Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Vintage Reproduction Folio, Chinese Design, English, William Chambers, C.1969
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage reproduction folio, A Design of Chinese Buildings, Furniture etc. An unbound reprint of the 18th century original by Sir William...
Category
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
French Sculptural Bronze Bracelet 'La Manif" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze bracelet by Line Vautrin (1913-1997), circa 1945-46. The design is known as "La Manif" or "La Manifestation", which features a chain of arm-linked figurines. Monogramme...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Carl Auböck Humidor, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Humidor, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Aluminum
Italian Vintage Brass and Velvet Evening Handbag Night Out Purse Clutch Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Italian vintage brass and velvet night out purse, shoulder bag, clutch or handbag.
Marked inside, made in Italy.
Measures: Length of chain 36 inches.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Casin FM-135 Camera
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Casin FM-135 Camera. labeled as "Fashion Camera", it is a 35 mm camera, produced in the 1980s/1990s, in an attempt to combine simplicity, modern design and accessibility. Made of bla...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Peruvian 18k Gold & Sterling Sterling Bird Brooch w/ Turquoise Inlaid
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Peruvian geometric design 18k gold and sterling silver bird openwork broch that exudes elegance with its finely detailed design. The bird's delicate form is accented by a vivid turqu...
Category
1950s Peruvian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Silver
$159 Sale Price
40% Off
Gilt Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze brooch "Moise ou la Traversee du Desert" by French Jeweler Line Vautrin, circa 1940s.
The patinated surface features amazing details illustrating the biblical story of Moses crossing the desert out of Egypt...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
20th Century French Iron, Walnut Spotlight, Cinema Floor Spot Lamp by Clémançon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey-black, vintage Mid-Century Modern French spotlight made of handcrafted lacquered iron, designed and produced by Clémançon in good condition. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
1950s Atomic Energy Commission Building Office Logo Wall Plaque AEC Oppenheimer
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The AEC seal is one of those great totems of the atomic age. A largely symmetrical and stylized representation of an atom (the highly toxic beryllium), it is strikingly more straightforward than the seals of its successor organizations. The design and design philosophy is very characteristic of the Mid-Century Era. This large rare plaque was only used in official locations of the Atomic Energy Department.
The AEC officially came into existence and took over from the Manhattan Project...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
'Cool Hand Luke' Original Vintage Australian Daybill Movie Poster, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
An uber cool Australian Daybill for the 1967 American prison drama 'Cool Hand Luke' starring Paul Newman in an Oscar nominated performance as the titular anti-hero, a free spirited prisoner who refuses to conform to the system, as indicated by the poster's tagline "The man... and the motion picture that simply do not conform." Acclaimed as one of the key movies of the 1960s, the film's anti-establishment ethos touched a nerve during a time of growing opposition to the Vietnam War. The Australian Daybill was printed using stone lithography based on US artist James Bama...
Category
1960s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1960s Orb Ashtray Mod Psychedelic Orange Mid-Century Plastic + Steel Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful sculptural orange orb ashtray from the 1960s German era of ABS Plastics manufacturing dominance. Harder to find and highly collectible decor. J...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
Life-Size Wicker Sculpture of Harley Davidson Motorcycle
Located in New York, NY
Dimensions: 30" W x 71" L x 41" H
This extraordinary sculpture is a life-size replica of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, intricately handcrafted from natural wicker. The attention to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rattan
Mid Century Aviation Vintage Desk Airplane Over Globe Model, 1940s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Aviation Model. Vintage aluminium display airplane model. The model is a mixture of Art Deco and midcentury design. It is mounted over a silvered ball...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1940s Los Castillo Abstract Cross Mahogany Wood + Sterling Silver Mexico
By Los Castillo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Modernist Abstract Sterling Silver Cross in Mahogany Wood. Mexico,
Attribution to Los Castillo of Mexico
4.5 H x 2.75 W x .5
Original Unrestored Vintage Preowned Condition.
Ple...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
The Elvis Encyclopedia
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Elvis Encyclopedia.A Must Have For Any Elvis Collection.The Complete and Definitive Reference Book on the King of Rock & Roll The Elvis Encyclopedia By David E. Stanley with Fran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Nikon RF10 Camera
By Nikon
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Nikon RF10 camera. Compact 35mm camera launched in the 1990s, ideal for casual and travel photography. With an ergonomic design in matt black plastic and discreet red details, this p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Curtis Jere Tic - Tac - Toe Onyx and Metal Sculptures or Bookends
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Saint Louis, MO
One of a kind Curtis Jere onyx and metal Tic Tac Toe sculptures or bookends, sold individually or as a pair. All of Jere's Tic Tac Toe sculptures are unique ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx, Metal
Edward Wormley Exhibition Catalog
Located in New York, NY
76-page catalog from the exhibition "Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism," held at the Lin Weinberg Gallery in 1997. The exhibit helped re-introduce Wormley's work to the mar...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Italian Mid-Century Modern Professional Chess Board with Pawns, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Professional chess board with pawns, 1980s
Professional chessboard in metal, wood and plastic. The game board measures 37.5 x 37.5 cm and the single box measures 4.37 x 4.37 cm. The ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$952 Sale Price
20% Off
Abercrombie & Fitch Hand-Stitched Leather Pumpkin by Omersa & Company
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Abercrombie & Fitch hand-stitched leather pumpkin by Omersa & Company. The wide selection of leather items designed by Dimitri Omersa were used for display and foo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
'Motorpsycho' Original Vintage Movie Poster, American, 1965
Located in Devon, GB
"Cyclemaniacs assaulting and killing for thrills! Bike riding hoodlums flat-out on their murder cycles."
A motorcycle blasts through the newspaper headlines on this explosive US O...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Berkel Slicer Model 115 20th Century
By Berkel 2
Located in Milano, IT
Berkel model 115 slicer, red paint finish, European production in the 1950s. Features flower flywheel, 37-cm blade and cast-iron pedestal. Complete, restored and fully functional.
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Steel
Danish Flag Post on Marble Stand with Royal Monogram of King Frederik IX, 1947
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish flag post with Dannebrog on a marble stand with Royal Monogram of King Frederik IX.
The flag post is most likely made for the coronation of the Ki...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Silver Plate
Le Regard D'Alan
Located in New York, NY
Hardcover catalog of an auction held on 6 October 1991 at Binoche et Godeau dispersing the collection of Alan Grizot (b. 1945), legendary gallerist and pioneering promoter and marke...
Category
1990s North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$475
Les Porcelainiers du XVIII Siecle Francais, 1964, french, Connaissance des Arts
By Hachette et Cie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Serge Gauthier, director de la manufacture nationale de Sevres,
conservateur du musee municipal de Limoges wrote the preface
to this book.
The story of French Porcellain is fascinati...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
1960s Hanging Brass Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Temperature Gauge
1960s Modern Decorative Brass Hanging Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Solid Brass and Cork
10 tall 3.5 tall with handle x 1.13 in diameter
Preowned original...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Milton Glaser 'Am., 1929 -2020' Sword Swallower, Painting Le Cirque Ny
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-dine destinations in New York for glitterati and foodies alike. No matter the location, monkeys and circus themes remained a design staple of the iconic restaurant. Although the landmark restaurant's NYC doors are now closed, We are pleased to offer items from the famed restaurant.
Sword Swallower - Large Original Mural on...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Italian Vintage Crucifix in Bronze and Iron
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful vintage crucifix of fine Italian manufacture from the 1950s.
The vintage crucifix was made with nickel plated iron and gilded bronze. The v...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Iron
$857 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Spiral Gumball Machine
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Spiral Gumball Machine
Vintage Spiral Spin N Drop Gumball Machine - allows all kids to see the gumball make its way down without blinking an eye. Cool piece to add to a play...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
An antique hand-painted anatomical wall model depicting the structure of the human skin with roots of the hair. T...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Vintage Marquetry Checker board
Located in Denton, TX
Beautiful marquetry design checker board with wood playing disc. Made for travel so it folds in half. Table not included.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Birch, Walnut
1950s Coppola e Toppo Sculpted Crystal Collar Necklace Smokey Red Surrealism
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Statement Collar Necklace, with an intricate design of Smokey Crystal Beads with Shades of Deep Blood Red & Bright Red Crystal Beads Woven into a Sculpted Design. Coppola e Toppo Sig...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
$1,950 Sale Price
25% Off
German "Schaukelwagen" by Hans Brockhage & Erwin Andra for Siegfried Lenz
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This ingenious design for children is from German (DDR) designers Hans Brockhage and Erwin Andra made in the early 1950's
Hans Brockhage (1925-2009) was wounded in WWII and starte...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Birch, Plywood, Rubber
Miro Book by Albert Skira Full Color Plates 1972
Located in New York, NY
Miro contains a collection of artworks by Joan Miro, planned and directed by by Albert Skira. The book has multiple full-color plates of Miro art, a complete account of his life and ...
Category
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Dunhill Carlton Ware Spider Web Table Lighter
Located in Northampton, GB
Alfred Dunhill Lighter Circa 1957
From our Accessories collection, we are delighted to offer this Dunhill ‘Carlton’ Spider Web Table Lighter. The Lighter Gold Plated lighter was produced in partnership with Carlton Ware with the ceramic body produced by Stoke on Trent potters Carlton (Carlton Ware). The body has been hand painted with a spider web design amongst blossoming flowers and two dragonflies. The Lighter is embossed to the front Dunhill and bears the registration number to the inside of the pivoting arm 737418. The base of the lighter is stamped Dunhill, Lighter. The Lighter dates to the middle of the 20th century circa 1957.
Carlton Ware was established in 1890 by James Frederick Wiltshaw, William Herbert Robinson and James Alcock Robinson trading under the name of Wiltshaw and Robinson. The trademark “Carlton Ware” was introduced in 1894, and the company’s factory was renamed the Carlton Works. The company changed its name multiple times and changed hands finally reaching the name ‘Carlton Ware Ltd’ in 1958. In 1966 the company was sold to Arthur Wood and Sons before coming under financial pressure in the late 1980s being forced into receivership in 1989 and production ending in 1992. In 1997 the Carlton Ware brand was resurrected by Francis Joseph of the Carlton Ware Design Centre, Roslyn Works, Stoke-on-Trent. It continues to manufacture novelty items aimed at the collectors’ market today.
Dunhill Lighters specifically the classic petrol lift arm table lighter was introduced by Dunhill in 1928 running until the introduction of gas in the 1960’s. This particular Carlton Wear example was first introduced in the Dunhill catalogue in 1957. The body was created in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent potters Carlton Ware. Carlton Ware produced three different examples to compliment the Dunhill body a fish underwater design, a chinoiserie pagoda design and the spider web as seen here.
Dunhill Alfred Dunhill was Born September 30th 1872. From 1890 Dunhill ran a company that sold motoring accessories through mail order under the name Dunhill’s Motorities. In 1902 he opened a shop on Conduit Street, Mayfair which sold clothing...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
“The Machine – Museum of Modern Art New York” Book by K.G. Pontus Hulten 1968
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and cool book, “The Machine – As Seen at the End of the Mechanical Age'" by K.G. Pontus Hulten for the Museum of Modern Art New York, circa 1968. The book is in its original form; pressed, painted and hinged aluminum covers with an image of MOMA and a yellow New York taxi cab at the front. This is the exhibition catalogue for an important exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art in 1968 showing an overview of machines and the mechanical age prior to the digital age, as seen through the eyes of and interpreted by many important artists from Da Vinci, to Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Klee, Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp, El Lissitzky, Ettore Bugatti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
$260 Sale Price
20% Off
Carl Auböck Model #5655 'Seahorse' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, 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 i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Handcrafted Pond Sailboat with Red Sails, Mid-20th Century
Located in Northport, MI
A charming handcrafted pond yacht, likely dating to the mid-20th century, featuring a sleek wooden hull with original red and white painted waterline detailing. The model showcases a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lovely brooch in gilt cast bronze made by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The brooch belongs to a collection called "The moon and the starts in th...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century World Map Globe Table Light or Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
Good quality world map globe lamp.
If you are looking for stylish and beautiful quality item to upgrade your interior (whether at home or in your office) then this Parisian globe...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
$595 Sale Price
57% Off
Mid-Century Modern Enigma Wooden Puzzle Tri Dimensional Toy
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible tri-dimensional toy wooden puzzle, with magnets, that connect together circa 1970's, apiece of art by itself.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Remote Control Model Airplane
Located in Queens, NY
American (1950s) hand made model airplane with working engine and remote control.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Monumental Sterling Silver Menorah in Mid-Century Modern Style
Located in New York, NY
Monumental, sterling silver menorah in Mid-Century Modern style with an elegant, curvilinear design, measuring 21 1/3'' in height by 16 3/4'' f...
Category
20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
'An American in Paris' Original Vintage Australian Daybill Movie Poster, 1951
Located in Devon, GB
Printed in stunning stone lithography, this scarce Australian Daybill poster joyfully declared the original Australian release of MGM's 'An American in Paris' as "the gayest, the most gorgeous, the greatest musical ever." Inspired by a 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin, the classic 1951 musical starred Gene Kelly as an American ex-GI who remains in Paris after the war to become an artist and falls for a gamine Parisienne played by a nineteen year old Leslie Caron, who Kelly had spotted performing with the Ballets des Champs-Élysées two years previously. Following the devastation and trauma of the Second World War, producer Arthur Freed...
Category
1950s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Vintage Brown Leather Medicine Ball, 5kg, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This medicine ball comes from the stock of an old Czech gymnasium. Made in the 1930s. Patina consistent with age and use. Cleaned and treated with a special leather care. Weight: 5kg...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Modernist "Crucifixion” Wall Plaque by Talleres Monastico, Benedictine Monks
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool modernist ebonized wood and mixed metals (sterling, brass & copper) "Crucifixion" plaque / wall sculpture by Talleres Monasticos - work...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Brass, Copper
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Industrial Philips Speaker
By Philips
Located in Antwerp, BE
An Industrial Philips speaker.
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1940s Tin Sign Philip Morris Cigarettes Smoking Mid-Century Garage Decor Tobacco
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Over two foot wide 'Tin Tacker' Sign. A brightly colored embossed metal "Call For Philip Morris" cigarette advertising sign with a great graphics of a period bell hop...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Brown Leather Medicine Ball, 1kg, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This medicine ball comes from the stock of an old Czech gymnasium. Made in the 1930s. Patina consistent with age and use. Cleaned and treated with a special leather care. Measures: W...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Talosel long necklace by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Talosel long necklace inlaid with pink mirrors by Line Vautrin.
As a pendant, three “arrows” supporting a ring on which tassels hang.
The clasp fixed on two pellets.
One of the Talos...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
$7,738 / item
Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright by Thomas a. Heinz Hardcover Book 1st Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright. by Thomas A. Heinz large heavy hardcover coffee table book. A Complete Guide To The Designs Of An Architectural Genius. Frank Lloyd Wright's career, sometimes tragic, sometimes tempestuous - at all times creative - has been examined and reexamined in numerous studies and articles both during his lifetime and since his death in 1959, which occurred shortly before the completion of his most famous project, New York's Guggenheim Museum. Virtually every structure that Wright built is represented in this extensive survey of his life's work. His genius at architectural design enable him to work out extremely complex buildings in his head and translate them on to paper in a matter of hours, as the famous story of his design presentation of Falling Water illustrates. His work continues to draw great admiration and interest to this day. His often tempestuous and sometimes tragic life and career are given full coverage in this book. Hundreds of photos, both archival and recent chart his amazing work and influence on all who followed.
This concise consideration of Wright's life and work not only offers new insights into the character of this complex, powerful and at all times confident personality, but also the architectural legacy he left behind and which exists to this day in the vast number of homes and public buildings photographed...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
Signed M. Coloman Framed Oil Painting on Canvas Titled Venice Italy 1940
By Coloman
Located in Miami, FL
VENICE oil painting, featuring the Doges Palacio, Italian School, circa 1940s in its original 1940s frame.
Signed M. Coloman, 20th century.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paint, Canvas
1950 Film 16mm Camera, SOM Berthiot, France
Located in Miami, FL
Société d'Optique et de Mécanique Berthiot (SOM Berthiot) was a French manufacturer of optics and photographic lenses. They produced C and D mount motion picture lenses for professio...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Vintage Lions Club International Metal Plaque / Painted Advertising Sign, 1940´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Vintage Antique Lion´s Club International Plaque / Sign with mostly original hand paint. It has some age wear, but overall very good conditions.
Vintage Lions Club International metal plaque...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
'Batman' Original Vintage Australian Daybill Movie Poster, 1966
Located in Devon, GB
"For the first time on the motion picture screen in color!" Printed in stunning stone lithography, this fabulously kitsch and colourful Australian Daybill...
Category
1960s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
Leather Cigar Case
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A leather cigar holder. The piece is all leather and ribbed to hold three cigars.
The case pulls apart and back together to add and remove cig...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
'Superman Flies Again' Original Vintage Australian Daybill Movie Poster, 1954
Located in Devon, GB
Superman jets off on this super rare stone lithography daybill poster for the Australian release of 'Superman Flies Again,' a 1954 compilation of three episodes of the hit US televis...
Category
1950s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-century Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Line Vautrin, Dunhill, and Kay Bojesen. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $130,932 while the average work can sell for $755.
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