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.
$195Sale Price|22% Off
Mid-century Abert Nicrosil Cutlery and Stand, Italy c.1970
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century cutlery set and stand by Abert, Italy. Stainless steel with ABS plastic handles and stainless steel stand with black ABS plastic hooks. The set consist...
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck 2060 Flatware, 42 pcs., Complete For 6 Persons, Amboss Austria, 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria, Neuzeughammer
Located in Vienna, AT
A comprehensive set of midcentury flatware from the 1950s, the award-winning model 2060, designed by Carl Aubock and executed by Amboss Neuzeug Au...
Stainless Steel
Pink Cabbage Glazed Ceramic Small Tureen or Bowl, Portugal, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
A lovely hand painted Majolica ceramic pink cabbage small tureen, sugar bowl or sauceboat with lid. Manufactured by Bordallo Pinheiro. Portugal, 1960s This eye-catching small cabbage tureen...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Extensive 159 Piece Richard Ginori Contessa Porcelain Dinner and Tea Service
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Contessa Brown by RICHARD GINORI 1735 An exceptional and comprehensive porcelain dinner and tea service by Richard Ginori 1735, in the elegant and now-discontinued “Contessa Brown”...
Gold
Carl Aubock II Rare Salt and Pepper Shakers, Walnut & Horn, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful and rare pair of Midcentury modern minimalism salt and pepper shakers from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Werkstatte Carl Aubock Vienna. The drop shaped shakers ...
Wood
“Focus de Luxe” Flatware Set by Folke Arström for Gense, Sweden, 1950s
By Gense, Folke Arstrom
Located in Knivsta, SE
“Focus de Luxe” Flatware Set by Folke Arström for Gense, Sweden, 1950s A rare and iconic 63-piece “Focus de Luxe” flatware set, designed in 1956 by celebrated Swedish designer Folk...
Stainless Steel
Dior Set of Six Charger Plates in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous set of six octagonal charger plates in vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite. This incredibly stylish and unique set is attributed to a Dior Home production and was produced ...
Lucite, Plexiglass
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
Ulla Procopé Monumental 172 Piece Set of Iconic Arabia Ruska Tableware 1970s
By Arabia, Ulla Procope
Located in Tilburg, NL
Ulla Procopé Monumental 172 Piece Set of Iconic Arabia Ruska Tableware, Finland, 1970s. This is a very large set of iconic Arabia Ruska tableware, designed by Ulla Procopé in the 19...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Punch Bowl Set - Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal - Porcelain
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful porcelain punch bowl set, made by the German brand Rosenthal. This is a design by the Danish designer Björn Wiinblad, who has had many collaborations with Rosenthal. The ...
Porcelain
Arne Jacobsen 12 Place settings AJ Flatware Set 75pcs. A. Michelsen Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Twelve six piece place setting set of AJ stainless steel flatware totaling 75 pieces including 12 large forks , 12 small forks , 12 soup spoons, 12 large spoons and 12 small spoons ....
Stainless Steel
Brass & Rosewood Flatware Set for 6 Knives Forks Spoons 24 Pcs Silverware
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
Here is an elegant set of 24 pieces, a service for 6 - knives, forks and spoons, made of beautiful brass and rose wood handles. It will make a festive table decor and is perfect for ...
Brass
5-in-1 Drinking Glass Set by Joe Colombo, Mouth-Blown Crystal, Italy
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...
Crystal
Mid Century Set of 6 Coasters in Patinated Brass
Located in Meer, VAN
Set of 6 Coasters in Patinated Brass, Europe, Mid 20th Century. This is a wonderful set of 6 coasters in solid brass, made in the middle of the 20th century and featuring a very nic...
Brass
Richard Ginori Burnt Orange Contessa Extensive Dinnerware Service Of 141 Pieces
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Richard Ginori extensive dinnerware service Contessa rust red pattern dinnerware service . Pattern having a burnt orange and double gilt gold and black trim decorated design on white...
Gold
Aldo Tura Goatskin Parchment & Brass Butler Crumber Crumb 3-Piece Set Italian
By Aldo Tura
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is an unusual crumber set by Aldo Tura of Italy. Typical of his use of materials, the three components are a mix of goatskin and brass. The goatskin on the covered handles and b...
Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Rooster dinner bell, 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Large Murrine Plate Serpente by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1940s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Murrine Plate Serpente by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1940s A large murrine bowl of the Serpente series designed by Carlo Scarpa ca. 1940. Manufactured by Venini Murano...
Art Glass
Set of 12 Noritake Morimura Gilt Dinner or Service Plates, Ex-Seidenberg
By Noritake
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 Noritake porcelain dinner plates. With transfer painted polychrome flowers to the center & rim, green Rococo style decoration, and raised gold highlights. (Labeled to the reverse with an old Seidenberg sticker pricing the set at $2250.) Simply a wonderful set of dinner service plates! Date: Mid-20th Century Overall Condition: They are in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Condition Details: There is some noticeable rubbing to the inner gold ring in the centers of most plates. There is some minor rubbing and losses to gilding high points in the raised gold decoration and one small noticeable (a little bit deeper) half-inch scratch to one plate. Otherwise, there are some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: Noritake Morimura Brothers...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern 91 Piece Rosewood & Bronze Flatware Set by Jean Claude w Case
By Jean Claude Aujame
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and never used rosewood & bronze 91 pcs, service for eight with serving pcs. Great teak storage box with brass & rosewood handle. Truly a qua...
Brass, Bronze
Pierre Cardin Bottle Opener, 1970s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Pierre Cardin bottle opener, 1970s. Pierre Cardin bottle opener in chrome/silver metal. The price of shipping is for the Italian territory, for the islands and for shipping abroad ...
Metal
Gijs Bakker Rare Candle Holder in Patinated Silver and Enamel for Keltum 1963
By Gijs Bakker
Located in Tilburg, NL
Gijs Bakker rare candle holder in patinated silver and enamel for Keltum. The Netherlands, 1963. Wonderful and very rare candle holder by Gijs B...
Silver
Crystal Set of Six Lausitzer Stem Glasses with Colored Overlay Cut to Clear
By Lausitzer
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage set of six cuts to clear crystal stem glasses. Clear demi crystal glass. Six sides facetted and toothed stem. The bowl with colored ...
Crystal
6 Midcentury Pastel Daisy Porcelain Coffee Cups, Lilien, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of six charming conical coffee cups and saucers from the „Daisy“-series, made of thin, fine china in six different lovely pastel colors, yellow, light blue, light green, bluegray, pink/rosé and lilac. Made in the 1950s by Lilien Porzellan...
Porcelain
Six Sweet Animal Knife Rests - by Etain Royal French vintage Metal Set in Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely set of six knife rests. Made of pewter (etain) in France, the set is so pretty, consisting of 6 different animals in their slightly distressed original box. There are one ea...
Metal
$235 / item
Vintage Ashtray vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Vintage Ashtray vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Rosenthal "Polygon Corfu" China Set Mid Century Danish Modern 38 Pieces
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rosenthal "Polygon Corfu" China Set, Germany, circa 1970s. The 36 piece set is comprised of 1 coffee pot, 1 teapot, 9 dinner plates, 11 tea cups, 11 saucers, and 5 bread plates.
Porcelain
Mid Century 20 Piece Dinnerware Set of California Ivy Poppy Trail by Metlox
By Metlox Manufacturing Company
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A 20-piece ceramic dinnerware set by Metlox. This twenty-piece set includes seven dinner plates, eight small plates, two serving bowls, and three tea cups. Each piece is glazed in a ...
Ceramic
Walter Bosse Brass Dinner Bell Displaying a Cat by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming midcentury table bell displaying a cat. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in very good condition.
Brass
Tjorn by Dansk Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 50 Pieces Mid-Century Mod
By Dansk
Located in Big Bend, WI
The innovative and highly desirable flatware pattern "Tjorn" by Dansk was designed by Danish artist and designer Jens Quistgaard in 1959. It features striking Scandinavian modern des...
Sterling Silver
Year Plate by Eduardo Paolozzi for Rosenthal, 1978
By Eduardo Paolozzi, Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing bisque porcelain year plate, designed by Eduardo Paolozzi for Rosenthal, 1978, number 1620 from a limited series of 3000, complete with certificate and original box.
Porcelain
Pablo Picasso "Face" Bowls and Plate Great Wall Mounted Modern Art
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Five Ceramic Pieces, after Pablo Picasso's art of the 1960s, these are from an authorized collection put out by Picasso's family in the 1990s. They would look great mounted on...
Ceramic
$1,650 / set
Amboss 1050 "Bacon Cutlery"
Located in Vienna, AT
This rustic cutlery consist of 18 pieces and was made in rosewood and stainless steel and was the most expensive model of the company Amboss. Neuzeug from the 1950s Diamention kn...
Stainless Steel
Crystal Mix Set of 6 Nachtmann Stem Glasses with Colored Overlay Cut to Clear
By Nachtmann
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage mix set of 6 cut to clear crystal stem glasses. Mix crystal (Bleikristall 24% Mundgeblasen Handgeschliffen) glasses Clear crystal glass. Side facetted and toothed stem. Th...
Crystal
Set of Twelve Vintage Silver Plate Napkin Rings with Toucans by Emilia Castillo
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid century set of twelve napkin rings handcrafted in silver on hammered copper in modern form featuring stone clad toucans. Signed Emilia Castillo on the bottoms.
Stone, Silver Plate, Copper
Classic Vintage Dansk Design Cutting Board from the 1960s
Located in Vienna, Austria
Based on form and function, this cutting board has the knife in the handle. The blade is 18/10 stainless steel and is tappered from the spine to the cutting edge. The block is constructed in parquet style including the knife handle.
Wood
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 8 MC Square Clear Lucite Napkin Holders and Salt Pepper Shakers
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 8 piece set of Mid-Century Modern lucite napkin holders. These novelty vintage pieces also perform as individual salt and pepper shakers...
Lucite
Dansk Jens Quistgaard Teak Salt / Pepper Mill Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A sculptural teak wood salt and pepper mill designed by the iconic Danish Mid Century artist designer Jens Quistgaard. A unique and beautiful...
Teak
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian midcentury shaker set from the 1950s, displaying a cute monkey holding salt and pepper shakers. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, manufactured by Hertha Baller i...
Glass
Pair of Fornasetti “Greca” Cups and Saucers, Italy, ca. 1955
Located in Stockholm, SE
An early pair of porcelain cups with saucers, designed by Piero Fornasetti (1913–1988) in Milan, circa 1955. The model “Greca” is decorated with a black and gilt neoclassical key mot...
Porcelain
Italian Mid 20th Century Tray in Gilt Aluminum and Butter Yellow Glass. 60s
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer for sale a charming small mid-century modern tray. Dating to the 1950s–1960s, it was most likely made in Italy and features rounded edges designed to hold jus...
Aluminum
$3,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage 144 pc. Set of Thai Nickel Bronze Flatware in Teak case
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is nice set of flatware from Thailand .The set is made of nickel bronze. It's 144 pieces and is service for 12. The flatware was made in the mid century period. The flatware ser...
Bronze, Nickel
Orange Oversized Magnum French Peugeot Salt Pepper Mill Vintage
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive tall wooden salt or pepper mill in an orange color we like to call Hermes orange. This pepper mill has recently been professionally custom painted to make one of a kind fo...
Wood
Botanica Hand-Painted Ceramic Dinner Plates - Set of 6, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring the beauty of nature to your table with our Botanical Plate Set, featuring a variety of unique designs. Each plate showcases a hand-painted border and a central botanical motif...
Ceramic
Amboss Austria 2050 Flatware Cutlery for Six by Helmut Alder, 34 pcs., 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful modernist flatware from Austria, model 2050, designed by Helmut Alder, executed by Amboss Austria in the 1950s. High-quality flatware, made of brushed and polished stainless steel. For six persons, consists of six big spoons...
Stainless Steel
Service for 12 Stanley Roberts Tiburon Modern Stainless Bamboo Style Flatware
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful 68 piece, service for twelve, large set of Stanley Roberts stainless steel flatware in the Tiburon bamboo pattern. This set consists of 12 forks, 12 salad forks, 12 soup sp...
Stainless Steel
$60Sale Price|20% Off
Royal Holland Pewter Tea Pot
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Royal Holland Pewter Tea Pot
Pewter
Fish Shaped Silver Plate Pepper Mill / Grinder by Tre Spade, Italy, c. 1960
Located in London, GB
A magnificent mid century whimsical silver plate and wood figural koi carp shaped pepper mill, made in Italy c. 1960. Made by Tre Spade in Italy in the 1960s, this design is known ...
Silver Plate
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Flatware, Extensive 91 Piece Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist stainless steel flatware set, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Austria, circa 1963. This is a large set containing 91 pieces total. They are constructed of dishwas...
Stainless Steel
Copper Watering Can Around, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Copper watering can around 1950s Polished and stove enameled.
Copper
Set of 12 Knife Rests - Resin with Embedded Sea Shells - France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Set of 12 Knife Rests - Resin with Embedded Sea Shells - France 1970s Elegant set of French mid-century knife rests in resin with embedded shells of different species and colors. N...
Other
$85Sale Price / set|29% Off
Gold-Plated Demitasse Spoons Set of Six, Hand-Crafted, Japan, 1960s
Located in Round Top, TX
A delightful set of six new, unused demitasse spoons from Japan, each exquisitely crafted and adorned with delicate, impressed palm tree motifs. These charming spoons bring an air of...
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Set of six Fornasetti 'Specialita Romane' recipe plates c1950
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful set of six original Fornasetti Roman recipe plates. Italy c1950 Each plate with a typical Roman cuisine recipe along with a depiction of an historical Roman building.
Porcelain
Set 12 Blown Bubble Glass Mid-Century Modern Drinking Glasses Glassware, Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 12 Mid-Century Modern heavy blown bubble glass drinking glasses, glassware, stemware made in Italy. In excellent condition. A-976-335
Blown Glass
Napkin Holder, Vienna, 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Napkin Holder, Vienna, 1960s Original condition.
Brass
XXL & Great Shape Venetian Murano Pendant Light of Mouthblown Glass by Seguso
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Murano 5
Located in Lisse, NL
Great shape, mouthblown Venetian light fixture by Seguso. If you are looking for a rare and stylish mid-20th century fixture to grace your home then this...
Brass
Cutlery Set by Helmut Alder for Amboss Model 2070, 32 Pieces, 1960s
By Helmut Alder, Amboss Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
This cutlery (model 2070) consist of 32 pieces. Designed by Helmut Alder, produced by "Amboss Neuzeughammer Steyr" Austria in the 1960s. High quality stainless steel cutlery. He...
Stainless Steel
45 Piece Laufer Rosewood Handle Stainless Steel Flatware Service for Eight
By Lauffer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Fine large set of Lauffer Japan stainless steel flatware. Rosewood handles also in fine condition. Included are large spoon with larg...
Stainless Steel
$56Sale Price|20% Off
1960s 15 Piece Dinnerware in by Ingrid, Chicago
Located in San Gabriel, CA
Set of 15 vintage plastic dinnerware consisting of 7 dinner plates, 7 salad plates, and 5 bowls. Made of ABS. Some signs of age and use, light scra...
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Bird Design Wood Napkin Holder from Paavo Asikainen, Finland
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Bird Design Wood Napkin Holder from Paavo Asikainen, Finland, 1960s
Wood