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.
Vintage 1970's Frye Boot Light Up Sales Sign
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A vintage light up Frye Boot advertising sign from the 1970's with aluminum frame surrounding a dark plastic face. Stating "Boots by Frye Bootmakers Since 1863" with a pull chain for...
Aluminum
Vintage Blue and White 'Hairdressing' Sign
Located in Cirencester, GB
This French 'Coiffure' sign is mid 20th century. The silvery/blue Zinc letters are on a painted white ply board. There are lots of bumps and scrapes and plenty of character to thi...
Zinc
Mid 20th Century Kodak English Advertising Enamel Sign For Train Rides
Located in Crespières, FR
This antique Kodak advertising sign is made of thick enamel in black, yellow and red colours. The colours are bright and shiny, with an good relief. The condition is fairly good co...
Metal
aRT dECO 1940s / 50s Modernist Light -up "TELEPHONE" SIGN.... 40" LONG
By Ilka Plast
Located in Buffalo, NY
aRT dECO 1940s / 50s Modernist Light -up "TELEPHONE" SIGN.... 40" LONG...eMbossed form plastic lettering,,Stunning graphic, pull chain on/off switch.Retains original metal can,,orig...
Metal
1940's - 50's Mid Century Decommissioned American "Exit Only" Steel Street Sign
Located in Red Lion, PA
This Authentic Mid-Century American "EXIT ONLY" Decommissioned Street Sign is a premier example of 20th-century municipal engineering and "Machine Age" utility. Dating to the 1940s–1...
Enamel, Steel
Vintage martini advertising statue, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare plaster advertising sculpture depicting a Martini Jockey sitting next to a martini sign on a wall holding a glass. Very cool decorative and collecti...
Plaster
in Use, Vintage Hospital X-Ray Sign, circa 1980
Located in Faversham, GB
Vintage London hospital x-ray sign that hung above the x-ray room door of the inpatient ward. The words ‘In Use’ illuminate when switched on. London,...
Aluminum
Old School 1940's / 50's NEON "MOTEL" Sign..Classic Font
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic vintage NEON "MOTEL" sign salvaged from a motel in Niagara Falls Canada,, Retains original finish & patina,, New transformer, metal replaced to bottom of can,, (see photo)
Metal
Rare giant vintage American gold fiberglass boot shop display / bar sign 60s 70s
Located in Hastings, GB
Giant vintage American gold shop or bar display boot. Looks like a swashbuckling / pirate boot. Gold fibreglass with metal rod and hanger. Try and find another one- you won't ! Lots...
Metal
Hobart Kitchen Machines Mid Century Neon Sign
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very nice vintage neon sign advertising the Hobart Food Machine company . Founded in 1897 making motors in Troy Ohio and turning the use of their motors into running food machines ...
Steel
Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign photo booth / store display
Located in Buffalo, NY
Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign photo booth / store display.. Super fun decorative item. salvaged from shopping mall, Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buf...
Metal
Authentic Vintage Partial NYC ( Upper West Side ) Bus Role, circa 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Authentic Red & White Vintage Partial NYC Bus Role circa 1950 Upper West Side & Morningside Heights "in good vintage condition with expected wear from service and age" "wil...
Fabric
Double sided porcelain subway/ bus sign "LADIES REST ROOM"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Double sided porcelain subway/ bus sign "LADIES REST ROOM".. Great old sign..Nice original condition, minor staining to one side,(see photo)
Porcelain
amazing COCKTAILBAR neon sign
Located in Munich, DE
nice cocktailbar sign.
Metal
Mid-20th Century Hand Crafted Pine Barbers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Hand Crafted Pine Barbers Trade Sign Dimensions in inches: H 16.5” x W 2.5” x D 0.75” Age: 1960 Origin: English Condition: Good Overview This oversized mid-20th ce...
Pine
Large vintage exterior wall shop sign for a coffee Bar Tabac France in the 50s
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Large outdoor ‘Bar Tabac’ sign from France in the 1950s. Extraordinary typography, typical of the 1950s. The metal letters are fixed to two steel bars, whic...
Iron, Zinc
Vintage "African Queen" Boat Name Sign, circa 1950s
Located in South Bend, IN
A fantastic vintage "African Queen" boat name sign, circa 1950s Measures: 59.63" W x 0.75" D x 10.13" H. Hand carved wood and paint Very good ...
Wood, Paint
1950s Aluminum on Wood General Electric Logo, Sign Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
1950s aluminum on wood General Electric logo, sign plaque. Salvaged from General Electric Buffalo NY office, stunning, original plaque, cast aluminum depicting famous G E Logo, mount...
Aluminum
1950’s Enamel and Neon TV Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s enamel and glass TV sign. It has new transformer and new wiring. There will be Additional fee for shipping crate.
Enamel
SS United States Sign Notice and Information for Passengers
Located in Hanover, MA
Hefty enameled solid aluminum framed passenger safety and information sign from Passenger Stateroom 139 on the Main deck of the SS United States. Fo...
Aluminum
Vintage Metal "B Avenue" Street Sign - City of Coronado, California
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool vintage metal "B Avenue" street sign from the city of Coronado, California, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a distressed patina and measures: 24"W...
Metal
1950 Watch Repair Light Box Sign
Located in Surrey, BC
A vintage all original advertising light box sign depicting watch repairs in faded original glass.. a nice addition to sign collector or watch dealers ....
Metal
1950s Light UP "ROOMS FOR LET" & "Chambres a Louer" SIGN, fRENCH & eNGLISH
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charming 1940s / 1950s Light UP "ROOMS FOR LET" & "Chambres a Louer" SIGN, Unusual written in fRENCH & eNGLISH,,
Metal
Vintage Hand-Painted Wooden Rhinoceros Lawn Sign / Folk Art Yard Stake
Located in Seattle, WA
This decorative vintage wooden rhinoceros cut-out is hand-painted in a warm yellow tone and designed as a yard or garden sign with an integrated ground stake. The silhouette is cut f...
Wood
Phillips 66 Cast Aluminum Gas Sign
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
1940's Cast Aluminum Phillips 66 Gas Station Sign. This amazing piece of history is made up of individual letters that can be hung by each letter or can we attached to a support on the back as we did in the photos. Letters were professionally restored. This is a gas sign...
Aluminum
Vintage Solo Margarine Enamel Mid-Century Sign
Located in Norwich, GB
A wonderful bright vintage enamel sign advertising Solo margarine. Belgian - Circa 1940's. The sign is in very good condition for its age, ther...
Enamel
Vintage Heidelberg Beer Lighted Countertop Display Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1950s-1960s; Columbia Breweries Inc. - Tacoma, WA Illuminated countertop advertising display in a bold mustard-yellow painted metal housing with inset reverse-painted panel readi...
Metal
Original GPO Glass “TELEPHONE” sign from a Red Phone Box From the 1950s
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Original GPO Glass “TELEPHONE” sign from a Red Phone Box From the 1950s the thick glass Telephone sign is in good original Condition The sign is 4” high and 25” long FB241
Glass
Italian modern Wall light sign by Lane Marzotto in plastic and metal, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Wall light sign by Lane Marzotto in plastic and metal, 1990s Rectangular wall light sign with rounded corners. On the central pla...
Metal
Pair of Original Hand-Painted Wooden Fairground Signage, circa 1950s
Located in Faversham, GB
When in use, the panels were linked together with couplings to form an oval shape and the mechanics of the fairground ride would sit within the centre....
Wood, Paint
Distressed Two-Sided Hood’s Ice Cream Sign, Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and authentic two-sided painted metal advertising sign for Hood’s Ice Cream, displayed in its original iron sidewalk frame. The sign features bold red and cream graphics with ...
Metal
Recycled Pine Wine Bar Menu, Black Board a Good Handsome Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Recycled pine wine bar menu, black board A good handsome piece simply made with 4” old pine and waxed and polished The attractively bordered board is r...
Pine
Double-sided "Pibigás" Sign in Silkscreened Iron - Italy - 1960s/'70s
Located in Milano, IT
vintage sign, double-sided sign, pibigas, 1960s advertising sign, screen printed iron sign, industrial modernism, Italian modernism, vintage advertising graphics, gas station sign, 1...
Iron
Large Illuminated Advertisement for HB cigarettes, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Large wall advertisment light Good original condition with signs of use The top part is missing some plastic
Iron
Ice Cream Advertising Sign, Funky Quirky Nostalgic
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Ice Cream Advertising Sign, Funky Quirky Nostalgic This is a classic mid century piece, on a trip to the seaside is the best treat. Here we are with a tall wooden ice cream advertis...
Plywood
Vintage Elizabeth Arden Signs in Wood and Painted Aluminum
Located in Milano, IT
Rare advertising sign of Elizabeth Arden, an entrepreneur who founded, in that name, her cosmetics company, dating from the 1950s, taken from the Lake...
Aluminum
“The Classic Cars of the 50s” Shop Trade Display Shelf Good Collectors Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
“The Classic Cars of the 50s” Shop Trade Display Shelf Good Collectors Piece, 50s Model Car Display shelf, in good condition The Shelf is 21” high, 19” wide and 5” deep CS188
Plywood
Large Midcentury Porcelain Letter "B" from the Stix Baer and Fuller Sign
By Bauhaus
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large 44.75" H porcelain letter B, from the former Stix, Baer & Fuller sign. This letter was once on the Mid-Century Modern Stix, Baer & Fuller department store in the Westroads Shop...
Porcelain
A Collection of Pre Decimal Grocers Price Labels A wonderful collection
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Collection of Pre Decimal Grocers Price Labels A wonderful collection, metal labels on spikes and one in plastic, 14 all together The tickets are all in well used condition and s...
Metal
Set of 7 Mid-Century Era Painted Wood Carnival Folk Art Sign Box Letters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of seven Folk Art wooden box letters were made in Canada is circa 1965 and were once mounted on a carnival sign for either a ride or an at...
Wood
Vintage Framed Signed Art
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage framed signed art Dimensions. 72 W ; 36 1/4 H ; 3 D.
Glass, Wood
Elizabeth Arden Vintage Wooden Signs
Located in Milano, IT
Rare advertising sign of Elizabeth Arden, an entrepreneur who founded, in that name, her cosmetics company, dating from the 1950s, taken from the Lake...
Aluminum
Fontana Arte design very rare Etched glass table signs for gallery years '80
By Fontana Arte
Located in Biella, IT
Fontana Arte design very rare etched glass table signs for gallery years '80 pedestal base in elegant alluminium grey, stainless steel stem, and glass frosted mark in light delica...
Art Glass