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.
1960s Stunning Large Green and Yellow Ashtray/Bowl/Catchall By Flavio Poli for S
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous grey ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in italy. This piece exemplifies the iconic sommerso (submerged) glass technique. Fe...
Murano Glass
Coin Tray by Auböck around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Coin Tray by Auböck around 1950s Polished and stove enameled
Brass
Mid-Century Brass and Enamel Barware Cocktail Picks, Spanish Swords, circa 1950
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming and highly decorative set of eight cocktail picks from Toledo, Spain, circa 1950, each meticulously shaped as a miniature Spanish sword. The e...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red & Yellow, 1960s Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Murano glass bowl designed by the legendary Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d’Arte. Exemplifying the pinnacle of mid-century Venetian glassmaking, this piece showcases Poli’s sign...
Murano Glass
Ashtray with fish motiv vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Ashtray with fish motiv vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Pair of William Spratling Mexican Sterling Silver Nautilus Three-Footed Bowls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine associated pair of Taxco silver bowls. By William Spratling. In sterling silver. From the Nautilus series of bowls with a rolled rim and shaped bowl supported by 3 everted ...
Sterling Silver
David Marshall Brutalist Ashtray, Bronze & Aluminium, Spain 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautifuk ashtray or brutalist vide-poches designed and produced by the artist david marshall in the 70s in spain. Structure in bronze and aluminum. Rare design object that will deco...
Aluminum, Bronze
Midcentury Ice Bucket in Red Goatskin and Brass by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful ice bucket in red goatskin and brass with handle by Aldo Tura. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Metal, Brass
Set of 6 Ruby Red Cocktail or Dessert Bowls by Luminarc of Arques, 1970s
By Luminarc
Located in Andernach, DE
A very beautiful set of 6 vintage dessert or cocktail glasses from the 1970s France by Luminarc. Fantastic minimalistic design in a truly glossy shimmering ruby red and colourless st...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Set by Culver Ltd., Glass & Gold Clover, Circa 1960
By Culver Ltd.
Located in Fairfield, CA
A 5 piece mid century cocktail set by Culver. Each piece is wrapped in a 22 kt gold clover pattern. The set includes 1 tall double spout pitcher and 4 footed cordial glasses. The pit...
Glass
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Chrome Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and chrome in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. It's ...
Metal, Chrome
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern table lighter designed by the renowned Flavio Poli, crafted in Murano, Italy, during the 1960s. This exquisite piece beautifully showcases the masterful sommerso (...
Murano Glass
Round Glass Ashtray, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Elegant French glass ashtray dating from the 1970s, featuring a minimalist circular design with a softly hammered texture that beautifully catches and reflects the light. Crafted in ...
Glass, Art Glass
$238Sale Price|20% Off
Red Fat Lava Ashtray or Snack Bowl by PAN, Pelican, German Art Ceramic, ca. 1960
By PAN Keramik, Goebel Company
Located in Andernach, DE
Mid-century German Fat Lava pelican in a fiery glossy red with its beak wide open to either serve as an ashtray or a bowl for snacks, jewellery or other small spacial things. German ...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Solid Brass Horse Head Ashtray - Paperweight
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer this exceptional vintage cast brass ashtray, sculpted in the form of a horse’s head. More than a functional smoking accessory, this striking piece can be appr...
Brass
Dodie Thayer Lettuce Ware Tureen, Cover and Stand, Jupiter, Florida, 1987
By Dodie Thayer
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dodie Thayer Lettuce Ware Tureen, Cover and Stand, Jupiter, Florida, 1987 The tureen, cover and conforming stand are naturalistically modeled as a head of lettuce, hand-built in gla...
Ceramic, Earthenware
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Onyx Smoking Set with Table Lighter & Ashtray
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern smoking set, meticulously crafted in Italy during the 1960s. The two-piece collection showcases the organic beauty of genuine onyx stone, celebrated for its striki...
Onyx
Set of 8 Hand-Blown Murano Latticino Blue & Chartreuse Wine Glasses W/ 24K Gold
Located in New York, NY
This stunning set of eight hand-blown Murano wine glasses embodies mid-20th century Venetian artistry, crafted in Murano, Italy circa 1950. Utilizing the latticino technique, each gl...
Gold
Speckled Hannah Arnup matte green glazed pottery vessel
Located in Ferndale, MI
Speckled matte green glaze stoneware vase with incised whimsical burnt orange design running around the body . Attributed to Hannah Arnup . Ink stamped signature Ballymorris Cratloe ...
Pottery
Los Castillo Taxco Mexican Silver Plate Articulated Fish Bottle Opener
Located in Downingtown, PA
Los Castillo Taxco Mexican Silver Plate Articulated Fish Bottle Opener Circa 1980 Los Castillo of Taxco made this articulated fish bottle opener in silver plate, modeling it as a sw...
Silver Plate
Large Pink Murano Bubble Glass Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Alessandro Mandruzzato, Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This original glass shell bowl was produced in the 1970s in Murano, Italy. An elegant purple ...
Murano Glass
Set of 12 Mid-Century Modernist Gilt Rimmed Water Glasses By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
This set of 12 Mid-Century Modernist gilt-rimmed water glasses, designed by the iconic American glassware designer Dorothy Thorpe and dating to circa 1940, is a perfect embodiment of...
Gold
Art Deco Cheetah Salt & Pepper Shakers, Italy, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Unleash a touch of wild elegance at your table with this charming pair of cheetah salt and pepper shakers designed and produced in ital, 1970. A playful nod to the animalier artistry...
Chrome
1970s Italian Crystal Glass Smoking Set by Antonio Imperatore.
By Cristallerie Antonio Imperatore
Located in Milano, IT
Stunning, ultra-chic vintage smoking set designed by Antonio Imperatore during the 1970s. Expertly crafted in Italy, this two-piece set perfectly captures the bold, geometric, and gl...
Rock Crystal
Vintage Danish Modern Brass & Teak Cutlery Set by Carl Cohr, 1960s, 12 persons
By Carl M. Cohr
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This dining/lunch set by Carl Cohr was manufactured and designed in Denmark during the 1960s. The set consists of 10 dinner/lunch knives, 10 dinner/lunch forks, 10 dinner/lunch spoon...
Brass
$939 / item
Abalone shell & alpaca tray, Mexico, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful tray designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal object with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. A beautiful item to display in...
Shell, Abalone, Alpaca
Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1960, Mid-Century Modern
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
A large vintage Murano glass ashtray made using the "sommerso" technique, attributed to designer Flavio Poli for the Seguso glassworks in the 1960s. It has a faceted geometric shape ...
Murano Glass
Wood and Brass Tray, France, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
An elegant rectangular solid wood tray, featuring a surrounding wooden gallery with brass fittings accentuating the corners. Its understated, refined design highlights the wood's natural beauty and the patina it has acquired over time. With its integrated side handles, this tray is as practical as it is decorative. It is perfect for display on a table, sideboard, or console—whether for serving drinks, showcasing decorative objects, or acting as a catch-all tray. A beautiful antique piece blending functionality with elegance, ideal for classic, country-chic, or timeless interiors. Style : Classic Napoleon III French Rustic chic Elegant 19th century Key Features : Solid wood Brass fittings Integrated handles Beautiful original patina French-made 19th century Serving tray Decorative and functional object Sturdy construction Keywords : wood serving tray, antique wooden tray, brass tray, French antique tray, serving tray with handles, wooden butler tray, brass-mounted tray, 19th-century tray, antique home decor, vintage serving tray, antique wood tray...
Brass
Vintage Asprey & Co. Silver-Plated 'Bell' Cocktail Shaker
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Vintage Asprey & Co. Silver-Plated 'Bell' Cocktail Shaker Made in England, circa 1940. Good overall condition, has no damage, please see pictures for a better judgement of the it...
Brass
Articulated Abalone shell and Brass Fish Bottle Opener, Mexico, 1980's, 17 cm
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb articulated fish designed and produced in Mexico during the 1980's. This artisanal bottle opener, crafted with abalone mother-of-pearl, is a true work of art. A beautiful item...
Brass
Christofle Silver-Plated Sully Champagne & Ice Bucket (Gallia Collection) 1950s
By Christofle
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant mid-century silver-plated champagne or ice bucket by the venerable French silversmith Christofle. Dating to the 1950s, this large and striking piece belongs to the prestigiou...
Silver Plate
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Green, Sculptural Design, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condition witho...
Murano Glass
Bottle opener around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle opener around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Abalone and Brass Fish Bottle Opener in the Style of Los Castillo
By Los Castillo
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mexican Mid-Century abalone and brass bottle opener in the style of Los Castillo. All of the abalone is in good condition which is often rare. A true mid century iconic piece that wi...
Brass
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Plate Tema e Variazioni No. 224, Lina Cavalieri
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Plate, Tema e Variazioni No. 224, Lina Cavalieri 1980s This Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate from the Tema e Variazioni series presents the face of the Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri fragmented and repeated across the well in a dense field of overlapping crescents, so that only the eyes and brows of each impression remain visible. The lithographic transfer is printed in black and gray on a white ground, and the scale-like repetition reads at a distance as an abstract pattern before resolving into dozens of watching eyes. Numbered 224 in the series, it is among the more unusual and graphically inventive of the Tema e Variazioni designs, and it demonstrates the Surrealist wit and optical play that defined Fornasetti’s approach to the decorative arts. Dimensions Diameter: 10 inches (25.4 cm) Height: 1 inch (2.5 cm) Marks Printed to the reverse with the Fornasetti eye...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Brass Lily Flower Sculpture Figurine Ashtray
Located in Poperinge, BE
A beautiful, large mid-century brass lily flower sculpture or figurine—a vintage Hollywood Regency-style ashtray shaped like a flower. It features six detachable petals and was craft...
Brass
1970s Mikasa "Tampa" Dinnerware Set, 12 Place Settings, Avocado Green & Yellow
By Mikasa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A complete 12-place setting set of vintage Mikasa "Tampa" pattern stoneware, produced in the 1970s. Each setting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, cup and saucer, and coordinatin...
Ceramic
Small Italian Florentine Wood Painted Vanity Trinket Tray, Birds and Gold Leaves
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Florentine paper mache tray featuring green birds and gold leaves from the 1960’s. These highly collectable pieces are both form and function. These look wonderful sitting a...
Wood, Paper
Amber Depression Glass Cordial Set, Art Deco Style, 1930s, USA
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautiful amber Depression Glass cordial set dating to the 1930s, composed of a sculptural round pitcher and six matching footed glasses. The set h...
Glass
Archimede Seguso Murano Sommerso Opal Pink Alabastro Glass Bowl, Italy 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching hand blown Murano Sommerso pink and opalescent white glass flower bowl with folded rim. Design Attributed to Archimede Seguso for the Seguso Factory. Italy, 1950s. This ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Set of 4 Vintage Amber Glass Wine Goblets, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 gorgeous wine goblets in amber glass. Lovely simple modern shape with glass that thickens towards the base of the glass. Each measures 2.5"Dia x 4.5"H
Glass
Set of twelve Dachshund vintage Silver Plate Knife Rests, France 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Great set of twelve vintage Silver Plate Knife Rests in the shape of Dachshund, France 1960s. De Knife Rests are nicely detailed and well-proportioned and very decorative. Very good ...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Zebra Vases by Lapid, Glazed Ceramic, Israel, 1965
By Lapid
Located in Bochum, NRW
Wonderful mid-century Israel Lapid pottery pieces featuring trademark Lapid markings on the bottom and dark bluish-grey interior glaze. Lapid is the most renowned and collected kibbu...
Ceramic
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
Vintage Japanese Mid-Century Yacht Decanter Cocktail Set and Music Box, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking vintage Japanese novelty cocktail set in the form of a luxury motor yacht, dating to approximately 1970. #5706 This elaborate tabletop bar combines cocktail service and ...
Metal
Los Castillo Taxco Seahorse Silver Plate Creamer & Sugar Set, Mexico 1950's
By Emilia Castillo, Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional mid-century Los Castillo silver-plated creamer and lidded sugar set, handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico during the 1950s. Featuring beautifully sculpted seahorse handles, th...
Silver, Silver Plate, Brass
Italian Murano Red White Champagne Coupes Glasses by Carlo Moretti, Mid-20th C
Located in New York, NY
A chic set of five (5) vintage red and white Italian Murano Champagne coupes or cocktail glasses, by designer Carlo Moretti, Midcentury Modern Design period, Italy, circa mid-20th century. These Carlo Moretti Champagne...
Murano Glass
Don Shoemaker for Señal Attributed Mixed Exotic Hardwood Parquetry Serving Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
An exceptional attributed serving tray designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, crafted circa 1970. This beautifully executed example showcases Shoemaker's celebrated use of rich...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mussel Shell Caviar Server, Bronze & Shell, Mid-Century Italy, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful mussel shell caviar server designed in Italy in the 1970s. Metallic gold structure depicting a mussel shell symbol of love and beauty since antiquity with its spoon in bron...
Bronze
1960s Mid-century Red Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous red 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 inche...
Murano Glass
French Mid-Century Ceramic Snail Set by Marius Giuge, Vallauris, 1960s
By Vallauris
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
This rare French mid-century ceramic snail set by Marius Giuge, produced in Vallauris during the 1960s, is a charming and highly collectible example of postwar French tableware. The ...
Ceramic
Romano Bianchi Green Alabaster Ashtray, Italy, 1970s, Elegant Design
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite large green alabaster ashtray, designed and handcrafted by Romano Bianchi in Italy during the 1970s. This striking piece, with its rich patina, blends artistry and elegance...
Alabaster
Hocking Glass Old Colony Pink Depression Glass Dessert Service, 1935
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautiful Pink Depression Glass dessert service by Hocking Glass in the Old Colony pattern, also known as Lace Edge or Open Lace. Produced betw...
Glass
$525Sale Price|25% Off
Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flower Star Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pitcher
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown multi-color Millefiori flower and star mosaic Italian art glass pitcher / vase. The piece is documented to the Fratell...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Set of 19 Decorative Marble Spheres, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Decorative set of polished marble and natural stone spheres, France, circa 1970s. Each sphere features distinctive veining, coloration and mineral variations, ranging from beige, och...
Marble
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Table Lighter, Italy, 1960s Design
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 4,33 x 3,93...
Murano Glass
Vintage Gold Rimmed Wheat Design Tumblers - Set of 4, Circa 1960
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 mid century tumblers with a lovely wheat design on the surface in orange, white, and metallic gold. Perfect for using for cocktails or ...
Glass
Fire King Peach Lustre Mixing Bowls Set of 3, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Fire King forever changed the way the American kitchen was understood. Beginning in the 1940s, Anchor Hocking introduced durable, heat resistant glassware created for daily use in mi...
Glass
Mid Century Polished Chrome and Brass Champagne Chiller on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully designed Mid-Century Modern champagne chiller, combining polished chrome and brass in a sophisticated and glamorous presentation. The sculptural brass sphere handles a...
Brass, Chrome
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
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.