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.
Mid-Century French Majolica Dodo Tureen Michel Caugant
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Majolica Dodo Tureen Michel Caugant. The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to Mauritius, an island east of Madagascar in the ...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Pottery
Etched German Roemer Coupe Wine Glasses with Amber Ball Stems - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 vintage German roemer wine glasses. Each with a clear coupe shaped top and a stacked ball stem design in a dark muted amber color. An etched d...
Glass
Wooden tray with a rounded edge, France, 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
An elegant wooden tray dating from the 1950s, characterized by its clean lines and subtly rounded edge. Its minimalist design highlights the natural warmth of the wood and its harmon...
Wood
Etched German Roemer Coupe Wine Glasses with Green Stems - Set of 6
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage German roemer wine glasses. Each with a clear coupe shaped top and a classic ribbed green stem. An etched design of grape vines decora...
Glass
Italian Parrot-Form Ice Bucket in Green Painted Ceramic and Metal, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Whimsical and sculptural Italian ice bucket from the 1970s, designed in the form of a stylized parrot. The body is executed in ceramic and painted with a richly textured green, to ev...
Brass, Nickel
Vintage Silver Cutlery Set for 12 people, Italy, 1960s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
This amazing set of 51 cutlery pieces in 800 silver plated is an authentic expression of the Italian silverware tradition. Made in Italy in the 1960s. Each piece is marked with the "...
Silver
Sommerso pink and purple Murano glass tray by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful purple and pink sommerso ashtray or pocket emptier designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Handcrafted glass using the sommerso techniqu...
Murano Glass
Dior Style Octagonal Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Serving Tray, Italy, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century octagonal serving tray entirely crafted from a single piece of tortoiseshell-effect lucite. This elegant and unique piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s ...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
$302Sale Price|28% Off
1960s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio Poli.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano Glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 3,93 diameter x 1,96 H inches cm...
Murano Glass
1960s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 3,93 diameter x 1,96 H inches cm...
Murano Glass
Vintage Onyx Ashtray, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Adorable vintage onyx ashtray made in Italy in the 1950s. Good vintage condition. The original label has been partially preserved Dimensions: Width: 10.5 cm / 4.1 inches Height: 3 c...
Stone
Set of 4 Midcentury Stackable Solid Brass Austrian Ashtrays After Adnet, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique set of four stackable ashtrays in solid brass. This stylish and versatile set was produced in Austria during the 1950s after Jacques Adnet. Fully original and i...
Brass
Large MCM German Woven Circular Tray
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large circular mid century tray. Features a woven rim and handles made of beige and red plastic. The center is made of composite wood type material with a slight texture. Marked on...
Composition
$75 / item
Large Wood Cactus Toothpick Holder
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage mid century wood toothpick holder in the shape of a cactus. Toothpicks can be placed in the small holes along the cactus to create thorns. Beautiful grain to the wood. A gr...
Wood
Blue vase in Italian glass, 1970, Italy
By Biot
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
An elegant Italian blown glass vase dating from the 1970s. It is distinguished by its generous shape with organic lines and its superb marbled decoration, blending deep shades of blu...
Art Glass
1960s Stunning Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 5,11 x 4,3...
Murano Glass
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
Murano Citron Yellow Glass Vase with Applied Decoration, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
A striking Murano art glass vase produced in Italy during the 1950s, distinguished by its vibrant citron-yellow coloration and elegant sculptural form. The vase features a softly fla...
Murano Glass
Vintage Silver Plated Bread Basket or Fruit Dish, Italy, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage Silver Plated Bread Basket or Fruit Dish made in Italy in the 1950s. The silver serving bowl has the original manufacturer's stamp. Very good vintage condition. Dimensions:...
Silver Plate
Vintage Hermes Horse Bit Bottle Opener c.1970
By Hermès
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning example of a vintage equestrian bottle opener dating to c.1970. The handle is gold plated bronze fashioned in the form of a horse bit and the bottle opener itself made fr...
Gold Plate
T. Barbi Signed "Sun" Ashtray or Catchall in Murano Glass and Brass, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning “Sun” round ashtray or catchall in Murano glass and brass. This charming and unique piece was designed by Tommaso Barbi in Italy during the 1970s. In excellent condition, w...
Brass
Beautiful, Very Rare, Five Midcentury Heavy Brass Table Ashtrays by Carl Auböck
Located in München, DE
Beautiful very rare five midcentury heavy brass table ashtrays. Designed by the world famous Austrian designer Carl Auböck. All solid brass ashtrays are bronzed inside and outside. Great timeless midcentury design. Very good condition with few signs of wear. Have been used very little. No damages. No ash residue. Price is for all five pieces together. Three flat large ashtrays: 11.5 x 9 cm 4.5" x 3.5" Height: 1.5cm 0.6" Two tall ashtrays...
Brass
Murano Glass Sommerso Square Bowl Ashtray, Glows in UV
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Murano glass square bowl or ashtray with symmetrically folded rim features the dark burnt orange central interior glass layer with bright teal green colored glass on the rim, encased...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Piero Fornasetti Set of Coasters of Opera Characters-Melodrama!
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Operatic Gold": Boxed Set of 8 Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Coasters, 1960s A spectacular complete set of eight Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters from the "Melodramma" (Melodrama)...
Ceramic
Italian Butter Dish Michael Graves for ALESSI
By Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Vintage butter dish designed by Michael Graves for Alessi. Made in Italy. Marked on the base “Alessi INOX 18/10 Italy”.
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Italian Modern Bitossi Ceramic Blue Horse Pottery by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and chic horse sculpture circa 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi. This piece features all glazed ceramic construction in a beautiful blue / green color. Signed Italy
Ceramic
1960s Gorgeous Ice Bucket by Mauro Manetti for Fonderia d'Arte Firenze
Located in Milano, IT
A quintessential example of mid-century Italian glamour, this iconic "Pineapple" ice bucket in pewter was designed in the 1960s by Mauro Manetti for the prestigious Fonderia d’Arte ...
Metal
Midcentury Serving Tray in Glass and Brass Fontana Arte Style, Italy 1950s
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray in glass and brass with glass incisions in the style of Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Metal, Brass
$352Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catch-All in Porcelain by Paloma Picasso for Villeroy
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous ashtray or catch-All in porcelain by Paloma Picasso "Hongkong" for Villeroy & Boch, limited edition. Marked on the bottom. It's excellent condition Dimensions: ...
Porcelain
German Roemer Coupe Wine Glasses with Green Stems - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 vintage German roemer wine glasses. Each with a clear coupe shaped top and classic ribbed stems in a green color. Each glass measures 3.25"Di...
Glass
$1,212Sale Price|20% Off
Mandruzzato Murano Pink Yellow Sommerso Faceted Art Glass Vase, Italy 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Sommerso Murano faceted vase in Pink yellow and clear glass attributed to Mandruzzato. Italy, 1960s. Pink and yellow glass double cased into clear glass using the Somme...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Carl Aubock Culinar Flatware for Collini (Thirteen Pieces)
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Collini 1
Located in New York, NY
Culinar series flatware of stainless steel designed by Carl Aubock III (1924-1993) and manufactured by Collini, Austria in 1979. Thirteen pieces in total, consisting of the followin...
Stainless Steel
$384Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Stunning Purple Smoking Set By Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass.
By Cristallerie Antonio Imperatore
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning purple smoking set by Antonio Imperatore in Murano glass. Made in Italy The items are in excellent condition. The table lighter works perfectly, This smoking set is go...
Murano Glass
$90 / set
Green Coupe Glasses - Set of 6
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage coupe glasses with a cubist design in green glass. Made in the Whitehall pattern by Indiana Glass. Perfect for wine or champagne. Smooth interiors.
Glass
Two Pairs of French Pernod Glasses, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
2 Pairs of French Pernod glasses with blue striping for measuring. One pair with red label and one pair with blue label. Pernod Fils was the most popular brand of absinthe throughout...
Glass
"Noodle" Dachshund Dog Bottle Opener Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s, Midcentury
By Ludwig Bemelmans
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian bottle opener, attributed to be designed by Ludwig Bemelmans showing "Noodle" the Dachshund dog. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection o...
Brass
$464Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Gorgeous Large Green Ashtray or Catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made i
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous large green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 7,08 diameter x 3,14...
Murano Glass
Willy Rizzo Brass and Chrome Italian Tray or Catchall, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular mid-century catchalls or decorative trays in woven brass and chrome-plated metal. This stunning decorative object was designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Fornari Roma...
Brass, Chrome
Taxco Mexican Silver Pitcher with Malachite Toucan in the Style of Los Castillo
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully designed and made Taxco Mexican Silver Pitcher with large Malachite Toucan with large tail as handle. A signature addition to any...
Malachite, Silver
Jean Luce Porcelain Bowl, Midcentury Modernism, French German, 7 Available
By Jean Luce
Located in New York, NY
*Seven (7) bowls available, each sold separately, as per listing. A white porcelain with gold starburst small two‑handled serving bowl, French Modernism, designed by noted French A...
Porcelain
Key shaped Corkscrew by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass corkscrew shaped like a large key, with an oval loop handle and a cylindrical shaft ending in a bottle-opener cut-out. The worm twists out from the body; surface shows light we...
Brass, Steel
$488Sale Price / item|25% Off
Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Bowl, Gubi, Mid-Century Modern, France
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal bowl designed by Mathieu Matégot, circa 1953. Reedition by Gubi. Mathieu Matégot designed his contemporary Matégot bowl in 1953. The characteristic appearance of th...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Pitcher By Fratelli Fanciullacci Italy
Located in Bochum, NRW
Beautiful pottery jug/handled vase, Italy late 1950s-1960s. Signed. A stunning form and décor, body shaped as a jug, glossy white spray-glaze has a mottled texture, decorated using ...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Ceramic Coasters: A Series of Dramatic Opera Chara
Located in Downingtown, PA
Operatic Gold: Set of 8 Piero Fornasetti "Melodramma" Coasters, 1960s A spectacular complete set of eight Piero Fornasetti ceramic coasters from the "Melodramma" (Melodrama) series,...
Ceramic
$544Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Cocktail Shaker by Gio Ponti for Fratelli Calderoni. Made in Italy
1970s amazing Italian Cocktail Shaker by Gio Ponti for F.lli Calderoni, in excellent condition. Made in Italy. Dimensions: Diameter 2,75 x 9,05 height inches Dimensions: Diameter cm...
Metal
1950's Pitcher Wolmar Castillo for Taller De Los Ballesteros , Mexican Modernism
By Los Ballesteros, Wolmar Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and character-rich 1950s silver-plated creamer designed and handcrafted by Wolmar Castillo for the famed Taller de los Ballesteros in Taxco, Guerrero—one of the most important...
Silver Plate, Brass
$624Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Gorgeous Smoking Set by Lalique, Signed on the Bottom, Made in France
By Lalique
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous smoking set in crystal by Lalique. made in France. The both pieces are signed on the bottom. Made in France. The table lighter works perfectly. The items are in excell...
Crystal
French Mid-Century Pink Majolica Daisy Plate Maunier Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
French Mid-Century Pink Daisy Plate signed Maunier Vallauris. 8 inches diameter.
Ceramic, Faience
Mid-Cenutry Minimalist Ashtray from Wmf, 1960s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Cenutry Minimalist Ashtray from Wmf, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Mi...
Metal
Noritake Spotlight Blue Coupe Glasses - Set of 4
By Noritake
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 vintage coupe glasses in beautiful dark blue glass. Lovely textured ornate pattern to the exterior with smooth interiors. Made in the "Spotlight Blue" pattern by Noritake ...
Glass
Anchor Hocking Depression Glass Sandwich Patt. Forest Green 1950s - 23 Pieces
Located in Miami, FL
A grouping of 23 pieces of Anchor Hocking Sandwich Pattern in Forest Green glass. This pattern's design included stylized flowers and leaves on a background of numerous small dots or...
Glass
Vincenzo Nason Murano Sommerso Pink Faceted Art Glass Vase, Italy 1960
By Vincenzo Nason & Cie, Mandruzzato
Located in Barcelona, ES
Excellent Sommerso vase with faceted glass in smoke pink color. Designed by Vincenzo Nason for Mandruzzato, Italy, 1960s. Pale pink glass cased into clear glass using the Sommerso t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Carl Aubock 1950s Butler Brass Ashtray for Illums Bolighus, Denmark
By Illums Bolighus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Malmö, SE
A brass and walnut mid-century lidded ashtray with amazing original patina. Designed by Carl Auböck, Austria in the 1950s. Sold at 'Illums Bolighus' in Copenhagen, Denmark. Great ...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Ashtray by S. Pellegrino for Stimpla Milano, 1964
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Ashtray by S. Pellegrino for Stimpla Milano, 1964, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mat...
Plastic
$712Sale Price / set|25% Off
Vintage Arne Jacobsen Stainless Steel Teaset. Denmark, 1960's
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Very smart tea and coffee set on a tray Made by Shelton,Denmark. Designed by Arne Jacobsen Makers marks on the base of most of the pieces. Printed label on the base of the tray F...
Stainless Steel
$253Sale Price|54% Off
Alvar Aalto serving platter, oak Serving tray by Alvar Aalto Collection Iittala
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A finely crafted oak serving platter featuring the iconic “Savoy” silhouette from a limited Alvar Aalto collection by Iittala, Finland. This piece showcases the essence of Finnish de...
Oak
$432Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Murano Large Blue Bowl or Catchall Designed by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Big Blue Bowl or Catchall By Flavio Poli in Murano glass. This is a unique piece a true sculpture The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 6,29" diameter x 3...
Murano Glass
Mid Century Soreno Green Glass Pitcher by Anchor Hocking
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage mid century pitcher made of textured glass in an avocado green color. From the "Soreno" line by Anchor Hocking.
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Danish Bowl by Bjørn Wiinblad for Nymölle, Denmark, 1960s
By Nymolle
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Flora Bowl by Bjørn Wiinblad for Nymölle, Denmark, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. This piece has an attribution mark. Additional in...
Ceramic
Set of 12 Esagonali Tumblers and Pitcher. Murano Glass Rigadin Fumè, Coral Red
By Paolo Venini, Salviati
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Elegant set of 12 handmade Murano glass with a matching jug in warm amber fume color. Each piece is decorated with the refined rigadin ritorto pattern, a classic Murano design that g...
Murano Glass
Smoking might have fallen out of fashion, but these ashtrays have enduring design appeal.
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.