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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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Midwinter Dinner Service ‘Happy Valley’ By Jessie Tait, 1955
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Midwinter Dinner Service ‘Happy Valley’ designed by Jessie Tait, circa 1950, 6 setting, 28 pieces (6 setting) Rare and beautiful 28-piece dinner service ...
Category

1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Very Rare Teak and Chrome Table Nutcracker with bowl, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare type - practical
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Chrome

Viners ‘Love Story’ cutlery, Fish Eaters, stainless steel, 6 pairs, 12 pc, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Viners, UK (manufacturer) ‘Love Story′ cutlery, Fish eaters, boxed set (12 pieces), 1970s 6 x forks, 6 x fish knives. Stainless steel. Original presentation box. This set is from ...
Category

1970s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of 4 Pink Wicker Ceramic Dessert Plates Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your table setting with the charming Handpainted Ceramic Wicker Plates, skillfully crafted and beautifully painted by artisans in Italy. Featuring an intricate wicker-inspire...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Gorham Mid Century Modern Silver Plated Hinged Lid Ice Bucket w Glass Liner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gorham Mid Century Modern Silver Plated Hinged Lid Ice Bucket with Glass Liner. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 12" H x 7.5" Diameter.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Buckingham by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 61 Pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Dinner Size Buckingham by Gorham circa 1909 sterling silver Flatware set - 61 pieces. This set includes: 8 dinner size knives, 9 1/2" 8 dinner size forks, 7 1/2" 8 luncheon/dessert f...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

William Spratling Butterdish
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
William Spratling, known as the founder of the modern mexican silver movement, this piece was created with ebony simulating a boat shape and sterling silver dish for the butter and d...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 20 Spode Alden Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of 20 Alden pattern porcelain plates featuring various fruit/flower motifs with an embossed daisy rim. Signed.
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

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

Carl Auböck Nutcracker, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck nutcracker, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

29 Piece Set of Pottery Tableware Designed by Jonathan Adler, Brazilia Pattern
Located in Doraville, GA
29 Piece set of pottery stoneware with a white ceramic overglaze designed by Jonathan Adler. The pattern is called "Brazilia", which was part of Adler's "Pot à Porter" line, the line was hand made in...
Category

1990s Peruvian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pottery

Artist Roberto Crippa Round Table Cloth and 12 Napkins for Zucchi, Italy 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Artist Roberto Crippa round table cloth and 12 napkins for Zucchi, Italy 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Fabric

Eternity by Dragsted Danish Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Denmark 81 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Eternity symbol by A. Dragsted Danish Mid-Century Modern sterling silver flatware set - 81 pieces. We have never seen this pattern before! The handle ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Paramount by Kirk Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 55 Pieces Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Paramount by Kirk sterling silver flatware set, 55 pieces. This modern design is based on the New York city skyline and architecture. This set includes: 8 knives, 9 1/8" 8 forks, 7 ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Italian Handcrafted Chalice in Blown Murano Glass Clear Color and Gold, 1990s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian handcrafted chalice in blown Murano glass clear color and gold, 1980s This elegant chalice is rich in lovely details that add harmoniously to its grace. The stem is richly adorned with different Morise decorations, among which two pink flowers...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Gold

Bruno Gambone Ceramic Jar
Located in Milan, IT
A splendid jar by Bruno Gambone. Signed Gambone Italy.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Spaghetti Colorful Drinkware Tumbler Glasses – Set of 9
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage set of nine spaghetti tumblers, circa the 1960s. This distinctive type of drinkware is characterized by their unique texture, which resembles s...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass, Plastic

De Vecchi Sterling Silver Letter / Napkin Holder with Inlaid Seal Mid-Century
Located in New York, NY
De Vecchi sterling silver and wood letter or napkin holder, with an inlaid seal-like motif depicting a person on a horse, all in Mid-Century Modern style with an elegant geometric de...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Coffee Set For 6 Guests, Raymond Loewy & Richard Latham, Rosenthal
By Richard Latham, Raymond Loewy, Rosenthal
Located in St Ouen, FR
Timeless elegance both of shape and pattern for this modernist line created in 1954 by Raymond Loewy and Richard Latham for the prestigious German manufacture. The particularly moder...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Silver Rhythm by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 60 pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
"Silver Rhythm" by International sterling silver flatware set 60 pieces. This pattern was launched in the year 1953 and features an unadorned asymmetrical handle and Mid-Century Mode...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

xxl 51x36cm Metal and brass Tray element by Mathieu Matégot, France 1950
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Tray element with hole pattern Designer and Producer: Mathieu Mategot Origin: France Material: metal and brass Decade: 1950s Description: This original mid...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

unique Hollywood regency brass Metal Tray by Vereinigte Werkstätten München 1950
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Tray element with brass leaf handles Producer: Vereinigte Werkstätten München Origin: Germany Material: metal and brass Decade: 1950s Description: This origi...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Brass

David Gil for Bennington Potters Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper Shakers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this pair of mid-century figural ceramic Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper shakers by David Gil for Bennington Potters. Cast in white clay with white and black glaze...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Cork

Mid-Century Italian Style Nickel Silver Breackfast Set 1930s Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Breakfast set in nickel silver with a beautiful geometric design, consisting of two large and two small teapots and a sugar bowl. Some dings and natural signs of use and age on the s...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Northern Lights by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 30 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mid-Century Modern Northern Lights by International glossy Sterling silver flatware set, 30 pieces. This set includes: 6 knives, 8 ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid Century Floral Hand Embroidered Fabric Dinner Napkins, Set 5
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of five hand-embroidered cloth table napkins. Created from pink, green, yellow, blue, and white fabric, this set of dinner napkins will be a fabul...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Fabric

Fitz and Floyd Vintage Mid-Century Napkin Holders 'Made in Japan'
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful mid-century set of 6 napking holders by Fitz & Floyd. These set is both chic and nostalgic. Each napking holder is in great condition and is stylized in its original mid-ce...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Wood

Esprit by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 54, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Mid-Century Modern "ESPRIT" by Gorham sterling silver flatware set of 54 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 9". 12 forks, 7 1/2". 12 salad forks, 6 3/4". 12 teaspoons, 6...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid Century Hand Embroidered Linen Table Napkins with Pink Flowers, Set of 7
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of crisp white dinner or cocktail napkins with hand-embroidered pink flowers. A wonderful set of seven napkins. Each is square and features an applique ombre pink, peach, and y...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Fabric

little Modernist TIKI Brass and bamboo Tray Element by Grasoli, Germany, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Tray element with bamboo handle Producer: Grasoli, Germany Origin: Germany Material: Bamboo and brass Decade: 1950s Description: This original midcentury tra...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

Set of 3 Enameled on Copper Purple Midcentury California Design Low Bowls
By Ellamarie & Jackson Woolley
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice set of 3 enameled on copper in purple circa 1960s, California design. Egg shape very cool atomic design.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Coin Tray by Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass trays in original condition form the 1960s
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Asian Style Minimalist Rosewood Salad Servers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Asian Style Minimalist rosewood salad servers.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Rosewood

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

Earthenware service by Boch Marie José flowers
Located in Nivelles, BE
Earthenware service by Boch fleurs Marie José comprising 12 deep plates, 11 dinner plates, 12 desert plates, 2 large serving plates, 2 serving dishes and a vegetable dish.
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Faience

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

Mid-Century Modern Menage Set Made of Ceramic and Olive Wood
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This set can rightfully be called tasteful as it offers space for oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and mustard. The set is held together by a rattan tray. All five items consist of a gree...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Vintage Italian "Fish" Crumb Brush and Pan in Teak and Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two-piece fish-form crumb brush with teak dust/crumb pan set, ca. 1960s. Italian, but similar to Scandinavian designs of the same period. The charming fish motif of the brush with th...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Abstract Octagonal Fabric Placemats in Pink, Blue and Cream, 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of four abstract octagonal placemats in pink, blue, and cream. This set features octagonal sides and is decorated in pink and blue brush strokes...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Fabric

Glass Bottle, Holmegaard Glass Bottle, Denmark, C 1960
Located in New York, NY
Decorative glass bottle by Holmegaard, C 1960. Color of the glass bottle is light grey.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

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

Italian Aldo Tura for Macabo Cusano Hand Carved Basket and Thermos Bottle 1950s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Aldo Tura for Macabo Cusano Milanino Milano hand carved walnut wood basket and thermos bottle 1950s.  
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Walnut

Northern Lights by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 84 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous NORTHERN LIGHTS BY INTERNATIONAL sterling silver Flatware set - 84 Pieces. This set includes: 12 KNIVES, 8 7/8" 12 FORKS, 7 1/8" 12 SALAD FORKS, 6 1/4" 12 TEASPOONS, 6" 12 ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Danish Rosewood Modernist Salt Pepper Shakers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two pairs available priced separately. Either set is rosewood. I believe them to be Danish origin.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Rosewood

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

Art Deco Coffee set from Thermisol. 1930 1940
Located in CADALSO, ES
Great condition
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Northern Lights by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 67 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Northern Lights by International sterling silver flatware set of 67 pieces. 12 knives, 9", 12 forks, 7 ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Kenji Fujita for Tackett Associates, Five Coffee Cups with Porcelain Saucers
Located in København, Copenhagen
Kenji Fujita for Tackett Associates. Five coffee cups with porcelain saucers. Dated 1953-56. The cup measures: 8 x 4.5 cm. Saucer...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Amboss Austria Kitchen Utensil Set, Designed by Janos Meglk
Located in Vienna, Austria
A nice set of kitchen utensils designed by Janos Meglk for Amboss Austria. These instruments have been used but are in very good condition. There are f...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Silver Rhythm by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 56 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
"Silver Rhythm" by International Sterling Silver Flatware set - 56 pieces. This pattern was launched in the year 1953 and features an unadorned asymmetri...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Roger Capron 1 of 2 Place Sets, France, 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
Roger Capron 1 of 2 Place Sets, France - 1950s. Roger Capron (1922-2006) was a French ceramic artist and designer who was known for his innovative use o...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Italian Modern Wine Bottle Rack
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice heavy design cast iron and chrome wine rack.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Contour by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 64 Pieces, Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Stunning Contour by Towle sterling silver flatware set of 64 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 8 3/4". Eight forks, 7 5/8". Eight sal...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

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...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Lunch Knives by Kay Bojesen for USC Copenhagen, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of 8 stainless steel and black resin dinner/lunch knives. Designed by Kay Bojesen and manufactured by United Steel Company in Denmark during the 1950s. During this period KB wo...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Carl Auböck Cheese Dome, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cheese Dome, Austria 1960s. The height given applies to the height of the glass cover. The height including the wicker top is 20cm.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Wood, Wicker, Glass

Rosenthal Mocha Service, Nine Sets, Mocha-Cups, Saucers, Creamer, Sugar Bowl
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rosenthal mocha service, nine sets, mocha-cups, saucers, creamer and sugar bowl. Beautiful modern coffee service in dark gray and white. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tableware

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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