripe than others. Beautifully carved grape leaves...
Jade
Vintage Metal Sculpture in the manner of Giacometti
Located in Hamburg, PA
This captivating vintage metal sculpture with bronze verdigris patina pays homage to the legendary Etruscan votive statuette Ombra della Sera (“Shadow of the Evening”), "an iconic 3r...
Metal
Zobel Ceramic, The Sun, 20th Century.
By Roland Zobel
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Zobel Ceramic, The Sun, 20th century. 20th-century ceramic sun by Zobel, mid-century design, circa 1960. D: 42 cm, D: 5 cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm product avai...
Ceramic
Vintage Mid Century Diamante Evening Bag
By Gianni Versace, Paco Rabanne, Christian Dior
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage beautiful sculptural semi-precious stone bag crafted by hand. This piece is glamourous and chic. Gold diamante evening piece hand-stitched with high quality construction an...
Crystal
Asian Carved Rose Quartz Stone Fruit Grape Bunches Jade Leaves Decorative a Pair
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
These are a lovely pair of carved rose quartz grape bunches with dark green jade leaves and wire stems that are wrapped with satin cord and have a f...
Rose Quartz
Spaghetti Sculpture of Don Quixote by Roberto Nischli
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage spaghetti sculpture of Don Quixote by Roberto Nischli, circa 1990s. This handmade ceramic sculpture has a metallic painted bronze finish and a wonderful Brutalist look. The p...
Ceramic