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Mid-Century Modern Tableware

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

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 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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Price: $1 to $2,500
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Bamboo Napkin Holder, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Bamboo napkin holder, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Bamboo

Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid-Century shaker set, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of metal and wood. In go...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Carl Aubock Triangular Walnut Cutting Board with Wickerwork Handle Knife, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful triangular cutting board and knife, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock. Made of walnut and leather. The knife is manufactured by Amboss Austria and fully m...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Carving Knife and Fork by Emboss Austria, 1960s
Located in Vienna, Austria
An unusual Austrian carving knife and fork, produced by Emboss Austria. Composed of stainless steel with wooden handles. Barley used, in very f...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Luigi Colani Zen Tea Set and Plates, Stoneware, Friesland, Germany, 1970s
By Friesland Ceracron, Luigi Colani
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful tea set made of black glazed stoneware, designed by Luigi Colani in 1973. Executed by Porzellanfabrik Friesland, Germany. All items are in excellent condition. The set co...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

Lino Sabattini Made in Italy Ice Bucket in Silver Metal, 1960s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design ice bucket with removable pliers in silver metal designed by Lino Sabattini, engraved Sabattini Made in Italy brand, 1960s Please note that the i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Pair of JHQ Dansk Denmark Teak Salad Servers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Denmark teak salad servers. Recently purchased with large collection of modernist servers.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Teak

Boxed Amboss 2050 Carving Knives and Fork by Helmut Alder, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful midcentury Austrian carving set, consisting of caring knive, a meat knive and a fork in its original award-winning handmade wooden box. Out of the 2050 series, designed b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Group of Three 20th Century Art Pottery Pieces
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Group of Three 20th Century Art Pottery Pieces, From left: Bottle vase inspired by Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach. Thick crimson "orange peel" glaze, accentuated light rust edges,...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pottery

Carl Auböck #4243 Nutcracker
Located in Berlin, DE
Nutcracker #4243 by Carl Auböck in solid brass.
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Original French Metal Tray "Rigituelle" in Style of Mathieu Mategot, 1960s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Metal tray. In style of Mathieu Mategot. Origin: France,  1960s. This original vintage tray element was produced in the 1960s i...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Pierre Vandel Pepper and Salt and Nut Cracker, France, 1970
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice set of pepper and salt, and a nut cracker designed by Pierre Vandel for Espace de Pierre Cardin, Paris, 1970. These items are made of solid aluminum and are fantastically s...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Aluminum

French Oak, Aluminum, and Brass Ice Bucket from Geraud Lafitte Ouvrier, 1950s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Oak and brass ice bucket with internal aluminum tray by Geraud Lafitte Ouvrier, 1950s. Good condition. No breakages or visible damages.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Ausrian Flatware, Cutlery Set by Berndorf
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian high-quality flatware silver plated by Berndorf, former Krupp Company from the 1960s. The cutlery has a handle with a very interesting geometric decor. Used but in excellent...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver, Steel

Mid Century Picnic Set Case For Four
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century, picnic set for four includes stainless steel utensils with melamine handles, plates and cups, tin storage box and salt and pepper...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller Vienna, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A sculptural mid-century wine caddy / bottle holder from the 1950s, displaying a cat. A humorous design by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller in Vienna, Austria. Construc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Style Sterling Silver Set of 6 Decanter Labels by Brian Cain
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London, 1982 by Brian R. Cain, this stylish, modern, Elizabeth II, set of 6 sterling silver decanter labels feature a bar...
Category

1980s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Weimar Porcelain Romeo Drinking Set Germany 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Drinking set composed of a jug and six glasses in violet, white and gilt. The jug and glasses are signed, Weimar porzellein, Germany, Romeo. Jug dimen...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

1960s Gio Ponti Reed & Barton Diamond Sculpted Short Dessert Spoons
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Set of four (4) short or dessert spoons manufactured by Reed & Barton, Design by Gio Ponti. We have a set of four longs spoons available also, see dealer. Stamped o...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Plastic Vintage Serving Trays Vienna, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
This set of two fiberglass vintage serving trays shows multicolored various motifs. The plastic trays were designed and made in the 1960s in Vie...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Fiberglass

Antonio Pineda Sterling Silver Salt and Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous and elegant pair of hallmarked modernist sterling silver salt and pepper shakers is by the noted and one of the most collectable of Mexican silversmith...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Esprit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 37 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Esprit by Gorham sterling silver flatware set, 37 pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 9" 8 forks, 7 3/8" 8 salad forks, 6 5/8" 8 teaspoons, 6" 1 gravy ladle, 7 1/4" 1 serv...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Carl Auböck Midcentury Glass Pitcher Jug by Ostovics Culinar, Austria, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful pitcher or jug for water, soft drinks or juice, designed by Carl Auböck, executed by Ostovics Culinar in Austria in the 1970s. A beautiful, unusual and rare piece in exce...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

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...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Beautiful Carl Aubock Cast-Iron Pepper Salt Mill with Peugeot Grinder, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and solid modernist pepper- or salt mill with Peugeot grinder, made of black-finished cast iron. Designed and executed by Carl Aubock in th...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Iron

Set of Three Iridescent Glass Bottles, Sold Individually
Located in New York, NY
A set of three French circa 1940s iridescent glass decanters with stoppers. Sold individually. Measurements: Height 17" Width 6" Depth 4".
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Blown Glass

Esprit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 32 Pieces Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Esprit by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 32 pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 9" 8 forks, 7 3/8" 8 salad forks, 6 5/8" 8 teaspoons, 6". Includes bonus brand new storage ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Red Green Floral Hibiscus Handstitched Crocheted Linen Tablecloth Table Runner
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
White table cloth or table runner with handstitched floral embroidery. The piece features bright red hibiscus flowers with greenery. Edges are handstitche...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Cotton, Linen, Yarn

Amboss 2090 Cutlery by Helmut Alder
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare complete cutlery designed by Helmut Alder for Amboss in 1963, stainless steel, each part punctured, altogether 30 parts each six pieces. Good original condition.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bar Set Carl Aubock Brass Coin Bottle Opener and Bottle Stopper, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful "Emperor Carl VI" coin bottle opener and bottle stopper, designed and executed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. In very condition with marginal patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Northern Lights by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 39 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mid-Century Modern northern lights by International glossy Sterling silver flatware set, 48 pieces. This set includes: 8 knives, 8 7/...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Red Metal and Brass "Hat" Ice Bucket
Located in Den Haag, NL
Red metal and brass "Hat" ice bucket.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Flatware, Cutlery Set by Berndorf Model Flamenco
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian high-quality flatware by Berndorf, former Krupp company, model Flamenco from the 1970s. The cutlery has a handle with the very interesting geometric decor. Used but in excel...
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate, Stainless Steel

Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand carved and finished serving tray made of Taverneau, an uncommon Haitian wood with a rattan wrapped handle. Designed and by Arthur Umanoff, produced...
Category

1960s Haitian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Rosenthal Bjorn Wiinblad 14 Bouillon Cups
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rosenthal Bjorn Wiinblad 14 bouillon cups. In good condition. Measures: 17 cm. in diameter and 7 cm. high.
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Mid-Century Modern Arzberg Dinning Set Golfball
Located in Weiningen, CH
Mid-Century Modern Arzberg dining set Golfball.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

1950s Lacquered Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A turquoise lacquered wood tray with broad, indented handles.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Wood

Ellusive Plastik, Skale 34 Piece Tableware Torben Orskov, 1953 Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
Ellusive Plastik, Skale 34 piece tableware, Torben Orskov, 1953 Denmark. No longer in production,. Stunning set, red and black bakelite, consisting of bowls, cups, plates, containers...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Plastic

Mid-Century Copper & Brass Milk Creamer and Sugar Bowl with Lid, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful set of a milk creamer and a sugar bowl, made of copper and brass with nice wicker handles. Executed in the 1950s by Erich Kolbenheyer, Vi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Jens Quistgaard Bullseye Cube Ice Bucket with Tongs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Awesome Jens Quistgaard cube ice bucket with original tongs for Dansk. Solid teak construction with carved circle details on all sides. Top features a raised bullseye design for the ...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Teak

Thomas Weir Howard Loughton Studio Pottery Mug, 1958
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Studio Pottery mug made at Loughton Pottery by Thomas Weir Howard. The shaped stoneware mug has a loop handle with thumb rest and is decorated wi...
Category

1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pottery

Amboss Cutlery Model 3000 Attributed to Helmut Alder
Located in Vienna, AT
Made by Alois Weichselbaumer company later Amboss in the 1950s. Model 3000 stainless steel with rosewood handle with brass rivets. Set of 18: Six knives, six spoons, six forks. ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Beautiful Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Pepper Or Salt Mill, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and elegant modernist pepper- or salt mill, made of cow horn, designed and executed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. In very good condition, marginal...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Flintwood Molded Plastic Salad Servers
By Carl Reininger
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Mid-Century flintwood molded plastic salad servers by Carl Reininger Ability Products, California 1953 $275.00 each pair.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Plastic

Complete Coffee Set 'Pirtti' by Raija Uosikkinen for Arabia Finland, 1970
Located in London, GB
Raija Uosikkinen for Arabia, 'Pirtti' coffee set Designed, circa 1970, manufactured, circa 1970-1980 Perfect condition showing virtually no signs...
Category

1670s Finnish Antique Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Vodka / Lemonade / Sangria-Set for Four, Hand-Painted, Unique
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Vodka / Lemonade / Sangria-set for four. Hand-painted, unique. Carafe, four cups and cheese bell. Signed: mid 1900s. Measures carafe: 21 cm x 16 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Oceana Series Bowl by Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A long rare hand-carved wood bowl with an indented rim, from the "Oceana" series.
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Maple

Piero Fornasetti Gilded Plate Falstaff by Guiseppe Verdi, Italy, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful gilded porcelain plate "Falstaff by Guiseppe Verdi" by Piero Fornasetti, Milano from the 1970s. Diameter 10", stamped on its backside. In very good condition with light w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Fruit Knives with Bakelite Stand by Otto Hammesfahr
Located in Wien, AT
Fruit knives with stand by Otto Hammesfahr. Original condition. Six pieces of knives one stand.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid-Century Bar Party Set 1517 in Original Box by Amboss, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A gorgeous bar set nestled in its original wooden box from the 1950s. It comprises a bottle opener, a corkscrew, and a can opener. Model #1517, crafted by Amboss Austria, this set is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Flatware, Cutlery Set by Berndorf Model 9100, Charleston
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian high quality flatware by Berndorf, former Krupp company, model 9100 Charleston from the 1970s. The cutlery has handle with very interesting geometric decor. Used but in exce...
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

1950s Emil Milan Walnut Garlic Smasher Utensil Kitchen Tool Vintage Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Vintage Emil Milan Garlic crusher sculptural kitchen utensil, rare form, USA, circa 1950s. Vibrant walnut. Signed. Excellent condition. Measures: H 7½ in.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Walnut

Flemming Digsmed Nutcracker
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass and wood nut cracker.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Large Couroc Style Acrylic Modernist Salad Servers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large scale black plastic or acrylic modernist salad servers. Recently acquired as part of large collection.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

Sculptured Beauty by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set, 43 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mid-Century Modern sculptured beauty by International sterling silver flatware set of 43 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 9 1/4". Eight forks, 7 1/4". Eight salad forks, 6 1...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Excellent Brass ‘Duck’ Ice Bucket, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Voorburg, NL
This beautiful large brass ice bucket in the shape of a duck is designed in Belgium. It is marked with a label from the reseller from the 1970s. This large Ice Bucket includes an ins...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Keramos Ceramic Mugs and Oak Tray in Light Green Turquoise, France, 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
Very cute set of two green/ brown Keramos ceramic mugs and oak tray in good condition.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Oak

János Megyik Snack Set, Knife, Fork & Wood Board, Amboss Austria, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Mid Century design snack set, consisting of a fork and knife and a wooden board, designed by János Megyik. Executed by Amboss Austria, who collaborated with a lot of Aust...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid-century Modern tableware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern tableware 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 tableware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern tableware made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tableware, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria, International Silver, and Jens Quistgaard. 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 tableware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $32,500 while the average work can sell for $652.

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