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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

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Bespoken Large French Bronze "Chatelain" Link Brooch Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large bespoken bronze brooch by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940. Called "chatelaine", this bronze brooch features articulated chain links with hangi...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

French Bronze À La Gloire des Phoques Brooch 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

MCM Dodo Designs Kinetic "Flirt" Sculpture with Original Box, Made in England
Located in Miami, FL
MCM Dodo Designs Kinetic "Flirt" Sculpture with Original Box, Made in England Offered for sale is a mid-century modern Dodo Designs kinetic "Flirt" sculpture with original box. Thi...
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Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Beautiful Bronze Bell by Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. Uncommon shape and design. Fantastic patina and a great sound. Signed. A unique piece from a celebrated art...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Rare California Design Line Bill Curry Pick-Up Lite Table Lamps Chrome Design
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Each lamp 2.2 lbs. of cast and polished steel tapering cylinder, hiding within an electric light socket and toggle switch, activating when lamp is picked up and placed back down. ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Steel

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

Studio-Made Modernist Mobile, Small
Located in Dallas, TX
A studio-made modernist mobile; mustard yellow, blue, opium red. This innovative art form, rooted in the principles of modernism, emphasizes minimalism, abstraction, and the intrinsi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Wire Spray Table Sculpture style of Harry Bertoia 1970s
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage wire spray table sculpture in the manner of Harry Bertoia circa 1970s Executed in fine steel wires with fluid kinetic movement on a rare black marble base Unmarked 29 inch...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Marble, 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

Large metal Mobile sculpture by Arnulf Hoffmann, 1972
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Large metal mobile sculpture by Arnulf Hoffmann (1935), Germany 1972. Exceptional large and early pendulum / mobile in black lacquered ste...
Category

1970s German Vintage 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

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

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

Art Deco WWII Military Strategy Chalk Teaching Globe on Stand by Denoyer-Geppert
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare art deco WWII military strategy chalk teaching globe by Denoyer-Geppert with period chrome stand, circa 1940s. The globe is in good condition with original paint; there are seve...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Elegant Curtis Jere Table Art Sculpture
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

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

1950s Kinetic Modernist Sculpture Machine by Engel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950's kinetic art sculpture, possibly created by Jules Engel of Los Angeles and very reminiscent of artworks by Jean Tinguely. Sculpture measures 35" in height by 21" wide by 15" d...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Mid-century Acrylic Wall Hanging Lenscope by Karl Gerstner Swiss, 1960s mobile
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Mid-century Acrylic Wall Hanging, titled "Lenscope" by Karl Gerstner Swiss, 1960s designed by Karl Gerstner for Deposito Galleria. Solid acrylic square with circular detail to the ce...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic

Large Cattails Sculpture Attributed to Curtis Jere
Located in South Charleston, WV
Very large at 37.5" tall, 9" deep and 12" wide. Consisting of multiple brutalist style welded sets of cattails inserted into a rock (assumed limestone). Much detail is present with d...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Limestone, Brass, Bronze, Copper

Mid Century Abstract Marble and Steel Spray Sculpture 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century abstract steel spray sculpture with a marble base. Unsigned. 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Marble, 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

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

2 William King Midcentury Modernist Aluminum Puzzle Sculptures of Acrobats
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

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

20th Century Wooden Painter's Dummy
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Articulated carved female likeness mannequin, typical painter's mannequin for use in scenic compositions.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

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

Unique Design Art by Hans Weyers Rotating Cosmos Ceiling Object, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rotating Cosmos ceiling object is a specific niche in a sector as wide as design, that of ‘collectible design’ or ‘design art’, situated in the gre...
Category

1980s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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

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

Joseph Meerbott Kinetic Sculpture
By Joseph Meerbott 1
Located in Dallas, TX
Wonderful enameled metal kinetic sculpture by Joseph Meerbott. In two pieces, some minor loss to enamel.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Invertible Cube Signed, Colored and Handmade by Paul Schatz, 1898-1979
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

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

Torch Cut Floral Arrangement from Brotman's Sausalito
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

Gyula Kosice Acrylic Sculpture
By Gyula Kosice
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Gyula Kosice Acrylic Sculpture Beautiful sculpture by the Argentine artist Gyula Kosice, his works are mostly acrylic, which became the medium to express his creativity, he has combi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic

Innovative Illuminated Acrylic Benches with White Tops and Clear Side Supports
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

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

Modernist wood and metal Kinetic Table Sculpture..Garden... after Bertoia
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist wood and metal Kinetic Table Sculpture..Garden,, after Bertoia.. Signed and dated. something ? 62,,,.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Articulate Bronze Brooch "Pergatoire" 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

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

Curtis Jere Kenetic Cyclone Spirited Sculpture
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

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.

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