Skip to main content

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 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
165
767
3
764
3
474
211
1
1
15
17
99
142
141
18
3
594
314
216
145
119
84
44
39
34
34
30
26
24
21
18
9
7
378
275
213
157
155
441
225
675
518
59
50
41
767
767
767
46
17
14
11
10
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Murano Orange Silver Flecks Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Abstract Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual vintage Murano hand blown orange, controlled bubbles and silver flecks Italian art glass abstract bowl. The piece has a scissor cut rim in the shape of a butter...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Leaf

1950s Vintage Majolica Ceramics Centerpiece
Located in Germantown, MD
Remarkable vintage Chinese Majolica centerpiece amazing details and crackled look finish. Use this beauty to amaze your visitors. Majolica prices are ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

A Simple solid silver centre piece made by Dorothy E Vick
Located in London, GB
Simple solid silver centre piece made by Dorothy E Vick. Assay marks D.E.V. Birmingham 1945.
Category

1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

German Ceramic
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Ceramic We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads ...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Centerpiece in Frosted Blown Murano Glass by Seguso, 1980s, Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Centerpiece in Frosted blown Murano glass by Seguso 1980s Italy This extraordinary Murano glass centerpiece was handcrafted in the 1980s by the famous Italian glass-maker Seguso. T...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Bronze

Large Bronze Centerpiece Vessel with Carved Bird Handles, USA 1960's
Located in New York, NY
A stunning centerpiece in cast bronze with a grooved motif adorned with solid bronze cast parrots.
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Tessellated Stone Bowl with Fish in the Style of Maitland Smith
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 detai...
Category

20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Stone

Italian Glazed Ceramic Bowl Centerpiece by Vibi Torino, 1960
By Vibi
Located in Paris, IDF
Colourful glazed ceramic centerpiece bowl by Vi.Bi. Torino made in the early 1960. This ceramic piece features beautiful pastel Italian colors, and Vi.B...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Stunning Green, Blue and Pink Etched Murano Glass Single Flower Vase, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. The tag refers to La Rinascente, a historic luxury department store based in Piazza Duomo in Milan: the most important Italian architects and designers worked ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid Century Belgian Glass Vase
Located in High Point, NC
The vivid hues and liquid lines of blown art glass create an unmissable accent. Made in Belgium circa 1960, expressive glasswork forms a bold silhouette. Organic and abstract, reminiscent of cascading...
Category

20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern Japanese Ceramic Ikebana Square Bowl or Planter
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful black glossy glaze, design, and shape on this ceramic, square shape Ikebana bowl or planter. Stamped in the bottom no chips or cracks.
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Style Murano Centerpiece Colored Glass
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and elegant Italian centrepiece vase Hand-crafted golden yellow glass Original label: “Hand made in Italy Murano glass” Every ite...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Set of Four Turquoise Earthenware Vide-Poche / Decorative Plates by Albisola
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s - 1960s. This set of four catchalls / vide-poches / decorative plates is made in glazed earthenware. These space-inspired plates are hand-made and hand-painted...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Earthenware

Sottsass Mid Century Candlestick Center Piece
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A well crafted candlestick center piece in a mixed blue toned copper enameled metal with step down design and three copper candle holders. The holders have great age and patina which...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal

1930s Russel Wright Organic Freeform Hors d'oeuvre Centerpiece Relish Dish Klise
Located in Hyattsville, MD
An uncommon Russel Wright design executed by Klise Woodworking, circa 1935 from carved maple.
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Maple

Venini '89 Murano Glass Centerpiece, Italy, 1989
Located in Naples, IT
Glass ashtray or centrepiece worked with the submerged glass technique. Production: Venini, Italy.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

20th Century Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Centerpiece 2039 in Colored Glass
Located in Turin, Turin
Very beautiful Centerpiece designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, model 2039, designed in '60s. The Bowl has a base in silvered metal and then it is entirely in colored glass (ora...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal

Vintage Ceramic Reptile Optic Style Glazed Platter
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully created and in excellent condition vintage ceramic platter. The finish on this platter evokes an optic illusion of reptile skin in ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Murano Centerpiece Bowl Attributed to Seguso
Located in New York, NY
Great quality Murano Art Glass bowl, attributed to Seguso. Perfect condition, heavy clear body with purple stripe. Substantial and impressive centerpiece bowl.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Ikebana Ceramic Footed Cath-it-all Bowl Platter
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful glazed ceramic footed platter bowl, with raised edges and great colors and form nice earth tones signed at the bottom circa 1970's.
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Black Ceramic Italian Vases, Bucaros, Centerpieces
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing pair of Italian black vases or Bucaros with lid ,in black ceramic , large in size and of great decorative strength in their shapes. The pieces are made by hand, so each piec...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Large Cenedese Italian Square Black & Clear Murano Glass Vase
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese large, heavy and elegant vintage Mid-Century modern Italian Murano tall, large and square glass vase, circa 1965-1975. This rare, large and heavy piece of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

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

Italian Large Ceramic Vase Hand Painted
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Torquoise Ceramic large vase hand painted in gold 1960. Large vase with gold flowers painted around the whole vase. Tiny crack at the bottom.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Pottery "Amphore" Bowl Shell by Karlsruher Majolika, Germany, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Pottery ceramic shell bowl element Producer: Karlsruher Majolika, Germany Decade: 1950s Original vintage 195...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery

Mid-Century Studio Ernan Albisola Hand-Glazed Ceramic Cachepot 70s Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Beautiful ceramic cachepot with hand-glazed floral decoration, signed on the bottom by "Ceramiche Ernan Albisola". Italian manufacturing from the 70s. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Ceramic Dish by Etruria Sesto Fiorentino
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian ceramic hand painted plate by Etruria Sesto Fiorentino 1970s. Beautiful Decorative centre plate with blue black and red colours.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Wood Centerpiece by Anri Form
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Charming Italian teak wood centerpiece by Anri Form, original copper mark.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Teak

Silver Plated Large Lidded Pumpkin Punch Bowl , Container
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in! This very large Silver Plated Lidded Pumpkin Container, it could be a punch bow, but here is no indentation for the ladle. The Silver plating is in pristine, condition, ther...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Alfredo Barbini Venetian Murano Console Set Center Piece Candle Holders Grapes
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Alfredo Barbini Murano 3 piece Venetian glass console set. Console bowl is 7 3/4 inches tall by 11 1/2 inches wide. Candles are 11.5 inches tall...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass

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

Huge Seguso Black Scavo Murano Glass Bowl Centrepiece 1980s
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Seguso Vetri d'Arte black 'a Scavo' centrepiece bowl circa 1980s/1990s in the style of Karl Springer. Springer designed many pieces for Seguso in the 1980s. Typically, these pieces w...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century F. Poli (attr.) Murano Glass and Gold Leaf Fish 1960s Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Fish sculpture in Murano glass and gold leaf, with fins and base in transparent worked glass. Attributed to Flavio Poli, 1960 Italy. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Heavy Bohemian Art Glass Bowl, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Very interesting, rare Bohemian glass bowl. Colourful glass bowl with bubbles. The bowl is approximately 16,5 cm (6.5 inch) high (at the highest poin...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Aquamarine Bullicante Murano Glass Ashtray - Trinket Bowl
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. Made in aquamarine bullicante Murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect origina...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Formia Italian 1970s Vintage White Crystal Clear Murano Glass Tall Flared Vase
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Italian design monumental vase, tall and slender with flared tops decorated with colored border ad incalmo, in white, high quality of execution with heavy overlaid bottom, in...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

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

Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Italian Rectangular Black & Clear Murano Glass Vase
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese large, heavy and elegant vintage Mid-Century modern Italian Murano large, rectangular and wide glass vase, circa 1965-1975....
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Modern Silver and Brass Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury silvered metal and brass bowl set on a hammered sculptural metal stand with four legs and brass ball feet. The hammered bowl with sleek lines has two brass handles for ser...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

No. 2 New Old Stock Large 3.1kg Murano Glass Vase Antonio da Ros Cenedese, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase element Design: Antonio da Ros Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the Vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

New Old Stock Large 2, 9kg Murano Glass Vase Antonio da Ros Cenedese 1970, No.2
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase element Design: Antonio da Ros Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the Vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

New Old Stock Large 1.1kg Murano Glass Vase Antonio da Ros Cenedese 1970, No.2
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass element Design: Antonio da Ros Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s-1970...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano 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

Accolay french ceramic 1950
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
A stunning 1950s bowl by Accolay from France. This unique decorative piece exudes charm and captures the elegance of mid-century craftsmanship. The incised signature featuring the d...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

New Old Stock 1, 1kg Murano Glass Shell Bowl Antonio da Ros Cenedese 1970, No.1
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass element Design: Antonio da Ros Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the Vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s-1970...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

No. 1 New Old Stock Large 1.2kg Murano Glass Vase Antonio da Ros Cenedese, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase element Design: Antonio da Ros Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the Vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Hartill Czech glass center piece in merletto c 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and rare Hartill Czech glass merletto center piece bicolor circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Black Murano Glass Ashtray - Trinket Bowl by Fratelli Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. Made in polychrome Murano glass canes. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent original c...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Rare c.1970s West Germany Ceramic Head Sculpture, Mid-century Modern Design
Located in Skien, NO
**Rare Vintage Ceramic Sculpture – West Germany, 1970s** This rare vintage ceramic sculpture, crafted in West Germany during the 1970s. Made from glossy black glazed ceramic, this...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery

Finnish Mid-Century Modern Silver Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
1942 Finnish silver centerpiece bowl in Mid-Century Modern style standing on 4 feet in a beautiful, curvilinear design and with faintly gilt interior. It measures 11 1/3'' in length ...
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

Gio Ponti Brass Plate by Cleto Munari
Located in Chicago, IL
Gio Ponti Brass Plate by Cleto Munari Impressed signature to each example 'Gio Ponti'. Impressed manufacturer's mark to verso of one example ‘Cleto Mun...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

French ceramic Vallauris vase 1950
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
Very large original French vase featuring two openings: a wide one at the top and several smaller holes at the base, specifically designed for individual flowers. It showcases a bea...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Large Enameled Painted Floral Pattern Art Glass Round Dresser Box
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice large enameled art glass jewelry dresser box center piece. Measures: 10" Diameter.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Milk Glass

Center Piece in Murano glass by Fratelli Toso 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece atributed to Fratelli Toso 1950 in Murano glass with venturine and zanfirico
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century Rometti Umbertide Ceramics Liqueur set 1930s Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Very original liqueur set in worked and glazed ceramic in white and orange shades, consisting of a bottle with handle, six glasses and circular tray. The set is signed, on the bottom...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Centerpiece / Catchall / Decorative Piece by Petucco & Tolio, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s - 1960s. This high-quality handmade painted and lacquered ceramic decorative item can be used as a wall piece, as a catch all or as a centerpiece. It's been made by Petucco...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Decorative Rectangular Brass Tray 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The "Vintage Italian Decorative Rectangular Brass Tray, 1960s" is a testament to Italian artistry of the time. Crafted in a rectangular shape with ornate brass detailing, it encapsul...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All