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Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

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: John Follis
John Follis and Rex Goode Bisque Model M-109 "Sombrero" Planter, 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Follis and Rex Goode Sombrero Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1950's. In unglazed bisque. The AP catalog shows this piece as Model M-109. In excellent original con...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Ceramic

Rex Goode & John Follis Rare Sombrero Planter in Terracotta, Circa 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Follis & Rex Goode Sombrero Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1950's. Very rare unglazed terracotta. The AP catalog shows this piece as Model M-109. We have 2 of the...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Terracotta

John Follis & Rex Goode Rare Sombrero Planter in Terracotta, Circa 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Follis & Rex Goode Sombrero Planter for Architectural Pottery, circa 1950's. Very rare unglazed terracotta. The AP catalog shows this piece as Model M-109. We have 2 of the...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Terracotta

John Follis White-Glazed Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White bisque planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery, USA. This example has a soft rounded bowl shape. A perfect size for a table top or shelf. Dimensions 7" diameter x 4" ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Ceramic

John Follis for Architectural Pottery CP-17 Tire Planter on Wood Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bisque planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery. This example has a drum shape with a rounded lip that curves in at the top of the piece. It rests on original wood cross base...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

John Follis Hand Thrown Stoneware Bell Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand Thrown stoneware planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery, C.1960s, USA. The bell shaped planter, features the warm natural clay tones with light speckling. Our favorite...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Stoneware

John Follis Planter in Wrought Iron Tripod Stand for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rounded white glazed planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery. This example has a flat bottom and is set in a tripod wrought iron stand. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Wrought Iron

Architectural Pottery "F-09" Bowl by John Follis in Bisque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Follis & Rex Goode planter for architectural pottery, circa 1950's. Edition: Model no. F-09. This piece is in unglazed bisque. Very clean patina and in 9.5/10 excellent. This is...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Ceramic

John Follis CP-17 White Glazed Tire Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern white glazed planter by designer John Follis for Architectural Pottery. Known as the "Tire" planter or CP-17 per the catalog. T...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Ceramic

John Follis & Rex Goode Model F-112 Ceramic Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Follis & Rex Goode Model F-112 Ceramic Planter for Architectural Pottery.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Ceramic

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John Follis for Architectural Pottery CP-25 Tire Planter in Matte Red Glaze
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John Follis Architectural Pottery Planter on Iron Tripod Base
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Vintage Large John Follis "Tire" White Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
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Vintage Large John Follis "Tire" White Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery.
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John Follis Large Architectural Pottery Bowl Planter
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Large John Follis "Tire" White Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large John Follis "Tire" white glaze planter for Architectural Pottery.
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Ceramic

Architectural Pottery Tree Size Planter by John Follis & Rex Goode, 1960s
Located in Southampton, NJ
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CP-13 Tire Planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Architectural Pottery "Tire" Planter in Bisque by John Follis & Rex Goode
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CP-17 Tire Planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery in Yellow Glaze
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Mid-century Modern planters, cachepots and jardinières for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern planters, cachepots and jardinières 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 planters, cachepots and jardinières created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern planters, cachepots and jardinières 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 planters, cachepots and jardinières, popular names associated with this style include Willy Guhl, Architectural Pottery, David Cressey, and Eternit. 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 planters, cachepots and jardinières differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $19,590 while the average work can sell for $996.

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