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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
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

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

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

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Silver Rhythm by International Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 89 Pcs New
Located in Big Bend, WI
This pattern was launched in the year 1953 and features an unadorned asymmetrical handle and Mid-century Modern design. Unused silver rhythm by Internati...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

1960s La Fonda Del Sol Restaurant Salt Shakers Girard Midcentury
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Alexander Girard for Mayer China / Minners. Made in the 1960s. Bollard-form salt shakers. Identical each with single hole. No chips, no cracks. Some crazing to the white bands around...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Italian 1940s Sculpted Wood Nut Cracker with Hammer
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1940s Sculpted Wood Nut Cracker with Hammer
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Oak

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Copper Watering Can Around, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Copper watering can around 1950s Polished and stove enameled.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Copper

Set of Italian Polished Pewter Salt & Pepper Shakers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian Set of Salt Shakers & Pepper Grinder in Polished Pewter, a Set of Two. This classic pair is marked Made in Italy on the bottom. Wonderful addition to add to your table for e...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Carl Auböck Neptune Fish Bottle Opener, Leather & Steel by Amboss Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful fish-shaped mid-century bottle opener, made of stainless steel, covered with dark-brown tan leather. Model #4687, designed in 1995 by Carl Auböck, Vienna. Executed by Amb...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

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

Gijs Bakker Rare Candle Holder in Patinated Silver and Enamel for Keltum 1963
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver

Mid-Century Italian Pewter Salt and Pepper Mill Shaker
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pewter Salt and Pepper Shaker, MCM Italy Tall and sturdy Vintage MCM Italian salt and pepper grinder or shaker with its original patina...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Gerald Benney Set of 4 Pewter Goblets for Selangor Pewter, C. 1986, Boxed Unused
Located in London, GB
Gerald Benney for Selangor Pewter (Royal Selangor), designed c.1986 Set of 4 pewter goblets A beautiful boxed set in excellent un-used condition. O...
Category

1970s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Royal Satin by Wallace Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 55 pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mid-Century Modern Royal Satin by Wallace, circa 1965 sterling silver flatware set, the handles with satin/matte finish, 55 pieces. This set includes: Measure: 12 knives, 9" 12 for...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Hybrid Fork-Knives in Brass and Resin, Eskildtuna, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Rare complete set of so-called fork-knives in brass and black resin. The third spike of the fork doubles as a knife. The original intension was in regards to consuming cake and pastr...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Pipe holder by Hagenauer vienna around 1950s ( marked )
Located in Wien, AT
Pipe holder by Hagenauer vienna around 1950s Marked on Bottom
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Danish Stoneware Candlestick Set by Jens Harald Quistgaard, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Dinner set consisting of an oblong serving tray or dish, a butter storage unit with a teak lid, and two candleholders (one for a small candle and one fo...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stoneware

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

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

Vintage, Horn Handle, Corkscrew from Amboss Austria, Chrome-Plated, 1950s
Located in Vienna, Austria
A vintage corkscrew from Amboss Austria, from the early 1950s. The handle is made from the tip of a deer antler and held in place with a pin which g...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

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

Dansk Denmark Quistgaard Design Stainless Steel Salt Pepper Shakers
Located in Ferndale, MI
Jens Quistgaard design for Dansk. Salt and pepper shakers in stainless steel.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Chicken cutter vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Chicken cutter vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel

Carl Auböck II Brass Tray, Bowl, Vide-Poche, Maria Theresia Coin, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful solid brass coin tray or dish, designed and executed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck II in the 1950s. Suitable as a jewelry bowl or „vide-poche“. In good condition with nice pa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Six Silver Plate Dessert Forks with Server in Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely set of 6 Silver Plate Dessert Forks with coordinating silver plate serving piece. The set has a unique design and would be a com...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Toothpick Holder with African Boy by Richard Rohac
Located in Wien, AT
Toothpick holder with African boy by Richard Rohac Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Set of Glazed Ceramic Corn on the Cob Glasses and Pitcher, France, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Majolica glazed ceramic corn on the cob jug and tumbler set of four. France, 1960s. The set is comprised by a large ceramic jug with co...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic

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

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

1956 , Edwin Knowles "Strawflower" Dining Set - 68 Items, 6 Place Settings
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1956 , Edwin Knowles "Strawflower" Dining Set. The set is in excellent condition and has no chips or cracks. It is a full service for 6 people, plus replacement pieces and serving ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Mathieu Matégot Rigitulle Black Perforated Serving Tray, France, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Mathieu Matégot Rigitulle Black perforated and lacquered serving tray, France, 1950s. In very good original vintage condition
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Steel

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

Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Letter holder by Walter Bosse.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
$252 Sale Price
25% Off
Biot, France, Two Decanters, Six Glasses and Two Small Jugs in Green Art Glass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Biot, France. Two decanters, six glasses and two small jugs in green mouth-blown art glass with inlaid bubbles. Mid-20th century. The carafe measures: 19.5 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Art Glass

Gio Ponti A Volute brass and cut glass salt & pepper serving bowls
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid pair of Gio Ponti "A Volute" brass and cut glass salt & pepper serving bowls. A classic signature design from the 1940s
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Pair of MCM Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers with Box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of MCM teak salt and pepper shakers with original box by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The set are in very good vintage co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Teak

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

Silver Sculpture by R&B Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 84 Pieces Modern
Located in Big Bend, WI
Designer of the pattern Silver Sculpture, Robert H. Ramp describes his inspiration for this pattern (Modernism in American Silver Book).... "...Even though it was named Silver Sculp...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

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

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 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

Salt and Pepper Shaker with Stand in Teakwood and Ceramic, Around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Salt and pepper shaker with stand made of teak and ceramic around the 1960s Signs of use Original condition.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Wood, Teak

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

Carl Aubock II Walnut Knife Holder with 6 Amboss Knives, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Lovely set of six beautiful midcentury fruit knives and a holder / stand, made of walnut and cork. Designed by Carl Aubock II and manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, ...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless 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

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

Joe Colombo style set of six glasses 1970s
Located in bari, IT
Set of six worked and colored glass glasses in the style of 1970s Joe Colombo
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stained Glass

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

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

20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Politecnico in Milan, where her work is permeated by her perspective on Le Corbusier’s and Frank Lloyd Wright’s design expe...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti Italian Stainless Diamond Flatware Set Three Long Ice Tea Spoons 1958
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Gio Ponti Italian stainless diamond flatware set of three long ice tea spoons, 1958. Measures: 7 1/2" L x 1 1/8" W x 1/2" H Maker stamped. Italian Gio Ponti designer...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Willy Rizzo Style Italian Plexiglass And Nickel-Plated Brass Tray
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Please kindly read the entire description, as we strive to provide you with detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our items. This refined and or...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Brass

Original French Modernist Metal Tray "Rigituelle" by Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Metal tray. Designed and produced by Mathieu Matégot. Origin: France,  1950s. Original Mathieu Matégot tray "RIGITUELLE". made in the 1950s in France. typical mategot style with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Metal

Danish Vintage Teak Plates and Bowl 1960s, Set of 6
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish vintage teak plates and bowl 1960s, set of 6. Mid-Century Modern Danish tableware in teak. This set consists of: Four teak serving plates b...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Teak

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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