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.
Midcentury Carved Inuit TOTEM in Birch with Circular Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in New York, NY
This handcrafted birchwood totem offers a stylized depiction of an inuit man. The facial features, consistent with native carving of this region, recall the style of Japanese kabuki masks...
Stone
1978 Inuit Joe Sikvayugak Baleen and Carved Bone Basket
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful hand made basket by the Inuit master Joe Sikvayugak of Barrow Alaska. It is signed and dated on the interior 1978. It is crafted of Baleen and Bone. It is in good condit...
Bone, Natural Fiber
Large Hand Carved Inuit Stylized Figurative Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This handcrafted sculpture was made in Northern Canada by an Inuit artisan in circa 1970. This sculpture is a series of two stylized human figures intermixed with two representations of presumably Spirits, which has several carved faces in them. The entire sculpture is composed of hand carved and handcrafted antler, likely Caribou. This sculpture may symbolize a blessing of good fortune for an upcoming hunt. The series of four figures are each pegged on the bottom and fit into holes drilled into the base. The base is numbered on the bottom which identifies that it was registered, and also has a paper label. Due to the composition of this sculpture it may only be shipped within Canada...
Antler
Unavailable|$995 / set
H 16.25 in W 4.5 in D 12 in
Pair of Vintage Indigenous American Inuit Mukluks or Boots
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of vintage Inuit mukluks are presumed to have been made in Canada in circa 1950 in the Indigenous American Folk Art style. The upper portions a...
Fur, Leather, Wool
$5,450
H 8.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in
Northwest Coast Killer Whale Mask Attrib. Johnny Johns c.1961 Tlingit
Located in Denver, CO
This striking hand-carved Northwest Coast Killer Whale (Orca) mask, dated 1961 and attributed to artist Johnny Johns, is a powerful example of mid-20th-century Native American carving rooted in the traditions of the Pacific Northwest Coast—particularly the Tlingit and related cultural groups. Expertly carved from wood and painted in the classic Northwest Coast palette of deep black and vibrant red, the mask features bold formline design—an iconic visual language defined by fluid, ovoid shapes and precise linework that has been central to Indigenous coastal art for centuries. The Killer Whale, or “Blackfish,” is among the most important crest figures in Northwest Coast culture, symbolizing strength, protection, family lineage, and a profound connection between the human and spirit worlds. It frequently appears in ceremonial regalia, storytelling, and clan identity, embodying both ancestral presence and supernatural power. Signed on the reverse with initials “JJ,” this mask is attributed to Johnny Johns, a recognized carver whose work reflects traditional Indigenous design principles while engaging with the 20th-century market for Northwest Coast art. The scale, craftsmanship, and stylistic execution are consistent with works produced for both ceremonial-inspired use and collector audiences during this period. Compact yet visually impactful, the mask displays strong sculptural depth and expressive detailing, making it ideal for wall display or inclusion in a curated collection of Native American or tribal art. Its bold graphic presence aligns seamlessly with both traditional and modern interiors. The piece remains in good antique condition, with professional restoration noted—having been repaired after a historical break. The repair is stable and minimally visible, preserving both the integrity and visual appeal of the mask. Key Features: Attributed to Johnny Johns, signed “JJ” and dated 1961 Northwest Coast / Tlingit style carving Hand-carved and hand-painted wood construction Killer Whale (Orca) crest motif with symbolic significance Classic black and red formline design Mid-20th century Native American artwork Professionally restored with stable structure Ideal for collectors of Indigenous, tribal, and ethnographic art A compelling and highly decorative example of Northwest Coast carving...
Wood, Bentwood
$3,750
H 11.25 in W 4.5 in D 18.75 in
Antique Plains Roach Headdress c.1880 Deer & Porcupine Hair Native American
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional 19th-century Plains Native American roach headdress, dating to circa 1880, is a rare and visually dynamic example of traditional cerem...
Fur
Vintage Pueblo Pottery Vessel Acoma pot native american
Located in London, GB
A fine vintage Acoma bowl with classic geometric signed indistinct on base Size Bowl 5 x 4 inches 13 x 10 cm Condition: Minor rubbing Good
Pottery
Hand Carved Wood Totem Pole
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice hand carved and painted wood totem pole, circa 1970s. The totem stands and 26" H with a 16.5" wingspan and is in excellent condition for its age...
Wood, Paint
$1,637
H 4.34 in Dm 9.06 in
Antique historical Anasazi bowl Pueblo Pottery Native American Circa 11-12 C AD
Located in London, GB
Antique historical Anasazi bowl Anasazi, American Southwest, circa 1000–1200 AD A superb polychrome ceramic bowl of deep rounded form, decorated in red, black and cream with strik...
Pottery
$895
H 6 in W 15 in D 6.5 in
Inuit Native American Eskimo Signed Large Stone Carved Tusked Walrus Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful soapstone large, heavy carving of a tusked walrus by the indigenous inuit people who inhabit parts of the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Signed on th...
Soapstone
Signed Soapstone Carving of an Inuit by Quanaq Mikkigak
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An Inuit carving of a man signed on the base. Great Color. It appears to be a soapstone carving. Great color and striations.The man is approx 4.5 inches tall and approx 1x2.5 inches...
Stone
18th Century Antique Turkish Bath Clogs with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in Wainscott, NY
18th century or earlier, (Ottoman Empire) pair of Turkish bath clogs with mother-of-pearl inlay these are a beautiful decorative object d' art whic...
Leather, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Native American North West Coast Eagle Comb
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th Century Native American North West Coast Eagle Comb The eagle has a frog in its claws which is “holding” a whale. Carved with classic Nort...
Wood, Paint
Antique Navajo Chief Blanket
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sometimes categorized as the fourth-phase chief blanket, this wonderful piece of Navajo textile art is well preserved and can be dated to 1890-1910. Wov...
Wool
Unavailable|$1,100
H 21.5 in W 5.25 in D 3.88 in
Indigenous American West Coast Haida Styled Carved & Polychrome Painted Totem
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This folk art carved and polychrome painted totem pole is signed by an unknown artist and originated from the United States and dates to 1985 and d...
Cedar
Massive Pair Native Salish Carved Totems
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matched pair of Salish Native American totem poles. Both identical. Carved as a thunderbird with spread rings separately carved and attached perched on the head of a human over a sea...
Cedar
Mexican Mid Century Black Pottery Vessel with Tripod Legs
Located in New York, NY
Mexican Mid century hand crafted burnished black pottery vessel raised on three graceful legs. One small hole present at bottom, as pictured. Oax...
Pottery
Sold
H 18.75 in W 14 in D 14 in
Large Collectible Native American Indian Chief Sculpture Signed Vaughn Kendrick
By Universal Statuary Corp., Vaughn Kendrick
Located in Miami, FL
Artfully crafted by Universal Statuary Corp this collectible Native American Indian sculpture or statue will look great in any western setting or as an educational accessory for chil...
Plaster
Sold
H 2.25 in W 8.25 in D 2.25 in
Daniel Apawkok, Vintage Inuit Seal Stone Carving, Signed, Canada, Circa 1978
Located in Chatham, ON
Daniel Apawkok - (b. 1951 - Disc Number E-9-546) - Vintage Inuit stone carving of a seal - fine Modernist carving with spare decoration - signed and date...
Stone
Modern Mid Century Nude Terracotta Sculpture Figural Statue Native American
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Modern nude terracotta sculpture or figural statue of a Native American man. The piece depicts man sitting with crossed legs, with head turned to his right. The back of the piece sho...
Terracotta
Acoma Pueblo Potter Jessie Garcia Turkey Figurine
By Jessie C. Garcia 1
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Acoma Pueblo Pottery Turkey Figurine by Jessie Garcia (1910-1999). Measures: 4" H x 4 1/4" L x 4 1/4" W. Created: circa 1950. Signed on the bottom ...