Mid-Century Modern Pottery
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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Vintage Hearthstone Terra Cotta Decanter
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Vintage terra cotta decanter by Hearthstone Pottery. Circa 1970s. Clean and simple design, perfect for water, wine or whatever you wish.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Pottery from Morocco, Cream and Black Color, Handcrafted, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Pottery from Morocco. Inspired by Swedish midcentury pottery like Stig Lindberg. Designed and made by a local artist in Rabat.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Italian Modern White Raymor Ceramic Platter by Alessio Tasca, 1970s
Located in Washington, DC
A rarely seen and very appealing ceramic platter with bamboo details by Italian designer Alessio Tasca (b. 1929). There is an incised stamp and paper label to underside. Also, retain...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Earthenware, Bamboo, Wood
Large Italian Stoneware Centerpiece by Guido Gambone
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive and large square stoneware platter by Guido Gambon, Italy, circa 1950s. Beautifully glazed in white a lava-like textured surface and decorated with black geometrical pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Vintage Loughton Studio Pottery Lava Glazed Vase T W Howard, 1971
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage Studio Pottery vase of octagonal cylindrical form made at Loughton Pottery by Thomas Weir Howard. The stoneware vase is decorated in grey textured lava style glazes...
Category
1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Piero Fornasetti Pottery Plate, Sezioni Di Frutta, #6, 1960s
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Pottery Plate, Sezioni Di Frutta, #6
1960s.
(NY9248/amr)
The Piero Fornasetti Pottery Plate depicts a cut red pepper from the Sezioni Di Frutta series.
Mark:...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Piero Fornasetti Pottery Vegetalia Plate, #9 Rutino, 1955
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti pottery Vegetalia plate, #9 Rutino, 1955
The plate depicts a woman's face created by the positioning of different vegetables to create a side profile.
Dimensio...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Fishermen and Nets Bowl Italy
Located in Miami, FL
A glazed and colorful Giovanni Desimone hand painted pottery bowl from Italy.
The painting depicts two fishermen casting their bait nets to catch fish.
The bowl is 7.38 inches high...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery, Paint
Stoneware Scrape Planters by Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of scrape stoneware planters by Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf. Both are unglazed. Taller planter measures: 19" wide, 17.5" deep and 20.5" high. Smaller planter is 20" diameter, 19...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Terracotta
Jacques Blin French Art Pottery 1960s Table Lamp
By Jacques Blin
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful and rare 1960s French art pottery table lamp made by the famed artist,
Jacques Blin. Signed. The bottled green/blue ceramic vase with mythical/Dinosaur bird creatures. J...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Large, Rare, Artist, French Midcentury Brutalist Pottery / Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A large, artist handmade, French midcentury urn form ceramic table lamp in the Brutalist tradition emphasizing the raw nature of the clay material counterbalanced with a singular exq...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Vintage English Midcentury Sitting Bulldog Pottery Statue with Black Collar
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English vintage pottery bulldog statue from the mid 20th century, with black collar. Created in England during the midcentury period, this statue depicts a brown hair bulldog seat...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Lydia Corbett Studio Art Pottery Duck Bowl 20th Century
By Lydia Corbett
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and unusual studio art pottery duck shaped bowl decorated in blue and brown on a cream colored ground by Lydia Corbett/Sylvette David. The rounded bowl is modeled as the body ...
Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
18th Century Shipwreck Vase
Located in Melville, NY
18th century antique terra-cotta amphora salvaged from a shipwreck in the seas of Portugal. Amphora, unique and one of a kind.
Category
18th Century Portuguese Antique Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Terracotta
"Knight in Profile", Unique Charger by Stalhane for Rorstrand
By Joel Shane
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An important and early work by Carl-Harry Stalhane, this unique charger is Picassoesque in style and is glazed with brilliant colors.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Porcelain
Life-Size Italian Majolica Bull Dog
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Life-size Italian Majolica bull dog, realistically modeled and hand painted, great face, a large and impressive work. Signed 'Italy' in black script.
The pooch measures 28 inches w...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Majolica
18th Century Shipwreck Amphora Pot
Located in Melville, NY
18th century antique terra-cotta amphora salvaged from a shipwreck in the seas of Portugal. Amphora, unique and one of a kind.
Category
18th Century Portuguese Antique Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Terracotta
Laugharne Pottery Welsh Studio Pottery Decanter and Stopper, 20th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish vintage studio pottery decanter and stopper made in Wales at the Laugharne Pottery. The tall elegant pottery decanter is of bottle shape with a rounded foot and collar...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Piero Fornasetti Pottery Vegetalia Plate, #10 Morino, 1955
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti pottery Vegetalia plate, #10 Morino, 1955.
The plate depicts a woman's face created by the positioning of different vegetables to create a side profile.
Dimens...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Earthgender Studio Pottery Weed Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California Design
Rare scale
Wheel throw clay with grey glaze hue and floral motif
Hand signed on the bottom "Earthgender".
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Cavalero Italy c1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Sydney, NSW
A brilliant depiction of a lance wielding Middle Ages knight on horseback with round shield. A naive, rustic style in muted ochre and green glazes. In wonderful condition it still re...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Edna Arnow Illinois Modern Abstract Expressionist Stoneware Lidded Vessel
By Edna Arnow
Located in Pasadena, CA
Abstract expressionist glazed red stoneware lidded urn created by Edna Arnow of Chicago, Illinois, circa 1950s. Piece measures 10.5" tall by 6.5" diameter and is signed Arnow on reve...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Joel Edwards California Modern Studio Pottery Triple Spouted Vessel Sculpture
By Joel Edwards
Located in Pasadena, CA
Triple spouted ceramic sculpture vessel created by California studio potter Joel Edwards. Piece measures 24" by 9" by 10" and is signed Edwards on the inside foot. In very good vinta...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Signed Roger Capron Ceramic Tea Canister Vallauris France
By Roger Capron
Located in Troy, MI
Signed ceramic tea canister by Roger Capron in his iconic black and white plus color block style, circa 1960s. Signed on the underside of base with artist name, Vallauris, France. Nu...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Marcello Fantoni Shaped Vase, Italy, circa 1960 Multi-Color
Located in Sydney, NSW
A lovely signed Marcello Fantoni waisted shape vase of large size. Decorated with dripping matt glazes of green, orange and yellow over a cream body. Signed underneath. Perfect condi...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Guidi Bitossi Italian Pottery Vase for Raymor
By Bitossi
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A incised patterned pottery vase in beige and warm brown tones with a flat rounded lipped top, marked to the bottom and numbered T-764- Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Harding Black Texas Artist Signed Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Mugs Cups
Located in Studio City, CA
A group of hand-thrown, well-crafted, piercing blue glazed large, heavy tall mugs by famed Texas-born San Antonio ceramic master Harding Black.
All pieces signed and dated (1970)...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Pol Chambost French Mid-Century Art Pottery Swan Planter
By Pol Chambost
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and stunning French blue glazed earthenware swan planter by renowned French Artist Pol Chambost and believed to date from around 1950 or possibly earlier. This stunning piece...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Toroidal Vase by Bernard Rooke
Located in Denton, TX
Vintage stoneware vase.
In 1960 he set up his own workshop in Forest Hill, London, Progressive designs were readily accepted in London at that time, and Rooke applied his efforts ...
Category
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Rare David Cressey Pro Artisan Stoneware Vase or Planter
Located in East Hampton, NY
An elegant matte black stoneware pottery planter by California artist, David Cressey. Great original vintage condition, original glaze, no cracks or repairs. This is as good as you...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Piero Fornasetti Pottery Vegetalia Plate, #11 Cornettino, 1955
By Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti pottery Vegetalia plate, #11 Cornettino, 1955
The plate depicts a woman's face created by the positioning of different vegetables to create a side profile.
Dim...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Beatrice Wood Luster Glaze Midcentury Pottery Ceramic Chalice Cup with Figures
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and whimsical piece by famed American/ California ceramist Beatrice wood featuring a mixture of mottled glazes and arm-raised figures.
Signed with her traditional "Bea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Robert Maxwell Signed Large Mid-Century Modern California Studio Pottery Charger
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully made and beautifully designed Mid-Century Modern pottery charger by famed California potter and sculptor Robert Maxwell.
Maxwell co-founded Earthgender pottery with...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Large Ceramic Vase, ‘1970’s Fat Lava, Scheurich, West-Germany
Located in Achterveld, NL
This vase has a beautiful orange fat lava pattern, Scheurich West-Germany, 1970. The inside is glazed. Very good condition. No chips or cracks.
Maker Scheurich. Measure: 40cm.
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Midcentury Yellow Ochre Pots by Gainey Pottery
Located in Denver, CO
A handsome pair of yellow ochre pots by Gainey Pottery. Models AC-8 and T-10. Signed.
Dimensions: 10.5" D x 9" H and 7.25" D x 8" H.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Carstens Tönnishof West German Fat Lava Space Age Design Art Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning West German space age art pottery vase with fat lava red glazed wheel shaped patterning by Carstens, Tönnishof, and dating from the latter 1960's/70's. The tall square sha...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Piero Fornasetti Coasters Musicalia with Green Malachite Original Box
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Coasters- MUsicalia with green malachite original box,
Set of eight,
The 1950s.
Each coaster with a different historical neoclassic musical instrument entwined ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Innovative Glazed Ceramic Muted Yellow Studio Pottery Jug Style Doyle Lane 1960s
By Doyle Lane
Located in National City, CA
Mid-Century Modern muted yellow and brown glazed pottery jug after designs of Doyle Lane USA 1960s
In crackling topography wonderful textured appearance.
Artist signed, unclear sig...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
1960s Piero Fornasetti Roman Foot Italian Design Blue Pottery
Located in Brescia, IT
Blue pottery by Piero Fornasetti
Italy, 1960
Perfect condiction.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Antique Wabi-Sabi Clay Pot
Located in Melville, NY
Small black wabi-sabi clay pot. Beautiful patina, c.1800s.
Category
19th Century Antique Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Clay
Claudio Ferri Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1950s
By Claudio Ferri
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Claudio Ferri ceramic vase, Italy, 1950s
Measures: Left vase diameter 12 x height 41 cm.
Right vase diameter 14 x height 32 cm.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Eva Zeisel Town and Country Pottery Pitcher
By Eva Zeisel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A true piece of art by artist Eva Zeisel (Eva Zeisel (American, Budapest 1906–2011 New City, New York) - made in 1947, the 'TOWN AND COUNTRY' pitcher was manufactured by the Red Wing...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
1960s Studio Stoneware Totem Bottle Geometric Pattern Scandinavian Craft Rustic
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Appears to be a highly textured turned salt fired stoneware centerpiece vase/bottle, with nice stenciled or painted slip geometric triangle pattern completely around the body. No mak...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Eva Zeisel Scarce Salt and Pepper Birds for NKT Japan
By Eva Zeisel
Located in Chicago, IL
Eva Zeisel scarce salt and pepper birds for NKT Japan
2 of the birds have loss damage to tails.
the other 2 are in nice condition with a minor knick too tail on one. It wou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Portuguese Glazed Ceramic Pineapple Pot with Lid or Ice Bucket, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
A cool majolica ceramic lidded pot or container with pineapple shape. Manufactured in Portugal, 1960s.
It can be used for sugar cubes, small ice bucket or to fill it will candies or...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Pottery
Ernestine Italian Design 1950 Ceramic Water Service in Yellow Blue Color Lemons
By Ernestine
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ernestine Italian design 1950 ceramic water service in yellow blue color lemons.
Measures: Glasses height cm. 13.5 diameter cm.6.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Monumental Ceramic Vase or Vessel by Frans Wildenhain
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental ceramic vase or vessel by Frans Wildenhain incised highly decorated.
Frans Wildenhain or Franz Rudolf Wildenhain June 5, 1905–January 25, 1980 was a Bauhaus-trained Ger...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
18th Century Shipwreck Amphora Pot
Located in Melville, NY
18th century antique terra-cotta amphora salvaged from a shipwreck in the seas of Portugal. Amphora is unique and one of a kind.
Category
18th Century Portuguese Antique Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Terracotta
Anthony H. Ivins California Studio Lava Stoneware Platter
By Anthony H. Ivins
Located in Pasadena, CA
Stoneware platter with lava crater glaze created by California studio potter, Anthony Ivins. Platter measures 11.5" in diameter and is signed Ivins, Feb 13, 1961. In excellent vintag...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Michael Cohen Studio Pottery Lighted Hall Mirror, circa 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
Handcrafted ceramic lighted wall-mounted mirror by noted studio potter Michael Cohen, ca. 1970s. Tray to hold keys, and “knobs” for hats or coats. Measures 26” long, 18.75” wide, 7” ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery, Mirror
Lunar Bowl, Hand-Sculpted Brownstone Bowl by Brendan Tadler
Located in Melville, NY
Minimalist hand sculpted, vein-cut brownstone bowl. Original piece designed by Brendan Tadler.
*Each item varies slightly from photo due to the unique nature material used. This ite...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Stone
Mid-Century Modern Drip Glaze Vase by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic coloring in the drip glaze, lively vibrant yellows and greens. Vase is terracotta and approx. 11 inches x 6.25 x 6. In excellent original condition.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Terracotta
1960s German Ceramic Vase with Undulating Pattern
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic vase from West Germany, circa 1960. An upright flask of white ceramic is decorated with a raised pattern, rippling and fluid, reminiscent of onion bulbs or tulips. The rais...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
Tilgmans Keramik Swedish Painted Art Pottery Handled Vessel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish vintage Swedish Tilgmans Keramik art pottery handled vessel decorated with seed pods and dating from the 20th century. This stylish red pottery vessel, possibly a jug ...
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Royal Copenhagen Ceramic Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Royal Copenhagen ceramic painted vase.
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Vintage Modernist Black Ceramic Bird Form Sculpture Mid-Century Abstract Dove
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A glazed ceramic dove form sculpture by Quebec artists Guy Simoneau and Christiane Paquin.
Category
1980s Canadian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Vallauris Midcentury Ceramic Pottery Tray Dish in the Manner of Picasso, 1954
By Vallauris
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisitely made, wonderfully decorated, large, unique ceramic tray made in Vallauris, France during the peak of Vallauris studio ceramics. During this time (1954), many famous ar...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Teapot Edith Heath, Heath Ceramics California Cabinmodern McM
By Edith Heath
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Appears to be unused. In a wonderful speckled tan glaze. Impressed marking is the older HEATH logotype. Copper handle with vinyl braiding. Measures about 9 tall with handle up, and a...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery
Materials
Copper
