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 Like New IBM "Think" Sign in Irish / Gaelic "Smaoinigh" - Rare
Rare and collectible vintage IBM "Think" sign in Irish / Gaelic "Smaoinigh" in the manner of Paul Rand’s corporate graphic design system for IBM, circa 1960s. A wonderful and brigh...
Plastic
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in poli...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Vintage Toy Carriage with Horse, Steel & Leather
Located in Milano, IT
Nice vintage Italian toy of the 50's for girl, of Italian manufacture. The toy is a pretty carriage with its horse attached for little girl, the carriage still has working its pedals...
Steel
Carl Auböck Model #5663 'Shell' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #5663 'Shell' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per it...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Each piece is stampe...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5608 'Donkey' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5608 'Donkey' Brass Figurine Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per ite...
Brass
1960s General Motors Gas Turbine Concept Model
Located in Ferndale, MI
Attributed to General Motors as part of the gas turbine Bison Concepts Series. Possibly by Syd Mead or Tom Semple . The gas turbine Bison series of ve...
Plastic
US Air Force Aluminum Airplane Model Wooden Base, 1970s Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Scaled model of the a US Air Force airplane. made of aluminum with a wooden base. A nice sculpture for every living room or desktop. Use it at as a Pictur...
Metal
Old Vintage School Molecular Model Czech 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
This old atomic model from chemistry class in the 1970s is made of plastic and comes from school in the former Czechoslovakia. Very decorative and in good condition with signs of we...
Acrylic, Plywood
Vintage Empire State Building Model in Metal
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool vintage Empire State building model in metal, circa 1960s. The piece has a great well worn patina and measures 4.25"W x 2.75"D x 11.5"H. #4369
Metal
Vintage IBM "Think" Sign in Norwegian "Tenk" - Rare
Rare and collectible vintage IBM "Think" sign in Norwegian "Tenk" in the manner of Paul Rand’s corporate graphic design system for IBM, circa 1960s. A wonderful and bright nostalgic...
Plastic
SAILING YATCH Magnificent Scale Model Ship In Fine Wood Oversized With Stand
Located in Miami, FL
A scale model ship of a Sailing Ship. This is a very nice scale model of an historical Sailing Ship. created around the 1960 and 1970. Beautiful craftmanship with very nice details ...
Brass, Bronze
Statue of Liberty Souvenir Building Grand Tour Metal Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Statue of Liberty souvenir statue is being offered from a major estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Guaranteed old, original and as...
Metal
Vintage Japanese Brass Pocket Watch Wall Barometer, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An unusual Japanese suspended wall weather station - barometer in the shape of an old school pocket watch. Made by Landex Royal Craft in Japan circ...
Metal, Brass
Vitra Miniature "Wiggle Side" Chair by Frank Gehry Designed in 1972
By Frank Gehry, Vitra
Located in Naples, IT
For more than two decades, the Vitra Design Museum has been making miniature replicas of the most important pieces of its design furniture collection. The Miniatures Collection summa...
Wood
Vintage Italian Plexiglass Gear Knob w. Shell Micro-Cosmos, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unique Gear knob/shifter knob in plexiglass glass with incapsulated ocean shells. Tri-color plexiglass symbolizing the sun, the sand/earth and the ocean. Made in Italy during the 196...
Steel
Vintage IBM "Think" Pad by Paul Rand, Plastic, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Rare and collectible vintage IBM "Think" pad in the manner of Paul Rand’s corporate graphic design system for IBM, circa 1960s. The pad is in very good unused condition and measures ...
Plastic
Astonishing 1970s Ponant Model Ship, Handmade Walnut Wood, England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Ponant model ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of history. Dimension: ...
Wood
Industrial Turners Cube Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice scaled model of a turner cube made in the 1970s. This unique object, termed a Turner’s Cube, was traditionally an exercise given to a novice machinist to test their knowledge ...
Metal
Valentino Garavani Alligator Leather Satchel Bag
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a collectible Valentino Garavani Alligator Leather Satchel Bag. It depict a trapezoid like shaped dark brown leather purse with a rect...
Metal
Ceramic Easter Egg from Atelier Madoura, circa 1960s
By Madoura
Located in London, GB
Vintage ceramic egg figure from Atelier Madoura, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). This egg-sized ceramic figure is painted with a stylized suited man w...
Ceramic
Berlin Radio Tower Brass on Wooden Base Scale Design Model, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Scaled model of the Berlin Radio tower. Rare collectible in metal on a wooden base. A nice architectural sculpture for every living or desktop. Made in the 1930s this item will be a ...
Brass, Copper
Vintage Wood IBM "Think" Sign
Rare and collectible vintage wood IBM "Think" sign in the manner of Paul Rand’s corporate graphic design system for IBM, circa 1950s. A wonderful and nostalgic piece of corporate Am...
Wood
Ceramic Easter Egg from Atelier Madoura 'circa 1960s'
By Madoura
Located in London, GB
Vintage ceramic egg figure from Atelier Madoura, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). This egg-sized ceramic figure is painted with a stylized suited man w...
Ceramic
Ceramic Peacock Bird Sculpture with Flowers in Blue, Yellow and Green
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty brightly painted ceramic sculpture of a peacock. This piece depicts a bird with bright blue yellow and green features, perched upon a tree stump ...
Ceramic, Paint
Italian 1950s Wicker Half Bust Mannequin
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s wicker half bust mannequin.
Wicker
Vintage Hand-Engraved Perpetual Calendar in Brass, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hand-engraved perpetual calendar in brass. Shaped as a lion featuring the option of setting the day, month and year. Originally made as a 28 years calendar from 1967-1994. The Gregor...
Brass
Large Mid-Century Modern Tv-Tower Collection of 8 pcs., 1970s / 1980s Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Wonderful TV towers from the 1960s-1970s. Some made of steel, metal, aluminum, bronze. The little one golden ist made in plastic. Various heights from 22cm to 47cm! Have the normal...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Solid Bronze Female Torso II
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid bronze sculpture. This piece features the female form. A beautiful display piece for a shelf or paperweight. Signed G. Shaw. Dimensions 2" width x 2.25" depth x 4.75" height. ...
Bronze
Cased Architectural Model with House and Property
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine detailed model diorama made for a potential client possibly in Florida or California. A white washed four part house with gable roofs, and an openwork frame for the lanai cove...
Lucite
Sailing Training Ship Full-Rigged Ship Elli in the Display Case 1958 Denmark
Located in Hannover, DE
This beautiful, handcrafted sailing training ship was built in the late 1950s. The work is very detailed and neatly executed. The shipbuilder has created a true work of art here. The...
Brass
Big Size French Georgio Armani Glasses Tortoise Shell Case
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this very large mid-twentieth century French faux tortoise shell glass case factice features a pair of large wire rim glasses. Both the case and glasses are marked Georgio Armani...
Glass
Three-Dimensional Anatomical Midcentury Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting representing human respiratory system, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker ...
Plaster, Wood
Midcentury Kids Mechanical Pedal Car, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
In good original condition No damages Fully functional For kids.
Steel
Silver Lion Fish Model Signed by Mario Bucellati A fine piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Silver Lion Fish Model Signed by Mario Bucellati A fine piece from one of the most prestigious jewellers of the world, this realistic freestanding model is made by and signed Mario...
Silver
Vintage Gloster Meteor F4 Airplane Model with Postcard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage Gloster Meteor F4 Airplane Model with desk model with black and white postcard, circa 1960s. The model is in very good condition and measures 9.5" wingspan x 8.5...
Metal
Carl Aubock Table Brush 1950 Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Aubock table brush, mid-20th century. Crafted from warm walnut and fitted with genuine boar-bristle hair, this piece exemplifies the workshop’s distinctive blend of natural mate...
Nutwood
Vintage "Alumaroll" Awning Salesman Sample Display
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1940s-1950s; Alumaroll Awning Company - Rochester, NY Portable traveling salesman sample display produced by the Alumaroll Awning Company to demonstrate the operation and appeara...
Metal, Aluminum
Italian Mid Century Lacquer/Vellum Table Screen, Canaletto Style View of Venice
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian mid century Lacquer/Vellum table screen -Canaletto style view of Venice Italy, Circa 1960s A stunning diminutive work, in four parts beautifully ...
Metal
Abstract Sculpture
Located in Rochester, NY
A striking metal sculpture of a fish. Iron with gold gilt decoration. Probably Asian.
Metal, Iron
Vintage Design Patent Mack Trucks Bull Dog Figurine, Statue, Animal Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Design Patent Mack trucks bulldog figurine, statue, animal sculpture. Silvered Bronze Bull Dog mounted on a wooden Base. Marked Mack, 87931, Design ...
Bronze
Inge-Glas, Mackenzie Child, and Christopher Radko Christmas Ornaments, Set of 20
By Mackenzie Childs, Christopher Radko
Located in Sarasota, FL
A set of 20 hand blown, hand painted glass Christmas ornaments. Includes a collection of teddy bear ornaments with an Inge-Glas "Yankee Doodle Teddy" and Christopher Radko "Heartfel...
Blown Glass
Carl Auböck Model #5732 'Hand' Brass Keyring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5732 'Hand' Brass Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per item. Availabl...
Brass
Large French Vintage Meccanaval "Wandera" Yacht Model, circa 1960
Located in MONTPELLIER, FR
An impressive large-scale handcrafted model of the Meccanaval "Wandera" Diesel Yacht, built from the original Meccanaval/MRB plans during the 1960s. Measuring approximately 150 cm (...
Metal, Brass
Vintage "Campbell"s Tomato Soup Can" Bank
Located in San Diego, CA
A cool vintage "Campbell"s Tomato Soup" can bank, circa 1980s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 5.5"D x 9.5"H. Fun piece that is made of plastic! #3779
Plastic
BICYCLE 1960 Italian Superb Scale Model In .925 Sterling Silver With Blue Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
An Italian scale model of a bicycle. A very unusual scale model of a bicycle created in Italy during the mid-20th century, circa 1960s. This finely detailed model is masterfully han...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Carl Auböck Model #5655 'Seahorse' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #5655 'Seahorse' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per...
Brass
Vintage 1930 Racing Car Stainless Steel Scale Model, Highly Detailed accessory
Located in Milano, IT
Car Model - Bookcase accessory - Decorative Sculpture Stunning contemporary reproduction of a vintage racing car from the 1930s. The streamlined body, inline engine, wheels and das...
Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Salterini Iron Peacock Salesman Sample Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Phenomenal pair of miniature wrought iron peacock chairs designed by John Salterini. This diminutive set of doll size chairs were made as sa...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Cast Aluminum Stylized Airplane Model or Sculpture & Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This airplane model or sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and dating to approximately 1945 and done in the period streamlined Mid-Century M...
Metal, Aluminum
Seifert Collector's Model Catamaran "Cat1," Germany 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Seifert vintage collectible catamaran boat produced in Germany in the early 1970s. The hull is finished in red and white vacuum plastic with a painted mahogany wood deck. This catama...
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
Vintage tri-ang tin toy car, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage toy car from the english brand 'Tri-ang'. The charm is in the wear and tear of this item, it makes this little truck very attractive and decorative. Good original conditio...
Metal
Vintage Collection of 47 Murano Glass Miniature Animals, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. These 47 miniatures are made in hand-modeled Murano glass. They are all between 1 to 10 centimeters. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces...
Murano Glass
Handmade 1970s Victoria 1828" Model Ship in Walnut, England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing handmade "Circa Victoria 1828" Model Ship. Made in England. Featuring a painted navy and white hull, intricate rigging, and aged canvas sails, this piece is a perfe...
Wood
Vintage Italian Glazed Ceramic Cat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of whimsical charm to your space with this vintage Italian glazed ceramic cat sculpture, featuring an intricately sculpted feline perched atop a bold yellow pedestal...
Ceramic
Vintage tri-ang tin toy car, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage toy car from the english brand 'Tri-ang'. The charm is in the wear and tear of this item, it makes this little truck very attractive and decorative. Good original condition...
Metal
1985 Think Big!, Huge Safety Pin
By Think Big
Located in Weesp, NL
Huge safety pin 1985 Think Big! This rare Pop Art piece is in great condition. No cracks or damage. Think Big! was a retail store originally established in New York City in 1979. It ...
Stainless Steel
Large Old Vintage School Molecular Model Czech 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
This old atomic model from chemistry class in the 1970s is made of plastic and comes from school in the former Czechoslovakia. Very decorative and in good condition with signs of we...
Acrylic, Plywood
Old Vintage School Molecular Model Czech 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
This old atomic model from chemistry class in the 1970s is made of plastic and comes from school in the former Czechoslovakia. Very decorative and in good condition with signs of we...
Acrylic, Plywood