Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Val Saint Lambert, Signed Sculpted Crystal Vase with Amethyst Core, Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Heavy Val Saint Lambert signed crystal vase catalogued in the 1950s.
The central amethyst color (a traditional favorite for VSL) has been given a thick Sommerso (clear layer on the ...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Crystal Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Big clear crystal decorative basket - a bowl
For sweets or fruits.
Very good condition, very heavy.
No damage.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Set of Ten English Cut Crystal Wine Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful set of ten mid-20th century English Stuart crystal wine glasses with wheel and panel cut design including thumbprint impression...
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert with Label Crystal Vase, Belgium in Excellent Condition, 1950s
Located in Verviers, BE
Val Saint Lambert vase, with the label shown in various factory catalogues, 1950s.
Beautiful Val Saint Lambert circular crystal vase, the glass is thick clear and rose
Origin: Be...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Crystal Sugar Bowl in a Metal Basket, Poland, 1940s
Located in Chorzów, PL
An open sugar bowl consisting of a bent flower-pattern housing and a crystal bowl.
Very good condition
Dimensions: Height 6 cm with a handle 13 cm, diameter 15 cm.
Category
1940s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Metal
Set of 12 Lotus Wine Glasses by Richard Latham and Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
12 wine glasses from the series "Lotus" design by Richard Latham and Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio-Line model no. 2400. Frosted finish and etching stamp.
6 white and 6 for red wine glasses glass...
Category
1980s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Cut Crystal Bowl with Lid
Located in Vienna, AT
Extravagant cut and polished crystal bowl made circa 1970s in one of the Bohemian glass works. The cutting is especially fine and deep with the very intricate patterns.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Set of 64 Crystal Wine and Water Glass Service
By Rosenthal
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage crystal glassware sets. Attractive cut crystal goblets in various sizes for cocktails and wine, and tumblers for highballs. 20th...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Carafe with 6 Glasses, France, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Glass liqueur set in a honey color carafe + 6 glasses on a stem.
Very good condition, no damage.
Glasses signed FRANCE on the bottom
Measure...
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Glass
Crystal Vase with Optical Lenses, Turquoise Cut to Clear by Beyer, 'Germany'
Located in Verviers, BE
This solid vase has been designed with four rows of thin, horizontal cut to clear facets, and therefore it makes a surprisingly vivid optical effect, catching the light when you move...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Two Italian Crystal Carafe 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 2 antique carafe made in Italy with a silver details.
Big Carafe H 11 D 9
Small Carafe H 8 D 9.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Solid Crystal Biomorphic Vase with Waves of Bright Green and Sommerso
Located in Verviers, BE
Solid crystal biomorphic vase with waves of bright green and sommerso.
This heavy biomorphic crystal glass vase has been made in Bohemia (modern Cze...
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
French Crystal Fruit Bowl or Serving Dish
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful midcentury period hand-cut crystal fruit bowl or serving dish.
Very good quality.
This item is unmarked but is in the manner of many mad...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Glass Casket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Glass casket, Poland, 1950s.
Produced in Poland in 1950s.
Very good condition
Measures: Height 12cm diameter 10cm.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Glass
Three Crystal Oval Boat-Like Decorative Bowls, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Three crystal oval boat-like decorative bowls
Produced in Poland in 1950s.
Very good condition
Measures: The biggest : Height : 14cm width 24cm depth 14cm
Medium : Height 11cm ...
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Bohemian Cut Crystal Table Bell
Located in Vienna, AT
Extravagant cut and polished crystal table bell made, circa 1970s in one of the Bohemian glass works. The cutting is especially fine and deep with t...
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Mid-Century Murano Glass Bowl, Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Organic shaped 1960's glass bowl in two colors from Murano with air-bubble pattern. Excellent for putting your keys and what not's or as a snack bowl.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Murano Glass
Crystal Micentury Decorative Basket, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Crystal micentury decorative basket produced in Poland in the 1950s.
Excellent condition.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Two Crystal Octagonal Decorative Bowls, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Two crystal clear octagonal decorative bowls
Produced in Poland in 1950s.
Very good condition.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Crystal Decanter with Etched Crown and Faceted Stopper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crystal decanter with etched crown and faceted stopper - a heavy and quite decorative decanter useful in the bar, but also could work well with assorted oils and powders in the kitch...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert Cut-Crystal Decanter 20th Century, Founded in 1826, Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Val Saint Lambert cut-crystal decanter, 20th century
Looks simply stunning.
Val Saint Lambert is a Belgian crystal glassware manufacturer, founded in 1826 and based in Seraing. It is...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Baccarat and Silver Bottle 1940s
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Baccarat and silver bottle 1940s.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Lead Crystal and Hammered Metal Decorative Bowl Serving Bowl England
Located in Miami, FL
Handmade vintage lead crystal and hammered metal decorative bowl or serving bowl.
1960s unique and rare bowl made in England.
Stamped 'England' ...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Crystal Bowl on Brass Base
Located in Chorzów, PL
Crystal bowl on brass leg
Very good condition.
Measures: Height 10.5 cm, diameter 12 cm.
Category
1940s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Brass
Vintage Crystal Gray Bottle Italy 1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small decorative gray bottle with silver details.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Brass Sugar Bowl
Located in Chorzów, PL
Brass confectionery with a crystal bowl and a metal lid.
Very good condition
Measures: Height 14cm / diameter 13cm.
Category
1940s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Brass
St. Louis French Hand Cut Crystal Decorative Bowl
By Saint Louis
Located in Miami, FL
Very beautiful crystal bowl from the famous manufacturer, St. Louis or Saint Louis.
The design features magnificent and intricate cuts.
Stunning with a surprising optical appearance...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert, Table Lamp a Thick Sommerso 'Clear Crystal Casing'
Located in Verviers, BE
This simple yet dramatic table lamp is in medium size; 12.02 inches excluding the lamp-fitting and shade. The colored core in Classic Val Saint Lambert tint, has been given a thick S...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Important Vicke Lindstrand Decanter for Kosta Boda
Located in Sharon, CT
A rare important and early decanter with a marvelous etched juggling clown. The stopper is carved as a ball.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Glass
Orrefors Crystal Drinks Decanters by Nils Landberg 'Individually Priced'
Located in Austin, TX
A fine pair of large crystal drinks decanters or ship's decanters for wine, whiskey, and spirits, designed by Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden, wh...
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Sophisticated Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Etched Crystal Serving Plate
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated serving plate was realized in the United States, circa 1960. It features a sunburst pattern emanating from the center. The bottom has been incised with deep channe...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Nils Landberg For Orrefors Crystal Ship Decanter 4200-731
Located in Chicago, IL
Heavy crystal ship decanter by Nils Landberg for Orrefors, number 4200-731. The shape of the decanter, with the weight being spread out at the ba...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Modernist Table Lamp in Cut Crystal with Platform, Colored in the Mass
Located in Verviers, BE
Table lamp in modernist cut crystal with a suspended block of crimson stapping colored in the mass.
Eye-catching and distinctive effect.
The sizes are measured without a lampshade....
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Exceptional Licio Zanetti Monumental Murano Glass Decanter
Located in Buchanan, MI
Exceptional Licio Zanetti monumental Murano glass decanter very heavy and sculptural.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Brass Fruit Basket from the 1920s
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass frame nickel-plated with ceramic base showing fruits motif. Made in Austria in the late 1920s.
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Brass
Glass Decanter with Cork Barbell Stopper Possibly Pyrex or Schott
Located in New York, NY
Stylish crystal decanter with cork barbell stopper. The decanter has an open top for filling the bottle, and a side mouth spout for pouring, the barbell form stopper has a glass tube...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Glass, Cork
Silver Rimmed Cocktail Glasses 8 Attributed to Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of 8 delicate stemware set. The glasses in this set could be used for a number of cocktails. We love the idea of an Arnould Palmer. But that's just us. The rims of these beauties...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Glass, Paint
Bohemin Crystal Flower Vase
Located in Vienna, AT
Polished crystal vase made circa the 1970s in one of the Bohemian glass works.
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Unusual Freeform Colored Crystal Cup, Signed, Scandinavia, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This freeform cup is made of colored crystal. This is a Scandinavian work, signed, circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Lighted Vanity Tray in Cristallo Scalpellato and Carved Brass
By Fontana Arte
Located in Hanover, MA
This one-of-a-kind presentation or dressing table tray was created exclusively for BG Galleries by one of our own artisans, embellishing the style of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal, Brass
1970s Table Accessories, Fruit Vase, Vide Poche Lorenzi Milano, Italy
Located in Arosio, IT
Giovanni Lorenzi, the most famous luxury accessories manufacturer in Italy opened his own shop in 1929 in Via Montenapoleone 9 in Milan, right in the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Cut Glass
Val Saint Lambert Signed Crystal Center Bowl
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful signed Val Saint Lambert circular crystal bowl, Ruby, hand-cut-to-clear, the glass is thick, deeply and evenly cut, without a single bobble or a glass flow inside the glass...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Soviet Russian Cut Crystal and Silver Wine Set, Moscow, circa 1960s
By Mosremchas
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage Soviet Russian cut crystal and silver set of wine pitcher and twelve glasses consists of a tall pitcher with the gold-plate...
Category
1960s Russian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Vanity Tray in Chiseled Glass and Carved Brass
Located in Hanover, MA
This one-of-a-kind presentation or dressing table tray was created exclusively for BG Galleries by one of our own artisans, embellishing the style of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Lalique, "Langeais" Crystal Service (31 Pieces), France 1980s
By Lalique, Marc Lalique
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb Lalique "Langeais" model crystalware service composed of:
1 x Decanter ( 23.5 x 12.5 )
1 x Carafe ( 23 x 14 x 11 )
7 x Champagne Glasses ( 16.1 x 6.1 )
12 x White Wine Glasse...
Category
1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert 'Twisted Light' Crystal Glass Table Lamp, 1952
Located in Verviers, BE
This simple yet graceful table lamp is in large size, 40 cm 15.74 inches excluding the shade.
The colored core in Classic Val Saint Lambert tint, has been given a thick Sommerso (cle...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert Sculpted Crystal Vase Green with Sommerso Core, Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Heavy Val Saint Lambert crystal vase.
The central Green color (a traditional favorite for VSL) has been given a thick Sommerso (clear layer on the outside) and sculpted with subtle c...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert Label Sculpted Crystal Vase with Sommerso Core, Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Heavy Val Saint Lambert crystal vase, whit Label
The central amethyst color (a traditional favorite for VSL) has been given a thick Sommerso (clear layer on the outside) and sculpte...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Swedish crystal carafe set by Johansfors in a peach color
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Swedish crystal carafe set by Johansfors in a peach color.
7” x 4”
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Lalique Caviar Bowl "Igor"
By Lalique
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Lalique caviar covered bowl "Igor"
Made of clear and frosted crystal.
Signed in script "Lalique France"
Measures: Height 9.85", diameter 7.85".
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Crystal Liqueur Set
Located in Chorzów, PL
Crystal liqueur set consisting of a decanter with stopper, 6 liqueur glasses and a tray
Made of colorless crystal
The set was made in Poland in the middle of the 20th century
...
Category
1960s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Crystal Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Mid-century Modern crystal serveware for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern crystal serveware 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 crystal serveware 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 crystal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern crystal serveware made in a specific country, there are Europe, Belgium, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original crystal serveware, popular names associated with this style include Val Saint Lambert, Max Brüel , Joe Colombo, and Baccarat. 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 crystal serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $34 and tops out at $10,000 while the average work can sell for $405.
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