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.
MCM LaGardo Tackett Green Striped Faceted Tumblers - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 mid century porcelain tumblers. Designed by LaGardo Tackett for Schmid International Porcelain as part of the "Everyone Loves Ice Cream and Candy" tableware collection. Fi...
Porcelain
Surrealist Sophistication: Fornasetti "Jeweled Hand" Trinket Tray
Located in Downingtown, PA
Surrealist Sophistication: Fornasetti "Jeweled Hand" Trinket Tray 20th Century This charming vintage rectangular ceramic dish is a classic work designed by the prolific Italian desi...
Ceramic
Year Plate by Eduardo Paolozzi for Rosenthal, 1978
By Eduardo Paolozzi, Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing bisque porcelain year plate, designed by Eduardo Paolozzi for Rosenthal, 1978, number 1620 from a limited series of 3000, complete with certificate and original box.
Porcelain
Arnold Krog - Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Musselmalet - 4 Dinner Plates 1084
By Royal Copenhagen, Arnold Krog
Located in Stockholm, SE
4 Dinner Plates of model Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted designed by Arnold Krog. The plates are 25.5 cm in diameter and in excellent condition except from a few minor scratches. These ...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Plate- Temi e Variazioni- Themes and Variation
By Piero Fornasetti, Rosenthal
Located in Downingtown, PA
Veiled Beauty: Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" Plate, Hands (Motiv 16) This visually arresting plate is a powerful example from Piero Fornasetti's (1913–1988) celebrated Themes & Var...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti “Il Minestrone” Plate, Specialità Milanesi, Italy Mid Century
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Iconic vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti as part of the celebrated "Specialità Milanesi" series. This plate features the whimsical and highly detailed black-and-wh...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Two 1960s Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments Plates by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These two 1960s Mid-Century Modern decorative plates by Piero Fornasetti typically exemplify his whimsical and artistic approach to design.The plates depict intricate surreal illustr...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Conchiglie Pattern Plate with Sea Anemones and Shells
Located in Downingtown, PA
Marine Whimsy: Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Conchiglie" (Shells) Plate #11 Circa 1960–1970 A vibrant and whimsical vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti, featuring the ...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Andy Warhol Flower Glass Plate
By Andy Warhol, Rosenthal
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Daisy Glass Plate. Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop art artist of our time. The Flowers print portfolio was created by Warhol following his wildly s...
Glass
Large Foo Dog Guardian Lion Blue Porcelain Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Size Male Guardian Lion Foo Dog in Turquoise Blue Glazed Porcelain Algora Porcelains Designed from 1920 to 1949. This is a male guardian lion sculpture, is recognized as it is ...
Ceramic
Die Zauberflötte the Magic Flute Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Espresso Set
Located in Miami, FL
Reduced From $2,500...Rosenthal Studio Linie by Bjørn Wiinblad Die Zauberflöte Expresso Coffee Set. With the design for the Rosenthal Studio Linie The Magic Flute, the Danish artist...
Porcelain
Vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Cream on Blue Ceramic Collection
By Wedgwood
Located in Bochum, NRW
Midcentury small collection of four pieces Wedgwood Jasperware diamond cream on blue. Comprising 2 lidded boxes, a cachepot, an ashtray and a pair of candleholders. Vintage, 1960s. A...
Porcelain
Large Lomonosov 22K Gold, Cobalt Decor Porcelain Vase, USSR - 2 available
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Russian white porcelain vase manufactured in the 1950s by the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory (founded in 1744). Soft shaped organic Mid-Century Modern vase decorated by hand with large mineral...
Gold
Fritz Heidenreich Rosenthal Mid-Century Large Pair Porcelain Doves
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and quality pair German Rosenthal mid-century large porcelain doves designed by renowned sculptor Fritz Heidenreich (German, 1895-1966). The ...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Hot Air Balloon Plate, Mongolfiere, Rosenthal
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Hot Air Balloon Plate, Mongolfiere Pattern, Rosenthal, Motiv 1, 1980s The Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate was made by Rosenthal and depicts a scene of a...
Porcelain
Ginori Porcelain Espresso Cup and Saucer Set, Renaissance Pattern, Italy 1950s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare Richard Ginori demitasse or espresso cup and saucer set was made of fine semi-translucent porcelain in Italy. It is decorated in Renaissance pattern with wide bands of abstract...
Gold Leaf
Piero Fornasetti Grandi Maestri Gold Gilt Portrait Italian Porcelain Plate Verdi
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic vintage mid 20th century Piero Fornasetti decorative porcelain art plate from the "Grandi Maestri" or "Great Masters" series featuring a portrait of opera composer Giusepp...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate Motiv 24
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Rosenthal Fornasetti "Temi e Variazioni" porcelain plate motiv 24, with gold rim and black and white printed center depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalie...
Porcelain
Midcentury Modern German Blue & White Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful German porcelain coffee or tea cup set, with creamer and sugar, in white with touches of gold and blue. Set includes six cups, one creamer and one sugar bowl with lid, al...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Romanze Porcelain Dinner Service by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, near complete Mid-Century modern porcelain dinner service. By Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal. In the Romanze form and Medley pattern. Consisting of: 10 Large Dinner Plates ...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #81
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the smoking face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.81 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960 Original ma...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #78
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.78 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original mark on t...
Porcelain
Raymond Loewy After Dinner Coffee Set for "Rosenthal 2000", 1954
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grey and white porcelain 20 piece after dinner coffee set Rosenthal 2000 Secunda, coffee server, sugar bowl and creamer and complete set of service with...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Andy Warhol "Golden Angels" Set of 2 Espresso Cups and 2 Saucers NEW
By Rosenthal, Andy Warhol
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Andy Warhol christmas golden Angels espresso cup with saucer. Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop art artist of our time, loved Christmas and was known...
Porcelain
Antique Fine Irish Belleek Porcelain Demitasse Cup and Saucer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fine Irish Belleek Demitasse Cup and Saucer basketweave shamrock eggshell antique porcelain Saucer 4.5 Cup 2.5 x 2h maker stamp present hand painted original estate preowned vintage ...
Porcelain
MCM LaGardo Tackett Green Striped Porcelain Pitcher
Located in Fairfield, CA
A tall mid century porcelain pitcher. Designed by LaGardo Tackett for Schmid International Porcelain as part of the "Everyone Loves Ice Cream and Candy" tableware collection. Simple ...
Porcelain
MCM LaGardo Tackett Green Demitasse Mugs and Saucers - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 mid century porcelain demitasse mugs and saucers. Designed by LaGardo Tackett for Schmid International Porcelain. Simple modernist shapes. Finished in a matte dark green g...
Porcelain
Raymond Loewy Rosenthal - servies 26 pieces Form 2000 Bunte Blätter
Located in Verviers, BE
Raymond Loewy Rosenthal - servies 26 pieces Form 2000 Bunte Blätter In the early 1950’s Rosenthal, a German maker of fine china, was looking to update their image and break into th...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Trinket Dish Ashtray Falstaff Opera Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Superb vintage 20th century Piero Fornasetti porcelain dish, after the original poster for the Falstaff Opera at La Scala Theater in 1893. Made in Italy.
Porcelain
Rosenthal Andy Warhol Daisy Breakfast set (9 pcs)
By Rosenthal, Andy Warhol
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Andy Warhol Daisies 3 sets of coffee cup and saucer and plate. Rosenthal Andy Warhol Daisies line---beautiful, precious collector po...
Porcelain
Arnold Krog - Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Musselmalet 12 Coffee cups & Saucers
By Royal Copenhagen, Arnold Krog
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 12 Coffee cups & saucers of model Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted designed by Arnold Krog. The saucers are 13.8 cm in diameter and in excellent condition except from a few min...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Large Plate Gilded Acorn Ptn from Pigne Series, Circa 1950s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Rare Piero Fornasetti porcelain large plate, dating to the mid century 1950's It is from the Pigne series in the rare Gilded acorn pattern with detailed hand gilding as per...
Porcelain
Fish Decanter Soviet Drinking Set Porcelain Fish Carafe Shots Glass, 1950's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Russia Made of Porcelain shots glass:Height 8cm :Depth 5cm Width 3cm Re-polished Good Original condition.
Ceramic
Set of Four Vintage Porcelain Playing Card Themed Dishes/Ashrays C1960s
By Limoges
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming set of 4 vintage playing card-themed trinket dishes/ashtrays from Poland, circa 1960. Four gilded porcelain dishes in heart, diamond, spade and club form. Originally des...
Porcelain
Arnold Krog - Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Musselmalet - 4 Plates 1144
By Arnold Krog, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Stockholm, SE
4 Plates of model Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted designed by Arnold Krog. The plates are 17.5 cm in diameter and in excellent condition except from a few minor stains on the backside o...
Porcelain
Lomonosov Porcelain Vase, Floral Design, Cobalt Blue & Gold, 1950s
By Royal Daulton, Royal Delft, Lomonosov, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large Russian white, blue and gold floral porcelain vase manufactured in the 1950s by the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory which was founded in 1744. Soft shaped organic midcentury modern...
Gold
Collection of TinTin Porcelain Dish Coffee and Plate by Hergé , AXIS Paris 80s
By Hergé
Located in Halle, DE
Ultra-rare and huge collection of famous TinTin porcelain Dish made in the 1980s as a Collector Edition by AXIS,Paris . On the international markets it is only possible to get some...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #281
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri on a nude female torso, no.281 / made in Milano Italy circa ...
Porcelain
Fine Porcelain Tea and Coffee Set
Located in Antwerp, BE
The beautiful set comprised of a tea or coffee pot, a cream jug and a sugar bowl with lid and twelve cups and saucers, each piece with gilded borders; Portuguese exquisite Porcelain,...
Porcelain
Midcentury Porcelain Vase by Michael Boehm & Rosemonde Nairac for Rosenthal
By Michael Boehm, Rosemonde Nairac, Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This porcelain vase was designed by Michael Boehm and Rosemonde Nairac for Rosenthal's Studio Linie in the 1970s. The vase's bold elliptical shape is int...
Porcelain
Aladdin Porcelain Plate by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
The Genie of the Lamp appears before Aladin's Mother is number 7 in a series of 12 Aladin plates produced by Rosenthal, designed by Bjørn Wiinblad. In his 12 Aladin plates, Bjorn Wiinblad virtuously depicts the tale of Aladin from the well known fairy tale The Thousand and One Nights...
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Grande Antico Gold Cocktail Plate by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage gilt decorated GRANDE ANTICO porcelain plate by Piero Fornasetti / made in Milano Italy circa 1950s Original mark on the back Diameter 9.5 inches, height 1 inch 1 available i...
Porcelain
Arnold Krog - Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Musselmalet - 4 Luncheon Plates 1085
By Royal Copenhagen, Arnold Krog
Located in Stockholm, SE
4 Luncheon Plates of model Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted designed by Arnold Krog. The plates are 23 cm in diameter and in excellent condition except from a few minor scratches. These ...
Porcelain
Raymond Loewy, ‘Charcoal’ coffee pot, Rosenthal - Continental China, 1960s
Located in London, GB
Raymond Loewy (USA, 1893-1986) ‘Charcoal’ coffee pot Designed 1960, produced by Continental China, a division of Rosenthal, Germany Ceramic. Good condition with only minor rubbings ...
Ceramic
Porcelain and Brass Coffee Set, First Half of the 1900s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Porcelain and Brass Coffee Set, Made in Italy, First half of the 1900s. Very rare porcelain service consisting of 6 cups, made of porcelain and brass, and 1 sugar bowl made of porce...
Brass
Meissen Blanc de Chine Porcelain Jester and Monkey Figure
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine vintage Meissen porcelain blanc de chine figure of a Jester with a monkey and owl dating from the 20th century. The figure stands on a narr...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Milano 'Fiori' Pattern Porcelain Plates, Set of Twelve, circa 1965
By Fornasetti
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An incredibly rare set of 12 large porcelain dinner plates in the 'Fiori' pattern designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Fornasetti - Milano, circa 1965. There are two plates o...
Porcelain
Meissen Mid-Century Porcelain Wall Plaque with Angel Fish
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning German mid-century porcelain wall plaque or tile decorated with Angel fish by world renowned makers Meissen and dating from around 1950/60. The plaque is of tall rectangul...
Porcelain
Extraordinary Pair of Chinese Vases, 20th century
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Extraordinary Pair of Chinese Vases, 20th century. Extraordinary Pair of Large Chinese Porcelain Export Vases with rich floral brightness and parcel gilding. This monumental piece f...
Porcelain
Aladdin Porcelain Plate by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Aladin and the magical lamp is the first Aladin plate in a series of 12 plates produced by Rosenthal and designed by Bjorn Wiinblad. In his 12 Aladin plates, Bjørn Wiinblad virtuously depicts the tale of Aladin from the well known fairy tale The Thousand and One Nights...
Porcelain
Hermès 'Circus' Breakfast Set in French Porcelain 1980s
By Hermès
Located in Milano, MI
French porcelain breakfast set with cup, bowl and saucer, "Circus" collection, made by Hermès in the 1980s. The box is present, in fair condition with a few marks. Ø cm 13 h cm 7 ...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Andy Warhol "Golden Angels" Plate, New in Box
By Rosenthal, Andy Warhol
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Andy Warhol Christmas Golden Angels plate. New in box. Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop artist of our time, ...
Porcelain
Weiss workshop. Brazilian ceramics - Centerpiece, c. 1950
By Weiss
Located in PARIS, FR
This Brazilian ceramic piece from the Weiss workshop, dating from the 1950s, is a unique and colorful work of art. This room, with a length of 30 cm, is designed to be used as a cent...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Conchiglie Pattern Plate decorated with Sea Creatures
Located in Downingtown, PA
Marine Whimsy: Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Conchiglie" (Shells) Plate #12 Circa 1960–1970 A vibrant and whimsical vintage porcelain plate designed by Piero Fornasetti, featuring the s...
Porcelain
Arnold Krog - Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Musselmalet - 6 Dinner Plates 571
By Arnold Krog, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Stockholm, SE
6 Dinner Plates of model Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted designed by Arnold Krog. The plates are 25.5 cm in diameter and in excellent condition except from a few minor scratches. These ...
Porcelain
Fornasetti Rosenthal Porcelain Plate- Themes and Variation, Motiv 15
By Piero Fornasetti, Rosenthal
Located in Downingtown, PA
Veiled Beauty: Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" Plate, Hands (Motiv 16) This visually arresting plate is a powerful example from Piero Fornasetti's (1913–1988) celebrated Themes & Var...
Porcelain
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Midcentury the Magic Flute Sugar Pot
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A finely made and stylish midcentury Rosenthal porcelain lidded sugar bowl decorated with a scene from Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte (the magic flute) designed by renowned Danish bo...
Porcelain
36 Pieces Porcelain Rosenthal Tea Coffee Set for 12
By Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Rosenthal porcelain tea or coffee set for 12.
Porcelain
Berlin Porcelain Mid-Century Tortoise Pin Dish
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful German mid-century porcelain pin dish modelled as a tortoise by renowned makers Berlin and believed to date between 1945 and 1962. The dish is mo...
Porcelain
H. Bequet Celadon Porcelain Vase, Floral Motif, Belgium, 1940
Located in Miami, FL
A celadon colored porcelain floral motif vase, by H. Bequet Quaregnon, Belgium, c. 1940. This decorative vase would look great displayed in an array of interior styes. The celadon and gold trimmed...
Porcelain