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Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Jacques & Dani Ruelland Coupe in Black Gunmetal Glaze c. 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jacques & Dani Ruelland coupe in black gunmetal glaze. France c. 1970. Signed. Christie’s label on underside. Measurements: 2 3⁄8 height x 9 width x 8 7⁄8 in depth Provenance: C...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Rupert Deese Compote
Located in Palm Springs, CA
California studio stoneware compote created by Claremont, California ceramist, Rupert Deese. Compote measures 3.75" high by 5.75" in diameter. It is signed with the artists' cypher ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Footed Serving Dish
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage Ceramic Footed Serving Dish by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tab...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Rosenthal Versace Porcelain Charger Plate
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Rosenthal Versace porcelain charger.
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

D. Peterson Ceramic Pitcher and Cups Set Dated 1956
By D. Peterson
Located in Chicago, IL
This handmade ceramic pitcher and cups set has classically simple forms. The glaze treatment is wonderfully irregular, embracing the spontaneity of the process. The darker glaze on t...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Majolica Oyster Plate with Crab Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica oyster plate with crab in the center and shell accents, circa 1960 signed Sarreguemines.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Studio Pottery Weed Pot, circa 1975
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Studio Pottery weed pot / vase. circa 1975.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Wallåkra, Mid-Century Stoneware Vase, Sweden, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A sizeable mid-century stoneware vase. Impressed: WALLAKRA.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Petite Burnt Orange French Mid-Century Ceramic Vessel
Located in New York, NY
Petite burnt orange French mid-century ceramic vessel with splayed black paint overlay. ' Signed underneath J Blin.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1960-72 Large Fruit Bowl by Ben Owen, Master Potter
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1960-72 Ben Owen, Master Potter, large fruit bowl. Known variously as Ben Owen I or Senior, he was the second known potter to work at Jugtown Pottery in 1923. Brown with royal blue i...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Vallauris Oyster Plates, Nine Available
Located in Pearland, TX
Beautiful Vallauris oyster plates in shades of speckled pink, teal, and brown. Nine available.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Raymond Loewy for Rosenthal Form 2000 MCM Chop Plate in Sunburst Pattern
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage 1950s large porcelain chop plate or round serving platter designed by Raymond Loewy for Rosenthal in Germany. Bright white interiors surface with silver and gold atomic "sunb...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Ceramic Scottie Dog Figure - The Townsend Ceramic and Glass Co. Florida
Located in Morristown, NJ
Vintage 1970's American sculpted ceramic Scottish Terrier figure by The Townsends. Depicted in a seated position this Scottie dog has been sculpted with incredible lifelike details. ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Red Majolica Bird Salt Cellars Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century Red Majolica Bird Salt Cellar Vallauris.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Studio Pottery Scored Lava Glazed Vessel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Studio pottery lava glazed vessel with heavy scoring. Would work well in a variety of interiors such as modern, mid century modern, Hollywood regency, etc. Piece blends seamlessly ...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Studio Pottery Glazed Pot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Signed studio pottery glazed pot. Intentional indentation on the rim as it is underneath the glazed finish. Would work well in a variety of interiors such as modern, mid century mod...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Studio Pottery Glazed Catchall Tray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Signed studio pottery catchall tray. Textured detail with a crackle glazed finish. Would work well in a variety of interiors such as modern, mid century modern, Hollywood regency, e...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Mid-Century Green Majolica Salt Cellars Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century Green Majolica salt cellars Vallauris. Basketweave.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vessel by Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Stan Bitters planter with incised floral motif on both sides. This vessel was designed by one of California's great ceramicist's and manufactured by Hans Sumpf.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Striped Ceramic Straight Walled Lamp
Located in Fullerton, CA
It starts off with 1kg of clay for both the top and bottom of the lamp. Thrown on the potters wheel they are left to dry overnight and trimmed, smoothed and fitted together the next ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Bruno Gambone Glazed Ceramic Bull Sculpture, Italy, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone glazed ceramic or stoneware standing bull, Italy, 1970s. Signed on underside "GAMBONE ITALY". This graphic and sculptural bull is at once whimsical and austere and make...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

1950s Creamer Laurel of Calif Cerama Stone Russel Wright Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
American Modern Ceramic Creamer Pottery Stoneware MCM USA Calif 1950s after Russel Wright stamped Laurel of Calif Cerama Stone 3.13 h x 10.25 w x 3.75 Preowned original unrestored vi...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1950s Italian Ceramic Bowls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These 1950s Italian Ceramic Bowls are expertly crafted, being as they are strong and smooth. The piece was hand molded and hand painted. The design is organic and flowing, the paint ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Ginny and Paul Anthony Studio Pottery Chicken Tureen
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful sculptural ceramic tureen by Anthony Stoneware. Founded in 1966, the Paul Anthony ceramic pottery studio strived to produce functional ceramic ware of high material integr...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Blue Buddha Bust
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Buddha Bust, Blue. Beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a vibrant dark reflex blue. According to one legend, Kwan Yin was an Indian Pri...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Jacques and Dani Ruelland French Ceramic Bottle Aubergine Glaze
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic bottle form by the French ceramic artists Jacques and Dani Ruelland. An aubergine glaze. Signature is obscured by the glaze. Literature: Pierre Staudenmeyer, La Ce´ramiq...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Restaurant Ware Saucers with Pink Chintz Border by Shenango - Set of 3
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of three scalloped restaurantware saucers. Restaurant ware is infamous for its durability. Most restaurants or diners use it and many have their logo stamped on the pieces. Thi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Bjorn Wiinblad Relief White Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal With Gilt Characters
Located in Chicago, IL
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal gourd form vase in porcelain with studded and oval relief. Hand painted in gold leaf, is a playful character prancing among the pumpkins; a childlike des...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Pottery from Morocco, Cream & Burgundy Color, Handcrafted, Contemporary Ceramic
Located in New York, NY
Pottery from Morocco. Inspired by Swedish midcentury pottery like Stig Lindberg. Handcrafted pottery by a local artist in Rabat.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century French Ecru Majolica Oyster Plate
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Ecru Majolica Oyster Plate . Lemon on the center.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Piero Fornasetti Pin Tray or Ashtray
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Pin Tray or Ashtray, 1950s-60s, This rectangular ceramic tray features raised sides and a playful design by Piero Fornasetti. Two contrasting hearts, one ye...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Bruno Gambone Ceramic Jug or Pitcher, Italy, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone ceramic jug or pitcher with handle in tan or camel glaze including bands of off-white and dark brown. Signed on underside 'GAMBONE ITALY.'
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Conchiglie Seashell Plate With Snails and Mollusks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Conchiglie Seashell Plate With Snails and Mollusks, #8, Circa 1960s-70s The Fornasetti plate is decorated in the Conchiglie pattern which depicts differen...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Italian Bassano Roses Reticulated White Ceramic Fruit Bowl
Located in New Orleans, LA
A lovely, vintage Bassano reticulated, white ceramic fruit bowl/centerpiece adorned with gilt trimmed roses. The perfect touch for a well appointed...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Gold Leaf

Jacques and Dani Ruelland French Ceramic Bottle in Pale Mauve Glaze
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic bottle form by the French ceramic artists Jacques and Dani Ruelland. A pale mauve glaze. Signed. Literature: Pierre Staudenmeyer, La Ce´ramique Francaise des Anne´es 50, P...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Swedish Yellow Dish or Bowl ARO circa 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
Medium size ARO bowl created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand Factory in the 1950s, Sweden. Yellow hares fur glaze breaking to browns. Excellent condition. No chips. Co...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Swedish Blue Dish or Bowl ARO circa 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
Medium size ARO bowl created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand Factory in the 1950s, Sweden. Blue hares fur glaze breaking to browns. Excellent condition. No chips.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Swedish Burgundy Dish or Bowl ARO circa 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
Medium size ARO bowl created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand Factory in the 1950s, Sweden. Burgundy eggplant hares fur glaze breaking to blues. Excellent condition. No...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Swedish Brown Dish or Bowl ARO circa 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
Medium size ARO bowl created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand Factory in the 1950s, Sweden. Brown hares fur glaze breaking to blacks with beautiful white rim. Excellen...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Swedish Blue Dish or Bowl ARO circa 1950
Located in Chicago, IL
Medium size ARO bowl created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand Factory in the 1950s, Sweden. Blue hares fur glaze breaking to browns. Excellent condition. No chips. Coll...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Rörstrand Carl-Harry Stålhane vases and trays , Sweden 1960
Located in Bronx, NY
Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand dark blue ceramic trays Sweden, 1960. Set of two trays and two vases in a blue/grey glaze Vases 9.5" and 11" Trays...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage English Poole Ceramic Red and Black Abstract Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely small bulbous vintage ceramic vase is from the 60's and made by Poole Pottery from England. It has red abstracted blobs against the black background randomly placed. It ...
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Abstract Terracotta Ceramic
Located in Chicago, IL
c. Unknown. Abstract ceramic made of Terracotta.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta

Eight Vintage Piero Fornasetti Musicalia Coasters
Located in Doraville, GA
A set of eight porcelain coasters designed by Piero Fornasetti. The design is named "Musicalia". The coasters are white porcelain with a gilt gold background outlined in black depic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Restaurant Ware Berry Bowls in White and Green, Set of 5 1960s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of five heavy restaurant ware bowls in green and white. Vintage restaurant ware is making a comeback in entertaining. Known for their strength...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid century ceramic lighter by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A mid century modern ceramic lighter by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1960s. Tones of espresso, marigold, and mandarin. Working condition unchecked; I ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Metal

Set of 12 Green Majolica Wheat Knife Rests & Wine Coaster Vallauris, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 12 Green Majolica Wheat Knife Rests & Wine Coaster signed Vallauris, circa 1950. 11 knife rests and one wine coaster bottle. knife rests / 4 inches by 0.8 inches, Height / 0.5...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage MCM Atomic / Retro Ashtray or Vide-Poche, NASCO, Rare Design
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage MCM Atomic / Retro Ashtray or Vide-Poche, NASCO, Rare Design Stamped "Hand Painted NASCO" on the base. We love the mid-century modern design of t...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware

Vintage Ceramic Flower Pie Dish
Located in Vallejo, CA
A vintage studio circular ceramic pie dish with a colorful floral design in the center. Made in Japan.
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Raymor Gambone Style Monumental Glazed Ceramic Sculpture Turquoise Italy
By Raymor, Gambone Fantoni
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing textural vintage Italian hallmarked monumental glazed and raised ceramic sculpture has it all going on. It is in the style of Gambone meets Fantoni meets Raymor. Hallmar...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Kenji Fujita for Freeman Lederman, Modernist Coffee Carafe Pitcher - Green
Located in Decatur, GA
Exquisite modernist coffee carafe designed by Kenji Fujita for Freeman Lederman. Beverage pitcher in rare green glaze with glossy white interior. Marked with the FL logo. Excellent ...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Rattan

Extra Large Mid-Century Dutch Ceramic Jug by Zaalberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Made by Dutch Post-war ceramics manufacturer Zaalberg, this extra large Mid-Century Dutch ceramic jug is beautifully coated in a rich lava glaze. Founded by Hermanus Zaalberg in Zoet...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Jean Derval, White Ceramic Vase with Red Motif, France, C. 1960
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful mid-century vase in a cream glaze with red details. With its broad four sides and its cylindrical neck, widest at its mouth, this piece possesses an elegance of form char...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Handmade Ceramic Weed Pot
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Handmade Ceramic Weed Pot
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large West German Art Pottery Pitcher - Kupfermühle Keramik Viola
Located in Vallejo, CA
A large 1970s West German art pottery pitcher. Made by KMK (Kupfermühle Keramik) in the "Viola" pattern. Beautiful mid century floral design i...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Three Vintage Fornasetti Leaf “Foglie” Plates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Portman Gallery is pleased to offer three rare gilt transfer plates from the “Foglie” series, which have not been produced in decades. A great gift for anyone who loves: Fall, Bota...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Raymond Loewy for Rosenthal ‘Form 2000' MCM Coffee Pot and Creamer Taupe Crystal
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage 1950s sinuous porcelain coffee pot and creamer designed by Raymond Loewy for Rosenthal in Germany in rare taupe or crystalline color, which is an iridescent or lustre brown. ...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Extra Large Mid-Century Dutch Ceramic Table Vase, Zaalberg (attr)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century, handsomely decorated ceramic vase. Attributed to the Zaalberg ceramics company. Extra Large textured ceramic vase with soft curved edges and decorative hand-carved circl...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Modern ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern ceramics 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 ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern ceramics made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Roger Capron, and Bitossi. 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $113,467 while the average work can sell for $901.

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