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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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: Early 20th Century
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
Napoleone Martinuzzi Attr. for Venini 'A Bolle' Vase, ca. 1927
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Napoleone Martinuzzi attr. for Venini 'A Bolle' Vase ca. 1927
A large 'soffiato a bolle' vase in amber glass with regular air bubbles. Attributed to Napoleone Martinuzzi, manufactur...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Early 20th Centry Spanish Glass Bottle Vase, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th centry Spanish glass bottle vase.
Manufactured in Spain, circa 1940.
In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Mat...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
Pair of French Faience Vases Circa 1900
By Desvres
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French Faience Vases Circa 1900.
Decorated with leaves on the top , coat of arms on the base.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Faience
Nils Thorsson Glazed Yellow Funkis Jug for Aluminia, 1940s
By Aluminia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare yellow jug or milk pitcher designed by Nils Thorsson and manufactured by Aluminia in Denmark during the 1930s or 40s. Featuring a delicate crackle glaze to its interior. Its a...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Art Nouveau Era Vase With Feminine Figurine Sculpture and Floral Motif.
Located in Seattle, WA
This Vase has gorgeous Petina around the female sculpture. It gives the illusion that she is climbing up the vines that wrap around the vase. Possibly early 1900s. Marble or stone ba...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Metal
Pair of Italian Decorative Bronze Vases
Located in Milano, IT
At the heart of art and innovation that marked the dawn of the 20th century, these bronze vases emerge as jewels of time. Born in a period of extraordinary cultural effervescence, wh...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Amber Blown Glass Vase - Early 20th Century Spanish Artistry
Located in Barcelona, ES
Enhance your decor with the timeless elegance of this vintage amber blown glass vase from the early 20th century. Crafted by an unknown Spanish manufacturer, this vase retains its or...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Exceptional Blown Glass Vase - Early XXth Century - Spanish Craftsmanship
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elevate your decor with the exceptional beauty of this vintage blown glass vase from the early 20th century. Created by an unknown Spanish manufacturer circa 1940, this vase remains ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Exceptional Blown Glass Vase - Early XXth Century - Spanish Craftsmanship
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elevate your decor with the exceptional beauty of this vintage blown glass vase from the early 20th century. Created by an unknown Spanish manufacturer circa 1940, this vase remains ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Antique Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano ca. 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano ca. 1910
A small millefiori murrine glass vase in an unusual rare shape with two handles. Manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano around 1910. Made of polychrome murrines (purple, green, red and white) which were melted together. Surface with acid etched matte finish. The vase is an authentic example of early 20th century Murano art glass. It was part of a large Fratelli Toso glass collection with over 600 pieces - collected since the 1970s.
Fratello Toso was one of the leading art glass manufacturers of Murano in the 20th century. In the early 1900's Fratelli Toso started to produce glasses in murrine technique. Murrine and Millefiori glasses remained a major product field of Fratelli Toso. In 1912 a very successful series of liberty inspired art glasses, designed by Hans Stoltenberg Lerche...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Elegant Amber Blown Glass Vase - Early 20th Century Spanish Artistry
Located in Barcelona, ES
Enhance your decor with the timeless elegance of this vintage amber blown glass vase from the early 20th century. Crafted by an unknown Spanish manufacturer, this vase retains its or...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Exceptional Blown Glass Vase - Circa 1940 - Spanish Craftsmanship
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elevate your decor with the exceptional beauty of this vintage blown glass vase from the early 20th century. Created by an unknown Spanish manufacturer circa 1940, this vase remains ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Elegant Amber Blown Glass Vase - Early 20th Century Spanish Artistry
Located in Barcelona, ES
Enhance your decor with the timeless elegance of this vintage amber blown glass vase from the early 20th century. Crafted by an unknown Spanish manufacturer, this vase retains its or...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Pewter Vase by Estrid Ericson for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1928 with poem, brass
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Estrid Ericson for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1928.
Pewter vase and brass bands engraved with a poem by Verner von Heidenstam.
Stamped.
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Brass, Pewter
Set of Five Antique Murrine Vases by Fratelli Toso, Murano
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Five Antique Murrine Vases by Fratelli Toso, Murano
A set of five millefiore murrine glass vases, manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso around 1910-20. All vases are executed with polychrome multicoloured murrines and have an acid etched finish, one vase with glossy finish. The vases are authentic examples of early 20th century Murano art glass. They were part of a large Fratelli Toso glass collection with over 600 pieces - collected since the 1970s.
Fratello Toso was one of the leading art glass manufacturers of Murano in the 20th century. In the early 1900's Fratelli Toso started to produce glasses in murrine technique. Murrine and Millefiori glasses remained a major product field of Fratelli Toso. In 1912 a very successful series of liberty inspired art glasses, designed by Hans Stoltenberg Lerche...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Set of Fife Antique Millefiori Vases by Fratelli Toso, Murano
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Fife Antique Millefiori Vases by Fratelli Toso, Murano
A set of five millefiore murrine glass vases, manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso around 1910-20. All vases feature handles and are executed with polychrome multicoloured murrines. Four vases have an acid etched matte finish, one vase with glossy finish. The vases are authentic examples of early 20th century Murano art glass. They were part of a large Fratelli Toso glass collection with over 600 pieces - collected since the 1970s.
Fratello Toso was one of the leading art glass manufacturers of Murano in the 20th century. In the early 1900's Fratelli Toso started to produce glasses in murrine technique. Murrine and Millefiori glasses remained a major product field of Fratelli Toso. In 1912 a very successful series of liberty inspired art glasses, designed by Hans Stoltenberg Lerche...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murrine, Murano Glass
A Soffiato Glass Vase with Aventurine by Fratelli Toso (attr.), Murano ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Soffiato Glass Vase with Aventurine by Fratelli Toso (attr.), Murano ca. 1930s
A rare Murano art glass vase manufactured most probably by Fratelli Toso around 1930s. Thin opaque white glass with aventurine inclusions and applied foot, handles and rim in black.
Fratello Toso was one of the leading art glass manufacturers of Murano in the 20th century. In the early 1900's Fratelli Toso started to produce glasses in murrine technique. Murrine and Millefiori glasses remained a major product field of Fratelli Toso. In 1912 a very successful series of liberty inspired art glasses, designed by Hans Stoltenberg...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Vaso Arciere e Cervidi, Marcel Goupy. Parigi, 1925-28 ca.
By Marcel Goupy
Located in Milano, IT
Vaso in vetro con colorazioni marmoree giallo-arancio, interamente decorato con smalti policromi. La decorazione è costituita da tre riserve, raffiguranti un arciere intento a scocca...
Category
1920s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Enamel
Vaso “Soufflé” con Rosa Canina Émile Gallé. Nancy, 1925 ca.
By Gallé
Located in Milano, IT
Vaso ovoidale in vetro soffiato e inciso all’acido (vetro “cammeo”), decorato con il motivo della rosa canina. Firma ad acido “Gallé” sul corpo del vaso.
Pioniere dell’Art Nouveau e ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
A Macchie Art Glass Vase by Artisti Barovier Attribution, Murano ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Macchie Art Glass Vase by Artisti Barovier Attribution, Murano ca. 1920s
A rare Murano art glass vase manufactured most probably by Artisti Barovier around 1920s. Thin opaque whit...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Danish Kähler HAK Tall Ceramic Vase with Red Lustre Glaze, Early 1900
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Tall vase from the Danish ceramic workshop Herman August Kähler (HAK). It has a stunning glaze with lots of red lustre and greyish elements. It looks very different from the differen...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
D'Argental Style Vase, France 20th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Landscape-decorated polychrome glass vase. Vase made by adding colored glass flakes while the glass is still glowing. Then, once shaped and annealed, the vessel is engraved and decor...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
Seldon Seen Arts & Crafts Weller Pottery Vase 1920's Zaneville, Ohio
Located in Miami, FL
Large scale pottery vase by Weller Pottery from the 1920s with a seldom seen shape. In a Sky Blue color outside and a soft white interior. Signed with 1...
Category
1920s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Abalone, Pottery
Antique Multicoloured Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Multicoloured Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910
An antique Millefiori murrine glass vase manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano around 1910. Ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Vintage Handmade Nemadji Vase Minnesota Multicolored Stamped ceramic vase
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Handmade Nemadji Vase Minnesota Multicolored Stamped ceramic vase antique pottery orange and blue designed decor
Dimensions. 5 W ; 5 D ;...
Category
1920s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
ACCOLAY French Mid-century Vase, 1950s
By André Baud
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-century vase by ACCOLAY, France, 1950s. Concentric lines. Superb green, black and yellow cover. Height : 27cm (10.6"), Diameter : 17cm (6.7"). Marked "Accolay" under the base
Category
1920s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Double-Handled California Studio Pottery Vase by Catalina Pottery
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage double handled California studio pottery ceramic vase by Catalina Pottery, circa 1930s. Great look and form on this gorgeous robin egg blue and white vessel. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 4.5"W x 4"D x 6"H. Hard to find piece of Catalina Pottery!
#2943
Catalina Pottery (or Catalina Island Pottery) is the commonly used name for Catalina Clay Products, a division of the Santa Catalina Island Company, which produced brick, tile, tableware and decorative pottery on Santa Catalina Island, California. Catalina Clay Products was founded in 1927 by William Wrigley, Jr. of the Wrigley chewing gum family. He built a tile and brick pottery factory on a beach located near Avalon, Santa Catalina Island. The new pottery...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Pottery
Antique Millefiori Vase in Purple, Green and White, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Millefiori Vase in Purple, Green and White, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910
An antique Millefiori murrine glass vase manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano around 1910. Ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Vittorio Zecchin Libellula Vase - Italy 1920s
Located in Milano, IT
Dragonfly vase made of blown glass with large applied handles.
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Large Antique Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano, 1910
A large and rare millefiori murrine glass vase manufactured by Vetreria Frat...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Antique Millefiori Vase in Brown, Green and White, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Millefiori Vase in Brown, Green and White, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910
An antique Millefiori murrine glass vase manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano around 1910. Mad...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Longwy French Mid-Century Glazed Ceramic Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning Mid-Century period faience bowl, made in France by the Emaux de Longwy art pottery workshop. Made and signed by the ceramic artist Lea Valenti.
The decoration consists o...
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Yongzheng Mark Large Famille Noir Rouleau Porcelain Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive Chinese famille noir porcelain vase hand painted with decorative panels with birds, animals and scholars objects dating from the early to mid-20th century. The...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Rosenthal German Porcelain Ovoid Vases, a Pair
By Rosenthal
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of antique Rosenthal vases. Rosenthal is a leading distributer of fine china and glassware. Sleek and sculptural, this stunning pair of por...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Porcelain
French Baccarat Cut Crystal Petite Vase
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century French crystal Baccarat flower vase or serving dish for a sauce or topping. Stamped "Baccarat, France" on the bottom of the piece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Crystal
Josef Hoffmann a “Flower Basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906
Located in Brussels, BE
Josef Hoffmann a “flower basket”, Wiener Werkstätte, 1906.
Category
Early 1900s Hungarian Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Metal
Herman A Kähler Ceramic Vase with Abstract Pattern, Early 20th Century
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Danish ceramic handmade vase by Herman A. Kähler.
The vase has a matte sand colored basecoat with abstract hand-decorated pattern inspired by aquatic plants in brown and light brown...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Straw-Colored Glass Pitcher Vase Ascribable to Vittorio Zecchin, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1920s.
This pitcher vase is made in straw-colored glass.
It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect o...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Blown Glass
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Vase in Terracotta and Gold, 1930s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori vase in terracotta and gold, Italy, 1930s.
It is a wonderful little gem, this vase designed by Gio Ponti and made by Richard Ginori in the 1930s. Great simple design and beautiful contrast between the terracotta and the gold. Part of a series of terracotta and gold bowls...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Pottery
Antique Jug Pitcher in Style of Royal Worcester Dragon Handle, Chinese or Japan
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing ceramic early 20th century jug, pitcher or vase made probably in Asia, circa 1900s. This is a heavy vase but you can also use it as a sculpture. ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Blue Vase-Pitcher by Jacques Blin, circa 1950
By Jacques Blin
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Blue ceramic vase-pitcher,
French work by Jacques Blin.
Perfect original condition.
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Glass Vase, 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso glass vase 1930s
A large and heavy Murano sommerso glass vase. Manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1930-40s. Manufactured i...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Early 20th Centry Spanish Glass Bottle Vase, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th centry Spanish glass bottle vase.
Manufactured in Spain, circa 1971.
In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Glass
French Black Decorated Cloisonné Vase
Located in Milano, IT
A beautiful decorated French cloisonné vase belonging to the 1900s, of fine French manufacture.
The vase has a smaller but round base bordered in gold. The vase then widens to take a...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Glazed Stoneware Vase, 1930s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Glazed ceramic vase, early 20th century.
This is a beautifully glazed Studio Pottery vase made in the early 20th century. It has a very distinct shape with a spherical base and a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Large Antique Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano circa 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Millefiori Vase with Handles, Fratelli Toso Murano circa 1910
A large and rare millefiori murrine glass vase manufactured by Vetreria...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Glen Lukens Signed Early Midcentury Glazed California Pottery Weed Pot Vase
By Glen Lukens
Located in Studio City, CA
A very rare early work featuring a dark chocolate brown glaze by master Mid-Century Modern ceramist/potter Glen Lukens whose work has become quite collectible and relatively scarce and difficult to find.
The work is signed and dated (1924) by Lukens on the underside (we have only seen one other piece dated this early and that piece is in the Forrest Merrill Collection).
Lukens was the founder of the University of Southern California (USC) Architectural School’s Ceramics Department where he helped establish and promote clay pottery as a universally acceptable art form. The current popularity of Studio Pottery and ceramics is widely accepted to have started with Lukens who is oft credited with being one of the first artists to raise the stature of Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery within the art world.
Lukens is famed for his experiments with various glazes and glazing techniques. His influence and glazes can be clearly seen in the works of Otto and Gertrud Natzler, Beatrice Wood, James Lovera, etc. He was also known for combining bright, colorful textile glazes (using natural, organic materials and elements he found in the Mojave Desert, Palm Springs, and Death Valley to make what he referred to as "California Colors") with the rough and raw clay surfaces of his often rudimentary forms and vessels.
Lukens currently has an award in his name (Glen Lukens Award) at the University of Southern California's School of fine Arts.
A very rare, unique, and truly special work This piece would be a tremendous stand-out addition to any collectors of Lukens' work or Mid-Century Modern ceramics collection or eye-catching accent piece in about any setting, modern or otherwise. A must-have.
Lukens work can be found in various museum collections including:
Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, Arizona
Huntington Library...
Category
1920s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery
Large Vetro Sommerso Vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano, circa 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vetro Sommerso Vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano, circa 1930s.
A large vetro sommerso bollicine vase designed by Carlo Scarpa between 1934 a...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Small Millefiori Vase in Blue, Red and White, Fratelli Toso Murano, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Small Millefiori vase in blue, red and white, Fratelli Toso Murano 1910.
A nice Millefiori murrine glass vase with undulating rim. Manufactured by Vetreri...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Early 20th Century Traditional Spanish Ceramic Vase
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century Traditional Spanish ceramic vase
In original condition with minor wear consisitent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Fratelli Toso Millefiori Vase, Murano, circa 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A double pumpkin shaped murrine glass vase, manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso around 1910. The vase is executed with polychrome multicoloured millefiori murrines arranged in ver...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Fratelli Toso Millefiori Pitcher with Multicoloured Murrines, Murano, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fratelli Toso Millefiori Pitcher with Multicoloured Murrines, Murano 1910
A nice Millefiori murrine glass pitcher, manufactured by Vetreria Fratell...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rare design by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Rimini Blue ceramic footed vase with geometric motifs, Italy, 1960s
This stunning glazed ceramic vase has a pattern with circles in dark blue with rhombus inside in shades of green / turquoise color accented by decorative flowers.
Excellent vintage condition.
This piece is perfect as a gift idea and it could placed alone or with other 'Rimini Blu'Bitossi pieces creating a set. Display it in a cabinet or on a console table, with flowers or just as a cool decorative vase.
Measures: 22 cm height x 18 cm diameter (8,66 in height X 7,08 in diameter )
More Bitossi Aldo Londi pieces are avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace.
About Bitossi (Manufacturer)
Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of this famed Italian company embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi Ceramiche draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in the artisanal vases and animal figures by the firm’s longtime art director Aldo Londi, as well as the colorful, totemic vessels designed by the high priest of postmodernism, Ettore Sottsass.
The company was incorporated by Guido Bitossi in 1921, though the family began making art pottery in the mid-19th century. In the 1930s, Londi came aboard, bringing with him a mindset that respected time-honored craft, yet looked also to the future. On the one hand, Londi’s perspective fostered the making of Bitossi’s popular whimsical animal figures, hand-shaped and -carved and finished in a rich azure glaze known as “Rimini Blue.”
But with his other hand, Londi reached out to thoughtful, experimental designers such as Sottsass. Starting in the 1950s, some 20 years before he founded the Memphis Postmodern design...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Ceramic
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Large Fratelli Toso Amphora vase ca. 1930.
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Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
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Located in Sagaponack, NY
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Category
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Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
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By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
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A vetro sommerso bollicine vase designed by Carlo Scarpa between 1934 and 1...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
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By Zaalberg
Located in Tilburg, NL
Meindert Zaalberg hand signed purple metallic glazed studio pottery vase. The Netherlands, 1926-1962.
Beautiful modernist studio pottery vase by M...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Pottery
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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