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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 furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Price: $1 to $2,500
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Tommaso Barbi Centrepiece Tray in Chrome, Glass and Bamboo, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Centrepiece tray by the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi (original label still attached) in chrome, glass and bamboo. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Seguso Murano Black Gold & Silver Flecks Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Black Murano glass centerpiece bowl with silver and gold flecks. Attributed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte factory, Italy, 1950s This large han...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Sevres French Clear Crystal Sculptural Art Glass Centerpiece, Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning midcentury clear crystal sculptural centerpiece from the 1950s-1960s by Sevres France. This crystal piece is absolutely beautiful in its organ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

1950s Art Glass Compote Bowl Leaf Cup Set Mid-Century Venini Fratelli Toso
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Italy, c.1948-1955. Handkerchief vase, cup, and footed bowl. Blown glass with lattimo zanfirico cane decoration with gold dust. Matching piece set. Two smaller pieces with labels. ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Cenedese Moss Green Vintage Midcentury Italian Murano Glass Vase or Vessel
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Apple or moss green Cenedese vintage Italian midcentury Murano glass vase or vessel, made in Italy, circa 1970-1990. Particularly striking is the form as it has the characteristics o...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Aldo Nason AVEM Murano Glass Murrine Gold Silver Flecks Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Mid-Century Modern hand blown Murano art glass flower shaped centerpiece or bowl with Murrine decorations and aventurine gold and silver flecks. Attributed to Aldo Nason and ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Midcentury Black Vase Sergio Asti Style for Venini Blown Murano Glass
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Black vase Sergio Asti style for Venini in blown Murano glass, circa 1960s. Measure cm: H 28 Diameter 30.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Barovier Toso Italian Vintage Art Glass Rostrato Murano Vase / Bowl, circa 1938
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Barovier Toso Italian vintage art glass Rostrato Murano vase / bowl, circa 1938 An exquisite mid-20th century centrepiece by Barovier & Toso in b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Terracotta Centerpiece / Catchall / Decorative Piece by Schiavon, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This painted and lacquered terracotta decorative item can be used as a wall piece, as a catch all or as a centerpiece. It is a vintage piece, therefore it migh...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Terracotta

California Studio Craft Mahogany Centerpiece Fruit Bowl by Bob Stocksdale
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful California utilitarian design with years of use and patina as intended. Cleaned to preserve past use. Showing a fleck to the rim, oil stains and utensil markings. The Top R...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Mahogany

Female Scandinavian Design Chinese Patterned Porcelain Centerpiece Bowl, Finland
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A rare large example designed by the Finnish artist Friedl Holzer Kjellberg using an 18th century Chinese decorating technique. Small incisions are made in the porcelain that creates a transparent and delicate pattern. Incised on base; Arabia F...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Porcelain

1960 Venezia Italy Mid-Century Murano Blown Glass Black Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
This beautiful Venetian item is a black blown glass totally hand made in 1960 circa by master craftmenships. It has an elegant shape and its color is black. It is a really eye catch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Formia 1970 Italian Tall Yellow Green Red Blue Crystal Murano Glass Pop Art Vase
Located in New York, NY
Formia 1970s vintage Italian modern design vase or centerpiece of organic ovoid shape, in blown crystal clear Murano glass decorated with rainbow stripes in red, aqua blue, pink, apple green, yellow, dark blue, grey and freeform black stroke...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Sandstone Dish, from France 1950, with a Fish Pattern, in a Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This a dish from France, it has been made in the 1950s. The sabdstone is in a brown color.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sandstone

Rare Mid-Century Modern Daum Nancy France Art Deco Smoke Grey Glass Centerpiece
By Daum
Located in Roslyn, NY
A rare Mid-Century Modern Daum Nancy France "Aquarium" Art Deco smoke grey glass centerpiece bowl with Croix De Lorraine. Measures: Approximate 3 1/...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Italian Midcentury Large Ornamental Plate Centerpiece from the 1970s
Located in bari, IT
Italian midcentury large ornamental plate centerpiece from the 1970s. A typical pictorial graphics of the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Green Centerpiece in Perspex Marble Effect and Chrome, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Centerpiece in green Perspex, marble effect, and chrome frame, Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Beveled Glass Centerpiece by Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, 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

Italian Midcentury Ceramic Plate Conzi, 1970s
Located in bari, IT
A centerpiece plate from the 1970s by Conzi ceramic signed in the 1973.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

1950s Val Saint Lambert Clear Crystal Center Bowl
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Signed Val Saint Lambert circular crystal bowl, made elegant design with thick glass and deep and evenly cut.
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Herb Ritts Vintage MCM Astrolite Lucite Centerpiece Oval Bowl
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

Tray Centrepiece Ice Effect Tray, Lucite Chrome Willy Rizzo Style, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Centrepiece or tray effect in plexiglass with ice effect. Attributable to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s. Measure: 53 x 38 x 5 cm in height.   
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Bird of Paradise Brutalist Brass Sculpture Style of Curtis Jere
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Bird of paradise brutalist brass sculpture in the style of Curtis Jere.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Copper, Brass

Stunning Bohemin Cut Crystal Centrepiece Bowl
Located in Vienna, AT
Extravagant cut and polished crystal bowl made circa the 1970s in one of the Bohemian glass works. The cutting is especially Fine and deep with the very intricate patterns. Designed ...
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Ronald Hayes Pearson Shallow Spun Brass Metalworks Bowl American Studio Craft
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful metalwork, mid-century form. Good size, just over 9 inches.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Quartz Crystal Collectible Pt, Special Internal Striations of Another Stone
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A real nice mostly clear rock crystal point. Has another stone inside. Good size at 9" ht and no chips to the top point. It is free standing. Nice C...
Category

1990s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Rock Crystal

Italian Blue Striped Murano Sweet Meat Dish
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A stunning vintage Italian Murano glass handblown pedestal dish/bowl, with white, blue and yellow ribbon inclusions. Dating from the early to mid-20th Century. This finely made rounded glass bowl...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Italian Midcentury Plate from Centerpiece in Very Thick and Worked Glass
Located in bari, IT
Italian midcentury plate from centerpiece in very thick and worked glass from the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Italian Midcentury Large Dish in Ceramic Form the 1970s
Located in bari, IT
Beautiful large ornamental centerpiece dish in ceramic by Giovanni De Pascalis contemporary sculptor painter, 1973.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Centerpiece Plate in Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass, 1960
Located in Rome, IT
Centerpiece plate in faux tortoiseshell Lucite and brass interior, Italy, circa 1960.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Large Mercury Glass Footed Bowls
Located in Cathedral City, CA
A pair of French midcentury footed glass mercury bowls One in silver color and the other one with amber color film over mercury glass.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Mercury Glass

Murano Peach Pink White Art Glass Centerpiece Vase
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sculptural hand blown Murano glass centerpiece or vase in a beautiful soft peach pink color. Italy, 1960s. This beautiful centerpiece has organic design, the interior part is made i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass, Glass

Italian Midcentury Large Glass Dishe from the 1960s
Located in bari, IT
Italian midcentury large glass dishe from the 1960s. The plate is in white enamel glass in the center and colored in its circumference.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Ceramic Centerpiece by Alessio Tasca
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Essential and elegant centerpiece signed and stamped by master sculptor Alessio Tasca. Original signed label.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Swedish Mid Century Modern Flygsfors Orange Bubblegum Centerpiece
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid Century Modern Flygfors orange bubblegum centerpiece from the range coquille by Paul Kedelv.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Michael Lax Candleholders Cube Square Midcentury Palm Springs Capri Style
Located in Hyattsville, MD
3 Michael Lax Capri candleholders for Raymor.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Italian Brass Centerpiece from the 1950s, Bowl, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant Italian centerpiece from the 1950s. Finished very well. The handle has a brass string that accentuates the beauty of the work. Good condition.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

1960s Canoe Bowl American Studio Craft Woodworkers Banana CabinModern Craftsman
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and intense piece of woodworking. Tight, sturdy and usable. Signed CKE. Artist/Craftsman unknown.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Teak

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Mexican Copper Brass and Abalone Grasshopper Centerpiece Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Hand-wrought circa 1960s copper and brass grasshopper centerpiece sculpture with abalone inlay eyes and legs. Signed underneath, COBRE MEXICO. Also ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass, Copper

Sterling Silver Dish with Handles by Tane Orfebres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modern sterling silver footed dish with handles designed and crafted by Tane Orfebres in Mexico. The open dish is decorated with features of the myt...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

1950s Italian Venetian Blown Murano Glass Vase with Murrine by Gino Cenedese
Located in Vigonza, Padua
antique 1950s Italian Venetian blown Murano glass vase with murrine by Gino Cenedese. Measure cm: H 50 Diam. 28
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass, Murrine

Italian Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Splendid and heavy centerpiece in Murano artistic glass. The bowl is a true piece of art created by the master's hand - Produced in Murano, Italy, in the 1950s. On the underside ther...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Blown Glass Dichroic and Silver, Iridescent Color from Pink to Blue.
Located in Roma, IT
This very light piece of artistic glass changes color based on light. changes color, from pink to light blue. The center is in silver.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Murano Glass Pair of Pink Lilac Coloured Glass Bowls
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Large pair of pink / aubergine colored 'Opalino' Murano glass serving / center bowls designed by Antonio da Ros (1936-2012) for Cenedese, circa 1970-1990. Wonderful translucent color...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Natural Malachite Dish Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A decorative dish or bowl fashioned out of a large piece of all natural malachite mineral stone. Polished beautifully to display the natural swirly layerings and concentrics of the s...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Malachite

Dino Martens Aurelia Art Glass Charger Ethereal Design of Gold, Silver Leaf
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Oblong shaped serving piece with gold and silver leaf and paint gives this piece the look of the universe in motion. The glass is 1" thick and sits on four brass ball feet. In the st...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Enameled Centerpiece by Studio Del Campo, Signed
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Wonderful centerpiece made by Atelier Del Campo, signed in the back side. Brilliant green enameled centerpiece. Excellent condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Venetian Goblet in Murano Glass Orange and Gold with a Grape
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Venetian Goblet in Murano Glass Orange and Gold with a Grape Refined Italian Venetian handcrafted goblet in blown Murano glass composed by a small bowl in light-orange and w...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Mid-Century Modern Venini Centerpiece Murano Black Glass Layered Glass White
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern Venini centerpiece Murano black glass, layered glass white the two little. Big one measure cm: H 7 Diam. 47 thickness 6mm Little one measure cm: H 3.8 Diam. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

1960 Mid-Century Venezia Green Blown Glass Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
This beautiful Venetian item is a green blown glass totally hand made in 1960 circa by master craftmenships. It has an elegant shape and its color is a jade green. It is a really ey...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Lacquered Wood and Brass Walnuts Holding Basket by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1950s
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

Resin Bowl Centerpiece with Leaves Inside, Made in Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and particular centerpiece or Italian object holder. Inside there are real leaves. Made from Made in Italy Resinplast.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite, Resin, Epoxy Resin

Centerpiece in Fontana Arte Style, Italy, 1950
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A beautiful Italian centerpiece, manufactured circa 1950. It is made of high quality mirrored glass with clear glass, diamond polished, beveled edges in different angles. This cre...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Mirror

Swedish Midcentury Flygfors Orange Bubblegum Centrepiece
Located in Copenhagen, K
Midcentury Flygfors orange bubblegum centerpiece from the range Coquille by Paul Kedelv.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Splendid Studio Del Campo Centrepiece
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Studio Del Campo centrepiece.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Enamel, Chrome

Three Bio Morphic Astrolite Lucite Fruit or Serving Bowls by Ritts
Located in Ferndale, MI
Clean and original bio morphic shape Astrolite by the Ritts co. Lucite or acrylic clear plastic serving bowls.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Pair of Lalique Crystal ' Aries' Composte. Great scale.
Located in Buchanan, MI
A pair of Lalique crystal ' Aries' composte bearing the etched 'Lalique France' mark on the underside, measure: 8.5" x 7.5". We have a large selection of crystal barware from Laliqu...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Mid-century Modern centerpieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern centerpieces 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 centerpieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, murano glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern centerpieces made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original centerpieces, popular names associated with this style include Cenedese, Fratelli Toso, Archimede Seguso, and Antonio da Ros. 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 centerpieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $71 and tops out at $28,368 while the average work can sell for $1,055.

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