Mid-Century Modern Glass
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture 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
Murano Italian Mid-Century Blue Piped Shell Shaped Art Glass Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Italian nautilus shell shaped art glass vase with blue piping made in Murano and probably dating from around 1960/70. The design was probably inspired by Ercole Barovier w...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Original Aubock Cheeseplate with Glassdome from 1950
By Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Original Aubock cheeseplate with glass dome from 1950
The hand-blown glass dome with a handle made out of bast and wood plate.
It is in the original Aubock catalogue with prod...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Straw, Blown Glass, Wood
Rare Wayne Husted for Blenko Charcoal Glass Bottle Decanter with Cut Stopper
By Wayne Husted
Located in Pasadena, CA
Rare handblown decanter bottle with notch cut, clear crystal stopper designed by Wayne Husted for Blenko. Bottle measures 19.5" by 4". In good vintage 1950's condition showing some s...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Vintage Murano Multi-Colored Glass Ash Tray
Located in Munich, DE
Murano glass bowl, ashtray element.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Architectural Glass Blenko Lilac Vessel with Stopper by Wayne Husted
By Blenko Glass
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Architectural lilac glass bottle with stopper by Wayne Husted and manufactured by Blenko, USA. Measures 31.5" high (without stopper), 33" high (with stopper). Stopper is 5.5" diamete...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Dino Martens Aureliano Toso Murano Orange White Ribbons Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown orange and white Zanfirico ribbons Italian art glass bowl. Documented to designer Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, circa 1950s. It has 2 ribbons o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of Vases by Joel Myers, Model No. 6427 for Blenko
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Joel Myers colored glass vases, model no. 6427, 1960s. Manufactured by Blenko. The tallest vase is 23.25" high and 2.75" diameter. The smaller vase is about 22.75" high and 2...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Vase by Joel Myers, Model No. 6427 for Blenko
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Joel Myers colored glass vase with stopper, model no. 6427, 1960s. Manufactured by Blenko. Vessel measures 25" high (with stopper), 21.5" (without stopper) and 2.75" diameter.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Set of Five French Pernod Glasses, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
5 French Pernod glasses set in yellow with blue striping for measuring.
Pernod Fils was the most popular brand of absinthe throughout the 19th and 20th century. Pernod originally bu...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Italian Handmade Murano Glass Vase
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian murano glass vase is handmade in two colors - dark purple and black.
The vase is very heavy and solid.
Weight is 14,4 kg.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Light Pink Vintage Decorative Mannequin Glass Head Sculpture, 1970s, Germany
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Life-size glass head in a unique light pink color. Produced in a German steelworks in the 1970s. Perfect condition. A perfect addition to the interior, photo prop, display or headpho...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Wilhelm Wagenfeld "Turmalin" Vases, 1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 'Turmalin' series by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, blown and cold cut-glass vases, marked.
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Anzolo Fuga Hand-Blown Glass Charger with Rings of Murrhines 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Hand-blown glass charger, aquamarine with concentric rings of polychrome murrhines by Anzolo Fuga for Arte Vetraria Muranese (A.V.E.M)., Murano Italy, 1955-60. Hand-blowing a glass c...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass, Murrine
Very Large Cenedese Aquarium with Two Fishes, 6.15 Kg, circa 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A very large Cenedese, Murano glass aquarium with two fishes, weight 6.15 kg, manufactured circa 1960.
Measures: Width 10.63" (27cm)
Height 8.46" (21.5cm)
Depth 1.97" (5cm).
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Glass Vase
By Orrefors
Located in Bochum, NRW
Beautifully shaped, very heavy glass bottle vase, by Orrefors, Sweden, 1970s.
Excellent condition.
Original manufacturer label
Dimensions: 24 x 10 x 26.5 cm
Mid-Century Modern Sc...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Timo Sarpaneva, Crystal Art-Object "Orkidea" (Orchid), Model 3568, Iittala, 1957
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Timo Sarpaneva, crystal art-object "Orkidea" (Orchid), model 3568, Iittala, 1957
Artist
Timo Sarpaneva (Helsinki, Finland 1926-Helsinki, Finland 2006) was an influential Finnish ...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Crystal
Venini Murano Jade Green White Micro Ribbons Italian Art Glass Bowl Dish Set
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced Per Set (3 sets available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown jade green and white micro thread Zanfirico ribbons Italian art glass bowl and dish set. Signed "Venini Italia"...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Red Opalescent White Italian Art Glass Centrepiece Fish Sculpture
By Cenedese
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Large vintage Murano hand blown opalescent white and red striped Italian art glass flat fish sculpture. Attributed to the Cenedese Company. The piece has a wavy red stripe on the top...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Opaline Glass, Glass
Signed Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Vibrantly Colored Murano Glass Vase
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning midcentury, vintage 'Opalino' Murano glass vase or vessel designed by Antonio da Ros for Cenedese, circa 1970-1990 Wonderful translucent color (colour) of vibrant light blue...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Murano Sommerso Orange Yellow Italian Art Glass Flying Bird Sculpture on Base
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso orange with yellow wings Italian art glass flying bird sculpture. Attributed to the Salviati company. The bird glides while a clear glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Dark Green Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Vintage Bunny Rabbit Figurine
By Toscany
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Cute vintage handblown dark green with controlled bubbles, Italian art glass bunny rabbit sculpture / figure. It does not have a label, but I have owned previous ones with a "Toscany...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Murano Dandy Clown with Pocket Watch, Top Hat, Italian Art Glass Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Large vintage Murano handblown white with red, blue and black spots Italian art glass "Dandy" clown sculpture. He has a large pocket watch, and gold leaf top hat. In the manner of de...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Gold Leaf
Seguso Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Aquarium, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful Murano glass aquarium, produced by the mastery of Archimede Seguso, high level craftsmanship.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Tobia Scarpa Vase "Occhi" for Venini, circa 1960
By Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A white "occhi" murrine vase designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1960, manufactured by Venini, Venice, circa 1960. Acid stamped signature "Venini Murano Italia" on the base (almost not visib...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso Murano Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso Murano glass Ashtray.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Peill & Putzler White Clouds Glass Table Lamp, 1970s
Located in Verviers, BE
Hollow-footed glass table lamp made by Peill & Putzler in the 1970s. Their unique patterning awareness of light patterns and their use of frosted glass to give a range of white shade...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Metal
Cenedese Vintage Blue Italian Murano Glass Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Wonderful light blue vase by Cenedese Vetri of Murano, Italy. A fun, funky and bright way to add a touch of bold color / color to your interior - imagine glass like this on open, whi...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Midcentury Murano Sommerso Mauve Glass Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and heavily made Italian Murano Sommerso art glass bowl of flat cut tear drop shape with the point of the teardrop cut flat. The bowl is blown in thick clear glass (2.25cm...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Murano Glass Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano Alexandrite Neodymium Glass Fish Figure by Licio Zanetti
Spectacular XXL Murano glass color changing lilac blue fish sculpture by Licio Zanetti. Italy, 1960-1970.
This hand b...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Set of Eight Pinched Base Smoked Cocktail Glasses or Water Tumblers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eight cocktail glasses in curved form with dimpled bases.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Murano Millefiori Mosaic Flowers Italian Art Glass Decorative Round Desk Clock
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano hand blown millefiori flower mosaic Italian art glass desk clock. It has a Quartz clock face, a triangle stand on the back, and battery operated clock face (new batt...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Metal
Alfredo Barbini Murano Signed Rib Cage Design Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual, vintage Murano hand blown crystal clear, indented and ribbed Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini for Oggetti. Signed on the b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Crystal
Riccardo Licata for Venini Murano Doppio Incalmo Murrine Italian Art Glass Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Exceptional, rare vintage Murano hand blown white and yellow murrines Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer and painter Riccardo Licata for Venini, 1955-1956, in the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass, Murrine, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini 'Torciglione' Murano Glass Photo Frame with Gold Flakes
By Venini
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A signed Venini twisted rope or Torciglione glass photo/picture frame with gold flakes.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Brass
Dino Martens Murano Zig Zag Ribbons Skirt Italian Art Glass Nude Woman Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful Murano hand blown white, yellow, aqua, blue, reddish pink and aventurine zig zag ribbons Italian art glass nude grecian woman sculpture. Documented to designer Din...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Gold Leaf
Archimede Seguso Murano Green White Zanfirico Ribbons Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano hand blown Zanfirico ribbons Italian art glass bowl. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, circa 1955. Still retains an original "Archimede Seguso - Murano - Made...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Seguso Murano Iridescent Black Gold Italian Art Glass Wiseman Nativity Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare Murano hand blown iridescent clear, black, purple and gold flecks Italian art glass Wiseman nativity figure, sculpture. Attributed to designer Archimede Seguso. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Gold Leaf
Barovier & Toso Bullicante Clear and Gold Foil Murano Glass Fan Flower Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful, large-scale Italian glass Bullicante fan shaped flower vase.
Attributed to Barovier and Toso.
In clear glass with captured bubbles, gold foil inclusions, and a pol...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An abstract Murano glass sculpture of a fish by Licio Zanetti for Zanetti Vetreria Artistica. The clear glass fish is twisted as if jumping through the air and mounted on a stylized ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Barbini Murano Black Orange Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Folded Rim Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black over persimmon orange and gold flecks Italian art glass decorative bowl. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini. It has a thick folded over ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Italian Mirrored Vanity Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian mirrored vanity tray. In the style of Tommi Parzinger. Hollywood Regency
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Mirror
Italian Midcentury Modern Murano Art Glass Bowl in Turquoise Blue
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Modern/Midcentury Modern Italian Murano art glass bowl in Caribbean, turquoise or azure blue with a shimmering copper design, circa mid-20th century, 1960...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Ashtray in Black Murano Glass, 1960s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Murano ashtray in gray/black glass.
Has a little chip on the bottom but still a beautiful pieces.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Cocktail Martini Glass with Two Stirrers
By Bimini Glass
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa 1920-1930s Bimini cocktail glass with two stirrers. The bowl of the glass features a blue swirl. The stem is further decorated with a capsule containing a dog figurine. One sti...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Italian Murano White Opaline, Pink and Gold Art Glass Bowl by Fratelli Toso Co.
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful Modern Italian Murano white opaline, pink and gold art glass bowl attributed to Fratelli Toso company, circa mid-20th century, Italy. A beautiful oblong piece with a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass
Geometric Murano Vase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Memphis group inspired Murano glass vase, with a large dark blue cone shaped top infused with silver flecks, a round light blue disk, and a black dome shaped base / Made in Italy in ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Midcentury Liqueur Set, Poland, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Liqueur set consisting of a decanter with a stopper, 6 liqueur glasses and 5 low vodka glasses.
A crystal set covered with honey glaze, decorated with cut floral motifs.
Probab...
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Pink Vintage Decorative Mannequin Glass Head Sculpture, 1970s, Germany
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Life-size glass head in a unique lilac color. Produced in a German steelworks in the 1970s. Perfect condition. A perfect addition to the interior, photo prop, display or headphone st...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass
Antonio Da Ros Large Italian Murano Clear Sommerso Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio Da Ros for Cenedese large heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl or ashtray circa 1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass features two submer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Large Scale Murano Glass Multicolor Fish Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large scale Italian Murano glass hand blown fish figure sculpture with colorful decorative details. Italy, 1950s.
Blue, green, yellow, garnet, and brown accents with silver aventuri...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Ercole Barovier Large Murano Intarsio Vase in Vibrant Blue Colors
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Rare Color in this amazing Barovier Intarsio Vase designed by Ercole Barovier. Nice size with great eye appeal.
Ercole Barovier is a unique figure in the history of 20th century ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Set of Nine Antique Spanish Candy Glass Container, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique stackable set of 9 glass containers with a metal cap.
Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain, circa 1930.
Each measurements:
D21 x W26 x H23 cm
In original conditio...
Category
1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Metal
1950s White Opaline Glass Pear or Gourd Lidded Jar with Silver Grapes and Leaves
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very cute little 1950s white opaline glass pear or gourd shaped lidded jar in three pieces, a scalloped plate in which the scalloped bottom dish fits perfectly and a scalloped lid.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Metal
Vintage German Shop Display Stand with Nine Jars, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Vintage shop display stand with nine jars.
Striking German design from the 1950s.
Antique red painted wood and metal frame with nine original
hand-blown glass ja...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass, Bakelite, Wood
Archimede Seguso Murano Pulegoso Green Glass Ovoid Vase, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano Blown Glass Green Pulegoso Vase, Italy, 1950s.
Exquisite and sculptural Archimede Seguso pulegoso handblown Murano glass vase with ovoid shape, glass ribs issuing from the ba...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Napoleone Martinuzzi Venini Potted Succulent Cactus Floral Sculpture 1929 Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Napoleone Martinuzzi Venini Murano Green, potted Succulent Cactus sculpture 1930. Exceedingly rare example of a signed Venini succulent by Matinuzzi.
A stunning pulegoso glass and ...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli & Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Corroso Sommerso Vase, Italy 1957
Located in La Teste De Buch, FR
Flavio Poli & Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Corroso (Acid etched) and Sommerso (Different color layers) Vase
Made in Italy circa 1957
Literature: Seguso Vetri d'Arte Glass Objects From...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Salviati Murano Sommerso Uranium Green Blue Italian Art Glass Monkey Sculpture
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso bright yellow green over blue Italian art glass monkey sculpture. Documented to the Salviati Company, with original label still...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Uranium Glass, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
