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Mid-Century Modern Vases

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
Paolo Crepax vaso ad incalmo in vetro di Murano
Located in Santa Margherita Ligure, IT
Grande vaso in vetro giallo e blu, realizzato con tecnica ad incalmo Creato e firmato alla punta da Paolo Crepax, prodotto dalla fornace Mian a Murano, Venezia
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Set of 3 Wooden Vases by De Coene, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 3 Wooden Vases by De Coene, 1950
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Wood

Vallauris Ceramic Vase by Jacques Fonck & Jean Mateo
Located in ROUEN, FR
Vallauris Ceramic Vase by Jacques Fonck & Jean Mateo, Circa 1970. Authentic clay vase handmade by the famous french duo. Superb design and shapes with graphic handpainted patterns a...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Sandstone

Zoomorphic Garden Vase, Jean-Claude Malarmey, Vallauris c. 1960
Located in St Ouen, FR
Garden vase in the shape of a fish in red earth from Vallauris, glazes in muted tones and patterns evoking oriental decorative ceramics. Graduated of the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Rei...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Zoomorphic Vase, Jean-Claude Malarmey, Vallauris c. 1960
Located in St Ouen, FR
Vase in the shape of a bird in red earth from Vallauris, enamels in muted tones and patterns evoking oriental decorative ceramics. Graduated of the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Reims, Je...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Vase by Vivi Calissendorff, Sweden, 1970s, Apricot, Terra Cotta, Stonware, Tan
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase by Vivi Calissendorff, Sweden, 1970s Stamped. H: 13 cm Diameter: 9 cm
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Stoneware

1970s Oversize Highly Decorative Urn/planter by Tommaso Barbi, Italian
Located in London, GB
Tommaso Barbi's signature style, characterized by a harmonious fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics, is palpable in every curve and contour of this excepti...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

bottle vase with long neck by Roger Capron
Located in PAU, FR
Roger Capron Vallauris, Bottle vase with long neck, circa 1950 Stanniferous earthenware White enamel background Signed and numbered below “Capron Vallauris S52”
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Decorative geometric "Sommerso" Murano vase, red and green glass, Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Universally regarded as one of the most prolific and capable designers of Murano glass vases and objects at large, Flavio Poli teamed up with some of the most influential and skilled...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Vase Mod. Indian Summer Designed By Gaetano Pesce, Italy
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary vase designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 and edited by Fish design. Made in fumé blue and matt turquoise resin. Unique piece. Italy Measurements: Diameter 22cm x H 36cm ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Resin

Silver Plated Vase by Luc Lanel for Christofle
Located in Long Island City, NY
Silver Plated Vase by Luc Lanel for Christofle with a wooden base. Marked on the underside. About Luc Lanel: The designer and ceramist had received his training at the École des a...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Silver

Michael Andersen Bornholm Danish Ceramic Bottle Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A small factory was established in 1740 by Rasmus Olsen was eventually acquired in 1890 by Jens Michael Andersen (Danish, 1859 – 1931). The factory was in the town of Rønne on the is...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Roger Capron 1 of 21 Blue Ceramic Vases, France - 1950s, Labeled
Located in Berlin, DE
Roger Capron 1 of 21 blue ceramic vases, France - 1950s, Labeled. Please get in touch regarding the exact measurements of each vase Roger Capron (1922-2006) was a French ceramic ar...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Vase Designed by Erich and Ingrid Triller for Tobo, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Erich and Ingrid Triller for Tobo, Sweden, 1950s. Stoneware. Signed. H: 6.5 cm / 2 1/2'' D: 9.5 cm / 3 3/4''.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Stoneware

Sculptural Vase by Salvatore Meli, Italy, 1950s
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Sculptural vase by Salvatore Meli (Comiso 1929 - Rome 2011), Italy 1950s. Meli studied at the Academia di Belle Arte in Florence and became a significant figure in the Italian post war art movement. Meli's work stands in-between the poles of painting and sculpture. This particular vase stands out in its unusual organic sculpted shape, painting and texture...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Plaster

Dedalo Umbrella Stand by Emma Gismondi Schweinberger from Artemide, Italy, 1960
Located in LEIDSCHENDAM, NL
Dedalo umbrella stand by Emma Gismondi Schweinberger from Artemide, Italy, 1960s. Plastic umbrella holder stamped.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Plastic

Pair of 22k Gold Flecked Murano Glass Vases
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Pair of elegant Murano glass vases with 22k gold flecks. Glass leaves surround the top.  
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Gold

Vase by Erich & Ingrid Triller, Sweden, 1950’s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase by Erich & Ingrid Triller, Sweden, 1950s. Signed. Stoneware. Dimensions: H: 17.5 cm / 7” Diameter: 14 cm / 5 1/2"  
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Pair Large Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Striated Multi-Colored Vases
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Large Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Striated Blown, Yellow, and Clear Vases. Each is beautifully blow, and hand-cut into these marvelous vases which are superb i...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Cut Glass

Vase Gianmaria Potenza for la Murina, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Vase Gianmaria Potenza for la Murina, 1960s.      
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

Murano Vase Masterpiece, Doppio Ritorto Amazing Technique, Signed
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This vase is a true work of art. It features a bold color palette and creates a beautiful interplay with the light. During its creation, the glass is heated again before blowing to a...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Vase Masterpiece, Blooming Field with Poppies and Lavender, Signed
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
The vase made with the same technique of the tumblers in another listing. After the success of the tumbler group, I asked the maestro to make a vase that would keep the design and t...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Carl Auböck #3632 Watering Can in Patinated Brass and Cane
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #3632 watering can in patinated brass and cane. Designed in the 1940s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese watering can is executed in handwoven cane, polished and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #3794/1 'Aorta' Brass Vase
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3794/1 'Aorta' brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass by Werkst...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4276 'Single Flower' Brass Vase
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4276 'Single Flower' brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly pat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Brass

Vase Designed by Yngve Blixt, Stoneware, Sweden, 1955
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Yngve Blixt, Sweden. 1955. Stoneware. Signed. Dimensions: Height: 33 cm / 13" Diameter: 35 cm / 13 3/4".
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Postmodern "Memphis" Vase produced by Formia, 1985
Located in Brussels, BE
Postmodern "Memphis" Vase produced by Formia, 1985
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

Belgian Sterling Silver Vase on Wood Stand, by Brussels Wolfers, circa 1950
Located in North Miami, FL
A Belgian silver vase on wood stand, by Brussels Wolfers, circa 1950. Trumpet form with wood rings, all affixed to wood base and marked on rim.  
Category

20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vase Designed by Mette Doller for Alfred Johansson, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Mette Doller for Alfred Johansson, Sweden. 1950s. Stoneware. Signed. Measurements: Height: 52 cm / 1' 8 1/2" Diameter: 22 cm / 8 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Bertoncello, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Bertoncello, Italy, 1950s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

A. Riecke Cylindrical Vase in Black Engraved Glass Signed and Dated 20th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
A. Riecke cylindrical vase in black engraved glass signed and dated 20th century.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Glass

Decorative French Studio Pottery Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Miami, FL
This handcrafted, vintage French ceramic vessel is carefully decorated over a white base and contains lovely details. Measures 5 1/8" diameter x 5 1/8" high Very good condition, ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Barbini Style White Blown Glass Vase with Footed Base
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage handblown glass vase with footed base in white opaque glass. The vase has a rounded urn form with Neoclassical / Mid-Century Modern inspired design and features tripod legs i...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

Small 19th Century European Wood Mortar
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Small 19th Century European Wood Mortar Embrace the quaint allure of this smaller European Wood Mortar, radiating warmth through its beautiful wood finish. With dimensions of 16" in...
Category

19th Century European Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Wood

Big Vintage 1970s Blenko Art Glass Modernist Owl Design Vase
Located in Charleston, SC
For sale here is a BIG vintage 1960s 70s handmade hand-blown Blenko art glass modernist design OWL vase with applied op-art black thread 'eyes' and applied white decoration over the ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Gianfranco Frattini, "Sfera", Crystal vase, Progetti, 1980
Located in Paris, FR
Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004) Sfera A glass and crystal vase. The spherical clear crystal vase inserted with a frosted glass flower container circled with a protective black rubb...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Crystal

Large 19th Century European Wood Mortar
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large 19th Century European Wood Mortar Introduce a touch of European flair to your home with this large European Wood Mortar, boasting an impressive stature of 24" in height and a...
Category

19th Century European Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Wood

Olle Alberius 60´s Lavendel Vase for Rörstrand
Located in Søgne, NO
Introducing the Lavender Series by Olle Alberius: Timeless Elegance for Your Home Elevate your space with the exquisite Lavender Series by Olle Alberius, featuring a stunning vase t...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Seguso Murano 1950s Coral Red Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Basket Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful, large vintage Murano hand blown coral red and gold flecks Italian art glass flower basket / vase. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, circa 1952. A similar p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Gold Leaf

Large Vintage Murano Vase in pink Mouth Blown Art Glass, Italian Design, 1980s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large vintage Murano glass vase in a beautiful rose pink shade. Mouth-blown in a round shape with ornaments in crystal glass with gold leaf. Handmade in Italy, 1990s. Signed Cose bel...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Medium 19th Century European Wood Mortar
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Medium 19th Century European Wood Mortar Medium solid wood mortar, This solid wood mortar, with its rough shape and organic color, will be perfect in a natural, uncluttered and del...
Category

19th Century European Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Art Glass Vase
Located in Ross, CA
Vivid green art glass vase, hand crafted and signed on the bottom "France". The bottom is a darker green and transitions upward to a lime green. Can be picked up in Marin county for...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

1970s California Studio Milk Stoneware Pitcher Vase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Figural pitcher or vase created by a California studio potter with the initials SP. There are several ceramists with these initials, but I don't think this piece is from one of them...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Murano glass vases signed Costantini
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of large Mid-Century Modern Murano glass vases, signed Costantini. Italy 1970s. The vases are priced and sold by pair. The large Italian vases are handmade and entirely in Muran...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Large Golden And Crystal Color Murano Glass Vases by Costantini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular pair of vases has got a very unusual golden according to surrounding colors and light. This special effect is due to deep gold dust inclusions in glass.On each side,...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Large Golden Murano Glass Vases With Bubbles Balls Decor by Costantini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular pair of vases has got a very unusual golden color that goes from deep beige to light gold according to surrounding colors and light. This special effect is due to go...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

20th century art deco stoneware colored ceramic vase by Marius Bernon La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Marius Bernon Realised in La Borne circa 1940 20th century art deco stoneware ceramic vase Green, blue and brown stoneware ceramic glazes colors Singed under the base Original ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage large murano vase Red and White Italy 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Embrace the essence of Italian artistry with this captivating Mid-Century Murano Glass Vase, a splendid creation from 1970s Italy. The original label has been preserved. The sleek an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Large Golden And Turquoise Blue Murano Glass Vases by Costantini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular pair of vases has got a very unusual golden according to surrounding colors and light. This special effect is due to deep gold dust inclusions in glass. They feature...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-century black-gray vase by Idea studio
Located in Budapest, HU
Mid-century asymmetric narrow special vase by Idea Art Studio. The Hungarian Idea Art Studio was a small manufacturer under the Iparművészeti Company during the period 1965-1985. Thi...
Category

1970s Hungarian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Alessandro Mandruzzato, circa 1960
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano glass vase with geometric cut edges. Design by Alessandro Mandruzzato, circa 1960s. Excellent condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass

50s Belgium Val Saint Lambert great pink crystal Vase Signed
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding large crystal vase from Val Saint Lambert, "mulette" model, in a gorgeous soft pink color René Delvenne concept, blueberry sommerso technique. Mid-century modern vase, ma...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Rock Crystal

Rare Ice Block Glass "Solifleur" Vase Clear Glass with Blue Swirls German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing German ice block glass Mid-Century Modern "Solifleur" vase, circa 1970s. This heavy glass item in clear and blue glass, outside like ice glass. There is a small hole in th...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Art Glass

Large German Floor Vase/Jug from Carstens Toennishof, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage German floor vase with a handle. Made in Germany in the 1970's.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outs...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Concrete

A Vintage Soffiato Art Glass Vase Murano ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Vintage Soffiato Art Glass Vase Murano ca. 1950s Item e7130 A great Murano art glass vase. Thin green opaque glass with clear glass overla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Murano Glass, Art Glass

Vintage Brass and Murano Glass Liqueur Decanter or Whiskey Noggin, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1920s. This decanter is made in molded and grounded Murano glass and handcrafted brass. This noggin was probably made in Italy for an English customer, considering the...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Brass

Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Purple and Yellow Faceted Art Glass Vase
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lovely faceted Sommerso glass vase in purple, yellow and clear glass. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 1960s. Burgundy / purple glass with a layer in yellow glass submer...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Sommerso, Glass, Murano Glass, Cut Glass, Art Glass

Mid-century Modern vases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern vases 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 vases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern vases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases, popular names associated with this style include Scheurich Keramik, Rörstrand, Bitossi, and Venini. 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 vases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $44 and tops out at $113,467 while the average work can sell for $794.

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