Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used 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 influence 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.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture 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
Very Large Cenedese Aquarium with Two Fishes, 6.15 Kg, circa 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A very large Cenedese, Murano glass aquarium with two fishes, weight 6.15 kg, manufactured circa 1960.
Measures: Width 10.63" (27cm)
Height 8.46" (21.5cm)
Depth 1.97" (5cm).
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Art Glass
Single Polished Bull Horn Sculpture on Square Black Modern Pedestal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern decor beautiful looking high luster polished finish bull horn sculpture.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Horn
Live Edge Slab Roman Numeral Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique lacquered wood slab roman numeral clock. This beautiful piece of wood features a rich vibrant grain pattern, roman numeral lettering and ornate gold clock hands.
(Please co...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Two Red Sea Fan Specimens on Lucite, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Sea fans are a type of soft coral. Here we present two red specimens with their familiar tree-like form and alluring color. Presented on lucite bases to enhance their sculptural elem...
Category
Late 20th Century Solomon Islands Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Organic Material, Lucite
Stone Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
The biomorphic honed stone mounted on a Lucite base.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Mid 20th Century Cypress Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Mid 20th Century Cypress Sculpture with an abstract body and a warm natural color. The interesting wooden piece has been carefully polished and finished to achieve a rich yet natural...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Cypress
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Cube Marble Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern abstract cube marble sculpture, with lucite stand on marble base, unsigned, inscribed "To Roger / Jill.".
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Arthur Court Geode, Agate and Brass, Signed
By Arthur Court
Located in New York, NY
Arthur Court Geode Mineral, agate and brass, Signed. Small scale agate geode displayed on a brass "Medium Mini-Claw" stand. Sold with the original Arthur Court Designs retail tag whi...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Agate, Brass
Antique Fish Taxidermy Glass Showcase with Bream, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large early 20th century taxidermy of a bream. It is mounted in a setting of reeds and grasses in a wooden vitrified case. Made in Germany circa 1900.
Measures: Width: 22.24" (5...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Glass, Wood
Giant South Pacific Clam Shell Tridacna Gigas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic natural South Pacific Tridacna Gigas clam shell. Two available, selling separately. Second shell is slightly smaller, however they work excellent as a pair. Listing is for ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Shell
Vintage Pair of French Midcentury Zinc Topiary Sculptures with Stepped Bases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage zinc topiaries from the mid 20th century, with stepped bases. Created in France during the midcentury period, each of this pair of zinc sculptures features a...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Zinc
Resin and Shell Table Lamp in the Style of Pierre Giraudon
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Resin and shell table lamp in the style of Pierre Giraudon, not signed but probably by this Artist.
Dimensions without shade: H 7.87 inches x D 2.75 inches x L 7.87 inches.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Shell, Resin
CALIFORNIA KING PALM TREE by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Pasadena, CA
The (extra tall and height customizable) California King Palm tree floor lamp is a celebration of living and creating in Los Angeles for almost two decades. The palm tree is as much ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stainless Steel
Large Mid Century Century Italian Cream Color Alabaster Grape Cluster
Located in Chicago, IL
Large mid twentieth century Italian cream color alabaster grape cluster with natural stem.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Alabaster
Peach Abstract Marble Sculpture, 2001
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous marble sculpture abstractly depicting a reclining figure. Signed "‘Pastore’ and date 01. Beautiful gray veining in the peach marble. Pictured on a Lucite base, not include...
Category
Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Copper Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century sculpture or object of art composed with four copper palm trees having a verdigris patina on a stone base.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Copper
California King Palm Tree Floor Lamp Nickel-Plated Brass by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Pasadena, CA
The California King palm tree floor lamp is a celebration of living and creating in Los Angeles for almost two decades. The palm tree is as much a sculpture as it is a floor lamp.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal, Brass
Unusual Wooden Sculpture with Iron Stand
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
The sculpture is unique in its handmade quality and form.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Iron
Hot Planet Table Lamp in Bronze by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Pasadena, CA
The Hot Planet table lamp is a sphere full of craters with a light source at the center symbolizing the core of energy within a planet. The body is cast in bronze with a blackened pa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Copper and Stone Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty mid century tree sculpture crafted in copper twisted into form and mounted on an organic stone base.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Copper
"Cornucopia" Coffee Table, Richard Faure, France, 1975
Located in Paris, FR
Coffee table "Cornucopia" by Richard Faure, France, circa 1975
Coffee table / carved brass sculpture representing cornucopia, terminated by half-geodes of amethyst.
A light bulb is...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Amethyst, Brass
Set of '7' Black and White Camel Bone Round Decorative Spheres
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Set of (7) black and white camel bone round decorative spheres.
Measures: (5) Large 4.5" D
(2) Small 3" D.
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Bone
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Marble Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning Mid-Century Modern or Modernist abstract marble sculpture on steel base.
This great geometric marble sculpture is artist signed which is currently under research.
Wood loo...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble, Steel
Australian Karri Burr Wood Decorative Piece
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Very nice decorative piece of Australian Karri burr wood. Wonderful color and texture.
ST1206.
Category
Late 20th Century Australian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Showcase with Stone Specimen, Decomposition of Rocks, circa 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A vintage natural scientific specimen diorama shows the decomposition of rocks behind glass in a wooden case, used for class, circa 1930.
Measures: width 14.37" (36.5cm)
Height 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Large Scale Abstract White Marble Sculpture on Black Wooden Base
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning hand carved marble sculpture with dramatic veining; an eye catching large scale and undeniable gravitas. This abstract sculpture is not signed but it came from the private...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Midcentury Palm Tree Sculptures in Black Tapering Pots
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage painted tôle palm tree sculptures from the mid 20th century, with tapered pot and lion ring pulls. Created in France during the midcentury period, each of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Tôle
1970s Brutalist Mid-Century Patinated Bronze & Copper Cattail Kinetic Sculpture
Located in St. Louis, MO
1970s MCM artisan made bronze and copper kinetic cattail sculpture with applied patina. Great sculpture for the coffee table, desk or as a centerpiece or more. In fine condition.
...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Copper
Four Silvered Metal Plated Seashells, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking group of four seashells including a Syrinx Aruanus, Murex, Lambis Spyder and King Helmet now and forever plated in silvered metal. Priced individually.
Largest shell: Syrin...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal
Pair of Mounted Natural Driftwood Sculptures
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of mounted driftwood scupltures. They are in good condition and measure 31 1/2" H x 28 1/2" W x 9" D.
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal
Triton Shell Bird Sculpture
By Binazzi
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century bird or stork sculpture crafted with silvered metal, brass, and an organic conch shell in a familiar pose. Stamped Binazzi Firenze on the base.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal
Group of Italian Carved and Painted Stone Fruit
Located in Rochester, NY
Group of six Italian carved and realistically painted pieces of marble fruit. Mid 20th century.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Antique under the Water School Specimen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique under the water school specimen.
An antique natural wunderkammer glass display with marine life in the depths of the sea. The specimen is set up like an aquarium with sea ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Glass, Wood
Selection of Midcentury Marble Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of midcentury marble lamps, American, circa 1950s.
From left to right in the first photo, they are:
1) Variegated round marble lamp in grays, blacks, deep reds, and brown...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble, Metal
Murano Venetian Blue Gold Fleck Cockatoo Birds
By Ars Murano
Located in London, GB
Stunning Murano Venetian Blue Gold Fleck Bird figurine sculpture depicting two birds sitting on a tree branch. Commonly known as the "Love Birds" they are poised elegantly with heads...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Gold
Brass Owl on Black Lacquered Wooden Stand, French, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Baroeul, FR
This decorative and fine owl is made of brass on a black lacquered wooden Stand. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Brass
Modernist Marble and Stone Sculpture by David F.Soule
By Henry Moore, David F. Soule
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist marble and stone sculpture by David F. Soule, hand-carved, wonderfully executed, trapizoid shape stone base, mounted carved and polished marble sphere, stunning.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone, Marble
Midcentury Opaline Art Glass Eggs, Dozen, Frosted
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury opaline art glass eggs, dozen, frosted. Gorgeous sculptural set. Set of 12.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Malachite, Alabaster
Coco de Mer Tea Caddy by Antony Redmile
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual tea caddy crafted from a coco de mer shell featuring amethyst stone handles and embellishments, ostrich egg tops with refined metal work, and antelope horn side hand...
Category
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Figural Brass Crab Box by Sarried Ltd.
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid century figural brass crab box by Sarried Ltd.
Substantial proportions, realistically cast and modeled of a crab with a lift top, revealing a 13-Inch wide x 6-inch deep interior...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Grape Trees With Jade and Semi Precious Stones - a Pair
Located in Clearwater, FL
A fabulous pair of mid century grape trees with loads of Quartz grapes in subtle shades of amethyst, rose and white. Abundant jade leaves. In green stone bonsai pots. 15" and 13” tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Jade, Quartz
Brass Tree Branch Wall Sculpture by Curtis Jeré
By Curtis Jere
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1977 brass tree branch wall sculpture by Curtis Jeré.
Signed and dated.
Measurements: 55” High, 28” Wide and 6” Deep.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Brass
Willy Daro Brass and Geode Stone Table Lamp, 1970s
By Willy Daro
Located in Atlanta, GA
This very elegant table lamp was designed by Willy Daro, Belgium in the 1970s. Large polished brass structure with impressive Dragon Septarian geode stone slab. Original vintage shad...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone, Metal, Brass
Mauro Manetti Pewter Lobster Sculpture, Italy, 1950s
Located in Hastings, GB
Mauro Manetti large lobster sculpture
Pewter
Italy, 1950s-1960s
The lobster still has its high shine silver finish it has both its original antennae
It is stamped on the undersid...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Pewter
Vintage Rock Crystal & Patinated Copper Lily Pad Tabletop Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exceptional tabletop sculpture with rock crystal in the center surrounded by a large copper lily and leaves, the copper showing years of deep patina. Unsigned.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Rock Crystal, Copper
Antique Hand Polished Lingam Stone Sculptures with Bronze Stands Set of 4
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful and substantial collection of four lingam stones on bronze stands with the tallest stone measuring 18”, from the Narmada River in India.
They are naturally formed of a ...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Vintage Windcatcher Chandelier Made of Shells Verner Panton Style 60s
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
With this beautiful vintage shell storm catcher in the style of Verner Panton you imagine yourself in tropical atmospheres. This shell hanging wind catcher gives 'a kind of' holiday ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Organic Material
Two Red Sea Fans Specimens on Lucite, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here we present two red specimens with their familiar tree-like form and alluring color. Presented on lucite bases to enhance their sculptural elements.
Priced Individually.
Le...
Category
19th Century Solomon Islands Antique Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Organic Material, Lucite
Italian Mid-Century Modern Wooden Sculpture of a Banana Plant, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Wooden sculpture of a banana plant, 1950s
Sculpture of a banana plant in carved wood with interlocking leaves. Hand crafted and painted.
1950s.
Good con...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Group of Three White Coral Specimens on Lucite, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Surely one of mother nature's most iconic creations. Here are three sustainable white coral specimens including branch and staghorn each with its own ocean inspired form. Presented o...
Category
Late 20th Century Solomon Islands Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Coral
Abstract Sculpture Frank Morbillo Steel and Bronze
By Frank Morbillo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Frank Morbillo steel, polished steel, and bronze abstract sculpture from the Elaine Horwitch Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona.
Education & background
1984 MFA Sculpture – Universit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Quartz Crystal Geode Specimen
Located in New York, NY
Large quartz crystal geode specimen.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Quartz
Pair of Sommerso Art Glass Pumpkins by Murano Glass Studios
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of sommerso art glass pumpkins by Murano Glass Studios, circa 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and have an orange sommerso style g...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Art Glass, Sommerso
Midcentury Redwood Burl Sphere Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Magnificent and monumental in scale (26" in diameter / 79" circumference) redwood burl sphere. Can be used as a stand-alone impressive sculpture / decorative object or, with slight m...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Burl
Traditional Preliminary Sketch Wooden Sculpture of a Woman
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand-carved trial figure made of wood.
Made in Olot, Spain.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
...
Category
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Murano Glass Vase with Pulegoso Glass Fruit Ascribable to Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Italy, 1940s.
This transparent murano glass vase features a pulegoso glass fruit.
It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as i...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Murano Glass
Artist Roger Capron Ceramic Tile in the Style of a Prehistoric Fossil Fish
By Roger Capron
Located in St. Louis, MO
Roger Capron French (1922–2006) large ceramic tile evocative of a prehistoric fossil fish, executed in intricate, dimensional detail and finished in black off white. Signed "R. Capro...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Ceramic
Large Brown and Colored Stoneware Ceramic Tree Sculpture Claude Gaget
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Claude Gaget
Amazing large stoneware tree sculpture by the French artist.
Original perfect conditions, signed at the base GAGET
Brown and colored firing ceramic colors.
Measures...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Ceramic
