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Mid-Century Modern Pottery

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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Otto and Vivika Heino Mid-Century California Pottery 12-Piece Goblet Tea Cup Set
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully crafted, beautifully designed set of ceramic goblets/ cups by California pottery/ ceramics masters husband and wife artists Vivika and Ott...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

MCM Stoneware Studio Pottery Lidded Jar by Amy Donaldson
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM stoneware studio pottery lidded jar by listed artist, Amy Donaldson, circa 1950s. This gorgeous hand finished jar has a wonderful desi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Italian Geometric Design Ceramic Vase
Located in Denton, TX
Modernist Italian vase with a mottled glaze over the geometric design.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Studio Pottery Tea Pot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Studio pottery ceramic teap pot with geometric pattern glaze. possibly a well made student piece, unsigned.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

1950s Guido Gambone Italian Modern Pink Mauve Foamy Glazed Ceramic Double Bowl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Foamy glazed double handled bowl with linear pattern in light pink or mauve coloration, created by Guido Gambone, circa 1950s. Piece measures 2" high by 4.75" wide and is 8" long. ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

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

"In the Sauna, " Highly Rare Mid-Century Dish by Der März, Estonia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This charming Mid-Century scene, in a sauna, depicts two nude figures in a moment of cleansing during the Fasting Month, or "Paastu Kuu." Each figure is shown with switches of silver...
Category

1950s Estonian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Clay

Bennett Bean Large Scale Ceramic Vessel With Butterfly Accents
By Bennett Bean
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large earthenware ceramic open vessel created by Bennett Bean of Blairstown, New Jersey. Piece has a wonderful finish which includes hand painted areas al...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Pottery from Rabat, Morocco, Contemporary Ceramic Jar, Black & Cream Colors
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

Patrick Horsley Handmade Stoneware Abstract Modern Graphic Design Tray Wall Art
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Stoneware tray or wall piece with superb graphic design, created by Patrick Horsley of Portland, Oregon. Piece is signed as seen in my third picture. T...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

1950s Stylized Italian Pottery Bird Vases, a Pair
Located in Garnerville, NY
A fine pair of handmade Bitossi art pottery stylized bird vases. Great muted color palette of an olive green, black and white glazes. The finger print by the bird's eye is truly rema...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Vallauris French Midcentury Flower Vase Multicolored Fat Lava Style
Located in Miami, FL
This dazzling fat lava, glazed ceramic vase with multiple colors was handcrafted in Vallauris, France during the 1950s or 1960s. The primary blue, red, wh...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Midcentury Sculpted Ceramic Bowl by Flora Eckert Hammat, Turquoise Art Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning naturalistic pottery bowl by an American ceramics artist, Flora Eckert Hammat of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Vivid colors, original organic form. Signed Hammat original...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Jan Jones American Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Denton, TX
Hand crafted slabs of clay with a light teal partial glaze. Signed Jan Jones 74.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Clay

1970s Large Green Lava Glazed West German Pottery Floor Vase by Carstens Atelier
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautifully hand thrown and glazed floor vase designed by Heinz Siery for Carstens Tonniesh of circa 1965. Carstens are considered to be one of the finest producers of West German pottery from the mid-century era. This vase, part of the 'Atelier' range, stands beautifully with its simple yet elegant form complimented by the textured moss green lava...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

MCM Stoneware Studio Pottery Jar with Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM stoneware studio pottery jar with lid, circa 1970s. This gorgeous hand finished jar has a wonderful design, texture and color. The pie...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Modern Glazed Weed Pot
Located in Denton, TX
Mid-century squat pottery with abstract glaze.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Modernist Sgraffito Decorated Red Ware Pottery Bowl by Rozsika Blackstone
Located in Ferndale, MI
Rozsika Blackstone New York and Arizona, circa 1920-62 pottery vessel. Deep bowl in dark brown glaze, sgraffito decorated in an abstract vertical design allowing the red ware...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Czechoslovakian Organic Ceramic White Pottery Vase by Jiří Dudycha
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Signed vintage white ceramic studio pottery vase by Czech artist Jiří Dudycha, circa 1985-1999. Beautiful organic form, almost flower like, bulbous shaped top with gold plated / gilt...
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

1980s Glazed Black Seto Art Pottery Matcha Tea Bowls
By G. H. Gledhill & Sons
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Glazed Black Seto Art Pottery Matcha Tea Bowls 1.5 h 1.25 w x 2.25 diameter Preowned unrestored vintage condition Refer images listed  
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Mid-Century Ceramic Candleholders, Vallauris Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
Very decorative pair of vintage candleholders from the 1950s. Originating from one of France's best known pottery making villages, Vallauris in the French Riviera. Materials: ceramic...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

1960s W. Germany Ceramic Vase
Located in High Point, NC
This ceramic vase was made in Germany, circa 1960. It was produced during the period of West German Pottery, a postwar ceramics style known for its expressive nature and experimentat...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Decorative Object in the manner of Berndt Friberg
Located in Miami, FL
A fine mid-century Ceramic Decorative Object in the manner of Berndt Friberg. This tulip or wine glass shaped decorative object cast in a unique design and masterfully shaped by the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Metal

Large French Ceramic Centerpiece or Serving Dish, Signed LaCoste
Located in Miami, FL
Large earthenware serving dish decorated with gray-blue letters and finished in a cream color glaze. The impressive size is 15 7/8" diameter x 2 3/8" high. This wonderfully handc...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Studio Ceramic Charger
Located in Denton, TX
Abstract glaze design on this large hand crafted plate.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

European Alfa Italian Ceramic Oval Platter
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Alfa Italian ceramic oval platter. Polychrome decoration with a deep red central background surrounded by a delicate floral pattern. The edges ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Roger Picault Vaulluris Hand-Painted Cups and Saucers
Located in Sharon, CT
Four 'bistro' cups and saucers. Cup diameter 4 3/4". By Roger Picault, one of the most celebrated pottery masters from the golden age of Vallauris as the center of modern French pottery...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Vintage Trio of Lisa Larson for Rosenthal Ceramic Candle Holders
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful set / trio of candleholders designed by Swedish studio ceramist / potter Lisa Larson (b. 1931) for the German company Rosenthal stamped and marked "Rosenthal - Studio Line" on the base. Fun, flower shaped candlestick holders produced circa 1970-1980. Measurements are: Larger stands...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

1960s Studio Ceramic Vase by Wilhelm & Elly Kuch, Germany
Located in Regensburg, DE
Ceramic vase in a dark matt glaze with an incised creamy white pattern. The jug was made in the 1960s in the German pottery workshop of Wilhelm & Elly Kuch. The pottery's logo is emb...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Glazed Vase with Equine Design
Located in Denton, TX
Avocado and spruce colored glaze surround this vase with horse and tree design. Made in Italy.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Clay

Vintage 1970s Studio Pottery Charger - Signed Portland Pottery - Brown and Blu
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Vintage 1970s Studio Pottery Charger - Signed Portland Pottery - Brown and Blue Centerpiece This stunning vintage studio pottery charger, crafted in the 1970s, showcases a unique...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

"Knight in Profile", Unique, Picasso-esque Charger by Stalhane for Rorstrand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vividly glazed in tones of ruddy brown, blue and white, this substantial charger or low bowl depicting a helmeted knight in profile was designed and glazed by by Carl-Harry Stalhane....
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Porcelain

Outstanding Large West German Earthenware/ Pottery Vase w/ Arched Handle
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful mid-century jug style earthenware from West Germany (pre-unification/ cold war era) features a beautiful arched handle that is almost architectural. The gradation of ...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Mid Century Søholm Danish Pottery Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A Danish Mid Century Modern large Soholm black matte ceramic pottery lamp with black painted wood base and brass details. Mark to underside: Soholm Made in Denmark. Rewired with new ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Brass

Rare Ceramic Jar in Crackle Glaze Technique
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
This ceramic jar is manufactured using crackle glaze technique, the jar have two colors and different size of crackles, unknown designer and unknown date of manufacture.
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Studio Crafted Weed Pot
Located in Denton, TX
Hand crafted studio pottery with partial glaze.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Clay

1960s Mid-Century Modern W. Germany Ceramic Jar
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic vase from mid-20th century Germany. Neither large nor small, this studio made pot reflects the hand-held, and the handmade; the tactility of process and the artist's vision...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Carlton Ball Ceramic Vase
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare ceramic vase by F.Carlton Ball.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Stoneware Lidded Bowl with Handle
Located in Denton, TX
Ochre stoneware lidded bowl with massive handle.
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

Freeform Weed Pot
Located in Denton, TX
Studio crafted freeform ceramic weed pot with speckled glaze 1960s.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Stoneware Drip Glaze Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown stoneware bud vase features a small spout opening and varying colors of drip gaze throughout the form in brown, green and speckled cement. Dimensions 5.5” diameter x 9.5...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Mid Century Brown Teardrop Pottery Vase
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted during the mid-20th century, our brown teardrop pottery vase features a distinctive dripping glaze top. This elegant piece embodies the era's style and sophistication. M...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid Century Modern Glazed Vase by Rolf Key-Oberg, circa 1950's
By Rolf Key-Oberg
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very important Mid-Century piece. Glazed pottery vase by Swedish American artist Rolf Key-Oberg, 1900-1959. Minor loss around top edge, see photos.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage signed mid century modern style 2 piece studio pots
Located in Seattle, WA
possibly studio pottery, not confirmed. Signed. Mcm vintage.2 piece set. Vintage condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Box H7 Dimensions: 5" x2.75” H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Debossed Large Glazed Terra Cotta Charger
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection is an homage to the beauty of vintage and antique pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which the...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Walter Kettler Large Ceramic Bisque Vase c1967
Located in Oakland, CA
Stunning ceramic bisque triangle vase by award wining Bay Area Architect/Artist, Walter Kettler c1967. Kettler (1931-2004) was an award winning architect...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Clay

Ceramic mug / Vase with floral pattern by Gustave Reynaud Le Murier Vallauris
Located in NICE, FR
This is a vintage ceramic mug crafted by Gustave Reynaud in Vallauris during the 1950s. Known for its rustic yet artistic charm, the mug showcases...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage West German Striped Pottery Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
The ribbed texture to this wonderful West German pottery vase has brown and beige tones. Oversized handle and in great condition.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Italian Bitossi Ceramic Vase
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Bitossi Ceramics is an Italian ceramics company founded in 1921 by Guido Bitossi in the town of Montelupo Fiorentino, located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Bitossi Ceramics is know...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Marcello Fantoni Italy 1955 Bottle Vase Still Life
Located in Pymble, NSW
A beautiful and unusual large bottle shaped vase by the Italian master potter Marcello Fantoni. Decorated with a continuous still life table top setting with coffee pot, bowl of grap...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Bitossi Aldo Londi Cavalero Italy c1968
Located in Pymble, 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

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 complete...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Portuguese Earthenware Deep Plate from Sacavém
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Deep plate, in Portuguese earthenware from Sacavém, Gilman & Cª, Sacavém, Portugal. Decorated with a central floral motif, composed of two pink roses in full bloom, painted with a so...
Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Mid-century ceramic bowl "Piece Unique" by Andre Freymond, Switzerland, 1950s
Located in Basel, BS
Unique mid-century bowl by Andre Freymond of Switzerland. Beautiful fish motif in effervescent colors. Freymond was known for making unique pieces, one-offs, never to be repeated, su...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Signed Illegibly Modernist Two-Piece Large Art Pottery
Located in Westport, CT
Signed what looks like "Brod" this two-piece art pottery modernist extra large planter on base.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Sculpture Terracotta Stone Mother & Child Biomorphic 39cm 15 1/4“ high
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A 39cm., 15 1/4“ high, modernist, biomorphic, terracotta sculpture of a Mother & Child, mid-20th century. Conceived with a stone finish which has partially worn away over time. Pos...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Ceramic Vase by Sgrafo Modern Germany
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Ceramic vase by Sgrafo Modern Germany 1960s. Simply beautiful clean design and nice texture around the whole ceramic.  
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Stamped mid Century Modern style floral studio Pottery.
Located in Seattle, WA
Brown and green mi century modern style Studio pottery. Stamped and adorned with floral design. Vintage Condition as pictured.Listing is for described item only. Dimensions. 7”W ; 7...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Italian Ceramic Vase with Lava Work
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Art lava stunning vase 1960 Italy. Beautiful aqua green colour and red glazed ceramic handles. Perfect centrepiece for a dinning table or credenza.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Possibly Studio Pottery
Located in Seattle, WA
Not confirmed to be studio pottery but suspected of being so. No signatures. Possibly 1970s. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only.. Dimensions. 5.5”W ; ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Modern pottery for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern pottery 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 pottery created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, pottery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern pottery made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original pottery, popular names associated with this style include Bitossi, Aldo Londi, Scheurich Keramik, and Marcello Fantoni. 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 pottery differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $78 and tops out at $29,941 while the average work can sell for $726.

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