Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
to
16
102
6
102
6
50
42
3
6
29
30
4
5
120
108
16
9
7
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
80
19
17
17
15
78
27
59
57
33
13
11
Height
to
Width
to
108
108
108
6
4
4
4
3
Style: Mid-Century Modern
French Art Bronze Bracelet by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare cuff bracelet in gilded and silvered bronze by Parisian art jewller Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The playful piece is called "Le gendarme et le voleur"...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Abstract Kinetic Table Top Sculpture in Walnut by Clarence Teed
By Clarence Teed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Fine and rare table top sculpture by Clarence Teed. Solid walnut in four pieces which can be turned on the steel connecting rods to display the work in any number of ways. Teed was a...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
French Bronze À La Gloire des Phoques Brooch Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken bronze brooch by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1946 named "À La Gloire des Phoques" (The glory of the seals). This bronze brooch features a se...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Abstract Geometric Sculpture in Steel and String
Located in Highland, IN
A compelling composition made by hand with an interesting combination of materials, this piece is both art and architecture. A series of connected steel disks form the substructure o...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Bronze and Aluminum Sculpture "The Flame"
Located in New York, NY
Bronze and aluminum sculpture and brass, rotating, "the flame."
Nameless.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
François COLETTE (1936-2024) : Chrome plated stabile sculpture , 1973
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
François COLETTE (1936-2024) : Stabile
Chrome plated and articulated stabile sculpture
Signed 'F.C.' and dated '73'
Dimensions
Height 47 cm
Width 40 cm
Depth 30 cm
Good conditions
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Elegant Curtis Jere Table Art Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Jere table art sculpture
Comprised of three metal finishes. Black, brass and mat silver.
Marble base.
Signed and dated (1993) on the base.
Dimension...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Scultura cinetica italiana modern in plastica gialla di Franco Costalonga 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Scultura cinetica composta da un tubolare in plastica giallo senape e una sfera con all’interno una bacchetta di radio che genera fasci di colore giallo.
Realizzata da Franco Costalonga...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Plastic
Kinetic light sculpture ‘Struttura Tricroma’ by Giovanni Anceschi, Italy 1963
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Important kinetic light sculpture ‘Struttura Tricroma’ by Giovanni Anceschi (Milan, 1934), Italy, 1963. This work is one of the most significant pieces by Giovanni Anceschi: a 'magic...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Albert Chubac, Cinetic Sculpture, "Cage", Painted Iron, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, cinetic sculpture, "Cage",
Painted iron,
circa 1980, France.
Measures: Height 37 cm, depth 11 cm, width 11 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After stud...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Invertible Cube Signed, Colored and Handmade by Paul Schatz, 1898-1979
By Paul Schatz
Located in Munster, NRW
The invertible cube, signed, colored and handmade by Paul Schatz,
1898-1979. Anthroposoph, Artist & Mathematician,
(authenticity confirmed by Paul Schatz Foundation).
Measures...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Optical Methacrylate light sculpture, France 1970s
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Unique optical methacrylate light sculpture, France 1970s. Wonderful dimensional light sculpture composed of multiple methacrylate pieces, the pieces are dynamically positioned in a ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic
Harry Bertoia Kinetic Spray Sculpture - 1970s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This "Spray" sculpture by Harry Bertoia from the 1970s is a stunning kinetic piece.
This rare work, approximately 100 cm (39") in diameter and 73 cm (28.7") in height, is made of fin...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Kinetic Balancing Man Sculpture by Strauss, 1970’s
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jere style Brutalist tabletop or book shelf counter balance sculpture constructed of welded metal and nails. This kinetic t...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Kinetic Lucite Plexiglass Obelisk Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 1970s Lucite or Plexiglass sculpture boasts an abstract geometrical swirl shape with a milky white color mounted on a tall, stepped black Lucite or acrylic base. The pi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Wire Spray Table Sculpture by Dave Grossman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super cool stainless steel kinetic wire sculpture by Dave Grossman in the 1970s. It's a nice size table sculpture. Features a stainless cylindrical base with 100's of wires.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Laurent Martin Lo, Bamboo "Kinetic" Sculpture, France, circa 2000
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Laurent Martin Lo,
Bamboo "Kinetic" sculpture, bamboo in balance, lightness and flexibility,
Bamboo, rope and counterweight,
France, circa 2000.
M...
Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bamboo
Dave Grossman Wire Spray Sculpture in the Manner of Bertoia
Located in Highland, IN
Clearly inspired by the form made famous by Harry Bertoia, this spray-shaped Kinetic sculpture is made of fine wires which can swing and sway in a soothing manner. The piece is marke...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel, Steel
Large Bertoia Studios 10-Rod 'B-2700' Brass, Copper & Silver Sound Sculpture
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 10-Rod 'B-2700' Brass, Copper & Silver Sound Sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Harry Bertoia Style Welded Steel with Brass Desk Top Spray Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Multiple steel rods set in free form brazed brass base. Each rod topped with melted brass droplet . Not quite but very reminiscent of Harry Bertoias work. Under vibration rods do hav...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Steel
Mid-Century Replogle Globe Atribbuted to Paul McCobb Patinated Brass Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Replogle globe on a solid brass patinated stand in the manner of Paul McCobb circa 1950s, with a solid patinated brass base, beautiful patina due to age can be polished if desired. t...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Eugenio Carmi Light Box, Signed Artwork, 1970, Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Eugenio Carmi (1920-2016) "Segnale Immaginario Elettrico 23" artwork, 1970, Italy.
Black, white, multicolor plexiglass light box.
Turns off and on again at regular intervals (more or...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Plexiglass
Giant Ice Cream Advertising Sign, Funky Quirky Nostalgic
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Giant Ice Cream Advertising Sign, Funky Quirky Nostalgic
This is a classic of the 20th Century, when a trip to the seaside was the ultimate treat, and here we are with a larger than...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Plastic
Rotating transparent acrylic sculpture by Rogelio Polesello, Argentina 1969
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Transparent acrylic sculpture by Rogelio Polesello, with a moving cubic center. This particular piece plays with optical illusion due to transparency and light bounces.
A little abou...
Category
20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic
2 William King Midcentury Modernist Aluminum Puzzle Sculptures of Acrobats
By William King
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Event and The Test - a group of 2 Mid-Century Modern aluminum acrobat sculptures.
William D. King (1925-2015)
These interlocking aluminum sculptures were part of a series, which w...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Modern Complex Tools Group Sculpture Welded Tools
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern sculpture of real and old welded together tools. In style of Feliciano Bejar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Paul A. Lobel Sterling Fisherman Kinetic Sculpture
By Paul Lobel
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul A. Lobel (1899-1983) modernist silversmith, sculptor and artist. Lobel sold his jewelry and art at his Greenwich village shop in the 1940s and 1950s. This two-piece sterling Kin...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Sterling Silver
1950's Wood Motorcycle Model
Located in New York, NY
Unique motorcycle model with moving parts, fully constructed in wood. New Hampshire, circa 1950's.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rare Bill Curry Cattail Room Divider / Sculpture for Design Line 29 Cattails
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare Cattail Sculpture / Room divider designed by Bill Curry for Design Line,,Featuring 29 metal rods with beautifully shaped and painted oval ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Innovative Illuminated Acrylic Benches with White Tops and Clear Side Supports
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An interesting Kinetic sculpture with a sinuous brass arm and attached long metal wires with balls on the ends. The entire piece turns on a brass plate mounted on a circular marble p...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Wood Survey Measuring Large Stick by Lenner
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find a rare vintage wood measuring stick by Lenner.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
$460 Sale Price
20% Off
Monumental Modernist Mixed Metal Kinetic Floor Sculpture by Irving Lehman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Titled Galaxy 79, which I believe to be the year? Amazing mixed metal sculpture, consisting of copper, brass, aluminum steel and wood. Aluminum frame consisting of five moving abstra...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper, Cut Steel, Aluminum
Albert Chubac, Important Geometric Sculpture, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008), Important geometric sculpture,
Painted wood,
France, circa 1960.
Measures: Height 111 cm, width 60 cm, depth 35 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Table Top Acrylic Spray Sculpture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Fun table top kinetic acrylic and wire spray with small brass tips. Cube measures 2.25" with the diameter of the spray reaching out to 32" diameter. Top on arches measure around 11"....
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Articulate Bronze Brooch "Pergatoire" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hanging articulate three-piece gilt bronze brooch "Purgatoire" also known as "Le Ciel, la Terre, et l'Enfer." by Line Vautrin. Each element with figure symbolizes Heaven, Earth and...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Torch Cut Floral Arrangement from Brotman's Sausalito
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Hanover, MA
Torch cut brass and mixed metal kinetic floral spray in the style of Curtis Jere retailed through Brotman's Village Fair in Sausalito, CA circa 1970
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Dolly Moreno Kinetic Abstract Sculpture in Stainless Steel
By Dolly Moreno
Located in Atlanta, GA
Kinetic Abstract Sculpture, hand made by Dolly Moreno, American, circa 1960s. Signed on base. It is on a magnetic base, and some of the elements of the sc...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Kinetic Reeds Sculpture Incised Concrete Base Vintage 1950s Studio Craft
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting kinetic tall grass / reeds sculpture on impressed or molded base. Fair vintage condition, showing wear to base. Measures: Base is W 6½ x D 6 in. Total height is 34 in.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
$1,560 Sale Price
20% Off
1960s Pinwheel Brazen Nail Table Sculpture Mid-Century Starburst as Curtis Jere
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and delicate Mid-Century era welded tabletop kinetic sculpture, no signature can be found, but it is very much like the works of Curtis Jere for Artisan House, with a littl...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Iron
$796 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Harry Bertoia Style Spray Sculture Chrome
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A Harry Bertoia style spray sculpture consisting of a chrome weighted base and a spray of light chrome wire kinetic strands suspended above. The li...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Memphis Stabile Mobile
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Memphis stabile mobile by frederik Smits
Handmade by the artist. Unique piece
Perfect condition.
Category
2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$3,188
Signed Vintage handmade mid century modern retro style abstract pottery
Located in Seattle, WA
Handmade wall Decor with a floral bird motif. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured.
Dimensions. 13” Diameter ; 0.75” H
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Albert Chubac, Sculpture, "TOTEM", Painted Iron, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, cinetic sculpture, "Cage",
Painted iron,
circa 1980, France.
Measures: Height 52 cm, depth 10 cm, width 10 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After stud...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Lasse Brander Glass and stone Sculpture Sweden 1970 Signed
Located in Paris, FR
Unique piece 1980's sculpture by Swedish artist Lasse Brander (1930-2 008)
Impressive glass and stone sculpture on a pedestal Total hight 17...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Granite
Brutalist Abstract Welded Steel Pendulum Mid Century Modern Kinetic Sculpture
Located in Sarasota, FL
Purchased from fine estate in Ft Lauderdale.
Beautifully hand made pendulum sculpture of a man in a ring.
Swings beautifully, very well balanced.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Curtis Jere Kenetic Cyclone Spirited Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Westport, CT
Curtis Jere free-form Kenetic sculpture on a marble onyx base brass top metal sculpture, workshop piece large swirling spirited design.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Metal, Brass
Grazia Varisco Kinetic Light artwork 'Schemi luminosi variabili', Italy 1962
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Rare and important Kinetic light artwork by Grazia Varisco (Milan 1937), Italy 1962. Intriguing work which shows a continuously changing ray of light streams, glittering like stars i...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic
Sonambient Rods Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
A sonambient rods sculpture by Harry Bertoia (1915-1978). A desirable size for display in the home and a typically wonderful sound quality.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Price Upon Request
Mid-century Modern mobiles and kinetic sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern mobiles and kinetic sculptures 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 mobiles and kinetic sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern mobiles and kinetic sculptures made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mobiles and kinetic sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Paolo Soleri, Curtis Jeré, Val Bertoia, and par-avion co.. 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 mobiles and kinetic sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $260,000 while the average work can sell for $2,220.