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Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

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
Creator: Flavio Poli
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Pink Fuchsia Purple Sommerso Art Glass Vase
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sommerso Murano Jug Shaped Vase in shades of Pink and Garnet. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte. Italy, 1950s. Amazing jug sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Italian Vetri d'Arte Seguso Glass Art by Flavio Poli
Located in bari, IT
Gorgeous submerged glass vase from the 1960s Flavio Poli for Seguso.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Green and Yellow Murano Glass Bowl, Italy, 1960s
Located in Naples, IT
Yellow, amber and green coloured Murano glass centrepiece in Flavio Poli's Sommerso style. The work is in the typical ear shape often found in Murano bowls of the period. The object ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Sommerso Art Glass Vase Designed by Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, PA
Rare mid-century Italian Murano Sommerso art glass designed by Flavio Poli, made for Seguso Vetri D’Arte. 1960s In good condition but it shows some signs of age and use. No chips on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Heavy Large Murano Glass Sommerso 4 Colors Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase - 4 colors Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass vases was designed by Flav...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Sommerso Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern glass vase with clear, ruby and violet blue shades, Oval shape Measures: Height 28.5 cm x width 16.5cm S E Design London Ltd 8:50 AM Hi Connie, The vase is not s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

1960s Gorgeous Big Blue Bowl or Catchall Designed by Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Big Blue Bowl or Catchall By Flavio Poli in Murano glass. This is a unique piece a true sculpture The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 6,29" diameter ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli Green Raw Glass Candle Holder Duck Seguso, 1950s
Located in Munich, DE
Duck sculpture candle holder designed by Flavio Poli in the 1950s. Seguso paper sticker included.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli Seguso Vase and Bowl Purple Pink Blue Murano Art Glass Italy, 1950s
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Beautiful art glass vase and a wonderful matching bowl designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d´Arte around 1950 in Murano, Italy. The vase which is made in "sommerso" technique ha...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Seguso Murano Sommerso Green Yellow Art Glass Huge Ovoid Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Massive hand blown green, yellow and clear ovoid shaped geode Murano glass art bowl / centerpiece. Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, 1950s. This magnificent Sommerso green yellow bowl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Flavio Poli bowl centerpiece for Seguso Vetri D'Arte made in the 1960s from the Sommerso collection. This large bowl has eye-catching sunset colors, with pink glass submerg...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Flavio Poli Sommerso Murano Glass Vase 3 Encased Colors Red, Green Clear Seguso
Located in Miami, FL
Original Flavio Poli Sommerso Glass Murano Seguso Vase encased with 3 different colors, dark red, green and transparent. Made in Italy in the late 1960. Looks stunning in any angle...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Italian Mid-Century Murano Crystal Vase Set of 2 in Grey by Flavio Poli, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful set of two crystal vases Made in Murano, Italy, in the 1960s. Typical shape and form of Flavio Poli. Both vases have similar - same sizes and colors, but are slightly dif...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Sommerso Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Sommerso glass vase of clear, ruby and blue colors by Flavio Poli.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Flavio Poli Seguso VA Sommerso Faceted Bowl Clear Cobalt Uranium Yellow, 1960s
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
These heavy bowls are commonly attributed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte and Flavio Poli as a designer. I suspect also Cenedese made some. The glass is partially blown after casing layers ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Uranium Glass

Large Seguso Vetri d'Arte Citron and Clear Murano Vase by Flavio Poli
Located in East Hampton, NY
Made by Seguso for Poli, this incredible citron colored Murano glass floating inside a larger clear glass surround makes this large vase quite heavy. It is so vivid in color and beau...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Blown Glass Vase Model 7609, Italy, 1940s
Located in New York, NY
Seguso Vetri d'Arte elegant glass vase model 7609, Italy, circa 1942. This Murano blown glass vase was made using the cordonato ritorto technique of gently twisting ribbed glass in a...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Large 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s These original Murano glass vases was produced in the 1970s in Italy. T...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 2 Faceted Murano Glass Sommerso Vase Designed by Flavio Poli Italy, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase set of 2 Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass vases set was designed by Fl...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Rare Grey 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s These original Murano glass vases was produced in the 1970s in Italy. T...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Red Gold Italian Art Glass Ribbed Flower Bud Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown red and gold flecks Italian art glass ribbed flower vase. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company. Published in the company book, with model...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

1970s Flavio Poli Mid-Century Modern Red Murano Glass Vase
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An iconic red and brown murano glass vase designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso in very good conditions. The vase exhibits distinct characteristics that reflect the design trends of tha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Seashell Sculptures
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Please note, priced per item (3 available) - Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown gold flecks art glass seashells. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for the Seguso Vetri d'Arte compa...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Art Glass Jug by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1962
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Murano art glass jug designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1962. Cristallo antico glass with ribbed decoration and glass applications in a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Collection of 11 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Seguso 1950s-60s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Collection of 11 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Seguso 1950s-60s A great Collection of 10 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Archimede Seguso for Vetreria Artistica Archimede Seguso and Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1950s-60s and one by Cristalleria Santi Murano...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Large Seguso Vetri d'Arte Red and Gold Vase by Flavio Poli
Located in Sharon, CT
An important, late 1930s large Murano vase (29cm high). 'Sommerso'- a clear glass over a gold leaf, over very Fine bubbles over a deep rich red. As usual, unsigned. Bottom very worn....
Category

1930s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

1970s Space Age Sommerso Murano Glass Huge Single Flower Vase by Flavio Poli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An heavy sommerso purple murano glass vase made in the Seventies by flavio Poli. It's in perfect conditions. Flavio Poli, a renowned Italian glass artist known for his innovative des...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Murano Glass Vase Cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
'Alfa Romeo' glass coupe Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, circa 1950s Wonderful blue cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Hand blown Murano glass. Fantastic Piece of Aut...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli Murano Fuchsia Red Corroso Surface Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Società Veneziana di Conterie e Cristallerie, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful large Murano hand blown deep fuchsia red with acid etched surface Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for the Societa Veneziana di Conterie e ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano, circa 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large Venetian Sommerso glass vase manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte and designed by Flavio Poli in the 1960s. Clear and grey Sommerso glass, polished rim. Rests of the 1960s Seg...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Red Gold Flecks Pulegoso Italian Art Glass Ashtray
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage murano hand blown red, white bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass ashtray bowl. Documented to designer to Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d' Arte. The piece is do...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

A 1960s Flavio Poli Mid-Century Modern Italian Sommerso Red Murano Glass Vase
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A particular Mid-Century Modern red Murano glass vase designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso, it's in perfect conditions. The Murano Glass Jug Vase...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri D'Art Incrociato Oro Glass Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An absolutely stunning mid-century Italian Murano 'incrociato oro' art glass vase designed by Flavio Poli (1900-1984) for Seguso Vetri D'art around 1949. This exquisite and finely ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Large, Heavy Flavio Poli Sommerso Murano Ashtray 1950s Faceted Red Blue Glass
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cool and beautiful multifaceted Murano Glass ashtray by Flavio Poli. He was born in 1900 in Chioggia, Italy, Poli and received his formal training at the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

1960s Ruby and Bronze Italian Murano Glass Vases for Seguso, Italy
Located in Arosio, IT
A set of two midcentury vases, one still bearing the label of Seguso Vetri and the number of the model (14345) are a great example of the art of Seguso's creative director Flavio Pol...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Original Vintage Luigi Onesto Murano "Flame" Vase (Signed)
Located in East Hampton, NY
Rich cranberry and yellow Murano glass vase signed to underside by Poli Murano.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Sculptural Green Vase Murano Design Flavio Poli 1960s Italian Design Sommerso
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Sculptural green vase Murano design Flavio Poli 1960s Italian Design Sommerso.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Gold and Emerald Glass Candlesticks by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian handblown gold and emerald glass candlesticks by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Italy, circa 1970s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Flavio Poli Murano Red, Sapphire Blue, White Tear Drop Cased Glass Bowl Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous vintage Italian Murano Flavio Poli triple cased glass bowl has luscious colors of red and sapphire blue double cased with white. The sha...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Vase Bottle Flavio Poli for Seguso Design 1960s Murano Art Glass Corroso Model
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Vase bottle Flavio Poli for Seguso design 1960s Murano Art Glass Corroso model.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Vase Bottle by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Design 1960s Murano Art Glass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Vase bottle Flavio Poli for Seguso design 1960s Murano Art Glass, orange color very particular.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Red and Yellow Murano Sommerso Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Hellouw, NL
The Italian glass artist Flavio Poli (1900-1984), trained at the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia, was a phenomenon in the world of glass art. Its design capabilities and continuous desire...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Two 1960's Sommerso Murano Glass Tear Drop Vases by Flavio Poli.
Located in New York, NY
Two beautiful 1960's Sommerso hand blown Murano glass tear drop vases with long necks. The wonderful contrasting colors between the Blue and Yellow vase is Exquisite in person, and ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

1960s Flavio Poli Clear and Grey Glass Rectangular Bowl / Ashtray
Located in Roma, IT
This Flavio Poli hand-blown Murano glass bowl in soft grey is submerged into rectangle of clear glass. It can be used either as a decorative bowl or ashtray. Hand-blown in Murano in ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

1960s Astonishing Antique Pink Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing vase antique pink by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano glass. Made in Italy. It's so rare in this color. This vase is a true piece of modern art. The item is in exce...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli Valva Vase Model 9826 for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy 1954
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Flavio Poli Valva vase Model 9826 for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy 1954 Reference: Seguso Vetri d'Arte / M. Heiremans.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Murano Glass Vase, Italy, 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
Glass vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso 1950. Made on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy. In a beautiful combination of purple glass encased in glass , which is further enclosed in cle...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-century Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Scheurich Keramik, Bitossi, and Rörstrand. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $847.

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