Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture 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
Otto and Vivika Heino Monumental Hand Thrown Ceramic Six Bird Head Bowl Pot
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and exceptionally rare earthenware six bird's head bowl or pot (bird head works are very coveted among collector's of the Heino's work) by ceramics masters hus...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Marcello Fantoni Signed Mid-Century Italian Raymor Glazed Ceramic Table Light
Located in Studio City, CA
Beautifully designed and textured yellow green glazed studio ceramic lamp by Italian ceramics master or designer Marcello Fantoni for Raymor. Very rare and hard to find style and col...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
European Ceramic Crucifix in Black, Brown, Beige, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
European mid-century ceramic crucifix hand-painted in black, brown and beige with a crackled paint style on the cross. A raised black Christ figure adds volume.
DIMENSIONS
6 i...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Brown Abstract Stoneware Ceramic Vase by F Marechal handmade Pottery
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
François Maréchal
Original brown stoneware ceramic vase
20th mid century furniture
Elegant shiny brown ceramics colors
Original perfect condition
Signed at the base
...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Belgian Tile Faced Entry Door Pull Handle by Artist Juliette Belarti
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Architectural door pull by Belgian ceramic tile artist Juliette Belarti.
Vintage midcentury Belgian tile faced entry door pull handle.
Great bright colors handcrafted ceramic door ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Michel Lanos Abstract Dark Blue Ceramic Abstract Animal Sculpture
By Michel Lanos
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Michel Lanos (1926-2005)
Large abstract animal stoneware ceramic sculpture by the french artist
Signed under the base : L.
Black or dark blue ceramic glazes colors
XXth c...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Laura Andreson Signed Yellow Glazed Mid-Century California Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully crafted and beautifully glazed vase by renowned American California master potter Laura Andreson. Gorgeous in its Mid-Century Modern design and color - a scarce and bea...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Decorative 20th Midcentury Brown Ceramic Table Bottle or Vase by La Borne Potter
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne
Original and decorative 20th century ceramic bottle or vase
Signed under the base
Elegant brown ceramic glaze color
Original perfect condition
Measures: Heig...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Supernatural Mid-Century Crucifix, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
Small cross with three supernatural alien-like figures in turquoise and white. Semi-glaze on a grey slate colored cross and very subtile volumes.
DIMENSIONS
H 5 in. x W 5 in. ...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Clay
Art Deco Verdigris Green and Pink Ceramic Fluted Vase by Stangl Pottery
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A gorgeous ceramic verdigris green fluted vase. This piece will be a lovely addition to a supper table, nightstand, or foyer credenza. By Stangl Pottery, Californa.
Measures: 9" ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Vallauris 'Attributed to' Pair of Twisted Green Ceramic Candelabra circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vallauris (attributed to) Pair of twisted green ceramic candelabra circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Skoby Joe Small Cream Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Harrison Mcintosh Signed Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Pottery Sake Liqueur Cups
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisitely formed and deeply blue glazed set of six ceramic sake/ liqueur cups by renowned American West Coast Californian master ceramist Harrison McIntosh who was famed for his...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century European Crucifix, Orange, Dark Green, White, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
Large glossy brown ceramic wall cross, handmade in Europe in the 1960s. Asymmetrical cross shape with a figurative and textured Christ figure. A one-of-a-kind, handcrafted piece that...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Clay
European Mid-Century Crucifix, Textured Ceramic, Red, Black, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
Small, thick, textured cross in glossy glaze with brilliant depth of color in the red and black hand-painted clay.
Dimensions
H 5 in. x W 5 in. x D 1 in.
This piece is p...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Clay
European Ceramic Crucifix, Indigo, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall crucifix indigo blue-violet color with semi-gloss crackle glaze. This piece is part of a large collection of unique ceramic crosses, all made in Belgium between the 1950s and la...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Clay
Skoby Joe Textured Ceramic Vessel Wabi Sabi Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Vintage German Hand-Painted Triangular Hanging Plate
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Original German vintage hand-painted "Handgemalt" small triangular shape ceramic plate.
Ivory grey with a hand-painted scene of a couple with a dog, trees, birds, in Yellow, blue, gr...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Doyle Lane Mid-Century Modern Rare Colored Glass Ceramic Pottery Square Form
By Doyle Lane
Located in Studio City, CA
A rare, beautifully designed glass or ceramic form by famed midcentury American artist or potter Doyle Lane. Lane was a glaze specialist much like Glen Lukens and Otto Natzler. His c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Tashiko Tazaezu Signed Mid-Century Glazed Oxblood Studio Pottery Ceramic Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
An absolutely gorgeous and wonderful large bowl by famed Japanese American pottery master Toshiko Takaezu. This work along with four others we have listed were acquired directly from...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Modernist Tile Faced Entry Door Pull Handle by Artist Juliette Belarti
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Architectural modernist door pull by Belgian ceramic tile artist Juliette Belarti.
Vintage midcentury Belgian tile faced entry door pull handle.
Great bright colors handcrafted ceram...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Skoby Joe Black Textured Vessel /Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi/ Mid-Century Modern
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
David Leach Lowerdown Stylized Berry Design Studio Pottery Vase
By David Leach
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A Lowerdown Pottery studio pottery vase decorated with a stylized berry design by David Leach (British, 1911-2005) and dating from around 1956. The rounded bulbous flagon shaped vase...
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Skoby Joe Small Brown Cream Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
David Leach Feather Design Grey Glazed Studio Pottery Bowl
By David Leach
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and stylish studio pottery bowl decorated with an abstract feather patterned design in a grey powdered glaze by David Leach (1911-2005) and probably dating from his early day...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Mid-Century European Crucifix in Ceramic, Brown, Sienna, 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
Early 1980s European crucifix hand-painted in matte and glossy earth colors. Brutalist, naive, and even outsider Christ figure embossed on a dark brown cross. A one-of-a-kind, handcr...
Category
1980s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Clay
Skoby Joe Round Brown Cream Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Hungarian Ceramic Tile Picture Depicting Athletes Made by Zsolnay, circa 1960
By Zsolnay
Located in London, GB
Hungarian mid-20th century ceramic tile picture depicting athletics, made by Zsolnay, circa 1956 -1964.
Category
1950s Hungarian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Hand Made Life Size Italian Ceramic Leopard Sculpture
Located in Voorburg, NL
A stunning and beautiful hand painted ceramic Leopard sculpture made in Italy. This Leopard is in very good condition and marked. This is quite a large (life size) Leopard which make...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Marguerite Wildenhain Signed Pond Farm Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly spectacular work by French-born, American Bauhaus-trained master ceramic artist, educator and author Marguerite Wildenhain. The shifting textures and colour are amazing and t...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Dora De Larios Signed Mexican American California Studio Pottery Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A fabulous, rare, and unique large horse and rider sculpture/ candelabra by famed Mexican American California studio art potter Dora De Larios.
De Larios was born in Los Angeles ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
"Roger Capron" Tile Set, Fresco., Vallauris, circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Roger Capron" tile set, Vallauris. Measures: 30x60 fresco. 8 Tiles of 15x15cm. In a perfect state. Beautiful thickness almost 1 cm.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Joel Edwards Signed Mid-Century Modern California Studio Pottery Ceramic Bowl
By Joel Edwards
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and executed bowl by famed American California potter, Joel Edwards. This piece features his hand-painted brushwork. Edwards was inspired by Japanese Sumi and ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Lucie Rie & Hans Coper Signed Stamped Yellow Glazed Stoneware Bowl, circa 1950
By Lucie Rie, Hans Coper
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous mustard-yellow glazed stoneware bowl with manganese rim by famed European potters Lucie Rie & Hans Coper.
The bowl is signed with each artist's impressed seals on the b...
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Skoby Joe Burnt Orange Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Drip Glaze Studio Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic piece, beautifully colored and designed. Caught our eye right away.
Would stand out in about any setting, modern or otherwise.
Comes as shown. Needs lamp shade.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Beatrice Wood Early Large Multi-Fired Crackle Glaze Low Bowl, circa 1938
Located in Studio City, CA
An exceptionally rare and fine early piece by famed American ceramist Beatrice Wood featuring her crackle glaze.
Signed by Wood on underside with her early signature "BEA".
W...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Tall Hollywood Regency Pastel Pink Ceramic Seahorse Vase by Gonder Pottery
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Tall Hollywood Regency style pink imperial line vase in the shape of a seahorse. This eye catching vessel is tall in form, and features a figural statue of a seahorse with shell crow...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Beatrice Wood Signed Volcanic Ash Blue Iridescent Luster Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
Famed California Mid-Century Modern artist Beatrice wood signed bowl featuring her highly coveted deep ash blue iridescent lustre/luster glaze. In certain light, the glaze radiates a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Royal Copenhagen Danish Stamped Signed Porcelain Fighting Polar Bears Model 2317
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and colored figurine of two playful fighting/wresting polar bears by Danish Royal Copenhagen.
Stamped, numbered (2317), and signed ("OP") on the base.
W...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Brown Stoneware Ceramic Vase by Alain Girel La Borne 1970 Mid Century Design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Alain Girel
Brown stoneware ceramic vase by the french artist
Original good condition
XXth century pottery ceramic vase
Signed under the base
Measures: Height : 20 cm ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Otto & Gertrud Natzler Dark Blue Green Glazed Footed Bowl with Original Label
Located in Studio City, CA
Another wonderfully glazed and delicately designed work by famed pottery masters Otto and Gertrud Natzler. This round-shaped, eggshell thin-walled bowl was hand thrown and formed by ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Beatrice Wood Signed Mid-Century Monumental Large Figurative Luster Glaze Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
We try not to use the term "museum quality" often but in the case of his particular work, it is more than Apt.
A simply breathtaking piece by famed American ceramist Beatrice Wood...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Otto & Gertrud Natzler Signed Volcanic Glazed Mid-Century Modern Large Bowl 1936
Located in Studio City, CA
A masterful early work by famed potters Otto and Gertrud Natzler. This round-shaped footed bowl was delicately hand thrown and formed by Gertrud and glazed by Otto with one of his fa...
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Glen Lukens Signed Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Pottery Bowl
By Glen Lukens
Located in Studio City, CA
A unique and rare piece by influential Mid-Century Modern ceramist Glen Lukens whose work has become very collectible and relatively scarce and difficult to find.
Lukens was the f...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Skoby Joe Brown Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
SkobyJoe Small Pink Textured Vessel /Ceramic Vase Wabi Sabi/ Mid-Century Modern
By Skoby Joe
Located in La Jolla, CA
Joseph Skoby is a Southern Californian whose work is inspired by the nature of his native state. His ceramics, created in his own lush garden, recall his intimate dance with the ocea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Pair of David Cressey Floral Ceramic Glazed Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of David Cressey Ceramic Lamps, USA, c.1960s. The wheel thrown ceramic lamps feature a speckled grayish blue colored glaze with applied floral detailing in a brown-gray tone. Th...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Clay, Ceramic
Lucie Rie Signed Stamped Yellow Speckle Glazed British Pottery Bowl, circa 1950s
By Lucie Rie
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous earth-toned, yellow, green, brown speckle glazed ceramic footed bowl by famed Austrian-born British potter Lucie Rie.
The bowl is signed with Lucie Rie's impressed seal...
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Lucie Rie 'Austrian/British, 1902-1995' Squeezed Oatmeal Glazed Pottery Bowl
By Lucie Rie
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stoneware oatmeal glazed bowl with small crater and speckled inclusions with a wavy rim with a fine manganese glazed edge by Lucie Rie (Austrian/British, 1902-1995) dating from aroun...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Peter Voulkos Signed Mid-Century Modern Stoneware Pottery Vase, circa 1950s
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early work (circa early 1950s) by Master Greek-American potter Peter Voulkos.
Signed on base with incised signature by Voulkos.
Voulkos is widely considered to be t...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Edward Wormley Dunbar End Side Table with Gertrud and Otto Natzler Ceramic Tiles
Located in Studio City, CA
This very rare and absolutely stunning Edward Wormley designed end/ occasional table for Dunbar Furniture for their "Janus" collection, circa 1956-1957 comes with inlaid, glazed tile...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Wood, Ceramic
Vallauris Mid-Century Ceramic Pottery Tray Dish in the Manner of Picasso, 1954
By Vallauris
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisitely made, wonderfully decorated, large, unique ceramic tray made in Vallauris, France during the peak of Vallauris studio ceramics. During this time (1954), many famous ar...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramics in the shape of a goat stamped Dominique Pouchain.
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramics in the shape of a goat stamped Dominique Pouchain.
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramics in the shape of a goat stamped Dominique Pouchain.
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Otto & Gertrud Natzler Signed Soft Pearl Green Blue Glazed Mid-Century Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
Another sublime work by famed pottery masters Otto and Gertrud Natzler. This round-shaped, eggshell thin-walled bowl was hand thrown and formed by Gertrud and glazed by Otto with a b...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Robert Maxwell Signed Large Mid-Century Modern California Studio Pottery Charger
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully made and beautifully designed Mid-Century Modern pottery charger by famed California potter and sculptor Robert Maxwell.
Maxwell co-founded Earthgender pottery with...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
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