Skip to main content

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.

to
275
2,143
16
3
13
2,130
19
19
1,610
350
2
10
17
290
365
260
24
2
966
556
300
155
149
138
122
59
38
34
28
16
15
13
6
5
5
1,139
874
380
268
243
1,383
725
1,194
765
711
507
209
2,162
2,154
2,162
94
68
62
46
44
Style: Mid-Century Modern
jug and glass coasters no. 3804
Located in Munich, DE
2 very rare pieces from the rare carl auböck workshop.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Midcentury, Tommi Parzinger Nickel Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Modernist midcentury ice bucket with signature finial lid and mercury glass liner. Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Anodized Gold Aluminum Modular Wine Rack
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modular wine rack composed of nine individual anodized, extruded aluminum 'cylinders' that slide together to form a wine rack in various configurations (ca. late 1960s/early ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Aluminum

Post Modern Memphis Style Clear Murano Polished Glass Decanter
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large substantial piece of clear glass with equally impressive stopper. I see a strong post modern Memphis Milano look.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Feltman Langer Ceramic Pitcher Art Deco Barware
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This great Art Deco style beautiful vintage pitcher is made of ceramic by FELTMAN LANGER. Midcentury vintage grey color Retro barware pitcher with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

8 Georges Briard Golden Celeste Highball Glasses in Green Enamel and 22k Gold
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of eight vintage highball glasses designed by Georges Briard and having a 22 karat gold check pattern over translucent green enamel. Each square contains a classical motif includ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid-century cream parchment ice bucket, Aldo Tura Italy 1950s
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-century cream parchment ice bucket Aldo Tura Italy 1950s The leather is not lacquered as Tura sets usually are in the later 60s productions but bare, very rare to find in this ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Japanese Kimiko Silver Band Cocktail Glasses Set of 12 Barware
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Japnese Kimiko Style Silver Cocktail Glasses Set of 12. Vintage Set of 12 Kimiko style glasses from the 1960s, featuring a silver band and a shield crest accent. Set of 12 Vintage Mid-Century Kimiko highball glasses and shot glasses. This Mid-Century Modern set glasses set includes 12 pieces adorned with thick silver overlay bands Coat of Arms design. Vintage Mid Century Silver Banded with a shield designs, adding a touch of sophistication to your barware collection. Enjoy a flawless set of 12 Vintage Mid-Century silver-banded highball Japanese glasses. Experience the charm of Mad Men-era glassware with this vintage Mid-Century cocktail glassware/bar service set. Enhance your barware collection with this beautiful barware set adorned with a platinum-tone metallic leaf pattern on the silver band. These iconic barware...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Danish Staved Teak Banded Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk IHQ
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice, freshly oiled, lidded, staved teak ice bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in excellent condition and retains its original black plastic ice liner...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Teak

Set of Four Aquatic Theme Fish and Seahorse Aqua Gold Pilsner Glasses
Located in Ferndale, MI
Four pilsner glasses. Nicely decorated with ocean like rippled aqua lines in textured finish accenting and stylized sea life.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Mid-Century Bulls-Eye Glass Ice Bucket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-Century Square Glass Ice Bucket with Bull-Eye Design on each side. Measures 7 1/8" high x 5 1/2" across x 5 1/2" across.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid Century Modern Rustic Vintage Brown Walnut Brass Champagne Wine Cooler 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern Rustic Vintage wine cooler champagne cooler from walnut, hammered brass and golden metal. A great champagne cooler in brown and gold color from walnut and brass wi...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Walnut

Vintage PIero Fornasetti Chariot Porcelain Gilded Coasters Barware Set of 8
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage hallmarked Piero Fornasetti coasters are porcelain with gold. They are of the Roman Chariot design. Marked Fornasetti MIlano Made In Ita...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Gold

Attributed to Per Lutken for Holmegaard Six Cocktail or Water Glasses
Located in Ferndale, MI
Six cocktail glasses or water tumblers. Gently curving form in smoked glass.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Four MCM Culver LTD Double Old Fashioned Glasses with Blue and Gold Flower Motif
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four Culver LTD, double old fashioned glasses with a translucent blue enamel and 22 karat gold floral motif.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 4 MCM Rocks Glasses by Cera Glass with Enameled Bee on Wire Screening
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four Cera Glassware rocks glasses with enameled honeybee on wire screening in yellow, orange and tan enamels.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Georges Briard Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Clear Polka Dots on Frosted Ground
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four mid-century double old fashioned glasses designed and signed by Georges Briard having a frosted ground with clear polka dots between borders of 22k gold and green enamel ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

4 MCM Georges Briard Old Fashioned Glasses, Clear Polka Dots on Frosted Ground
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four mid-century old fashioned glasses designed and signed by Georges Briard having a frosted ground with clear polka dots between borders of 22k gold and green enamel swags.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Pair of Gold Painted MCM Pump Glass Decanters
Located in East Freetown, MA
Pair of mid-century glass pump decanters with painted gold floral design.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Weimar Porcelain Romeo Drinking Set Germany 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Drinking set composed of a jug and six glasses in violet, white and gilt. The jug and glasses are signed, Weimar porzellein, Germany, Romeo. Jug dimen...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Carl Auböck Brass and Steel Cork Screw, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cork Screw, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Steel, Brass

Set of 6 Glasses in Copper Holder with Greek Key Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of 6 glasses held by a metal framework with handle. The metal has a wonderful greek key framework. A compliment to any bar or cocktail setting for those hot drinks, or for the ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Copper

Mid-Century Silver Plate Golf Ball Spirit Measure / Jigger
Located in Nantucket, MA
Silver plate spirit measure or jigger of flared conical form on a weighted golf ball form base.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Georges Briard Forbidden Fruit Double Old Fashioned Glasses
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-Century Modern, set of six double old fashioned glasses designed by Georges Briard in the forbidden fruit pattern with white frosted int...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Key and Cork Screw by Carl Aubock
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful large grass old key, with hidden steel screw In original good condition with normal wear and tear.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass, Steel

Carl Auböck Bottle holder, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bottle Holder, Austria 1960s. The leather part measures 10cm in diameter.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Hand Stitched Linen Lemon & Lime Cocktail Napkins, Set of 5
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty set of 5 linen cocktail napkins hand sewn with renderings of lemons and limes. This set will make for a perfect addition to your next cocktail party. Freshly pressed, cleane...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Linen

Vintage BOC Silver Soda Syphon, England, 1960
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage BOC Silver Retro Soda Syphon England 1960's. An original vintage 1960s BOC soda syphon/siphon. This is a fantastic Vintage Metallic silver Metal BO...
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Blue & White Porcelain "Cognac" Decanter Marked Western Germany
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid century underglaze blue decorated white porcelain "Cognac" decanter with the word "Cognac" repeated around the bottle just below the shoulder, the lower area decorated with a rep...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Porcelain, Cork

Set of 4 MCM Rocks Glasses with Enameled Bees on Wire Screen by Cera Glass
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four Cera Glassware rocks glasses with enameled honeybee on wire screening in yellow, orange and tan enamels.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Libbey Glass Co., Cane Pattern, Tom Collins Glasses
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight mid-century Libbey Glass Co., Tom Collins glasses, the lower half with raised enamel "cane" in natural color, the top edge of the glass is al...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Maison Jansen Style Mirrored Ice Cooler
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a soft blue mirror clad Ice Bucket with chrome trim frame. ALL original and lovely as-is.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Chrome

Antique English Steel Bottle Opener
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Steel bottle opener. Embossed decoration with floral motifs. The robust design and large lever indicate that it is designed to open bottles efficiently, possibly being fixed to a tab...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Steel

Six Fred Press Bubbles Pattern Highball Glasses in Translucent Enamels
Located in Nantucket, MA
Six Fred Press highball glasses in the "Bubbles" pattern, two each of three translucent colors and opaque white.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Bamboo Trimmed Ice Bucket, 1960s
Located in North Miami, FL
A great vintage bamboo and white laminate ice bucket, circa 1960s. Piece is square with a lattice bamboo design on top/lid and a bamboo edged base.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bamboo, Laminate

Midcentury Greek Themed 22-Karat Gold Highball Glasses
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Get Greek with this beautiful set of 8 highball glasses and convenient carrier. The glasses are printed 22-karat gold, each square with a different Greek image. Sure to add some sult...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Gold

Mid-Century Set of 6 Rock Glasses Purple and Gold by Libbey Glass Co
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-century set of 6 rock glasses purple and gold by Libbey. Glass Co. Nice size for that late afternoon drink. 3 1/4" tall a little wider at the mouth then the base.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 6 Libbey Marine Life Pilsner Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 Vintage Libbey Sea Life pilsner glasses with raised green design and gilt seahorses and fish in an underwater ocean scene.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Rare Black and Red Glass Liqueur Drinking Set by Moretti & Nason, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s. This is a very rare Moretti & Nason liqueur set, exhibited at the Glass Museum in Venice on the occasion of the company's centenary commemorative exhibition. Th...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Marble, Metal

Silver Plated Italian Bear Wine Bottle Holder, 1970s
Located in Hastings, GB
Silver plated bear champagne/wine bottle holder. 1970s Italian A fantastic Italian Champagne bottle holder, shaped as a bear with clear glass eyes, the body detailing formed to sim...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Art Moderne Lucite Ice Bucket
Located in Queens, NY
American Art Moderne (1940s) Lucite octagonal form ice bucket on pedestal stand.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Lucite

Eight Georges Briard Rocks Glasses with 22k Gold Wood-Grained Lattice Design
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight Georges Briard rocks glasses with raised 22 karat gold decoration of woven wood-grained lattice forming a double row of square openings, eac...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Pair of Vintage Pal-Bell Cast Bronze Stylized Snail Ashtrays with Green Patina
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair vintage patinated cast bronze ashtrays in the form of stylized snails with polished antennae which when turned over become supports for the bowl-form shell. The interior of the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bronze

13 Piece Calypso Performer, Cocktail Bar Suite Shaker, Pitcher and Glasses
Located in Nantucket, MA
Thirteen piece vintage barware set, clear glass with white frosted interiors having an image of a 3 piece Calypso band in 22 karat gold. All in exc...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

8 Vintage Cocktail Glasses with Stylized Prancing Horses in Black Enamel
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of 8 vintage tumblers, decorated in black enamel with an image of a stylized prancing horse on clear glass.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Large Italian Murano Yellow Glass Decanter
Located in Queens, NY
Large Italian Mid-Century Murano Yellow Glass Decanter with a square shape and clear glass ball stopper
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of Six Fred Press Atomic Eclipse Highball Glasses in Green and 22K Gold
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage set of six Fred Press "Atomic Eclipse highball glasses in green and 22 karat gold.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid 20th Century Couroc Phenolic Resin Serving Tray, Inlaid Stone & Metal Masks
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage drinks or serving tray made by Couroc of Monterey, CA. Made of phenolic resin, these trays are resistant to damage by water, alcohol and heat. The craftspeople at Couroc used...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Resin

Mid-Century Modern Awning Striped Tom Collins Glasses by Libbey Glass Co
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-century Tom Collins glasses by Libbey Glass having fused glass awning stripes in opaque white and translucent color. Two each of four colors.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 4 Vintage Blackjack Double Rocks Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 4 Vintage Blackjack Double Rocks Glasses. Each glass with a blackjack hand and the bottom of each glass with the suites of diamond, heart, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Estate English Silver-Plate Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Shaker, Circa 1940-1950.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate English Silver-Plate Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Shaker, Circa 1940-1950. Per the last 2 photos this shaker has 2 small dings on the right side and 2 on the back. The left si...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Four Vintage Fred Press Glasses with Red and Green Apples with 22k Gold Accents
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 4 mid-century modern rocks glasses designed by Fred Press with red and green apples accented with 22 karat gold.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 4 Vintage Libbey Rocks Glasses with Rampant Lions
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 4 Vintage Libbey Rocks Glasses with Rampant Lions. Each glass is rimmed in 22k gold with a bold red shield and a rampant lion and fleur de lis, t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Georges Briard Brass Bowl with Tiled Interior in the Regalia Pattern
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-century ice bowl in the regalia pattern, designed by Georges Briard. The gold-tone brass exterior bowl lined with random colored ceramic tile around a central reverse painted gla...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Mathieu Matégot Bottle Holder in White Metal
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic and published Matégot bottle holder in white metal. Original vintage condition. Mathieu Matégot (1910-2001) was a Hungarian-born French designer and artist. He is known for his innovative use of metal tubing and perforated metal sheets, which he incorporated into his furniture designs and wall decorations. Matégot studied at the Budapest School of Arts and Crafts, where he learned traditional techniques such as furniture making and wrought ironwork. After moving to France...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Polish Mid-Century Cylinder Vodka Decanter with Stopper
Located in Queens, NY
Polish Mid-Century cylinder decanter used for vodka with a round disc form stopper (Stamped KROSNO)
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Collectible Retro Highball Spaghetti Tumblers Set of 3 Blue and Yellow
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of three vintage collectible retro spaghetti string tumblers. Set includes 3 highball vintage yellow gold and powder blue spaghetti drizzle drink...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Italian Bamboo Barrel Bar
Located in Hastings, GB
A fabulous 1960's Barrel Bar Cart. Sitting on four brass wheels with an internal shelf and 7 bottle holders, the bambbo with rattan wrap. Height to...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bamboo

Mid-Century Italian Modern Stainless Steel and Smoked Glass Bar
Located in Queens, NY
"Italian Mid-Century Modern (1960s) bar / bottle cabinet with a stainless steel case and an angled smoked glass centrally-hinged lid that opens to reveal interior compartments and sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Eight Vintage Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters in the "Vini E Liquori" Pattern
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight drinks coasters designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 'Vini E Liquori' pattern, each depicting a different liquor bottle label in 22 karat gold.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Ceramic

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.

Recently Viewed

View All