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 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.

1
11
to
4
6
4
11
11
11
103
5
4
2
1
1
3
713
4
4
443
192
2
15
84
140
132
24
3
4
3
2
2
1
10
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1930s
Firma Svenskt Tenn (Sweden, 1924), A Pewter Vase, Stockholm 1934
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Firma Svenkt Tenn, a pewter vase, Stockholm 1934. Stamped with angel mark, Stockholm H8. Height 20 cm Wear due to age and use. Scratches. Rim chip
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Pewter

Ceramic Art Deco
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

1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Catalan Yellow Blown Glass Vase, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Catalan yellow blown glass vase, circa 1920 Manufactured in Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, prese...
Category

1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Glass Jug, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Glass jug, circa 1930 Manufactured in Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materia...
Category

1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Alexandre Noll 1930s Turned Wood Bowl
Located in New York, NY
An original 1930s turned wood sculptural wood bowl by famed French craftsman, Alexandre Noll. Signed
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Hardwood

White Porcelain and Gold Centrepiece Footed Bowl by Ugo Zaccagnini
Located in New York, NY
White porcelain centrepiece bowl / compote with gold decoration by Ugo Zaccagnini. Italy, circa 1930. Signed.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Traditional Catalan Blown Glass Vase, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional Catalan blown glass vase, circa 1930 Manufactured in Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mater...
Category

1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Vintage Chiseled and Embossed Cast Bronze Centerpiece / Bowl, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s. This vide-poche is made in embossed and chiseled cast bronze. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage and has an imperceptible flaw, but it can be...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Monumental Transparent "A Mugnoni" Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1938. This is a vase from the A Mugnoni series in transparent heavy blown glass, decorated with prunts containing air bubbles. It is...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Barovier & Toso Centrepiece Epergne and Candlesticks Opal Crystal with Gold Leaf
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an exceptional and rare centerpiece made by Barovier and Toso, circa 1930s-1940s. What sets this apart is the versatility and adjustability of the arrangement, allowing for many configurations and shapes. Starting with the hand blown oval shaped centre bowl, the opal glass is filled with gold leaf inclusions making it sparkle without being glitzy. The four gold leaf infused arms sit at the base, which is affixed with a threaded finial. The arms can be spread out either at right angles or maintain an oval shape. One can either use all four arms as candlesticks while placing the bobeches atop the candle cups or placing the four bowls which fit into the candle cups. And one can also use two of each, for a versatile arrangement. Please see all the images to view the myriad possibilities. This clean design works well with many decorative styles and the flexibility is inspiring. Bobeches measure 4.25" D x 1.25" H Epergne Bowls...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Related Items
Zibul "I Piccoli" Carlo Moretti Murano Contemporary Mouth Blown Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Moretti Zibul Murano contemporary mouth blown clear glass vase with streaks of ivory and red. Part of the I Piccoli collection which originates from the idea of offering a col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Contemporary Blue Yellow Fruit Vase Blown Glass Handcrafted Natalia Criado
Located in Milan, IT
The azul vase is an extension of Natalia Criado's wonder crystals project. this series of blown glasswares is a testament to timeless craftsmanship. Meticulously handcrafted by skill...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass

'Tentacle Vase' Hand Blown Glass Vase by Simone Crestani
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
'Tentacle Vase' A Hand Blown Glass Vase by Simone Crestani Tentacle Vase is one of the pieces from the Polpo Collection. "The enveloping elegance of th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Bob Stocksdale Signed Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Wood Turned Bowls
Located in Studio City, CA
A very handsome, darkly colored set of six bowl by American master wood turner Bob Stocksdale. All are signed and marked ("Mahogany of Guatemala") by Stocksdale. Stunning in any sett...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful medium size Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood, Paint

Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Italy, circa 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Italy, 1930s or older. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Foun...
Category

1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood

Pair of Baroque Style Wood Carved Cherub Angel Heads, Vintage German, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pair beautiful hand carved and hand painted cherub angel Heads, found at an estate sale in Germany. Made by a woodcarver in the Oberammergau are...
Category

1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood

Large Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful large Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th cen...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood, Paint

Japanese Old Wood Carving Bear 1930s-1950s/Vintage Figurine Sculpture Folk Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a wooden folk craft in the shape of a bear. Mainly manufactured in Hokkaido. It is a wood carving made from 1930 to 1950. The eyes are made of glass. This type is rare in Japa...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood

Vintage Swedish Midcentury Trays by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
Located in San Diego, CA
A set of three vintage serving trays by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Sweden, 1960s Classic textile design by Josef Frank over molded plywood tray...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Italy, circa 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Italy, 1930s or older. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Foun...
Category

1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Wood

Pewter Art Deco Style Footed Bowl by Just Andersen
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco style pewter centerpiece bowl recast from original bowl by Just Andersen. This example is a later copy of the original, by Selangor Pewter. Ma...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Pewter

Previously Available Items
1930s Hand-Hammered Large Brass Bowl Hayno Focken Germany, Bauhaus Art Deco Era
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Beautiful original finish on the brass. Largest we have found at 13 inches wide.
Category

1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Nepir Portugal Bubble Glass Bronze Pedestal Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Nepir Portugal bubble glass bronze pedestal bowl centerpiece Measures: 9" W x 7.5" H.
Category

1930s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Bronze

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