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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
to
216
542
467
981
44
35
2,006
1,060
668
291
205
193
164
90
90
78
54
36
33
31
22
20
7
11
970
79
29
633
206
1
2
19
17
27
124
221
103
47
22
285
225
193
170
120
585
343
296
227
90
1,060
1,017
1,037
42
36
20
19
18
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modernist Freeform Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This hand carved wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and date to approximately 1969 and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Walnut
Antique Vintage Binoculars on a Leather Case, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique nautical binoculars in a leather strapped case. Made by unknown manufacturer, circa 1950. In original condition, with some visible si...
Category
1950s Asian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
$452 Sale Price
68% Off
Vintage Danish Teak Hedgehog Lint Brush – Mid-Century Modern, Johannesen, 1960s
Located in Toronto, CA
Mid-century Danish lint brush by Johannesen combines functionality with Scandinavian charm. Designed in the 1960s, the brush is shaped like a hedgehog, handcrafted from warm teak woo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Teak
Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970
Located in Brussels, BE
Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Travertine
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Midcentury Ceramic Pottery Vase, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Midcentury Ceramic Pottery Vase, 1960s
Beautiful and quite rare ceramic - pottery vase designed by Aldo Londi and made by Bitossi, Italy, during the 1...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
California Design Studio Stoneware Weed Pot / Vase Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
California design studio stoneware weed pot / vase, circa 1970s. The pot is in very good vintage condition and measures 7.7"D x 6.5"H. The piece is signed on the underside. #3805
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Tashiko Tazaezu Signed Japanese Hawaiian Studio Pottery Glazed Chawan Tea Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and quite engaging sumptuously glazed Chawan tea bowl by famed Japanese Hawaiian American pottery master Toshiko Takaezu. The fired porcelain bowl features a vast array of dark-shifting, vibrant glazes (with muted earth tones of blacks, burnt yellows, and brown greens). It is a unique and one-of-a-kind work.
The bowl is signed on the base with her traditional "TT" mark/ monogram.
A rare and special piece. Would be a great addition to any collectors of Toshiko's work or other Mid-Century Modern...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Pottery
Collection of Antique Italian Folk Art Painted Stone Fruit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Stone Fruit set of intricately crafted decorative pieces from the early 20th century includes lifelike representations of a peach, pear, orange, lemon, plum, and two figs, all m...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stone
Albert Chubac, Painting, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008),
Acrylic painting on cardboard,
Stamped,
France, circa 1960.
Measures: Height 100 cm, width 140 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After studying decorative art, then at the Beaux-Arts in Geneva, he obtained grants to travel to Italy, Algeria, Spain, Egypt and Greece, stages which will mark his work.
He settled in 1964 on the Côte d ‘Azur in Aspremont in a very Spartan house, attracted by the light, the sun and the colors of nature.
The year 1967 is the year of the establishment of the School of Nice. He will work and exhibit alongside Aman, César, Tinguely, Gilli, Ben, Rayse, etc ...
In 1990, it was the consecration with the opening of MAMAC in Nice. Albert Chubac then becomes accessible to the general public.
He will use solid primary colors, will develop modifiable structures and then develop the collages in three dimensions.
Gradually, he broke away from his classical training and figuration to move towards abstraction through the encounters and influences of contemporary artists.
Always in search of simplicity, He will radically limit the plastic means with a reduced palette, geometric shapes and simple gestures to concentrate on minimum conditions of possibility.
His work, which lies between constructivism and geometric abstraction, is playful and imbued with the artist's joie de vivre.
In 2004, following the major retrospective at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice, he donated around one hundred works to the City of Nice.
Albert Chubac died in 2008 in Tourrette-Levens, near Aspremont.
Bibliography:
- Albert Chubac, MAMAC Nice, Cultures Nice Editions, 2004.
- Albert Chubac: exhibition, Nice, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, January 29 - May 16, 2004.
- Albert Chubac, Galerie Harter, 2013.
- Albert Chubac, a lifetime of artist, Patrick Boussu and Cynthia Lemesle, South Art éditions, 2021.
During the workshop auctions in Nice and Marseille, the Harter Gallery acquired the largest part of his work.
Personal exhibitions:
- 1950: Personal exhibition in Athens at the Zappéion museum.
- 1954: Exhibition at the Arman Gallery in Geneva.
- 1956: Exhibition at the Galerie Connaître in Geneva.
- 1957: Exhibition at the Galerie La Palette in Zurich.
- 1958: Exhibition at the Galerie L’Entracte in Lausanne.
- 1960: Exhibition at the World House Gallery in New York.
- 1967: Exhibition at the Galerie Loo in Geneva, at the Salon Comparaison in Paris, Aspects in Chexbres in Switzerland.
- 1968: “Paintings” exhibitions from March 30 to May 11 at the Galerie Alexandre de la Salle.
- 1970: Exhibition at the Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture de Magnan in Nice, at the Maison de la Culture Le Corbusier in Firminy entitled "Chubac recent works" and at the Galerie Royal Luxembourg in Nice.
- 1971: Exhibition at the Galerie Germain in Paris and at the Fernand Léger School in Malakoff.
- 1972: Exhibition on the village square of Aspremont, at the Galerie Royal Luxembourg in Nice.
- 1973: Exhibition at the Galerie Ferrero in Nice.
- 1974: Exhibition at Art-club in Antibes.
- 1975: Exhibition at the Galerie Jacques Boudin rue de Dijon in Nice.
- 1978: Exhibition at the Galerie Anne Roger in Nice.
- 1980: Exhibition at the Galerie de la Salle in Saint-Paul de Vence from August 8 to September 9.
- 1981: Exhibition at Lieu 5 in Nice from February 13 to March 20.
- 1983: Exhibition at the Galerie d'Art Contemporain in Nice, at Anne Roger.
- 1984: Exhibition "Lille Nice" at the Galerie GodArt in Lille from April 14 to May 17 and at the Galerie Luisella d´Alessandro in Turin.
- 1985: Exhibition in Thonon les Bains at the Galerie Galise.
- 1988: Exhibitions at Galerie Argéco in Nice and Galerie Triade in Barbizon
- 1989: Exhibitions at the Galerie de la Salle, at Lola Gassin's in Nice, in galleries in Nice
- 1990: he made four mobiles for the MAMAC in Nice, Exhibitions at the Galerie François Moulin in Lyon and Golden Gallery, ArtJunction in Nice.
- 1991: Exhibition at the Galerie de la Salle in Saint-Paul.
- 1992: Exhibitions at the Espace du consulat suisse in Nice, Besançon and opening of the Espace Chubac in Tourrette-Levens.
- 1993: Exhibition at the Maison Comoni in Revest-les-Eaux, at the Galerie François Moulin in Lyon.
- 1994: Exhibition at the Espace Caravadossi in Aspremont.
- 1996: Exhibition at the Espace Dellile in Nice.
- 1997: Exhibition at the Galerie de la Salle in Saint-Paul.
- 1998: Last personal exhibition at the Galerie de la Salle in Saint-Paul.
- 2000: Exhibition at Lympia college in Nice.
- 2001: Exhibition at the Espace Chubac in Tourette-Levens.
- 2002: Exhibition at the Galerie Scholtès in Nice and in Carcès in the Var entitled "Albert Chubac-Couleurs mobiles".
- 2004: Great Albert Chubac retrospective at MAMAC in Nice.
- 2011: Permanent exhibition at the Galerie Harter in Nice.
- 2012: Exhibition at the Olympia Show in London at the Christopher Jones Gallery and at the Serge Castella Interiors Gallery in Bascara, Spain.
- 2013: Exhibition at the Municipal Contemporary Art Gallery of Pochettes in Nice.
- 2019/2021: Exhibition of works belonging to the permanent collection of MAMAC in Nice and exhibition "Geometry according to Albert Chubac" at the Galerie Harter in Nice.
- 2021/2021: Permanent exhibition at Galerie Atelier 55...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Raul Coronel Signed Mid-Century Modern Large Heavy Ceramic Pottery Bowl, 1960s
By Raul Coronel
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully made and colored heavy bowl by Mexican born ceramic master Raul Coronel who played an important role in the American (he became a naturalized citizen) / California design movement of the 1950s-1970s alongside Peter Voulkos, Beatrice Wood, Gertrud & Otto Natzler, Otto & Vivika Heino, to name but a few.
This bowl features a deep oceanic green crackle glass...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware
1950’s Enamel and Neon Corner Sign Cafe
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s enamel and neon corner Cafe sign. It has new transformer and wiring. Please note that there will be additional fee for making shipping crate.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Hawaiian Artist Hand Carved Turned Wood Vessel Garniture Sculpture Vase Chalice
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and unusually shaped wood-turned vessel / sculpture / chalice. Very well crafted.
Noted: "Norfolk Pine. Carved in Hawaii" by the artist on the base.
From a collection of...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Pine
Vintage Christmas nutcracker wood figure, Erzgebirge Germany 1970
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage wooden nutcracker figurine from the Ore Mountains.
The Erzgebirge region, formerly East Germany, is famous for this special type of nutcracker,
where their home is a special...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll Textiles & Objects
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Linen, Silk
50cm Louis Vuitton Trunk, 1940s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Louis Vuitton trunk from the 1940s. 50 cm wide. Perfect for weekend trips or for storing items in the house. Case has "Louis Vuitton, Made In France, 149620" impressed on fro...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Large Opaline Glass Coffee Bar Sign Saved During Refurbishment, this very good
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Opaline Glass Coffee Bar Sign
Saved During Refurbishment, this very good quality piece is framed in solid Walnut, the sign itself “COFFEE” is on very attractive Opaline glas...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Art Glass
Iconic Vintage PH5 Chandelier for L. Poulsen of DK with Art Work
Located in Søborg, DK
An Iconic Vintage PH5 chandelier by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen of Denmark from the 1970s with abstract art work by Gallery Sixty One.
The art work ...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
$408 Sale Price
57% Off
Mid-Century Mermaid Rope Lamp Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Midcentury mermaid rope lamp by Audoux Minet
Measures: Height / 13.5".
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Flag 1953
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH Queen Elizabeth 2nd, June 2nd 1953.
Due To The Size This Flag Would Have Been Used Strun...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
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 parents. She grew up in the artistic Silver Lake district near downtown Los Angeles amongst Mexican and Nisei Japanese immigrants. As a result, De Larios was heavily influenced by ancient American...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Christmas Big Nutcracker, Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
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 their ho...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Alexandre Noll 1930s Turned Wood Bowl
Located in New York, NY
An original 1930s turned wood sculptural wood bowl by famed French craftsman, Alexandre Noll. Signed
Category
1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Beatrice Wood Signed Mid-Century California Studio Pottery Red Lava Glaze Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful jewel of a piece by famed American/California ceramicist/artist Beatrice Wood featuring a rare radiant red lava glaze - one that we have not seen before (It is quite some...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery
5 Large Japanese Blue and White Tea Cups of Mid-Century Studio Pottery
Located in Norton, MA
5 large Japanese blue and white tea cups of mid-century studio pottery,
depicting large fishes and shrimps.
In good original new con...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Iconic Vintage Ph5 Chandelier for Louis Poulsen of Dk with Abstract Art Work
Located in Søborg, DK
Iconic Vintage PH5 chandelier by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen of Denmark from the 1990s with abstract art work by G61.
Entitled “ Maasai”
The art w...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
$424 Sale Price
55% Off
Pair of Witco Tiki Carved Cedar Wood Meathead Cat Sculpture Figures
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Rare pair of Witco Meathead cat sculptures. The two solid cedar wood carved Meathead cats come complete with their eyes intact. We are mentioning this because these cats are often missing their signature orange and white eyes. These nearly 3-foot tall Witco cats look strikingly similar to the character “Meathead” in the film Meatballs 2.
Vintage 1960s-1970s, carved from solid swamp cedar wood. If you’re into Tiki, then you probably know Witco. Collector’s adore Witco for it’s wild design. The company went full-force in capturing the zeitgeist of exotica in the 1960s. Polynesian, Asian, and tropical culture and aesthetics began to make their way into American homes. Elvis movies and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” introduced America to tiki, Mai Tais and Luas. It’s still tiki time in the hearts of Witco collectors. These larger than life cats are the perfect mascot for your island lounge.
We have several more pieces from Witco including the tall Siamese and trio of smaller cats, a sofa, dining set, conquistador chairs, wall mounted shield...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
Jacques Migeon Grey Stoneware Ceramic Tea Pot La Borne 1970 Design Unique Piece
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jacques Migeon - La Borne
20th grey stoneware ceramic tea pot
Unique handmade piece
French mid century design
Signed under the base
Original perfect condition
Heigh...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Mask by N Dala, Congo, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful ceramic mask by N. Dala. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Perfect original conditions, 1975.
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Mid-Century Round Rope Mirror Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Round nautical rope mirror Audoux Minet, circa 1960.
Size: 13 inches diameter.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope, Mirror
Bob Stocksdale Signed Mid-Century Modern Turned Walnut Wood Charger Platter
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisitely crafted, large wood charger/platter by American California master Woodturner Bob Stocksdale.
Signed, dated (1980) and marked ("Black Waln...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Walnut
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.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Mid-Century Rope Lamp Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Midcentury rope lamp by Audoux Minet, circa 1960.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope, Plastic
Square Mirror Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, circa 1960
Located in Austin, TX
Square Mirror Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, circa 1960.
Seagrass rope braided.
19.5 inches on 19.5 inches.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Mirror, Seagrass
Mid-century female mannequin from Siegel & Stockman, Paris, 1950s
By Siegel Paris
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
Children Rocking Wooden Toy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very beautiful children's rocking chair in beech plywood minimalist craftsmanship the design of the rocking chair is essentially a nod to the shape of a swinging banana!
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Bentwood
$622 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Wood & Rope Oval Gueridon Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Oval Mid-Century wood & rope gueridon Audoux Minet, Circa 1960.
Height / 19 inches.
Diameter / 23 inches by 15.5 inches.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
20th Century, Corrado Corradi dell'Acqua for Azucena Photo Frame Structure
Located in Turin, Turin
Founded in 1947 by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Ignazio Gardella, and Corrado Corradi Dell'Acqua, the Italian brand Azucena has always stood out for its collections that combine formal el...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Incredible Mid-Century Modern Craft Dry Bar Box Sculpture
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For the collector in mind. This Modern crafted and absurdly over complicated design is just fantastic. One of a kind and beautifully executed, utilizing master joinery techniques. Having all the hallmarks of 1970.s art /design at its climax.
Made from black walnut and inset cork details this sculpture has mounted gears on the outside if the box. When turing the crank the dowel pin releases the lock enabling you to open the top. Inside the box reveals a high pile carpet...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Beatrice Wood Signed Volcanic Ash Blue Iridescent Luster Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
Famed California Mid-Century Modern artist Beatrice wood signed bowl featuring her highly coveted deep ash blue iridescent lustre/luster glaze. In certain light, the glaze radiates as a purple hue in some areas. The glaze runs down the sides and gathers in areas underneath.
This piece comes with an interesting history/ provenance. This piece came from Beatrice's personal collection. She was using it as a coin and key holder in her Ojai house which accounts for the cracks in the glaze. It was gifted to Maria Anderson who assisted Beatrice around her home. We considered having the work restored but because of its history feel that it offers more value to the next owner as shown. This was apparently the condition it was given in as Wood was famous for noting about her work that objects that are not quite perfect are simply that...perfect because of their imperfections. A very Wabi-Sabi view. Flawed Beauty.
We love the piece and the history.
Signed with her customary "Beato" on the underside.
Would be an amazing addition to any collection of her work or a fabulous, eye-catching Stand-alone piece in any setting, Mid-Century Modern or otherwise.
Know famously in the art world as "The Mama of Dada...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware
Dutch Hand Made Mid-Century Brutalist Vase in the Style of Jaap Ravelli
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and striking mid-century Dutch Brutalist orange glazed art pottery vase possibly by Jaap Ravelli (1916-2011) and dating from around 1960. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Curious Grandpa Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Curious Grandpa" head resembles a man with white hair and curious facial expression, sadly the ...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Beatrice Wood Signed Mid-Century California Pottery Dark Lava Luster Glaze Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed work by famed American California Studio master ceramist Beatrice Wood featuring a gorgeous, dark, iridescent metallic volcanic lava crater luster (lustre) gla...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery
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
Beatrice Wood Signed Midcentury Monumental Large Figurative Luster Glaze Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
We try not to use the term "museum quality" often but in the case of his particular work, it is more than apt.
A simply breathtaking piece by famed American ceramicist Beatrice Wo...
Category
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
Italian Large Majolica Terracotta Sculpture with Lustre by Adolfo Merlone, 1950s
Majolica terracotta sculpture decorated with lustre glazes in shades of red, blue and yellow depicti...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Maiolica, Terracotta
Mid-Century Rope Pendant Chandelier Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Rope sphere pendant or chandelier Audoux Minet, circa 1960 with white opaline glass.
Height / 13" the lamp ,total 25.5" with the rope, diameter / 12 inches.
Nautical style.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rope, Glass
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 Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 10 Traditional Antique Button Soccer Game Figures, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of ten table button soccer game players. Traditional figures used to play this classic button Spanish game. Manufactured in Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
$299 Sale Price / item
87% Off
1967 Vanguard Studios Don Quixote Spanish Conquistador Wall Sculpture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Commanding Spanish Conquistador wall sculpture, vintage 1967 by Vanguard Studios. The image is actually carved from a hardened foam type material but looks like wood. No detail was s...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paint, Foam
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Doug Ayers Signed California Artist Organic Natural Wood Turned Weed Vase Vessel
By Doug Ayers
Located in Studio City, CA
A very beautifully made and sculpted wood-turned weed pot vase by famed American/California (Mendocino, CA) artist/ sculptor Doug Ayers. The organic wood grain and shifting colors ar...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Pair of Iconic Vintage Ph5 Chandeliers for L. Poulsen of Dk with Art Work
Located in Søborg, DK
Iconic Vintage PH5 chandelier by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen of Denmark from the 1990s with abstract art work by G61.
Titled “Cherry Blossom”
The art work is acrylic paint w...
Category
1990s Danish Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
$1,080 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Midcentury Lucite Bathroom Set, Towel Bar, Toilet Paper Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool Mid-Century Modern Lucite bathroom set including three towel bars and a toilet paper holder, circa 1970s. The set is in very good vintage condition and measures: Paper to...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Lucite
$400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Toshiko Takaezu Signed Japanese Shigaraki Ware Pottery Chawan Yunomi Tea Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
An absolutely beautiful and extremely rare Shigarakai Yaki Ware Chawan tea bowl / Yunomi cup by famed Japanese Hawaiian American pottery master Toshiko Takaezu. The work features a gorgeous dripped glaze over a anagama kiln fired Shigaraki clay body. It is a unique and one-of-a-kind work with a very Wabi-Sabi feel to it.
The piece is signed on the base with her traditional "TT" mark / monogram.
Shigaraki Ware pottery comes from Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The kiln there is one of six ancient kilns in Japan (along with Echizen ware, Seto ware, Bizen ware, Tamba ware, and Tokoname ware).
In 1993, Toshiko was invited to Japan by Shiro Otani to work with the quartz rich clay and local artists/potters at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. In 1995 she made the journey there to work in master Japanese ceramicist Shiho Kanzaki's studio in Shigaraki,. We believe this work was likely created at this time. It appears few pieces that she made during this particular visit exists today as we have only seen one other work - another Chawan - that she created during this trip (The works were fired in Kanzaki's anagama kiln in February 1996 and subsequently shipped back to Toshiko in New Jersey).
This particular work also encompasses the Japanese Wabi-Sabi aesthetic - the appreciation of beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete in nature and embraces the principles of asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy, and the appreciation of both natural objects and the forces of nature upon them.
Would be a great addition to any collectors of Toshiko's work or Japanese/Hawaiian pottery...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Restored Long Two-Strand Rattan Wall Mirror W/ Stick Reed Rattan Border
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored Frankl style rectangular rattan mirror features a single-strand rattan frame with an inner stick rattan border. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo,...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rattan
Arthur Court Aluminum Torso Bust
By Arthur Court
Located in Westport, CT
Arthur court aluminum men's torso bust.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Hand Painted Double Sided English Fairground Sign
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Hand Painted Double Sided English Fairground Sign
A genuine English mid-20th Century double sided hand painted fairground sign. Better Game, Better Sport, Better Tr...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
La Borne Brown Stoneware Ceramic Table Lamp 20th Century Design 1970
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne
Unique handmade piece, stoneware ceramic table lamp
Brown stoneware ceramic color
Original perfect condition
Circa 1970
Measures: Height 23 cm
Height with el...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970s
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
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
George Washington Memorabilia
Mexican Drum
Parade Shield
34 Star Flag
39 Star American Flag
39 Star Flag
Antique Cotton Basket
Carved Ship Figurehead
Fertility Wooden Figure
Painted Pantry Boxes
Wood And Hide Drum
38 Star Flag
Antique Copper Rooster Weathervane
Antique Horse Weathervanes
Antique Native American Bow
Antique Weathervane Horse
Folk Art Whirligig
Native American Beaded Dress