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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 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 legendary 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.

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
1960 light up three feathers whiskey sign by Schenley
Located in Surrey, BC
A great mcm advertising working whiskey sign light up box . A great piece of advertising in original condition . Three Feathers Blended Whiskey is a v...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - Kasper, 1970s
Located in Schwerin, MV
Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - Kasper, as good as new. Collector's item from the former GDR. Special artist doll, high quality and ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Textile

Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - Magician, 1970s
Located in Schwerin, MV
Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - magician, as good as new. Collector's item from the former GDR. Special artist doll with legs, high ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Textile

Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - Gretel, 1970s
Located in Schwerin, MV
Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - Gretel, as good as new. Collector's item from the former GDR. Special artist doll with legs, high qu...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Textile

Anatomical Medical Teaching Display, circa 1960
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this complete Mexican Anatomical Medical Teaching Display. All pieces such as organs and the interior of the head such as the brain can be disassembled.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Modern Abstract Architectural Wire Iron Sculpture Manner of Roy Gussow
By Roy Gussow
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modern abstract architectural wire iron sculpture manner of Roy Gussow. Classic modernist, strong presence, very well executed.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Pair of Mid-Century Rope Coat Rack Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Very rare pair of French rope hook coat Audoux Minet, circa 1960. 3 hooks.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Rope

Handmade original Dresden artist dolls / hand puppet - police officer, 1970s
Located in Schwerin, MV
Handmade original Dresden artist puppets / hand puppet - police officer, as good as new. Collector's item from the former GDR. Special artist doll, high qu...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Textile

Advertising Glass Sign "Trink Coca Cola - Eiskalt". 1950 - 1959
Located in CADALSO, ES
Great condition
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Glass

Modern Abstract Constructivist Wood Sculpture Signed Czeslaw Budny
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This contemporary abstract wooden sculpture is by Czeslaw Budny in constructivist style circa 2024. This unique sculpture is made of recycled wood. Budny utilizes the simplicity of s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Frank Matranga Mosaic Tile Cityscape Wall Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mosaic tile art piece by California ceramicist Frank Matranga, c.1960s, USA. This piece is composed of varying shaped glazed ceramic tiles to create a mosaic cityscape. The colors ra...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

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 ....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Mid-20th Century Hardware Store Advertising Shop Display Oversized Nail
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Hardware Store Advertising Shop Display Oversized Nail Every now and again we find something that’s a complete one off and just br...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Art Deco Mid Century Oak and Glass Office Advertising Sign, C.1940
Located in London, GB
An unusual wooden and glazed office sign. c.1940 Reserve painted leaded glass office/advertising sign. Origins unknown, but great font and size.
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Oak

Mid Century Thin Glossy Red Ceramic Wall Cross with Embossed Circles Pattern
Located in Chicago, IL
This modernist European Studio Pottery ceramic wall cross is characterized by its slender form and glossy red finish, adorned with an embossed circles pattern that spans the entire c...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Large Mid Century Modern Sculptural Brass Horse by Luciano Bustamante 1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous large brass Brutalist patchwork stallion horse with blown black glass eyes. Fantastic artistic piece by Luciano Bustamante of Mexico c1965. In excellent vintage condition wi...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Brass

American Folk Art Five Flying Ducks Signed E.H. Hart
Located in South Burlington, VT
American folk art Pyrography pair Flying Ducks. This is an original and beautifully detailed hand incised work of art on wood panel of five (5) flying ducks. This unique work of art is hand incised using pyrographic techniques. It is signed lower left E. H. Hart. Dimensions: 9.75 iniches wide and 12 inches high. Provenance: Old New England collection. History of the Pyrography: py·rog·ra·phy is the art or technique of decorating wood or leather by burning a design on the surface with a heated metallic point. Pyrography was particular popular during the last quarter of the 19th century and first quarter of the 20th century About E.H. Hart Hart, Ernest Huntley 'Ernest H. Hart' (New York City, 1910 - Florida, 1985). An American painter, printmaker, illustrator, and author, Ernest Huntley Hart...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mid Century ceramic bowl from the Karlsruher Majolika by F. Glatzle. 1963
Located in CADALSO, ES
Great condition
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Wall Rationalist Wooden Decoration, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Wall Rationalist Wooden Decoration. Manufactured in France, circa 1960. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mater...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Pottery Donkey Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly charming and stylish pottery-clay donkey sculpture from Mexico. This unique piece is its own one of a kind that shows craftmanship and style. The sculpture presents the ...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Marble Large Chess 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Italian Marble Large Chess set from the 1980s is a luxurious and visually striking board game. The chessboard is crafted from exquisite Italian marble, lending it a timeless elegance. Paired with metal chess pieces...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Marble, Metal

Mid-Century Rope Hook Coat Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
French rope hook coat Audoux Minet, circa 1960. Height / 10 inches ,W / 7.8 inches.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Rope

Vintage Painting on Canvas of a Lion by Blanko Paradis
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting mid century acrylic painting on canvas of an aging lion in repose with flowers and trees, executed in a charming naive style. Signed Paradis 81 and presented in a wood frame.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Pair Davy Jones Pirate Treasure Chest Bookends With Skull And Cross Bones Hats
Located in South Burlington, VT
Antique pair hand cast pirate treasure chest sculptural book ends, circa 1930 Skull and crossbones hats. Designer: Hubley Dark original patin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

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
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Iron

16-Inch Modernist Studio Pottery Wall Crucifix - Handmade in Europe
Located in Chicago, IL
This 16-inch modernist studio pottery wall crucifix, meticulously crafted in Europe, showcases a unique design. It features a wall cross with chartreuse and brown moss-like texture, ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

2 Vintage Building Block Sets, German, Pine, Toy Box, After Froebel, Baukasten
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of two vintage building block cases. A German, pine toy box or baukasten in the manner of Froebel, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Two fascinating building...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Advertising Mirror by Raymond Peynet for Atikah Cigaretten
Located in CADALSO, ES
Extremely rare to find.
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Mirror

Bing & Grondahl Modernist Green Tile Wall Art Piece, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exceptional Danish Mid-Century Modern piece of ceramic artistry. Handmade wall plaque made of six glazed tiles (each 15x15 cm) in white, dark pine and forest green colors, all handpa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Wood, Oak

Vintage Branko Paradis Painting on Canvas of a Leopard in a Tree
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming mid century acrylic painting on canvas of a leopard with fauna and flora, executed in an enchanting naive style. Signed Paradis 82 and presented in a wood frame.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Paint

Mid-century female mannequin from Siegel & Stockman, Paris, 1950s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Very decorative female mid-century mannequin made by Siegel for Stockmann, Paris, size 46. The torso stands on a tripod wooden base of birch or beech. The whole construction is demou...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Fabric, Birch

“Show Me Red Again!” by Rhett Lynch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W48 H38.5 Acrylic on canvas. Signed by artist
Category

Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramic in the shape of a goat designed by Dominique Pouchain. Stamped on the underside.
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage neon propaganda from Steiff. 1960 - 1965
Located in CADALSO, ES
This object was only issued for Steiff dealers. Has never been sold to private persons
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Petite Wall Cross, handmade ceramic, woven relief in glossy terracotta, Europe
Located in Chicago, IL
Small ceramic wall cross handmade in Europe. Woven relief in glossy glazed terracotta color. Discreet, delicate and earthy. As you explore our cross collection, you will encounter d...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Unicorn ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramic in the shape of a unicorn designed by Dominique Pouchain. Stamped on the back.
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Unicorn by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramic in the shape of a unicorn designed by Dominique Pouchain. Stamped.
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Lapiz Lazuli Chess Board 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Embark on a journey of opulence with our Vintage Italian Lapis Lazuli Chess Board, a striking piece from the 1980s. This exquisite chess board, meticulously crafted in Italy, showcas...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Mid-Century Ebonized Walnut W/ Genuine Bone Walking Stick w/ 14K Gold Inlay
Located in New York, NY
This highly sophisticated Mid-Century Modernist Walking Stick in Ebonized Walnut w/ Genuine Bone and 14K Gold Inlay Pommel Originates from Italy, Circa ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Gold

Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Located in Lasne, BE
Ceramic in the shape of a goat designed by Dominique Pouchain. Stamped on the underside.
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Set Of 5 Vintage Kitchen Canisters, English, Cooking Ingredient Jars, Circa 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of 5 vintage kitchen canisters. An English, ceramic cooking ingredient jar, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Char...
Category

Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Nude signed lithograph
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W24 D32 H2 Vintage signed lithograph in excellent condition. Item contents and frame are well preserved. Item is ready to hang.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Paper

“Fulana De Tal” (So And So) 2008 Acrylic On Canvas By Puerto Rican Artist Quetz
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very sensual, striking and dream-like painting by celebrated Puerto Rican Artist Quetzalcoatl (b. 1971). An otherworldly Woman’s face in Green peers out with a searching gaze wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Original New Old Stock Circa 1900 Liberty's London Marionette String Puppet
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare, new old stock Liberty's London Marionette string puppet A lovely example and a great size, it is ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Pine, Oak

Mid 20th Century Vintage Mid-Century Modern Signed Original Oil Portrait of Man
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage signed original oil portrait. A period composition of a man with his arms crossed. Signed by the artist. Acquired from a New Jersey estate.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Impasto Figurative Art Painting
Located in Pasadena, CA
Impasto Figurative Art Painting of man and his child in a bonding moment. Measures approx - 31 x 39
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Sculptural Italian Chess Set in the Style of Alberto Giacometti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Chess set, brass, bronze, Italy, 1960s Wonderful, modernist chess set made in the style of Italian artist Alberto Giacometti. The exceptional game of chess has a stunning look. Each...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Modernist Oil Painting on Canvas by Alice (Alicia) Makara .1925-2007 WNY Artist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Oil Painting on Canvas by Alice (Alicia) Makara .1925-2007 WNY Artist..
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Vintage MCM Sci-Fi Signed Original Ink Sketch of Man’s Face
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage original ink sketch on paper. A cool sci-fi drawing of a man’s face. Little story line vignettes around the man’s head. Almost like movie stills. Signed by the ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Mid 20th Century Vintage Signed Original Oil Figural Painting on Canvas
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage MCM original oil painting on canvas. A chic Figural composition of a man at rest. Signed by the artist. Acquired from a NY estate
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Rude Osolnik Signed Mid-Century Modern Locust Wood Turned Vessel Bud Weed Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully executed, handmade, wood-turned weed vase by master woodturner Rude Osolnik who is widely regarded, along with Bob Stocksdale, as one of the finest woodturners in American woodturning history. In 1992, he was presented by then Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones, the Milner Award, the Governor's Award for Lifetime Achievement. The vase is made from locust wood, quite rare for Osolnik, features highlighted striped areas of dark and light. It is signed "Osolnik Originals...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Large Erzgebirge Christmas Nutcracker Hunter Decoration Piece Germany 1970s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage nutcracker from the Erzgebirge region, in shape of a hunter made of turned wood and painted in vibrant colors, dating back to the 1970s. This piece is made by the famous ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Fur, Wood, Paint

Mid 20th Century Vintage Bruce of La Framed Photograph of Man With Pole Vaulting
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous MCM Vintage Framed Photograph of Man With Pole Vaulting Pole. Shot by thr infamous Bruce of LA. Purchased from thr estate auction o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

1960s Tin Sign for Lemonade, Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
1960s tin sign for lemonade. A romantic and cute metal advertising sign for Lemonade. This old wall sign is dated 1961 and was made for the Belgian Company Leberg. Leberg started in 1933 with botteling water and lemonades. A man and a woman are having a date and are drinking a lemon and orange soft drink from a bottle with a straw. It does also make you think at lady and the tramp. This Vintage Tin Sign...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Tin, Metal

Vintage Brass Roman Chariot Figure circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage metal figure of the traditional roman chariot with an olympic symbol stamped. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain, circa 1950. In ...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Modernist Abstract Oil Painting on canvas by WNY Artist Kathrin Langley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Abstract Oil Painting on canvas by WNY Artist Kathrin Langley titled "SEEBREEZ " ..Well executed,, great use of color, texture . Katherine wa...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Mid 20th Century Vintage Signed Original Oil Portrait on Canvas
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage original oil painting on canvas. A chic MCM portrait of a dashing man in glasses.signed by the artist. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Large Erzgebirge Christmas Nutcracker Decoration Piece Germany Vintage 1970s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage nutcracker from the Erzgebirge region, in shape of a king made of turned wood and painted in vibrant colors, dating back to the 1970s. This large nutcracker...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mid-century Modern folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Albert Chubac, Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, La Borne Potters, and Beatrice Wood. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $41 and tops out at $64,764 while the average work can sell for $1,325.

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