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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
1960's Ate Van Apeldoorn Pine Storage Box with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite, Mid-Century Ate Van Apeldoorn pine storage box with lid. Perfect for storing treats! In original condition with wear consistent with age a...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pine

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

Vintage Hand-Painted Ceramic Nautical Seashell Salt & Pepper Shakers Collectible
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern ceramic seashell shaped set of salt and pepper shakers, bar and tableware made in America in the 1980s. Hand-painted and hand-crafted and it is a nautical Collectors Set for any Table Setting. Plastic Stopper for easy Refills at the base. Smaller Cone Shell...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Plastic, Paint

6 Glasses Cognac Smoke Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio
Located in Milano, IT
6 Glasses Cognac Smoke Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

Nutcracker Mid Century Modern Austria 1950s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Mid-century nutcracker from Austria. Both in terms of quality and design used, this piece is located in the circle of Carl Auböck's work.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Bronze

18 Vintage Silverplated Dinner Forks -- Set Can Be Split
Located in Sheffield, MA
The 18 vintage silver plated dinner forks are stamped "International Silver Co." The tines are sharp for easy piercing. There is an undecipherable monogram on each fork. Each fork ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Tray, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal tray designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Dark Blue - Black Lacquered perforated metal with original paint and rattan de...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Boxed Mid Century Carving Set 5009, Knife and Fork by Amboss Austria, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and unusual Austrian "max - design" carving knife and fork set, executed in the 1960s, model# 5009 by Amboss Austria. Stainless stee...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage A. S. Tinn Per Viking Salad Set and Bottle Opener, Norwegian
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual salad set with pewter handles in the shape of stacked Vikings. Its accompanied by a horn-shaped bottle cap opener in solid brass. The salad set was designed and made by A. S....
Category

1970s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Brass watering can vienna around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Brass watering can vienna around 1960s Brass polished
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Watering can vienna around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Watering can vienna around 1920s Original condition
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Cups Orange Design, Set of Six
Located in Barcelona, ES
Coffee or tea set of cups orange design, Spain, 1960s. Cool set of hand-painted orange glazed ceramic cups. Manufactured at the Mid-Century Modern Period. This set will be a nice...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Vintage Silverplated Salad/Luncheon Forks/SETS OF 10
Located in Sheffield, MA
The 30 vintage silverplated salad/luncheon forks are stamped "International Silver Co." The tines are sharp for easy piercing. There is an undeciph...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Hammered Watering Can, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Hammered Watering Can, circa 1950s Brass and copper Polished and stove enameled
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Brass Coaster vienna around 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
Brass Coaster vienna around 1970s Only polished
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Signed Carl Auböck Brass Nutcracker with Leather Handles
Located in Vienna, AT
This nutcracker is an original piece of Mid-Century craftsmanship. The design and execution by the Wiener Werkstatte Carl Aubock. Fully signed Aubock and Made in Austria. It is made ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

1960s Op-Art Barware Set, 6 Highball Glasses and Circular Vinyl Caddy by Bartrix
Located in Nantucket, MA
Six vintage highball glasses with a black and white geometric Op-Art design on clear glass. The enamels, combined with the clear glass use circles and squares in various sizes and ar...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

Danish Modern Steak Knife set by Chef Le Blanc for Selandia NIB
Located in San Diego, CA
A set of 6 teak and stainless steak knives, designed in the 1970s by Chef JP LeBlanc for Selandia. They were never used. Comes with the box and original plastic sleeves. Beautiful Sc...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Andersson & Johansson, Kettle, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A stoneware kettle designed by Andersson & Johansson and produced in Höganäs, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stoneware

Carl Aubock Mid-Century Brass and Leather Nutcracker, Vienna, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Modernist brass nutcracker designed and executed by Werkstätte Carl Aubock in the 1950s. In good condition with charming patina. Marked.
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Marianne Denzel Salt And Pepper Menage Condiment Set, Berndorf, Austria, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A very stylish modernist cruet set from the 1960s. Designed by the German artist and designer Marianne Denzel, executed by Berndorf Austria. Consist of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Danish Vintage Teak Serving Trays 1960s Set of 4
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish vintage teak serving trays 1960s set of 4. Danish Mid-Century Modern teak trays. This set consists of: A large oval tray by Silva, ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass, Teak

Anja Jaatinen-Winqvist 'Karelia' Milk & Sugar Set for Arabia Finland, 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Anja Jaatinen-Winqvist 'Karelia' Milk & Sugar Set for Arabia, Finland, 1970s. This is a wonderful milk and sugar set designed by Anja Jaatinen-Winqvist and made by Arabia Finland in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stoneware

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...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Lucite

Ben Seibel Jenfred Concentric Square Tray
Located in Garnerville, NY
Cast metal concentric square dish designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfred. Circa 1950. Seibel creates a nice optical maze of ever enlarging concentric squares. Good overall condition with...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Brass, Zinc

Set of 10 Mid-Century Danish Minimalist Metal Spoons, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Minimalist Metal Spoons, 1960s, Set of 10, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Silver Styles: Mid-Centu...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Modernist Pewter and Teak Tankard set of six
Located in Denton, TX
Mid century modern set of six pewter and teak tankards, perfect for beer, wine or Moscow mule.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Set of 2 Mid-Century Ceramic Sugar Pot and Milk Jug from Dissing Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Ceramic Sugar Pot and Milk Jug from Dissing Keramik, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additiona...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

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

Cutlery by Helmut Alder for Amboss Model 2070
Located in Vienna, AT
Cutlery, model 2070, designed by Helmut Alder, produced by "Amboss Neuzeughammer Steyr" Austria in the 1960s. High quality stainless steel cutlery. For six people, consists of six l...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Boxed Mid Century Carving Set 5009, Knife and Fork by Amboss Austria, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and unusual Austrian "max - design" carving knife and fork set, executed in the 1960s, model# 5009 by Amboss Austria. Stainless stee...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Carl Aubock Mid-Century Teak & Brass Nutcracker, Vienna, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful midcentury modernist nutcracker, designed and executed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. Made of wood and brass. In very good condition, with marginal patina on the brass.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Modernist Painted and Signed Cup and Saucer, circa 1960
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and interesting modernist hand-painted pottery cup and saucer, the latter painted with a Primitive black outlined deer decorated in brightly coloured glazes on a speckled ...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pottery

Brass can around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Brass can around 1960s Brass polished and stove enameled
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Original Auböck Bottle Opener in Shape of a Post Horn
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bottle opener in the shape of a post horn. Both were crafted from brass and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Aust...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Figgjo Flint * pepper & salt shaker * Market * Turi Design * Norway * 60s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Figgjo Flint * pepper & salt shaker * Market * Turi Design * Norway * 60s * good condition . Very rare these, comes with there Original Teak lid . Design ...
Category

1960s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 6 Asparagus Ceramic Plates, Tureen and Salt Pepper Shakers, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern asparagus design glazed ceramic serving set, Spain, 1950s-1960s A set of 6 asparagus plates, a server with lid and a salt and pepper shakers set. The asparagus tureen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

Brass, copper watering can vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Brass, copper watering can vienna around 1950s Polished and stove enameled
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

French Ceramic Bottle Coasters and Serving Platter, Set of 3 Sarreguemines
Located in Miami, FL
A good quality set of French ceramics by Digoin Sarreguemines, France, circa 1950s. The set consists of a large platter or bowl and two generously sized wine bottle coasters to p...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Hertha Baller Pipe Holder, Vienna, circa 1950s 'Marked'
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller pipe holder, Vienna, circa 1950s (Marked) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Copper Coffee Pot with Bamboo Handle Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Copper coffee pot with bamboo handle around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Glass and Metal Silver Plate Water Carafe
Located in Brescia, IT
This water carafe is an elegant and useful piece that complete every diner table.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Cutting Board and Salt and Pepper Shakers
Located in San Diego, CA
Cutting board or serving tray and mixed exotic woods salt and pepper shakers by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original label from his w...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Wood

Charlotte by Hans Hansen Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 41 pieces Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Rare Charlotte by Hans Hansen Danish Mid-Century Modern sterling silver Flatware set - 41 pieces. This set includes: 6 Knives, 8 1/8" 6 Forks, 7 3/8" 6 Salad Forks, 6 1/2" 6 Teaspo...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fruit bowl brass vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Fruit bowl brass vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

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

Asian Brass Figurine Salt & Pepper Shakers Set Holder by Rohac, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Viennese Mid-Century salt and pepper shakers set with holder displaying a water-carrying Chinese man. Designed and executed in the 1950s by Richard Rohac, who w...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Salt & Pepper Menage Condiment Set, Richard Rohac, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A delightful modernist cruet set comprising salt and pepper shakers along with a toothpick dispenser. Crafted from brass, bakelite in various colors an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Set of 12 Stuart Devlin Silver Goblets
Located in London, GB
Set of Twelve Silver Goblets, made by Stuart Devlin and hallmarked London 1968. Each goblet features a hammered silver bowl above a textured gilt stem and foot, reflecting Devlin’s ...
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver

Contrast by Lunt Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Mid Century Modern 50 pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mid-Century Modern CONTRAST BY LUNT sterling silver with nylon handle Flatware set, designed by Nord Bowlen of Greenfeld, MA in 1956 - 50 pieces. This set includes: 12 Knives, 9 3/...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Piero Fornasetti Wicker Cornucopia with Flowers, Roses and Pomegranates Tray
Located in Milan, IT
Piero Fornasetti Cornucopia with Flowers early serving tray. Original Label. Featuring a Wicker Cornucopia holding Flowers, Roses, Pomegranates and...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Water Can Copper Brass Conbination, Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Water can copper brass conbination, around 1950s Brass copper conbination Polished.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Very rare white glazed ceramic ice box, 1970s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Very rare white glazed ceramic ice box, Made in Italy, 1970s.  Beautiful large glazed ceramic ice cube prover with plastic ice box inside and brass lid. Condition is perfect.  The pr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Big Brass Key Cork Screw, Bottle Opener, Paperweight, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A Midcentury combination corkscrew, bottle opener, and paperweight dating from the 1950s. Shaped like a large key, it was designed by Carl Auböck and crafted by his workshop in Vienn...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Modernist Brass bowl "HOLE Pattern" in Style of Mathieu Matégot, France 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
bowl element.. In style of Mathieu Matégot. Origin: France, 1970s. This original vintage bowl element was produced in the 1950s in France. It was made of brass in hole pattern op...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Lark by Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware 18 Set 115 Pcs Mid-Century Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Huge Mid-Century Modern Lark by Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware set - 115 Pieces. Designed by John Prip. This set includes: 18 knives, 9". 18 forks, 7 5/8". 18 salad forks, 7...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Purple glass bottle (decanter), 1960s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Purple glass bottle (decanter), Made in Italy, 1960s.  Pretty purple decanter with engraved design creations. The handle has a very special workmanship that makes it unique. It is a ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Glass

Richard Rohac Fish Toothpick Holder Stand, Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Richard Rohac Fish Toothpick Holder stand, Austria, 1950s
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

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 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

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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