Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used 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 influence 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.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
8
601
10
5
to
117
339
256
616
610
611
635
616
193
127
127
93
85
42
40
32
30
28
21
20
16
14
7
4
1
600
15
5
355
186
2
10
9
72
81
126
21
7
306
205
195
153
139
514
401
81
67
39
35
12
10
10
9
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Murano Pink White Opal Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Birds on Branch Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent pink, white and gold flecks Italian art glass birds on branch centerpiece sculpture. The pair of birds are attached to the white opal b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Murano Italian Modernist Purple White Glass Centerpiece Vase
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding hand blown Sommerso Murano large centerpiece with organic design in purple and white glass, Italy, 1960s.
The interior part is made in white opaline glass and the exteri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Opaline Glass
Black Ceramic Pierced Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Oakland, CA
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern design, the bowl is wheel thrown and hand pierced in white stoneware with a black matte glaze. Small holes are created when the clay is still wet and t...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Large Ceramic Shell Bowl by Pol Chambost
By Chambost
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-century large ceramic shell bowl by Pol Chambost
rare green color.
not signed
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Ceramic
Cenedese 1970 Pair of White Green Orange Murano Glass Conical Vases on Blue Base
By Cenedese
Located in New York, NY
A striking vintage pair of modernist vases signed Cenedese, a colorful modern creation in Murano glass, precursor of the Memphis style, the conical shape is enhanced and decorated wi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Mid-Century Emerald Green Footed Dish
Located in Buchanan, NY
An unusual emerald green footed dish, possibly by Viking. Very good vintage condition.
Dimensions: 6.5" Height x 7" Diameter.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass
Ercole Barovier Toso Murano Blue Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous, and very rare, vintage Murano hand blown blue pulled feather design and gold flecks Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier for the Barovier e...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Murano Italy Vintage Glass Table Centerpiece "Sommerso" Colored
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Exce...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Murano Glass
Fruit Ball in Porcelain by Alicia Penalba, circa 1980
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Limited edition from Artcurial numbered 77/900 by Alicia Penalba Argentina (1913 /1982).
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Free Form Crystal Art Glass Bowl attrib. Cofrac Art Verrier France
By Cofrac
Located in Miami, FL
Stylish hand blown crystal art glass bowl with great details. This mid-sized bowl has a fluid, freeform shape.
Heavy gold, ridge and swirl design, clear.
Attributed to CoFrac Art V...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Crystal
Vannes-Le-Chatel Cristalleries Pair Of French Clear Lead Crystal Centerpieces
By Art Vannes
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Exce...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Crystal
Travertine Box Pier Alessandro Giusti and Egidio Di Rosa for Up & Up Italy 1970s
By Up & Up
Located in Rome, IT
Round box in travertine marble by the Italian designers Pier Alessandro Giusti and Egidio Di Rosa for Up & Up. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
The box weights 5.6 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Travertine
Fratelli Toso Murano Red Blue Copper Aventurine Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown red, blue, and aventurine flecks Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. The piece has a pinched rim, with scroll ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Murano Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Ceramic Centerpiece by Alessio Tasca
Located in Carpaneto Piacentino, Italy
Awesome ceramic Italian centerpiece designed by Alessio tasca.
Original label.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Ceramic
Barbini Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Conch Shell Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (2 bowls available). Elegant and very large Murano hand blown gold flecks over white Italian art glass conch shell centerpiece bowl. Attributed to designer Alfredo Ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian Murano Glass Vase Cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
'Alfa Romeo' glass coupe
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, circa 1950s
Wonderful blue cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso.
Hand blown Murano glass.
Fantastic Piece of Aut...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Murano Glass
Lacquered Wood and Brass Walnuts Holding Basket by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1950s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Rome, IT
Rare handmade piece by the Italian wood master Aldo Tura, made of lacquered wood and brass.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Brass
Centerpiece Tortoiseshell Effect and Brass by Team Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
By Team Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Round centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effect lucite with brass details and decoration by Team Guzzini. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
The original label is still attached on the back, a...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Metal, Brass
Barbini Murano 1950s Orange Gold Flecks Quilted Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful large Murano hand blown orange and gold flecks, diamond quilted surface Italian art glass flower vase. Attributed to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950s. Profusely covere...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
20th Century Angelo Mangiarotti Marble Centerpiece for Knoll '60s
Located in Turin, Turin
Minimal and beautiful Centerpiece designed by the master of Marble: Angelo Mangiarotti. The vase was designed at the end of '60s for Knoll.
Very good condition, fully original.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic by Pol Chambost
By Pol Chambost
Located in London, GB
Glazed ceramic pigeon with a crackle glazed finish by the celebrated French ceramicist Pol Chambost. Signed to base. There are openings in the back for sprigs of flowers making it id...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Ceramic
Tapio Wirkkala Huge Paper Back Vase for Rosentahl, 1977
Located in Munich, DE
Rare large paper bag vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Rosenthal, Germany 1977. This vase is made of porcelain (stoneware) and looks like a paper bag. The vase is m...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Porcelain
Fratelli Toso Murano Vintage Rainbow Ribbons Aventurine Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, extra large, and colorful vintage Murano hand blown rainbow Filigrana ribbons and aventurine spots Italian art glass centerpiece bowl. Documented to the Fratelli Toso comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Giant Life-Size Lamb Serving Platter by Franco Lapini, Italy, 1970
Located in Munich, DE
Franco Lapinis exquisite sculpture giant life size lamp platter made entirely of metal plated in silver and its surface is lightly textured to give it an organic feel, and have three...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Silver Plate
"Tremiti" Bowl by Angelo Mangiarotti for Danese, Italy, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
High glazed orange ceramic bowl by Angelo Mangiarotti for Danese, Italy from the late 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Ceramic
Arthur Court Lucite Handkerchief Serving Bowl on Rabbit Footed Stand, Signed
By Arthur Court
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large Handkerchief serving bowl designed by Arthur Court. Lucite / Acrylic bowl on a tripod aluminum base of three rabbits holding the bowl in place. Whimsical and very functional. T...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Aluminum
Dino Martens Murano White Red Aventurine Ribbons Italian Art Glass Center Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white, red and copper aventurine Italian art glass centerpiece footed bowl. Documented to designer Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, circa 1950s. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Ribbon, Glass
Organic Handmade Horn Bowl, Catchall, Vessel, Centerpiece Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern natural handmade Horn vessel, bowl, catchall or centerpiece from the Mid-Century Modern era.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Horn
Giampaolo Ghisetti 1970s Vintage Round Aquamarine Blue Murano Glass Ribbed Bowl
By Giampaolo Ghisetti
Located in New York, NY
A signed Mid-Century Modern sensual curved centerpiece of great effect, blown in transparent crystal turquoise blue Murano glass, the ridges of the organic modern shape playing with ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass
Large Green Glass Centrepiece, Belgium, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Unique centrepiece in green handblown glass, Belgium 1970s
A unique translucent centrepiece made in Belgium in the 1970s This large scale hand blown glass bowl is of a beautiful gre...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Art Glass
Huge 12" Cenedese Attributed Vintage Italian Murano Glass Bowl or Centerpiece
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese (attributed) huge 30cm / 12" diameter heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or centrepiece made, circa 1965-1975. This large, heavy piece of glass features a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Green Murano Bowl
Located in Copenhagen, K
Green Mid-Century Sommerso Murano bowl or centerpiece.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Art Glass
Large Colored Glass Centerpiece in the Manner of Murano Venini
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1960 large glass centerpiece in the manner of Murano Venini.
Yellow, blue, orange colored.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Lladro Porcelain Blue White Fish Figure Centerpiece or Planter, Spain, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
A beautiful colorful porcelain fish figure centerpiece or vase designed by Vicente Martinez and manufactured by Lladró.
It also can be used as a planter.
The design and the blue to...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Porcelain
Seguso Murano Blue Pulled Art Glass Vase, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Midcentury blue Murano art glass vase with Pulled details. Attributed to Seguso, Italy, 1960s
An spectacular handblown Murano art glass vase in blue clear glass with pulled details ...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
21st Century Collectible Handcrafted and Dark Cast Oxidised Bronze O'Connor Bowl
Located in Paris, FR
O'Connor bowl forged from cast dark bronze by Fakasaka.
Category
2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Vintage Italian Brass and Marble Compotes manner of Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage Italian brass and marble compotes possibly by Tommi Parzinger. No signature.
Show nice age and high quality craftsmanship.
Vintage wear on brass.
Sticker "Italy" on m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Brass
Splendid Fontana Arte Mod. 2191 Centrepiece
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Fontana Arte Mod. 2191 centrepiece.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass
Massive Italian Curved Vase in Blown Murano Glass Ice Color, 1990s
By Romano Donà
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Venetian, vase curves, blown Murano glass, ice color, Romano Donà, 1990s.
The vase is constituted by a very thick bowl entirely handcrafted in blown Murano glass, in color ...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass
Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Bowl with Fish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful tessellated plate / bowl with fish details. At 18.25" the piece is a very large shallow bowl with tessellated fossil stone and or onyx details - the fish are a classic de...
Category
20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Stone
Barovier Toso Murano Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ribbed Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green and gold flecks Italian art glass centerpiece bowl. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for Barovier e Toso. Created in the Cordonato D'...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Signed Olive Wood Leaf Bowl, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handmade leaf bowl in olive wood.
Made by Falcon manufacturers in Spain.
Signed
In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautifu...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Olive
Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpiece Sphera by Sambonet, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern centerpiece Sphera by Sambonet, 1970s
Chromed Sphera centerpiece in stainless steel by Sambonet.
Measures: 32 x 7 H cm.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Metal
Vintage Italian Clear Blue and Emerald Green Murano Glass Bowl, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern hand blown Murano Sommerso decorative art glass bowl, centerpiece or ashtray. Style of Seguso. Organic coral style shape with vibrant blue and gree...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Alberto Díaz de Cossío High Temperature Ceramic Centerpiece
By Alberto Díaz de Cossío
Located in Mexico City, MX
A Mexican high temperature ceramic center piece by Alberto Díaz de Cossío. Manufactured at the Taller Experimental de Cerámica in Mexico City (Experimental Ceramic's Workshop). The r...
Category
1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Ceramic
Formia 1980 Italian Vintage Purple Blue White Murano Glass Modern Design Vases
Located in New York, NY
Two vases in blown Murano Art glass signed Formia, created exclusively for Roche Bobois Paris. The very modern minimalist design and execution are striking in the luxurious quality o...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass
Beveled Glass Centerpiece by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Vintage Italian triangular curved beveled glass centerpiece by Fontana Arte / Made in Italy, circa 1960s
Measures: Length 14.5 inches / width 12.25 inches / height 2.25 inches
1 in s...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass
Midcentury Free Form Crystal Glass Centerpiece Attr. Cofrac Art Verrier
By Cofrac
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous art glass centerpiece with great details. This beautiful handcrafted item has a fluid, freeform shape. Heavy gold, ridge and swirl design, clear.
Cofrac Art Verrier Fran...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Crystal
Barovier Toso Murano Green Roses Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous, early Murano hand blown gold flecks and green accents Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to the Barovier e Toso company, with original label still attached. The body...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Barovier Toso Murano 1949 Zebrati Pink Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare, large vintage Murano hand blown pink, white and gold flecks Italian art glass centerpiece flower vase. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for Barovier e Toso. C...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Murano Sommerso Green Yellow Birds Blue Tail Uranium Italian Art Glass Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green yellow, with blue tails Italian art glass birds sculpture. Attributed to the Salviati company. The birds are made with s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
Murano Glass Green Basket Centerpiece Vase with Applied Drops
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano Art Glass Basket Centerpiece Vase. Italy, 1950s.
An unique and exceptional Murano art glass centerpiece in shades of green with applied multicolor glass drops.
Finely execu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Herb Ritts Vintage MCM Astrolite Lucite Centerpiece Oval Bowl
By Astrolite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large oval shaped Herb Ritts vintage MCM Astrolite Lucite center piece oval bowl.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Lucite
Murano Glass Vase, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Murano glass vase, circa 1970
Manufactured in Italy.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass
Dino Martens Murano Multi-Color Oriente Italian Art Glass Fan Shape Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, striking, vintage Murano hand blown painted style, multi-color Italian art glass vase with aventurine flecks. Documented to Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, circa...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Glass, Sommerso, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Handcrafted Oxidised Dark Cast Bronze Bowie Vase
Located in Paris, FR
Bowie vase forged from cast dark bronze by Fakasaka.
Category
2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Bronze
Signed Livio Seguso Murano Purple Red Blue Alexandrite Art Glass Bowl
By Livio Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Signed Livio Seguso Murano Alexandrite Neodymium Sommerso Organic Large Art Glass Bowl. Italy, 1970s.
Hand blown purple "Alexandrite" glass over red Italian.
This stunning Murano g...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
