Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
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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Vintage Mid Century Unique Blue and Green Courduroy
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage 100% cotton corduroy features light green patterned cords with a light blue trim in a two-cord pattern that is half an in wide. The manufacturer is unknown.
This fab...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Mid Century Red Barkcloth with Tropical Palm Leaf Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful fabric is a 100% cotton barkcloth. Barkcloth is a textured printed woven fabric. This vintage fabric is a rich, deep red featuring a tropical palm leaf design.
This...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Mid Century Brown Frieze Fabric with Ornate Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Frieze is a coarse woolen plain weave cloth with a nap on one side. This frieze is a rich chocolate brown with an ornate and unique nap design. The manufacturer is unknown.
This f...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Mid Century Style Trendtex Cotton Fabric with Tropical Flower and Leaf Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful fabric is 100% cotton, textured, and printed woven fabric. This fabric is mint green featuring a beautiful pink, ruby, and emerald flower design and tropical leaf patt...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Mid Century Yellow Barkcloth with Feather Print
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful fabric is a 100% cotton barkcloth. Barkcloth is a textured printed woven fabric. This specific weave is a little looser than some. It features a lovely bright yellow s...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
1930s French Carved Oak Curved Wood and Iron Folk Art
Located in Chicago, IL
French carved oak curved wood and iron abacus-style folk art, circa 1930s. Provenance: Marche Paul Bert in Paris. Smooth carved wooden balls of varying sizes are held with iron pins ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Vintage Set of Four Sheep's Folk Art
Located in Antwerp, BE
Decorative collection of four sheep's of different sizes in woven seagrass made in Spain 1990. Hand crafted in wicker, seagrass wrapped over a metal frame with.
Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Seagrass
Unusual Mesmerizing Hand Built Hypnotic Wheel, by Melvin Powers, 1951
Located in Buffalo, NY
Melvin Powers is considered the king of hypnosis in this country. His first self published book entitled hypnotism revealed is still in print and first published in 1949, He self pub...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Mid-Century Rust Colored Barkcloth with Gold Speckles
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful fabric is a 100% cotton barkcloth. Barkcloth is a textured printed woven fabric. The manufacturer is unknown but this lovely orangish rust-colored vintage fabric has s...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Mid Century Barkcloth with Abstract Woodland Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful fabric is a 100% cotton barkcloth. Barkcloth is a textured printed woven fabric. The origin of the fabric company is unknown but it features a lovely mid-century abstr...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Mid-Century Green Barkcloth with Gold Speckles
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful fabric is a 100% cotton barkcloth. Barkcloth is a textured printed woven fabric. The manufacturer is unknown but this vintage light green barkcloth is adorned with shi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Hand Printed Vintage Mid Century Barkcloth with Green Plaid Design, 7 yrds total
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful vintage fabric is a 100% cotton barkcloth. Barkcloth is a textured printed woven fabric. This fabric was made by Carioca and is white with two shades of green in an ab...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Brass Fireplace Tools Vintage Set of 1950s with Horse Head Motif
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage equestrian horse brass heads fireplace tools.
This set of vintage brass fire tools, includes broom, tongs, shovel and poker on elaborate stand with gallery to the base, each ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Vintage Rattan Harley Motorbike Real Size, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage rattan Harley real size.
By unknown artisan, Spain, circa 1970.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Mate...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Rattan
Mid Century Mixed Metal Toucan Sculpture in the Style of Sergio Bustamante
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculptural Toucan Bird on a perch, made of mixed metals (copper, brass, nickel). This 1970s piece follows the style of Sergio Bustamante. The mix of metals adds vibrancy and depth to...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Traditional Spanish Rustic Bronze Bell, circa 1880
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional rustic bronze bell, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1880.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
...
Category
1880s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
German Vintage Easter Candy Box Bunny Figure Papier Mâché
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Vintage Easter bunny candy box. Easter bunny figure made of papier mâché from the 50th covered with fabric in cream color. Hand painted and decorated with a carot in the mouth. The h...
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Traditional Spanish Rustic Bronze Bell, circa 1880
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional Rustic bronze bell, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1880.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
...
Category
1880s European Antique Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Abstract Metal Midcentury Sculpture by Alain Douillard Black Metallic Form
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Alain Douillard
Famous French metal abstract sculptor, circa 1975,
mid-20th century art sculpture
Black abstract freeform by the artist, signed at the base
Original perfe...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Large Midcentury Brown Wood Tramp Art Style Storage Basket or Planter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Sourced from the estate of an Oklahoma oil man, this whimsical piece of tramp art will be a focal point in any space. Constructed of what we believe to be teak wood, identical pieces...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Bronze Running Horse Statue, Midcentury
Located in Cookeville, TN
A stunning bronze horse figure showcases a beautiful patina. The figure depicts a horse in the midst of running with its tail and mane flying in the wind. The horse’s head is pointed...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Large Hillman 8.9 Hp 1913 Model Car of Dr. H. Crippen, Handcrafted, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large handcrafted model car type baby Hillman 8.9 HP from 1913.
This handmade old-timer model, Classic car Marquette was made circa 1960s.
On the trunk or doctor's bag at the back ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Brass
Francisco Rebajes Copper Pipe Plate, Signed, Midcentury
Located in Cookeville, TN
This is a unique piece of vintage artisan copper decor. Featured is a Francisco Rebajes midcentury copper tray with Art Deco inspired engraved pipe design. It is marked “Rebajes” to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Collection of 1953 Bicycle License Plates, New Old Stock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of 1953 bicycle license plates, American, circa 1953. These are new, old stock, and are from the estate of a salesman who sold toy lines in the 1950s. They are a colorful ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tortoise Bamboo and Wicker 6 Bottle Wine Rack
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A handmade Mid-Century Modern wine rack created from bentwood bamboo and wicker. Two layers of bamboo are carefully woven together creating a space for 6 bottle so wine (or other bev...
Category
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Leather Clutch Bag "Les Must de Cartier" Burgundy Bordeaux
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Cartier wine leather clutch bag, mini document purse with logo motif.
Rare "Le Must de Cartier" leather clutch limited edition, collectors item 1975.
Vintage leather clutch...
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Large Mid-Century Modern Murano Style Brown and Tan Tortoise Shell Glass Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Exquisite Murano style tan tortoiseshell pattern sculptural glass vase. A wonderful large vessel screaming to be displayed. Round in form, the small round base widens up through the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Heide Mosaic Danish Vide Poche Dish
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Heide Mosaic Denmark vide poche or decorative small dish.
Danish handwork Heide of Copenhagen marble mosaic work in white and grey colors.
Midcentury European Danish mosaic catchall ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Marble
Midcentury Religious Folk Art Assemblage Portrait of Virgin Mary and Child
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This iconic piece of art is a testament to the creative movement of the early 1900s, as started and made popular by Picasso, Kurt Schwitters and Duchamps. This Fine and unusual Folk ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum, Copper
Set of 5 Elephants Animal Sculpture Travertine Decoration by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Fratelli Mannelli
Set of 5 decorative elephants in travertine sculpture.
Classic of the mid-20th century decoration,
circa 1960
Original good condition
Dimensions smal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Travertine
Vintage Life-Sized Folk Art Harley Davidson Motorcycle Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Carved from wood in the 1960s, this life-sized Folk Art Harley Davidson is a one-of-a-kind sculpture. Not just for the hog aficionado, this piece is an incredible example of early 19...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Wicker Raffia Lion Animal Woven in the Manner of Mario Torres Lopez
By Mario Torres
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large raffia or wicker woven animal figure of a Lion. This piece would make a lovely statement to any space. We especially love the idea of using this for a children's room or nurser...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wicker
Modernist Wood and Acrylic Architectural Model Columbia University, circa 1970s
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist wood and acrylic architectural model Columbia University, circa 1970s. Very well executed handmade model depicting buildings, acrylic walkways and trees.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Table Bar Tray Wood Look by Auld Haiti
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful long midcentury rectangular wood-look tray made in Haiti by Auld. This long tray would be a great way to style items on a coffee table. Filled with a few of your favorite f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Haitian Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Midcentury French Needlepoint Tapestry Wall Hanging Manner of Lurcat
Located in FR
Midcentury tapestry wall hanging French needlepoint in the manner of Jean Lurcat and Picart Le Doux
Decorative embroidered needlework on canvas 1930s-1950s French Folk Art
These w...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wool
German Vintage Easter Candy Box Bunny Figure Papier Mache
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Vintage Easter bunny candy box. Easter bunny figure made of papier mache from the 50th. Hand painted and decorated with beautiful Easter decoration. The head can be put off to fill w...
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Japanese Opaline White Glass Vase Hand Painted with Geishas
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Midcentury Japanese gilded gold rim hand painted opaline glass snow white vase.
The white milky frosted opaline glass vase features two Geisha girls seating on the floor wearing tra...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Art Glass
American Folk Art, Junk Metal Dog, Mid-20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
American Folk Art, junk metal dog, mid-20th century
Composed of found pieces of metal parts put together in a detailed animated little dog. Wagging tail, flopping ears, and slight h...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Iron
Rare Abstract Modernist Morrocan Wool Rug, Artisanat
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare abstract modernist Moroccan wool rug, Artisanat. original label. Amazing colors and design, some low spots to pile, also minor wear, white knot showing. Overall nice original co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Three-Panel, Hand Painted Oil on Canvas Screen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-20th century three panel, hand painted oil on canvas screen. Measures: 72" tall
Three panels 16.5" W each. The screen can be displayed up to 46 x 48" wide.
The back is hand pri...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Multicolored Heart Flowers Vintage Splint Box, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
This presented Folk Art splint box shows multicolored hand painted rural flowers and hearts.
It was designed and made in the 1950s, Austria.
The oval shaped box features a base part ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Macramé Owl Wall Hanging or Towel Ring Vintage
Located in Topeka, KS
Adorable vintage macramé owl wall hanging or towel ring. One with brown wood eyes and one with pink plastic eyes. They are both in wonderful vintage condition. We have priced them se...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cord
1970s Karl Howard Galvanized Steel Handmade Mid-Century Era Art Basket, Signed
By Karl Howard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Mid-Century Modern Era, circa 1970s footed basket made by the wire artist, Karl Howard, in the antique French method. Without the use of solder or welded joints, the basket is enti...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Oil on Canvas Portrait of Jerry Bywater’s Dallas Museum of Art
Located in Dallas, TX
Midcentury oil on canvas portrait of Jerry Bywater’s Dallas Museum of Art by Tom Van Buren
Portrait of important Texas Regionalist Bywaters by his student Tom Van Buren, circa 195...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Screen, Wood Lacquered, Gouache, Ink on Paper, circa 1930, Japan
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Screen, four panels,
lacquered wood, gouache, ink on paper,
circa 1930, Japan.
Height: 1m20, width: 1m55, depth: 2 cm.
Category
1930s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Paint, Paper, Wood
Mid century Tapestry Wall Hanging Crewelwork Naive Folk Art Nativity Basque Mary
Located in FR
Mid century tapestry wall hanging of the nativity naive folk art circa 1930-1950
Absolutely charming and Unique One of a Kind piece
Picasso era Basque Modernist Franco Spanish
Madonn...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Linen, Wool
Sonneman for Kovacs Floor Lamp with Folk Art Decoration
Located in New York, NY
Modernist Kovacs lamp with copper pennies applied to the adjustable hood shade and base, 20th century folk or outsider art lamp, a unique item. Measure: Square hood shade 6" L x 4" s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Leather Vintage Decorative Bulls, Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of vintage leather wrapped bulls in dark brown and black.
Great decorative leather animals sculpture covered in thin and richly tanned leather, having inset glass eyes
Wonderf...
Category
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Folky Mid-Century "Automium" Model Lamp
Located in New York, NY
This interesting lamp was home made by a person who visited the 1958 Worlds fair in Brussels. After being so impressed by the signature structure "The Automium" (see tear sheet attac...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Lisa Larson 'Mikey' Cat Fabric Cushions
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Cushions with zip on covers, fronts in 'Mikey' fabric designed by Lisa Larson, in typical Lisa Larson style, very reminiscent of her comical animal figures for Gustavsberg.
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Amphora Ceramic Duck Sculpture by Rogier Vandeweghe, 1960s,Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very rare ceramic glazed duck designed by Rogier Vandeweghe for Amphora, Belgium, 1960s signed.
Brown, white and blue glazed colors.
Mint condition.
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Mid Century Sun Burst Fiber Art by Susan Frank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sunburst Fiber Art by Susan Frank, Circa 1975. Made from wool, steel , wood and clay beads.
25"DIA
Local pick up available at our Los Angeles showroom
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Spanish Chestnut Hand-turned Bowl
By Fizzduff
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous vintage hand turned spanish chestnut bowl signed 'Fizzduff'. Excellent condition.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern More Folk Art
Materials
Wood
