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 legendary 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.
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
Period: 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Red Faux Leather Ice Bucket, circa 1960's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern ice bucket. Shiny red faux leather exterior with white interior; solid and fully functional ice bucket. The acrylic handle and lid are classic mid-century modern d...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Plastic, Lucite, Faux Leather
Original Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Pedestal Ash Stand
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this pedestal ash stand designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, circa 1960.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Aluminum
Art Glass Ashtray by Josef Hospodka for Chribska Glassworks, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia
- Made of glass
- Re-polished
- Has some signs use
- Good, original condition.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, White, Brown, Abstract, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter box, ceramic abstract ridges, signed. Small scale lidded box decorated with an abstract pattern of incised relief or carved rid...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic
Ben Seibel Mikasa Duplex Serving Plate
By Ben Seibel, Mikasa
Located in New York, NY
A round serving dish in the Yellow Bullseye pattern from the Duplex collection designed by Ben Seibel for Mikasa.
Signed.
Dimensions: 12 inches W.
Category
1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic
1960s Sommerso Murano Glass Ashtray by Seguso
Located in Brescia, IT
Purple and amethyst Murano "Sommerso" glass
Perfect condition.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Murano Glass
Monumental Blenko Decanter with Stopper design 6732-L Artist Joel Philip Myers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare Blenko decanter with stopper, design #6732-L.... Designed by Artist Joel Philip Myers, This piece was only produced for 1...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Midcentury Artek Ivory Ceramic and Teak Service Table in Alvar Aalto Style 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury white ceramic and teak tableware. This fantastic piece was designed by Artek in Alvar Aalto style during the 1970s.
An enchanting set, that includes:
a teak and ceramic cheese tray;
a salt and pepper shakers set;
a set of oil and vinegar dispenser...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic, Teak
Vintage Midcentury Modern Stainless Steel Bread Knife Stamped Capri Italy
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Capri knife
Beautiful capri Italy midcentury modern bread knife in stainless steel 1960sstamped stainless capri italy
Measures: 13.75 x .88 x .38 inches
...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Foley Aluminum Hand Held Citrus Juicer Reamer Airstream Style 1960s
By Wagner
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Juicer
Vintage Foley aluminum hand held citrus juicer reamer Airstream style 1960s
Ideal for airstream decor.
8.25L x 3.88 w x 2.25H inches
Clever de...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Aluminum
Chandelier Six Arms Chrome, in the Style of Sische Leuchten
By Sische
Located in Verviers, BE
Chandelier on a fixed rod pendant with six arms and mounts of chromed metal, in the style of Sische Leuchten. Unusual glass heavy lampshades in light b...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Chrome
Italy Sculptural Aluminum Steer Skewers for Grill BBQ Bold Bull Design 1960s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Presenting MCM Italian Modern Vintage:
Italy Sculptural Steer Skewers beautiful Bold Bull Design 1960s
Vintage Pair of adorable Italian Bull Grill BBQ S...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Dansk Style by Najeeb Modern Walnut Wood Lucite Salad Server Utensil Set 1960s
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern salad servers in flat walnut and clear lucite plastic fork and spoon salad toss utensils
Maker stamped, reads Najeeb. In the style of D...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Plastic, Walnut
Borkville Airstreamer Aluminum Ice Bucket Sculptural Walnut Wood Handles 1960s
By Borkville
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Beautiful "Airstreamer" style modern aluminum ice bucket sculptural walnut wood handles.
Maker stamped on reverse. USA 1960s
Measures: 9 tall x 8.5 diameter x 10 wide inches
The a...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Aluminum
1960s Sasaki Modernist 18 Piece Service Set Table Flatware by Massimo Vignelli
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sasaki service 18 piece quality tableware stainless steel glossy chrome plated flatware
Set includes 6 place settings; Knife Fork and Spoon
Attribution Italian designer Massimo Vi...
Category
1960s Vietnamese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Unusual Italian Ceramic Vase for Raymor
By Raymor
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Italian ceramic vase for Raymor. Measures approximate 13" H, 8.5" D.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Blue Holmegaard Bottle Vessel, Denmark 1960's
By Holmegaard
Located in New York, NY
Handsome blue bottle by Holmegaard of Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Ice Bowl Set, Culver Glassware, Ice Bowl and 8 Highball Glasses
By Culver Ltd.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid century ice bowl and eight highball glasses in the Canella pattern by Culver. Canella is one of the most sought after Culver patterns, decorated in 22 kar...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
1960s Modern JAPAN Viking Sculptural Set Six Steak Knives Black and Forged Steel
By Viking Germany, Gio Ponti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Set of Six Steak Knives by Viking Forged Stainless Made Japan Midcentury Modernism
Maker stamp present.
In the style of Gio Ponti Flatware Ita...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Sculptural Serving Spoon W German PROGRESSUS, Aluminum
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage sculptural serving spoon Made in German, aluminum. Stamped, made in W Germany. Cast aluminum. Stamped PROGRESSUS
S...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Aluminum
Pair Jens Quistgaard for Palshus Cherry Heering Liquor Ad Shallow Bowls, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $195....Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Danish hand thrown pottery bowls designed by Jens Quistgaard and manufactured by Per and Annelise...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Aldo Tura Italy Macabo Sculptural Ice Bucket Glossy Wood & Polished Brass + Red
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Aldo Tura for Macabo Italy glossy finished wood and polished brass handle sculptural ice bucket vintage Italy Mid-Century Modern.
Plus snappy red interior! Polished brass hand...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass
1960s Japanese 3 Knife Set Utility Cutlery Rosewood & Stainless Steel
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Japanese Knife Set of three pieces
Rosewood & Stainless-Steel
Cheese prong tip bar knife, All-purpose double sided serrated and Paring utility knife...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel
Tall Glazed Midcentury Ceramic Vase from Vallauris, France Signed Le Brescon
Located in Miami, FL
A fine midcentury vase from Vallauris, France signed Le Brescon.
Handcrafted with great precision. The white background is adorned with multicolored flowers and other interesting ima...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic
KALMAR Modern Designs Stainless Steel Cutlery Carving Set 4 Pieces ITALY
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Kalmar Stainless Steel Cutlery Set. Includes four pieces as shown.
3 Knives and 1 fork
Maker stamp Italy
1) 16.5 x 1...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Stainless Steel
Jacaranda and Sterling Silver Pot by Jean Gillon, Italma Wood, Brazil, 1960
By Italma, Jean Gillon
Located in Utrecht, NL
Collectable solid jacaranda wooden pot with a sterling (925 marked) handgrip by Jean Gillon. Made 1960 by Italma Wood Art, Brazil.
Originally designed as a tobacco pot but now serve...
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Silver
Arthur Umanoff Four Bottle Wine Rack 1960s Saddle Leather Strap Black Iron
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Arthur Umanoff Modern Vintage Wine Rack Black Iron Strap Leather 1960s.
4 Bottle Wine Rack Iron frame with original saddle leather straps.
Unmarked, attribution de...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Iron
Pair of Garrard & Co. Sterling Silver Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This magnificent pair of silver candelabra were made by Garrards in 1969 and designed by their in-house designer Alex styles, whose facsimile signature is ...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Sterling Silver
1960s Ikora Silver Silent Butler Crumb Tray Germany
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
IKORA Silver-Plated Silent Crumb Butler Tray
Pan is silver plated with vintage patina. Brush not included.
Made in Germany 1960s.
8 D...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Silver, Silver Plate, Brass
Bjorn Wiinblad Rosenthal Quatre Couleurs Tear Drop Candy Dish
Located in Garnerville, NY
Splendid form with gold floral decoration. Signed on bottom, Rosenthal, Studio-Linie, Germany. Textured surface and tear drop form, circa 1960-1970. Very good condition with no chips...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
"Gulvase" Vase by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard in Various Sizes
Located in New York, NY
Tall white glass "Gulvase" vases in contemporary style designed by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Glass
Mid Century "Cyclope" Fat Lava Pottery by Charles Cart
By Charles Cart
Located in Miami, FL
Very large and unique decorative object from the Cyclope collection by Charles Cart.
This large dazzling glazed piece that was produced in the 1960s by Charles Cart. He called it Cyclope because of the large volcanic dimples created during the firing of the pottery which reveal the layers of white and black below the surface. Charles Cart registered the brand name La Poterie d'Annecy in 1961. This piece is unsigned but other similar pieces sometime have a paper label which states "Emaux Des Glacier...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Mexican Bar Serving Cart
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Wooden Mexican tea or bar serving cart in solid mahogany and bronze accents in the style of Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen. Recently varnished, excellent vin...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Mahogany
Pitcher Brass Copper Cane, 1960
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pitcher made of copper, brass, and cane manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s).
An authentic handmade piece in very good original condition with nice pa...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Brass, Copper
James Mont Style Verdigris Asian Style Ice Bucket
By James Mont
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
James Mont style verdigris Asian style ice bucket.
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Copper
Bitossi, Londi Designed 'Rimini Blu' Bull Bookends, circa 1965, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
Stylised 'Rimini Blu' pattern bull book-ends, powerful, impressive and different.
In excellent condition and marked underneath.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Pottery
Smoky Green Scandinavian Vase
By Arthur Percy
Located in Buchanan, NY
Tall Scandinavian glass vase, most likely by Arthur Percy, in a smoky green color. Great condition.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Art Glass
Pair of Dansk Wenge Exotic Wood Quistgaard design Salad Servers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk exotic wood salad servers .
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Rosewood
Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
A two-compartment serving tray made of Taverneau, a rare Haitian wood. By Arthur Umanoff for Raymor. Haiti, circa 1960. Signed. Features reed-trimmed hand...
Category
1960s Haitian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Wood
Massive Joel Edwards Studio Vessel
By Joel Edwards
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Enormous 21.75" three-necked ceramic pottery vessel with applique relief assemblage on four sides, by important Southern California ceramicist.. Beautiful mottled earth-tone glaze. O...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Fontana Arte Lidded Bowl by Max Ingrand
Located in Hanover, MA
A 1960's smoked gray crystal covered bowl with chrome base and ring finial by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte (Model #2004).
Original foil label on lid.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Crystal
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.
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