Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
to
1,941
13,444
195
59
10
47
13,387
254
165
9,518
2,481
18
6
23
92
217
2,081
2,557
1,475
264
65
13,698
5,560
5,414
3,303
2,884
2,842
1,850
1,091
603
599
590
537
501
382
271
245
142
69
4,742
4,724
3,777
1,800
1,400
7,259
5,728
10,510
4,734
2,136
1,824
1,665
13,698
13,548
13,624
196
170
145
129
116
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Midcentury Oversized Murano Multicolor Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, ES
Huge Italian Murano glass hand blown fish figure with colorful decorative spots and stripes, Italy, 1950s.
Blue, red, orange, yellow and green accents...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
5-in-1 Drinking Glass set by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
5-in-1 Drinking Glass set by Joe Colombo, 1970
Italian industrial designer Joe Colombo pursued a career in painting and sculpture before he transiti...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
$419 / item
MCM Silver Fade Highball Cocktail Glasses Style of Dorothy Thorpe Set of 6
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Mid-Century Modern silver fade highball sized cocktail glasses in the style of Dorothy Thorpe, set of 6. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century.
We have a half dozen reasons to catch your attention!! Just LOOK at this lovely set of six tumblers, highballs, or cocktail silver rimmed glasses in the style of the iconic Dorothy Thorpe!! Having a mid-morning brunch or evening cocktail party? What a sophisticated set of glassware...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
2, 3 Kg Glass Bowl Shell Centerpiece by Flavio Poli Attrib., Murano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Murano glass bowl, element
Origin:
Murano, Italy
Design:
Flavio Poli attrib.
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage glass shell bowl element w...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Bosse cat Figurine Collectible. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austr...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Murano Glass Bowl Attributed to Flavio Poli for Somerso 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Verviers, BE
Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso d'Arte, this biomorphic Murano glass bowl is handcrafted with red highlights fading through bringing warmth into your color scheme.
Still in love...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
French Provencal Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase
Located in Miami, FL
A fine hand-crafted ceramic pitcher vase from the Provence region of France.
This French ceramic pitcher vase is very well made using clay from the region. Hand-painted then glazed...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic
$635 Sale Price
20% Off
Antonia Campi Conchiglia Pottery, Italian 1950s Lamp
By Lavenia, Antonia Campi
Located in New York, NY
An original 1950s Conchiglia glazed ceramic lamp in the form of a conch shell.
Societa Ceramica Italiana di Laveno. Signed.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
FORNASETTI Set of 6 Fornasetti Mural Plates by Louis Vuitton
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fornasetti Mural plate set, co-designed by Johnny Coca and the Italian atelier Fornasetti, each featuring a unique motif echoing the antiquity theme from the Louis Vuitton Women's Fa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
$3,900 Sale Price / set
25% Off
"Noodle" Dachshund Brass Dog Bottle Opener by Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Classic early 1950s Austrian bottle opener, attributed to the Austrian Illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans depiction of "Noodle" the Dachshund dog. It was made by Bosse in Vienna.
Measure...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass
A Black Forest Rustic Drinking Set with Six Pewter Shot Glasses
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Black Forest Rustic Drinking Set with Six Pewter Shot Glasses
Item e6992
A rustic Black Forest drinking set with six pewter shot glasses on a fallow deer trophy as base. Each glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Pewter
Glass Cloche on Octagonal Teak Tray
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage glass cloche on a teak tray. The top is made of heavy glass with an integrally formed handle sitting on an octagonal teak tray. A useful serving piece perfect for serving ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass, Teak
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
$780 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Mid-Century Vintage Glass Liquor Glasses Design Italy 1970s Set of 6
Located in Palermo, IT
Sei Bicchieri da liquore. Corpo cilindrico. Vetro trasparente con base blu. Davvero unici e vintage degli anni '70. Made in Italy. Please watch the video and photos carefully, thank...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Green Faceted Indiana Glass Drinking Glasses, Set of 8
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of eight green-faceted drinking glasses. This set will add a beautiful touch of green to any place setting. We recommend using this set for water or iced tea and pairing them w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
$240 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Vintage Set of Gucci Quail Silverplate Salt And Pepper Shaker, Italy 1960s
By Gucci
Located in München, BY
Set of decorative silver-plated quail salt and pepper shakers, Italy 1960s.
Signed Gucci and Made in Italy on the bottom.
Good general condition. On the buttom, the silver platin...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Silver Plate
French Green Majolica Oyster Marcel Guillot, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French green Majolica oyster signed Marcel Guillot, circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Set of Six Black & White "Tiki" Cocktail Glasses by Georges Briard
Located in San Diego, CA
Great set of six black and white "Tiki" cocktail glasses by Georges Briard, circa 1970s. The glasses are very good condition with no cracks or chips and measure 3.25"D x 3.375"H. Su...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
Carl Auböck Brass Ashtray, Model 3317, Austria 1935
Located in Den Haag, NL
Carl Auböck brass ashtray, model 3317, Austria 1935.
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass
Vintage Japanese Damascus Steel Steak Knife Set of Four
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage 4-piece Japanese Damascus Steel Steak Knife Set
.5 h x 8.5 long x 1 w
Preowned original vintage, refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Steel
Crystal Set of 6 Knittel with Label Stem Glasses with Overlay Cut to Clear
By Nachtmann
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage with Label Knittel set of 6 cut to clear crystal stem glasses.
Mix crystal (Bleikristall 24% Mundgeblasen Handgeschliffen) glasses
Clear demi crystal glass. Side facetted an...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
Mid-Century Italian Murano Blown Glass Ruby Red Pedestal Coupes-Sherbets S/6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Venetian region of Northern Italy, a set of six Murano glass coupes or sherbets, circa 1950-1960.
Ruby Red bowls are fused to heavy colorless glass pedestal bases in a di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Nissen Danish Modern Lot of Ten Pepper Mills
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Lot of 10 Danish modern teak pepper mills by Dansk and one by Nissen with the black iron ring on top. Varying in size and most with Puegeot grinders. Tallest being 8". All signed. ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Teak
Peter Voulkos Signed Modern Anagama Fired California Studio Pottery Wall Plate
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, beautifully designed, heavy Anagama wood-fired wall plate/charger by American master potter/artist Peter Voulkos who is universally known for his abstract expressionist ...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Portugal orange green Quinta Nova porcelain dinnerware set, 43 pieces
By Vista Alegre
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous porcelain tableware from the Portuguese firm Quinta Nova, renowned for its fine porcelain. Its meticulously painted floral design combines warm tones of orange and green on a pearly white background, evoking a romantic yet contemporary touch. The edges of the pieces feature a wavy shape with a fine gold trim, enhancing their decorative character. The floral ornamentation, with intertwined branches and flowers in full bloom, recalls 19th-century botanical motifs, inspired by Rococo art and Victorian design. The balance between the gold details and the softness of the floral brushstrokes make this tableware ideal for a more classic decor style or a more modern setting. Stamped on the base of each piece.
Quinta Nova Porcelain, now Vista Alegre
Quinta Nova Porcelain was a Portuguese brand...
Category
1960s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Barware MCM 22kt Gold Stripped Champagne Glasses "New Years Eve" Festive
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Vintage barware , perfect for the Holidays or New Years Eve, these Festive and glamorous, tall tapered glass champagne glasses with applied 22k gold stripes. Some wear to...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
Vintage Georg Jensen Mitra Stainless Flatware Dinner Service for 12, 68 Pcs
By Georg Jensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This dinner service was Georg Jensen's first set in stainless steel. It was designed in 1941 by Gundorph Albertus (1887-1970). Stainless steel was chosen due to the lack of silver during the Second World War. The name Mitra derives from the headware/hat of a Bishop (mitres-s) and resembles its distinct shape.
68 pcs of flatware dinner service...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel
$2,275 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Val Saint Lambert, Sculpted Heavy Crystal Vase , Belgium 1950s
Located in Verviers, BE
Val Saint Lambert, sculpted crystal vase with amethyst core, Belgium.
Heavy Val Saint Lambert crystal vase catalogued in the 1950s.
The central amethyst color (a traditional favorit...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
Orange Mid-Century Metal Serving Tray with Handles, Powder Coated
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large MCM Orange Metal Serving Bar Tray with Handles
This large and very sturdy Hermes color orange tray is a perfect addition to a bar or as a serving pi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Metal
Flavio Poli Sommerso Turquoise Blue Yellow Diamond Faceted Murano Art Glass Bowl
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Turquoise Murano glass faceted bowl or ashtray by Flavio Poli. Italy, 1950s.
Unusual color. Turquoise and clear glass using the Sommerso technique.
Amazing diamond sha...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
A Gucci bottle opener Fishin silver-plated metal Italy 1970
By Gucci
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A Gucci bottle opener in silver-plated metal, articulated and shaped like a fish. Made in Italy around 1970, it embodies a remarkable level of craf...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Silver Plate
Lutèce saucer plate.
Located in New York, NY
Lutèce saucer plate. Vintage blue and white saucer from the famed Lutèce restaurant from Manhattan’s more sophisticated past. Chic vide poche souvenir. France, 1960's.
Dimensions: ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic
Set of 6 Italian Murano green and purple glass tumblers 1980s
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful set of six green and purple Murano glass tumblers made in Italy in the 1980s. These are inspired by Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini tumblers...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
Alfredo Barbini Murano Green Apple Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown olive green over white and gold flecks Italian art glass apple shaped bowl. Documented to Master glass artist and designer Alfredo Barbini, circa ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Gold Leaf
$400 Sale Price
33% Off
Crystal Sugar Bowl, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Crystal sugar bowl, circa 1920 Manufactured in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition with wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Crystal ...
Category
1920s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
Brass & Wood Italian Water Pitcher Midcentury
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Diego, CA
Polished brass Italian water pitcher circa 1950s, with silver lining and a medallion and a rosewood handle circa 1950s, some patina tall unique a...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass
$220 Sale Price
20% Off
Archimede Seguso Murano Blue Sommerso Large Glass Bowl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Hand blown Murano glass Sommerso bowl / ashtray in blue color with a cased rim in dark blue glass. Design attributed to Archimede Seguso for Seguso Factory, Italy, 1960s.
A hig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$1,054 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Walther Glas - Lobster dish - Crystal
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful large vintage serving dish from Walther Glas from the Siebenstern Collection
From the 1970s. Decorated with a frosted glass lobster in relief.
...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
Mid-Century Teak Trivet
Located in San Diego, CA
MCM teak trivet, circa 1970s. The piece is stylish, very functional and in good vintage condition. The piece has been freshly oiled and measures 11.25"W x .7.5"D x 1"H. #4130
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Teak
1970's Italian Cube Ice Bucket in Thick Lucite With Sliding Lid
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Ice cube bucket in thick lucite. Beautiful and functional ice bucket with sliding top is an outstanding addition to any bar. The lucite is in very good condition and will kee...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Lucite
Midcentury Cubic Chromed Steel, Wood and Glass Dry Bar, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Unique midcentury cubic dry bar in lacquered ash wood, mirrored steel and glass dry bar with hidden wheels. This gorgeous Willy Rizzo style dry bar was produced in Italy during the 1970s.
The wheeled bar cart's four sides are in mirrored chromed steel, while the top is in dark smoked glass. It moves thanks to four hidden wheels, and the structure is veneered black lacquered oak.
A design masterpiece that will become a cult furniture element in a midcentury bar or living room.
Italian designer and photographer Willy Rizzo (1928-2013) first came to prominence in the 1960s as both a chronicler of and participant in La Dolce Vita, the glamorous, jet set lifestyle enjoyed by many international celebrities and socialites in the postwar era. While photography was Rizzo's first love, in the 1970s he developed a passion for interiors and launched a second successful career as a luxury furniture designer.
Rizzo was born in Naples in 1928 but moved to France early. After expressing an interest in photography at the age of 12, Rizzo's mother gifted him an Agfa Box camera; soon he was shooting portraits of his classmates at Paris's Istituto Statale Italiano Leonardo Da Vinci.
In the 1940s, Rizzo began his career as a photojournalist, working for several French publications, including Ciné Mondial, Point de Vue, and Image du Monde. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Rizzo notably covered the Nuremberg Trials and travelled to Tunisia for Point de Vue to photograph the conflict in North Africa, later published in Life Magazine. As his reputation grew, he was hired by France Dimanche to take portraits of the rich and famous at flashy events like the Cannes Film Festival. Rizzo's charm won the trust of royalty, dignitaries, and movie stars, allowing him to capture these public figures in unusually candid moments.
Hoping to advance his career further, Rizzo travelled to New York with Black Star Agency in 1947 to photograph American starlets. When he returned to Paris two years later, he was invited to join Jean Prouvost’s newest publication in colour, Paris Match, as head photographer—a position that he held for 20 years and, along the way, sparked a new culture of celebrity photographers who were as intriguing and fashionable as their subjects.
In 1959, he became the artistic director of Marie Claire and collaborated with other fashion magazines, such as Vogue.
Throughout his career, Rizzo photographed dozens of stars, including Brigitte Bardot, Maria Callas, Salvador Dalí, Marlene Dietrich, Jane Fonda, Gene Kelly, and Gregory Peck, as well as striking up close friendships with famous personalities like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Jack Nicholson. In 1962, Rizzo famously captured some of the last moments of Marilyn Monroe’s life on film before tragically committing suicide a few weeks later.
In 1968, Rizzo married Italian actress Elsa Martinelli, and the pair relocated to Rome. It was here that Rizzo began his work in furniture design, starting with his newly-leased, run-down Roman apartment. Just for personal use (at first), Rizzo created a series one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by modernist icons, such as Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. But as his glitterati friends—Rodolfo Parisi, Gigli Rizzi, Franco Rapetti, Salvador Dalí, Brigitte Bardot, and the like—became admirers of his work, Rizzo was flooded with design commissions.
Rizzo went on to furnish apartments for Italian aristocracy in the Palazzo Borghese and Palazzo Ruspoli that same year and quickly earned an international reputation as a designer to the rich and famous. In response to ever-growing demand, he launched his own Tivoli-based company dedicated to contemporary furniture design handmade in lux materials such as wood, marble, stainless steel, brass, and wild boar. Over time, his team of eight grew to 150, and he was able to open shops in France and throughout Europe, as well as in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
With an emphasis on clean lines and geometric forms, Rizzo's tables, chairs, and accessories combined contemporary shapes with traditional materials—in contrast to many of his contemporaries, like Ettore Sottsass and Vico Magistretti, who were popularizing plastic, foam, and other synthetics in furniture production. Rizzo's most successful designs are many low, box-like tables in granite, metal, glass, or burled wood, often embellished with brass or chrome accents or built-in liquor cabinets or trays. Two examples of his most celebrated designs include the Alveo Coffee Table (1970s) for Mario Sabot and the circular Yin Yang Coffee Table...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Steel, Metal, Chrome
Midcentury Pewter Pineapple Form Ice Bucket by Mauro Manetti Italy, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful form pineapple ice bucket, a container with lid, in pewter by Mauro Manetti for Fonderia D'Arte Firenze.
Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Manufacturer's stamp on th...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Pewter
Large Pink Murano Bubble Glass Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
xl 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 purp...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Couroc Roadrunner Bird Design Barware Vintage Serving Tray Circa 1960
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Mid-Century Modern Couroc of Monterey California roadrunner bird design barware serving tray.
Vintage Couroc Roadrunner Design Barware Serving ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Bakelite
1950s European Bronze Crocodile Nutcracker Walter Bosse Style Auböck
By Walter Bosse
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s European Bronze Crocodile Nutcracker attributed Walter Bosse
in the style of Carl Auböck
7x 1.5 w x 1.5 d
Original vintage unrestored condition
Refer to images.
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Set of Four Vintage Pyrex Primary Color Mixing Bowls, 1950s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This set of bowls were designed and produced by Pyrex, in USA, during the 1950's.
This pretty glassware has ties to Upstate New York. Pyrex was introduced in 1915 by the Corning Glass Works, now known as Corning Incorporated in Corning NY. Chemists at Corning Glass Works created a special borosilicate glass that was resistant expansion and contraction during changes in temperature. This new glass—branded as “Pyrex”—held up under quick, extreme temperature changes, which made it ideal for railroad lamps...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
$570 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Italian Handmade Murano Sommerso Glass Parfum Bottle, 1970's
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage Italian handmade Sommerso decorative parfum bottle handmade in multi-color layers Murano glass. Very thick glass is in clear, blue, purple, pink colors glass combination.
Mar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Murano Glass, Sommerso
Large Murano Glass "Yellow" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Murano glass bowl, ashtray element
Origin:
Murano, Italy
Decade:
1970s
This original vintage glass bowl element, ash tray was produced in the 1970s in Murano, Ital...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Green and Amber Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by F. Poli, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century bowl or ashtray in Murano "sommerso" green, orange and clear glass. Designed by Flavio Poli and produced in Murano, Italy during the 1960s.
In amazing conditi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Midcentury Modern Groupe of 6 White and Grey Vessels Rörstrand Sweden 1950
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
We have gathered a Groupe of 6 pieces, made at Rörstrand during the midcentury. The pieces are designed by Gunnar Nylund and Carl Harry Stålhane. Their slick minimalistic and elegant...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stoneware
Barovier Toso Murano Intarsio Mosaic Triangle Tessere Italian Art Glass Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful, vintage Murano hand blown red and taupe gray triangle Tessere mosaic Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for Barovier e Toso, c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Glass
$3,750 Sale Price
25% Off
Mid-20th Century Stainless Steel Aperitifs / Cordials or Shot Glasses, Set of 8
Located in Austin, TX
This set of 8 stainless steel cordials / aperitifs or shot glasses is attributed to Arne Jacobsen, the sought-after mid-century Danish architect and designer of the Functionalist Movement. Jacobsen was among the 20th century's most famous designers. Think Egg Chair, Swan Chair, Ant Chair.
This set of cordials is a rare MCM find...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel
Hilton Mcconnico for Daum, 'Cheyenne' Feather Quill Carafes, France, 1970s
By Hilton McConnico, Daum
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb 'Cheyenne' carafe service designed by Hilton McConnico for Daum. Stopper of the carafe in the shape of a feather quill. Blue model named Cheyenne ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
Gino Colombini Midcentury Black Umbrella Stands or Ashtray for Kartell, 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing free standing ashtray or usable as an umbrella stand in mid-century black plastic with chromed metal rings. This fantastic piece was designed by Gino Colombini...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Metal, Chrome
6 Sergio Asti Chameleon Aperitif Drinking Glasses, Arnolfo Di Cambio, Italy 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of six stylish color-changing studio glass drinking glasses / shot glasses from the 1970s, designed by Sergio Asti and manufactured by Arnolfo di Cambio in Tuscany, Italy. Thes...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Italian Cigar Ashtray, circa 1965
By Bitossi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cigar Ashtray attributed to Bitossi
marked Italy on the bottom, circa 1965
great color, glaze and patina
some loss of glaze through out which just more Bohemiam character
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Pottery
Large Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl, 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue ceramic centerpiece bowl, Italy, 1950-1960s.
Unusual large scale 14,17 in diameter Mid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Bl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
original "diamond" ceramic tiles by Gio Ponti for Joo Milano 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Wall panel composed of a very rare group of 6 ceramic tiles designed in 1960 by Gio Ponti for Joo Ceramiche Milano, "diamond" model, fire-red in white aluminum frame.
The whole panel...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Aluminum
1960s Purple Glass Set of Ten Italian Empoli Genie Bottles, Vases and Candy Jars
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very decorative aubergine, amethist, plum coloured purple set of ten different size and colour Italian art glass bottles, vases and apothecary or candy jars.
Mention Italian glass and probably everyone’s mind immediately leaps to Venice and Murano.
But there is another almost equally famous centre of Italian glass making known as Empoli.
Empoli glass is generally much simpler and does not have the intricately applied trim or decorations associated with Venetian and Murano pieces.
The simple traditional styles of Empoli glass were quickly adapted to the abstract shapes of mid 20th century modernism. It became hugely popular as a decorative home accent, and was exported across the world.
Now they are highly sought after by international collectors and look beautiful arranged together.
This set consists of three pressed genie bottles and seven blown glass items.
The bottles have their stopper and all items are different in design, shape and size (height with stopper):
Large striped swirl genie bottle, pressed glass, 53cm high, ø 13.5cm (20.9"x5.3")
Diamond design pressed 'genie' bottle, pressed glass, 55cm high, ø 13cm diameter (21.7"x5.1")
Angular 4 sided genie bottle with dancing women, pressed glass, 48cm high, 15x15cm depth and width (18.9"x5.9")
Carafe with clear handle and foot, without stopper, marked, made in Italy, blown glass, 38cm high, ø 13cm (15"x5.1")
Large cognac glass, blown glass, 27cm high, ø 18cm (10.6"x7.1")
Small cognac glass, blown glass, 23cm high, ø 13cm (9.1"5.1")
Optic bubble small vase on clear foot, blown glass, clear glass foot, 22cm high, ø 10cm (8.7"x3.9")
Small long vase with swirl design, blown glass, 25cm high, ø 8cm (9.8"x 3.1")
Bonbon or candy jar with clear foot and handle, blown glass, 24cm high, ø 11cm (9.5"x4.3")
Small bonbon or candy jar with clear foot and handle, blown glass, 16cm high, ø 11cm (6.3"x4.3")
Like Murano glass in the 1950s-1960s the great majority of Empoli glass was marked only with relatively generic “Made in Italy” paper or foil label. Over time, many of the original labels have fallen off and the majority of Empoli MCM glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Blown Glass, Glass
$2,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1950's Vintage Libbey Bar Glasses, Curio Line Designed by Freda Diamond
Located in Downingtown, PA
Vintage Libbey bar glasses, (23 pieces)
Curio Line designed by Freda Diamond,
Early 1950s.
The charming set of twenty three pieces of barware each d...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
Mid-century Modern serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern serveware, ceramics, silver and glass made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Cenedese, Rörstrand, and Piero Fornasetti. 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $679.
Read More
How Noguchi Elevated Ashtrays to Objets d’Art
Smoking might have fallen out of fashion, but these ashtrays have enduring design appeal.
Tapio Wirkkala Bucked the Trends of Mid-Century Nordic Design
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.