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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 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
Italian Art Nouveau gilded metal tree sculpture
Located in Milano, IT
Step into the grandeur of a classic living room, where the air is filled with a timeless elegance that whispers stories of the past. Amidst the opulence, there stands a mesmerizing m...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Vintage Coastal La Vietrese Monumental Glazed Ceramic Under the Sea Vase
Located in west palm beach, FL
Infuse coastal elegance into your space with this vintage La Vietrese monumental glazed ceramic Under The Sea vase. Crafted with exquisite detail, this piece brings the ocean's beaut...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Ceramic

Rotating Agate Geode With Amethyst Crystals
Located in Pasadena, CA
Rotating Agate Geode With Amethyst Crystals. The base of this natural specimen is made in a way hat allows the geode to turn in a 360 degree angle. It can be turned to face any direc...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Amethyst

Vintage Group of Five Silver Overlay Seashells, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking group of five mid century assorted seashell specimens sculpturally enhanced with a silver overlay. Priced individually. Top Left H: 5 W: 8 D: 5.5 $1,450.00 Top Cente...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Awesome Huge Mid-Century Modern Olive Mushroom
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Handmade. Incredibly beautiful grain. Very good condition.
Category

1960s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Olive

Vittorio Constantini Rare Venetian Murano Lampwork Glass Wasp Figure
By Vittorio Constantini
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and incredible life like and sized Italian Venetian lampwork glass model of a bee made by renowned and acclaimed glass maker Vittorio Costanti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Art Glass

French Gypsum Sculptures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970 s tree statue , Vintage artist school work . Small Man H: 24 W:6 D:5,5 WOMEN H: 22.5 W:6 D:6
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Plaster

Highly Decorative Large Natural Sea Shell #2
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Highly Decorative Natural Beautiful Sea Shell. Large size.
Category

1940s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

Beautiful and Highly Decorative Natural Sea Shell #3
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful and Large Highly Decorative Natural Sea Shell. I purchased a collection of large beautiful Sea Shells from an antique store in Newport.
Category

1940s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

Large Beautiful and Highly Decorative Natural Sea Shell #5
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Large Beautiful and Highly Decorative Natural Sea Shell. I purchased a collection of large shells from an antique store in Newport.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

Sculpture in Wood Butalist Design, 1950s France
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Description: this sculpture was made in the 1950s in France. It consists of a black oak base and an oak ball carved . Very nice work combining organic form and raw material. Conditi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Oak

Large Highly Decorative Old Natural Sea Shell #4
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful Large Natural Highly Decorative Sea Shell. Great for decorating! I purchased a collection of Sea Shells from a antique store in Newport.
Category

1940s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

Italian Mid Century Modern Hand Painted Sculpture
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Mid Century Modern hand painted women sculpture. Place of Origin: Italy Date of Manufacture: 1950s In style: Mid Century Modern Materials & Techniques: Ceramic Condition: ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Ceramic

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

Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960 A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Germany. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Insects of the Heath
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Insects of the Heath A vintage school teaching showcase with specimen illustrating the insects of the heath. Us...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Insects of the Forest Edge
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Insects of the Forest Edge A vintage school teaching showcase with specimen illustrating the insects of the forest edge. Used as teachin...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Insects of the Grassland
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Insects of the Grassland A vintage school teaching showcase with specimen illustrating the insects of the grassland. Used as teaching ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Great Vintage School Teaching Display of Household pests
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display of Household pests A vintage school teaching showcase with household pests specimen behind glass. Used as teaching material in German schools c...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

School Teaching Display Anthill of the Horse Ant
Located in Berghuelen, DE
School Teaching Display Anthill of the Horse Ant A vintage school teaching glass display of the anthill of the horse ant. It shows the hill and inhabitants thereof, the life inside ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Great Vintage School Teaching Display Vermins in the Garden and Forest
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display Vermins in the Garden and Forest A vintage school teaching showcase with specimen illustrating the pests in the garden and in the forest. Used ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood, Glass

Great Vintage School Teaching Display of Household pests
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display of Household Pests A vintage school teaching showcase with household pests specimen behind glass. Used as teaching material in German schools c...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Fresh Water Habitat
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Vintage School Teaching Display of the Fresh Water Habitat A vintage school teaching showcase with specimen illustrating the fresh water habitat. Used as teaching material in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Venetian Murano Clown Under The Mushroom
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Venetian Murano Clown Under The Mushroom Murano, Italy art glass clown and mushroom figurine. The clown is holding on to the mushroom stem and look...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Art Glass

Set of Five Vintage Italian Alabaster Grape Clusters with Wood Stems
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This set of Mid-century handcrafted alabaster grape clusters with wood stems transports one to the vineyards of Italy. Consisting of two large ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Alabaster

Small Murano Glass Sweet Pepper Fruit of 'A Canne' Glass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Small Murano Glass Sweet Pepper Fruit of 'A Canne' Glass A nice Murano parika fruit made of multicoloured a canne glass. artfour is an owner-managed trading company dealing with fa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Italian Wood Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage wood sculpture by the student in scuola di belle arti in Venice a public academy of art in Venice.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood

MCM Palm Frond / Leaf Sculpture in Teak
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool Mid-Century Modern palm frond / leaf sculpture on base in teak, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 17.5W x 4"D x 3.5"H. A fun piece tha...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Teak

Italian Modern Wooden Botanic Model
Located in Roma, IT
A botanic didactical specimen in the manner of the famous German botanist Robert Brendel. "In the late 19th century Robert Brendel and his son Reinhold produced beautiful and accur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood

Amethyst Geode Stone on Iron Stand
Located in Pasadena, CA
Amethyst Geode Stone on Iron Stand measurements are approx 18 w x 15 high x 5.5 deep with stand 15.5 high and base diameter is 8.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Amethyst

Vintage Massive Live Edge Tree Root Sculpture
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Massive live edge tree root sculpture. An absolute masterpiece from every angle this naturally occurring sculpture is a beauty to behold ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood

"Le Crapaud" Bronze Sculpture by Henri George Adam, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Green brown patinated bronze sculpture by the French artist Henri George Adam. Titled "Le Crapaud" this piece is one of four sculptures. The artist ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Wood Brown Chair Decorative Sculpture Candlestick, France, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Midcentury French modern candlesticks, circa 1960. Very good condition. One damage shown on picture. Made of wood. Beautiful decoration and good gift. Only one unique piece.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Freeform Stone Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Grey polished marble, well carved and showing some interesting references such as Jean Arp and Inuit carvings. Condition: some chips and one damage to one corner Please see photos ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble

Artist Roger Capron Ceramic Tile in the Style of a Prehistoric Fossil Fish
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...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Ceramic

Triton Shell Bird Sculpture
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

Three Gold Plated Nautilus Shells, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Group of three nautilus shells with their iconic form, gold plated with a copper under coat wearing through as a sculptural element.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

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

Pair of Sommerso Art Glass Pumpkins by Murano Glass Studios
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 ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Art Glass, Sommerso

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

Vintage School Teaching Display Wheat Corn and its Products
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage School Teaching Display Wheat Corn and its Products A vintage glass showcase illustrating the wheat corn and products made out of wheat...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid Century Head Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid century bronze sculpture of the head Marble base is. Vintage condition.
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 this pair of foliage sculptures depicts a palm tree planted...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Tôle

Midcentury Resin Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of resin Good original condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Resin

Pair of European Midcentury Horns Mounted on Silver and Black Stepped Bases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of European midcentury horns mounted on stepped bases. Capturing our attention with their great presence, each of this pair of horns is mounted on a stepped base showcasing si...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Murano Glass Vase with Pulegoso Glass Fruit Ascribable to Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in 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 considere...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Murano Glass

Tall French Midcentury Cattail Sculpture Mounted on a Black Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large French metal cattail sculpture from the mid 20th century, with square base. Created in France during the midcentury period, this tall cattail...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

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 gr...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Metal

Italian Mid-Century Monumental Carved Wood Painted Sea Shell
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale hand carved sea shell painted in white with an ocher wash. This impressive piece will make a unique decoration for the Hamptons home or beach...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood

Stylized Murano Horse Head Sculpture in Sommerso Glass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great Murano horse sculpture in clear and grey Sommerso glass. Manufactured circa 1970. possibly by Ermanno Nanson, Murano. See: Von Zezschwitz Kunst un...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Art Glass

Mid Century Modern Italian Carved Wood Painted Sea Shell, Large Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
A very cool mid century Italian hand carved wooden sea shell with white painted surface. The surface impasto gives this piece a tactile appeal, you just want to touch. Perfect decora...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Wood

Rare Sculpture by Angelo Lelii & Naborre Corno for Arredoluce
Located in New York, NY
Brass, horsehair. Fantastic studio-made sculpture of 30 long-stem brass flowers with horsehair centers. Good original condition. Loss to horsehair on some flowers and overall oxida...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Brass

Mexican Sterling Silver Brooch Antonio Pineda
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Mid-Century Modern sterling silver brooch with three amethyst gem stones by Mexican Taxco silversmith Antonio Pineda (1919-2009). The lovely piece was created in the form of a peapod with amethyst as the peas. It is marked verso model number #PR571 Antonio Pineda stamp and .970 silver...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Amethyst, Sterling Silver

1950s Midcentury Design English Anatomical Models University
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two amazing anatomical models university, circa 1950s. Measurements from left: height 30 cm, 23 cm.
Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Showcase with Stone Specimen, Decomposition of Rocks, circa 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The vintage natural scientific specimen diorama shows the decomposition of rocks behind glass in a wooden case. It was used for class, circa 1930. Measures: Width 14.37" (36.5cm) Hei...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone

Vintage School Teaching Display of Usefull Insects
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A classical vintage school teaching showcase with specimen illustrating usefull insects (insects as producers, insects pollinating flowers, insect sanitary police and insects annihil...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Alan Wallwork Vessel Vase Pottery Sculpture TOTEM White Brown Terracotta
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Alan Wallwork (1931-): Organic landscape sculptural vessel, 1960-1965 Exhibiting the articulated, inventive, organic qualities & tactility of Wallwork’s early oeuvre for which he is best known - This sculptural landscape vessel has been handmade by coiling, slabbing and shaping the clay. The totemic form and pitted and pierced surfaces draw on the abstract landscape and tactility of elements in nature. matte glazes and oxides have been skillfully used to enhance the rich textures of the surfaces and the organic aesthetic. - Wallwork is one of the great individualists in British pottery, developing an archetypal language that echoed some of the wider artistic obsessions of that period, what the art critic Herbert Read called the “postwar ferment” of sculptural activity. - This piece was made during 1960-1965, the time that Wallwork was sharing a studio in Greenwich with Bernard Rooke and comes from a private collection along with a waterscape vase by Rooke and a bottle by Robert Fournier...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Pottery

Mid-Century Modern Abstract Marble Sculpture on Black Enamel Swivel Base
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated Mid-Century Modern abstract sculpture was realized in the United States, circa 1960. It offers an amorphic form with two circular perforations incised into its bod...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble

Mid-century Modern natural specimens for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern natural specimens 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 natural specimens created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern natural specimens made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original natural specimens, popular names associated with this style include Robert Brendel, Somso, Anthony Redmile London, FS Henemader Antiques, and Inc.. 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 natural specimens differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $89 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $1,650.

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