Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage 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. The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influence 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.
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 chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other 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
Skoby Joe White 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 Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware, Ceramic, Clay
René Gruau, Oil on Wood Panel, France, circa 1970
By René Gruau
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
René Gruau (1909-2004),
Oil on wood panel,
France, circa 1970.
Measures: 76 x 132 cm.
Fashion illustrator René Gruau revolutionized haute couture with his dramatic illustrati...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Majestic Sergio Bustamante Copper and Brass Cheetah Sculpture
Located in Garnerville, NY
Copper and brass Sergio Bustamante cheetah sculpture. Wonderful attention to detail is the signature to any of Bustamante's animal sculptures. Bustamante and his studio excel at the ...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Copper
Pablo Picasso Signed Madoura Ceramic Tile Plaque 'Tête Polychrome' Ramié 455
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, original hand-painted ceramic tile plaque by famed artist Pablo Picasso titled "Tete Polychrome". The work features an abstract face with colored engobe and glazed areas...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
Mid Century Side Nesting Tables Walnut Wood, France, circa 1955
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of 3 brutalist nesting tables in solid wood, France, circa 1950.
Great set of tables that can either be used as a nest or a cluster.
The have a particularly nice wood grain ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Walnut
Sosaku Kokeshi Dolls by Hideo Ishihara and Kichisuke Agatsuma, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sosaku Kokeshi dolls by Hideo Ishihara and Kichisuke Agatsuma, Japan
Two of these vintage creative kokeshi were made and signed by the award winning master, Hideo Ishihara (1929-1...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Early 20th Century Traditional Metal Iron, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage traditional metal iron with a gravure and a wooden handle.
Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain, circa 1930.
In original condition, wear consistent with age and use, p...
Category
1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Set of 14 Traditional Spanish Christmas Figures, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 14 traditional Spanish Christmas figures. Made out of metal.
Manufactured in Spain, circa 1950.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preservin...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
American Hooked Checkerboard Chess Rug
Located in New York, NY
A handmade one of a kind American Hooked Rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century with an irregular checkerboard pattern
Measures: 3' x 5'7''.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Jean Da Milano, Painting, France, circa 2000
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), painting,
Creased paper,
Signed lower right,
circa 2000, France.
Measures: Height 115 cm, Width 90 cm
Jean Da Milano is an abstract painter from...
Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Unique Cracked Glass Apple
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mirror glass mosaic apple is quite the eye catcher due to its size. The sculpture will be the head of conversation no matter what living or office space you chose ton put add th...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Fiberglass
Folk Art Mid-Century Modern Blown Red Art Glass Face Masks, México
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Folk Art blown red glass face masks made in México.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Blown Glass
70s Abstract Modern Brass Art Object
Located in Amstelveen, Noord
Beautiful decorative artwork made in the 1970s in Belgium. The brass form can indicate as well a face as the sail of a ship. It all depends in which angle you look at the artwork. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stone, Brass
Mimi Gross Grooms Enamel Cut Aluminum Male Sculpture 1980s Post-Mod Pop Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mimi Gross Grooms enamel on cut aluminum sculpture "Tommie," depicting a seated man in street clothes, the reverse of his proper left leg numbered, signed and dated "#23/72 Mimi Gros...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Sheet Metal
Italian Glazed Vase with Equine Design
By Bitossi
Located in Denton, TX
Avocado and spruce colored glaze surround this vase with horse and tree design.
Made in Italy.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Jérôme Mesnager, Man in White, 2021
By Mesnager Jêrome
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Mesnager - Man in White
2021
Gouache on wood panel
Signed and dated
Measures: 70 x 42cm.
Category
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Empire Hand Knotted Wool Antique Reproduction Large Rug
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Imperio rug made in Spain, circa 1970.
Hand knotted wool antique reproduction
Measures: 300 x 300 cm.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Albert Chubac, Collage, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Composition,
Collage and cutout, gouache,
Signed lower right,
circa 1980, France.
Measures: Height 15 cm, width 15 cm, depth 3 cm (without frame).
Albert Chubac wa...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Traditional Spanish Rustic Bronze Cow Bell, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional rustic bronze Cow bell, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1940.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina...
Category
1940s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
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 Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
1960s Carved Wood African Teak Female Nude Sculpture
Located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
1960s hand-carved female nude sculpture in African teak.
Measures: H 44cm x W 16cm x D 9cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Teak
Modernist Oil on Canvas "Six Tubas", James Miller, American, circa 1960-82
By James Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
'Six Tubas' Bold Modernist work by Western New York artist,,,James Miller,, c.1960,,Wonderful use of color,,texture and space,,,
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
A French Red Glazed Clay Mirror
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a very unique French Clay mirror in a striking red glaze. It features one center mirror measuring 7" diameter surrounded by eight 2.75" diameter mirrors around the perimeter....
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Mirror
Mid Century Modern Large Metal Three Dimensional Bowling Sign 16 Modern Alleys
Located in Savannah, GA
Very large 8.67 feet long three dimentional metal bowling alley sign with original blue paint and applied wooden bowling pins on either end. Advertising sixteen modern alleys, it wa...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Rope Oval Mirror Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century rope oval mirror Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet.
Measures: 16 inches by 10 inches.
Mirror with some stains.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope, Mirror
Italian Vintage Wall Mirror with Brass Decoration
Located in Milano, IT
The vintage mirror is from the 1950s and was produced by fine Italian manufacture.
The wall mirror is elegant with its shape that widens as it rises and then curves inward at the to...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Albert Chubac, Painting on Wood, France, 1985
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac,
Painting on Wood,
Geometric composition,
Signed and dated at the back,
France, 1985.
Measures: 120 x 80 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Mid-Century Modern Skeletal Wire Rod Abstract Sculpture
Located in Garnerville, NY
An amazing spider's web of a rollercoaster of design and line. This sculpture is just as delicate and light filled like a spider's web. A work that reaches, careens, and zigzags Cons...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
Ceramic Abstract Wall Sculpture Perignem, Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful colorful ceramic wall sculpture in organic nature details with abstract mushrooms and mosses designed by Paul Vermeire for Perignem,Belgium, 1960s.
Paul Vermeire was a Bel...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Small Stunning Cast Iron Giraffe Sculpture, 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning small cast iron giraffe sculpture.
Unknown artist.
Mexico 1960s. x.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Rope Coat Rack by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-century rope coat rack by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet.
Measures: height / 7 inches.
Width / 23 inches.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope
Handcrafted Italian Art Studio Large Stoneware Bowl Aqua Color
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large 1960s Mid-Century Modern handcrafted large pottery platter.
Hand-made stoneware decorative plate with classic sandy fat lava glaze.
This ceramics were known to collectors as 'f...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Edwin and Mary Scheier Signed Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Smiley Face Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeously glazed pottery bowl by famed American master ceramist couple Mary and Edwin Scheier. The piece radiates in the light.
The bowl is footed and has a beautiful brown-gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Cast Iron Umbrella Stand, Powdered Coated Turquoise
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage cast iron umbrella stand or walking stick holder. Circa 1940's French cast iron powder coated soft turquoise, this petite stand is perfect for storing a variety of items. As ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Christmas Big Green Nutcracker with Knife, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Big wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been thei...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Amazing 1940s-50s Neon Sign "1 Hour Cleaners" Modernist / Art Deco
By American Neon Sign Co. 1
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful vintage neon sign "ONE HOUR cleaner's"" Salvaged from old dry cleaners in downtown Buffalo NY,, Amazing colors,, design,, Hand delivery avail to NEW YORK CITY or anywhere e...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini 1960 Rattan Cane & Bamboo Rocking Horse, Animal Sculpture Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Original Franco Albini Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Bamboo Rocking Horse, Animal Sculpture.
Rattan and bamboo rocking horse core with basket weave seat.
This horse brings joy to ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
1960s School Chart at the Fair by Rossignol
Located in Antwerp, BE
School Chart annual fair by Rossignol.
1960s school chart printed on thick paper with
theme annual fair - going to the funfair
The design of this chart is so detailed; view all ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Vintage Italian marble mushroom in ochre, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage Italian marble alabaster mushroom, circa 1960s. Hand-carved in Italy. Tones of ochre and caramel with ash veining. Minor signs of age as shown in photos.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Table Lamp by Martz for Marshall Studio
Located in NYC, NY
A pottery table lamp designed by Gordon and Jane Martz for Marshall Studio. This piece is signed "MARTZ" on the lower, backside of the lamp, as seen in image 4. The color is matte wh...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Christmas Big Violet Nutcracker with Knife, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Big wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been thei...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Eames Inspired Desk Top Puzzle in Plywood Box
Located in Ferndale, MI
Geometric pieces of wood fitted together inside of Charles and Ray Eames laminate or plywood box.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Maple, Plywood
Dora De Larios Signed Mid-Century Modern California Studio Pottery Large Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous, rare, and unique large stoneware vase by famed Mexican American California studio art potter Dora De Larios.
De Larios was born in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Belgian Tile Faced Entry Door Pull Handle by 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.
Mid-Century Ceramic Door Pull handle.
Great bri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Otto and Vivika Heino Signed Monumental Ceramic Pottery 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 Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware
Italian Large Majolica Terracotta Sculpture with Lustre by Adolfo Merlone, 1950s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Majolica terracotta sculpture decorated with lustre glazes in shades of red, blue and yellow depicting a knight in seventeenth-century clothing and a lady; prepared to be used also a...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Maiolica, Terracotta
Stunning Large Shag Pile Rug Depicting Houses in the Style of L.S Lowry
By L. S. Lowry
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely brand new Shag Pile run depicting L.S Lowry style houses
A very comfortable and thick rug, extremely well made and clearly Lowry in...
Category
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Oversize Mid-Century Rope Round Mirror Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize Mid-Century rope round mirror Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet.
Measures: 26 inches diameter.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope, Mirror
Set of 2 Traditional Spanish Rustic Bronze Bells, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 2 traditional rustic metal bells, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1950.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Vintage 1940's PHILCO TV Kids Ride On Toy Truck
Located in San Diego, CA
1940's PHILCO Television metal Ride On Toy Truck.
Beautiful original distressed condition.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Sheet Metal
Vintage Italian Green Marble Mushroom Paperweight / Objet D’art, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage Italian alabaster marble mushroom objet d’art / paperweight, circa 1960s. Hand-carved in Italy. Tones of moss green, basalt, and seafoam. Some scuffing of epoxy but not los...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Vintage Christmas Big Red Nutcracker with Knife, Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Big wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been thei...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of 8 Traditional Antique Button Soccer Game Figures, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of eight table button soccer game players. Traditional figures used to play this classic button Spanish game.
Manufactured in Spain, circa 1950.
In original condition, wit...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Geoffrey Whiting Avoncroft Wax Resist Leafy Stem Design Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and good sized studio pottery stoneware vase decorated in tenmoku glazes on a grey glazed ground with wax resist leafy twig like designs repeated around the body by re...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Mid-Century Mixed Metal Small Parrot Sculpture in the Style of Sergio Bustamante
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculptural Parrot bird on metal perch, made of mixed metals (copper, brass). This 1970s piece follows the style of Sergio Bustamante. The mix of metals adds vibrancy and depth to the...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Beatrice Wood Signed Monumental Mid-Century Queen Elizabeth Pottery Charger
Located in Studio City, CA
An extremely rare and wonderfully hand-painted monumentally large charger featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth - a quite unique and bold work by famed American/ California ceramis...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware
Parrot Sculpture by Sergio Bustamante
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Copper, brass and aluminium Parrot on a hoop hanging stand by Sergio Bustamante, circa 1960. presents some damage to the head and tail.
Sergio Bustamante is a Mexican Artist and s...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
G.H. Michel Company folk art for sale on 1stDibs
G.H. Michel Company folk art is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of paper and designed with extraordinary care. There are many options in our collection of folk art of the G.H. Michel Company, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. In-stock we have 1 vintage editions of these items, while there is also 0 modern edition to choose from. In the 1960s, many original folk art by the G.H. Michel Company were created in the mid-century modern style in the United States. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider folk art by and . Prices for folk art by G.H. Michel Company can vary depending upon size, time period and other attributes. 1stDibs's price starts at US$699 and tops out at US$699, while pieces like these can sell for US$699.