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Mid-Century Modern Barware

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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
Vintage Fred Press Nautical Themed Glass Serving Tray
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-Century modern Fred Press designed nautical themed, molded glass serving tray. The back with a pebbled surface and the front decorated in 22k gold and...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Metallic Red Soda Syphon, England, 1960
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage BOC metallic red Retro soda syphon England 1960's. An original vintage 1960s BOC soda syphon. This is a fantastic Vintage Metallic Red Metal Soda S...
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Italian Bar Car
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Italian modernist serving cart, made of first quality cedar wood, with two rectangular shelves and a wooden frame, circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Cedar

Mid-Century Rocks Glasses by Libbey Glass in the "Peacock" Pattern
Located in Nantucket, MA
Four mid-century modern rocks glasses by Libbey Glass in translucent green over clear glass with oval reserves filled with blue spirals.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

8 Vintage Highball Glasses with Cave Painting Scenes of Hunters & Horses
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight Mid-Century Modern highball glasses decorated in black and white enamel with 22k gold, depicting a hunter with a bow among running horses and flying arrows.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage 1970s Camtray First National Bank Oklahoma Cafeteria Serving Tray
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous find for preservation enthusiasts. This tan fiberglass tray is from the First National Bank in Oklahoma City in the 1970s. At the center is t...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Fiberglass

Four Mid-Century Rocks Glasses by Culver, LTD. in Blue and Gold Floral Pattern
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Four MCM rocks glasses in translucent blue enamel with 22 karat gold in a floral-patterned paisley inspired design.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Crystal Punch Cup, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Crystal punch cup, 1950s, 8 cups Measures: H: 17 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 28 cm.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Vallauris French Mid-20th Century Ceramic Lemonade Set
Located in Miami, FL
Beautifully crafted ceramic pottery pitcher and five cups with stunning colors. Handcrafted in Vallauris, France using traditional pottery making techniques, circa mid-1950s. Most commonly used as a lemonade set...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Barware / Tableware Serving Pitcher
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the allure of Mid-Century Modern elegance with this exceptional Crystal Barware/Tableware Serving Pitcher by Movado. Meticulously crafted, this pitcher embodies both funct...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Modern Cera Glass "Mourning After" Satirical Highball Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of eight Cera Glass highball glasses in a circular gold-tone caddy. Each of the glasses is decorated in 22 karat gold and black enamel with 3 rows of four scenes depicting people...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Nambe Studio Polished Modernist Aluminum Salt Pepper Shakers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of polished aluminum stylized hour glass form salt pepper shakers. Marked with Nambe Studio label.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Heavy Crystal Bowl Vases by Orrefors
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of fine crystal vases bowls by Orrefors of Sweden.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Carl Auböck Corkscrew #5970-1 "Modern Key", Austria 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Corkscrew #5970-1 "Modern Key", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass, Steel

1950s Small Wine Bottle Holder Brass Spoke Wheel made Italy
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Decorative Small Wine Bottle Holder Cradle Spoke Wheel in Sculptural Brass from Italy circa 1950s 5.25 tall x 3.5 w x 7.25 inches All patinated brass. Stamped MADE in ITALY. Or...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Barware Ice Tongs Silver Plated Mexico Modern, 1950s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage brass barware ice tongs silver plated Mexico 1950s Modern Stamped by maker Made in Mexico silver plated. Style of Los Castillo and Taxco. Measures: 6.5 x 1.5 W x 1.5 D O...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Vintage Set of 6 Fern Decorated Highball Glasses Signed Georges Briard
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of 6 hard to find Georges Briard designed highball glasses with green and white fern fronds. Bright green and white enamel fern fronds rise up the sides of the glass above dark g...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern Morgan Bar Set with 8 highball Glasses, Tray & Ice Bucket
By Morgan & Company
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Morgan & Company complete bar set , which includes 8 high-ball glasses in emerald green & 22k gold geometric pattern of vertical lines, matching tray...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Glass Decanter with Cork Barbell Stopper Possibly Pyrex or Schott
Located in New York, NY
Stylish crystal decanter with cork barbell stopper. The decanter has an open top for filling the bottle, and a side mouth spout for pouring, the barbell form stopper has a glass tube...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Cork

Set of Six Vintage Libbey Glass 'Marine Life' Tumblers / Highball Glasses
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of six Libbey glassware 'Marine Life' tumblers or highball glasses with various fishes and marine animals in 22k gold on a ground or raised translucent green enamel waves.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 6 Vintage Hazel-Atlas Scotty Dog Tumblers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 Vintage Hazel Atlas Scotty Tumblers. Playful black scotties in various jumping pose leaping over a red enamel fence. We have 3 sets available in ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Brass Winged Bird Spirit Totem Pole Beer Bottle Opener Midcentury Cocktail Bar
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Please let me know which one you would like to purchase, listed price is for each opener. No markings but very Carl Aubock, Native Northwest, or Central American influenced. Possibly...
Category

1950s Venezuelan Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid Century Ice Bucket with Faux Horn Handles
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Gold Toned Ice Bucket with Faux Horn Handles. A cool addition to your bar.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Quistgaar Jhq Dansk Denmark Wenge Ice Bucket
Located in Ferndale, MI
Excellent overall condition age crack to body.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Wenge

Vintage Red Opalescent Italian Opaline Vase on Foot from Florence, 1960s
Located in Verviers, BE
Opaline di Florence (Empoli) opalescent Italian art glass vase the late 1950s or early 1960s.  Beautiful hand-blown opal and hand-applied white foot Measures: 38 cm tall, diamete...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

1960s Vintage Modern Teak Bottle Stopper Denmark
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1960s Bottle stopper in Teakwood stamped from Denmark. 2H x 2 in diameter Original Unrestored Vintage condition. See images please.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Ice Bucket Red Faux Patent Leather White Plastic & Daisy Knob
Located in Topeka, KS
Fun vintage Mid-Century Modern red faux patent leather and white faux leather and plastic ribbed ice bucket with a mod red and white daisy knob. This fantastic ice bucket is in wonde...
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Faux Leather, Plastic

Mid-20th Century Modern Scandinavian Dansk Teak Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
Located in Beirut, LB
Dansk is one of the most celebrated makers of midcentury table and kitchenware. Their teaks and enamels are in designs that endure the decades make Dansk items highly sought after an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Wood, Teak

American Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern sterling silver ice bucket. Urn with double-scroll side handles and stepped foot. Cover domed and reeded with finial. Insulated interior. Fully marked including Wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Plated Sleigh Bottle Holder, French, Circa 1930
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This sleigh bottle holder is made of silver plated. This is a French work, circa 1930.
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid Century Italian Carafe Glass Liquor Bar Set Tray
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Stylish bar set consisting of a decanter with six glasses and a tray. Italian glass from Cristallerie Artistiche DEP in a noble blue gold decor and a silver-plated tray with golden f...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Red Aluminum Ice Bucket, Pear Shaped, by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare pear shaped aluminum ice bucket with brass stem designed by Ettore Sottsass, 1950s. No dents or significant scratches. Signs of light wear, wi...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Retro Green and Gold Glass Sherry Decanter and 4 Glasses Undoubtedly Retro
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Retro Green and Gold Glass Sherry Decanter and 4 Glasses Undoubtedly Retro chic, a beautiful Green and Gold Sherry Decanter with 4 matching S...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Rare Handmade Set of 10 Stoneware Tumblers by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare set of 10 stoneware tumblers created by Gordon and Jane Martz. They measure 5 5/8" in height by 3 1/8" in diameter and all re signed Martz. In very good vintage condition. The ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Stoneware

Silver Plated and Black Plastic Bottle Holder, French Work, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice bottle holder is made of silver plated and black plastic. This is a French Work, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

1970s Five Bottle Wood Wine Rack Collapsible Rosewood Abalone Shell
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Five Bottle Wine Rack Collapsible in Rosewood and Abalone 16.5 w x 6.5 d x 17.5 tall 19.13 x 6.5 x 3.5 closed Wine holder Rack Rosewood with abalone inserts rusty chain. Preowned vin...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Abalone, Rosewood

Green Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass Pitcher, Italy, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A green charming vintage pitcher, which has a capacity of 2 liters. The material of this barware is clear glass and the color goes from clear into green, furthermore the glass pitche...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Georges Briard Glass Serving Tray in the Forbidden Fruit Pattern
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-Century Modern Pyrex glass platter with a Forbidden Fruit design by Georges Briard in 22k gold and orange enamel.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Set of 10 "Snap-On Tools" Silvered Highball Glasses
Located in Nantucket, MA
Ten Mid-Century Modern silver on clear glass highball glasses made in the form of Snap-On Tools 7/16" ratchet sockets.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Midcentury Libbey Glass Highball Glasses in the Marine Life Pattern
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of eight Libbey Glass highball glasses in the Marine Life pattern decorated with 22 karat gold atomic style fish and other marine life within raised...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Glass Champagne Cooler in Glass, Italy, 1970's
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Large handmade Italian wine cooler in glass and metal from the 1970's. Can also work as an ice bucket.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Patinated Cast Bronze Ashtray in the Form of a Whale by Pal-Bell
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-Century Modern patinated cast bronze whale-form ashtray made by Pal-Bell.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bronze

1960s Modernism Genesis Vintage Silverplate Ice Bucket with Tongs Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modernism by Genesis vintage silverplate ice bucket & tongs from Mexico Ice bucket 5 tall x 5.5 diameter x 8 w Tongs 1 tall x 2.5 w x 6.5 d Vintage ice bucket, silver plated with original vintage patina throughout. Selling as original vintage unrestored uncleaned condition. Ice bucket stamped Genesis Mexico Tongs stamped. Silverplated. Beautiful decorative and useful bar item...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Mid Century Greek Key Hazel-Atlas Cocktail Set
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Art Deco Hazel Atlas Cocktail Set. Large cocktail shaker with matching six cocktail glasses. Decorated in pink circular and black Greek key band. A...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Chrome

MCM Cocktail Shaker with Silver Plate Top and Recipes for 6 Cocktails
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage six recipe cocktail shaker with silver plate, center-pour lid and decorated in red and black enamel with the cocktail names printed above the ingredients with lines for amoun...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Six Vintage Double Old Fashioned Glasses with Antique Pocket Watch Designs
Located in Nantucket, MA
Six vintage double old fashioned glasses in the manner of Cera Glassware in white enamel and 22k gold on clear glass and decorated w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Silver Plated Bell Pepper Ice Bucket, French, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice bell pepper ice bucket is made of silver plated. This is a French work (engraved silver plated), circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Grandjean Jourdan Style Faux Bois Ceramique Beverage Set
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning and very stylish vintage ceramic beverage service made in the manner of Grandjean Jourdan faux bois lemonade or orangeade sets. Ensemble ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Trays Round White Plastic Splatter Platters by Sabe’s
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible and fun Mid-Century Modern white plastic trays called Splatter Platters and manufactured by Sabe’s of Fort Smith, Arkansas. There are 8 and they are in wonderful condition...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Plastic

English Sheffield Silver Plate Cocktail Shaker
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-century silver plated barware cocktail shaker with white enameled drink recipes on the sides, including red lion, rob roy, martini dry, bro...
Category

1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian Green Leather and Brass Decanter by Aldo Tura for Macabo
Located in Troy, MI
Barware decanter designed by Aldo Tura for Macabo features a leather-wrapped vessel with a malachite colored finish with brass handle and spout, circa ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid 20th Century Modern Vintage Wood Wine Bottle Opener Japan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mid 20th Century Vintage Old Wine Bottle Opener Japan Wood and Metal 6.5 w x 1.25 x .75 d Preowned unrestored vintage tarnished damaged condition....
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

1960s Emilio Pucci Multicolored Laminate Printed Sunglasses, France
Located in Ferndale, MI
Emilio Pucci laminate signature printed plastic sunglasses. Light smokey-blue hued lenses. Made in France. Measures: Hinge to hinge 5.5" Arm length 4.88" Height of eye frame 2.13"...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Plastic

Set of 8 Frosted Vintage Tumblers Numbered 1-8
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 8 Frosted Vintage Tumblers Numbered 1-8. Each with a frosted background with a different colored scarf forming each number. The number "5" glass has two small spots where the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Huge Gucci Oval Vintage Lucite Flags Tray 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Rare Gucci serving tray oval form designed with waving European flags and executed in white lucite reinforced inside with white fabric fleece between the lucite material. Very good ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Lucite

Mid Century Decanter Set
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Decanter Set consisting of a decanter and 6 small roll poly glasses.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Blown Glass

Silver Plate Seahorse Condiment Knife
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate seahorse condiment knife - recently made by our office and freshly silver plated - perfect for the bar or cocktail party, cheeses and condiments.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Cocktail Shaker With A Red Wire-Netting
Located in Vienna, AT
Glass bottle with red wire-netting and a cover made in the early 1970s.
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Steel

Bucciarelli Gilt Porcelain Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 white porcelain coasters/ small plates featuring gilt ornate damask pattern. Set of 8 with original box.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Gold Plate over Nickel Tomato Shape Insulated Ice Bucket, France, 1950
By Thermid Paris
Located in Miami, FL
Thermid Paris Mid-Century Modern gold plate, metal & plastic tomato shaped insulated ice bucket France, 1950.       
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Mid-century Modern barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern barware 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 barware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern barware 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 barware, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Culver Ltd., Georges Briard, and Aldo Tura. 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 barware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $495.

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