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Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

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
Mid-Century hand-carved horn sail boat
Mid-Century hand-carved horn sail boat

Mid-Century hand-carved horn sail boat

$395

Mid-Century hand-carved horn sail boat

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

A unique mid-century ship or sailboat accessory, hand-crafted out of carved horn. It has a sleek curvy shape and the perfect palette. It’s stylish, masculine and nautical without fee...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Pair of Rope & Wood Stool
Mid-Century Pair of Rope & Wood Stool

Mid-Century Pair of Rope & Wood Stool

$2,400 / set

Mid-Century Pair of Rope & Wood Stool

By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet

Located in Austin, TX

Pair of Mid-Century rope stool with wood base, in the style of Audoux Minet. Height / 10.2inches. Diameter / 11 inches.

Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Fabric, Rope, Wood

Mid-Century Wood and Rope Shelf Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Mid-Century Wood and Rope Shelf Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet

Mid-Century Wood and Rope Shelf Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet

$1,400

Mid-Century Wood and Rope Shelf Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet

Located in Austin, TX

Wood and rope shelf Audoux Minet, circa 1960. 3 shelves.

Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Rope, Wood

The Wandering Horn Player And Rabbit Bookends Pair 1923
The Wandering Horn Player And Rabbit Bookends Pair 1923

The Wandering Horn Player And Rabbit Bookends Pair 1923

$175 / set

The Wandering Horn Player And Rabbit Bookends Pair 1923

Located in South Burlington, VT

Antique 1923 pair hand cast "The Wanderer" sculptural book ends, circa 1920s Musician plays his horn and enthralls a perked ear rabbit. Designer: CoPr 1923 with logo on reverse. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Iron

Vintage Baby Cradle by Elin & Jarl Heger, 1960s
Vintage Baby Cradle by Elin & Jarl Heger, 1960s

Vintage Baby Cradle by Elin & Jarl Heger, 1960s

$1,434

Vintage Baby Cradle by Elin & Jarl Heger, 1960s

By Jarl Heger

Located in Nørre Aaby, DK

Charming and beautifully designed baby cradle from the 1960s by Danish designers Elin & Jarl Heger. Made from natural rattan and bamboo, this piece showcases elegant curves and light...

Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Wicker

OPI MILANO nautical ashtray, Cini&Nils Design, 1970s
OPI MILANO nautical ashtray, Cini&Nils Design, 1970s

OPI MILANO nautical ashtray, Cini&Nils Design, 1970s

$418

OPI MILANO nautical ashtray, Cini&Nils Design, 1970s

By Cini & Nils

Located in Bastia Umbra, IT

OPI MILANO nautical ashtray, Cini&Nils Design, Made in Italy, 1970s.  Rare metal nautical safety ashtray with non-slip rubber base, color White. With ORIGINAL box included.  The pric...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Metal

Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop the Endeavour II
Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop the Endeavour II

Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop the Endeavour II

$563Sale Price|24% Off

Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop the Endeavour II

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Early Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop This half block miniature boat model is dedicated to Joe and has quiet the provenanc...

Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Cherry, Maple

Organic Bend Bamboo Sconce Woven Bamboo Cased Fiber Shades France 1950, Pair
Organic Bend Bamboo Sconce Woven Bamboo Cased Fiber Shades France 1950, Pair

Organic Bend Bamboo Sconce Woven Bamboo Cased Fiber Shades France 1950, Pair

$1,950 / set

Organic Bend Bamboo Sconce Woven Bamboo Cased Fiber Shades France 1950, Pair

Located in Miami, FL

Pair of original handmade French Folk Art wall lights, sconces in bend Bamboo and cased natural fiber shades. takes 1 light bulb with max 60 watts. In working condition. Projecti...

Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Bamboo, Natural Fiber

Mid-Century Spanish Souvenir Model of a late 18 Century Frigate
Mid-Century Spanish Souvenir Model of a late 18 Century Frigate

Mid-Century Spanish Souvenir Model of a late 18 Century Frigate

$680Sale Price|20% Off

Mid-Century Spanish Souvenir Model of a late 18 Century Frigate

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

This souvenir model of a late 18 Century Sailing Frigate was crafted in Spain, circa 1950 and sits on an integral wooden base decorated with a small plaque which reads “Fragata Espanola...

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 Majolica Shells Cups & Saucers Circa 1950
Set of 4 Majolica Shells Cups & Saucers Circa 1950

Set of 4 Majolica Shells Cups & Saucers Circa 1950

$350 / set

Set of 4 Majolica Shells Cups & Saucers Circa 1950

Located in Austin, TX

Set of 4 Majolica Shell cups & saucers Circa 1950. All different colors inside. Saucers / 5.2 by 4.2 inches Cups / 4.5 by 3 inches.

Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Set of 4 Mid-Century Rope & Wood Stool
Set of 4 Mid-Century Rope & Wood Stool

Set of 4 Mid-Century Rope & Wood Stool

$4,500

Set of 4 Mid-Century Rope & Wood Stool

By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet

Located in Austin, TX

Set of four Mid-Century Rope & Wood Stool after Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet ,the top is upholstered with a white fabric. Measures: Height / 13 inches. Diameter / 11 inches.

Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Fabric, Rope, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Plaster Conch Shell Planter in the Style of Serge Roche
Mid-Century Modern Plaster Conch Shell Planter in the Style of Serge Roche

Mid-Century Modern Plaster Conch Shell Planter in the Style of Serge Roche

$695

Mid-Century Modern Plaster Conch Shell Planter in the Style of Serge Roche

By Serge Roche

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Simple and elegant portrait of a Conch Shell as a planter rendered in plaster. A likeness to the style of Serge Roche and his shell forms. In excellent vintage condition with minimal...

Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Plaster

Early XIX Harpoon Metal Part
Early XIX Harpoon Metal Part

Early XIX Harpoon Metal Part

$657

Early XIX Harpoon Metal Part

Located in Barcelona, ES

Antique fishing metal harpoon metal pioint. Made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1800. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a...

Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Metal

Important Table Lamp by ROBJ
Important Table Lamp by ROBJ

Important Table Lamp by ROBJ

$4,200

Important Table Lamp by ROBJ

By ROBJ

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Important ceramic table lamp by ROBJ, located in NY.

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-century Modern nautical objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern nautical objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage nautical objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, lighting, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with natural fiber, rope and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern nautical objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original nautical objects, popular names associated with this style include Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Michel Caugant, ROBJ, and Vintage Murano Gallery. 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 nautical objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $165 and tops out at $6,800 while the average work can sell for $1,400.

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