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
1960s Poul Warmind Brutalist Pendant Textured Pewter Denmark
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Poul Warmind Brutalist Pendant Textured Pewter
Danish Denmark
Stamped
No chain is included- for illustration only.
3.5 h x 2.25 x .25
Preowned vintage.
Refer to images
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pewter
1950s American Studio Craft Iron Triangle Dinner Bell
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Hand-forged dinner triangle, delicate swan head, in the manner of Early Russel Wright designed Iron Works, very reminiscent of the deer andirons.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
$1,295 Sale Price
28% Off
'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Czech, 1978
Located in Devon, GB
A fantastically bizarre poster by Jan Weber for the first Czech release of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Although Western films were shown during the Soviet era in the Communist Bloc, American publicity materials were banned, allowing the state-commissioned artists to operate with total creative freedom from the demands of the big Hollywood studios, offering quirky and sometimes surreal interpretations which often had little reference to the film. Weber's intense halftone design featuring a triplicate of manic Jack Nicholson faces is presumably a nod to insanity and multiple personality disorders. Based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey...
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass Tray Holder by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid brass tray holder made in the 1970's and in excellent condition.
The piece is shows well and can be polished if needed.
This is part of the Ball line produced for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Jean Brusselmans Catalogue Raisonné Book Coffee Table Artwork Midcentury 1970s
By Jean Brusselmans
Located in London, GB
Rare Jean Brusselmans Catalogue Raisone by Robert-L. Delevoy on its original bookcase.
This large book would be perfect addition to your library or as a coffee table book or even if...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Midcentury ashtray designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Ashtray designed by Gabriella Crespi
Shell and brass ashtray by Gabriella Crespi.
Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan.
Signed.
Italy 1970s
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Pair of Talosel earrings by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of Talosel earrings inlaid with decorative mirrors by Line Vautrin.
Pair of blue Talosel earrings inlaid with natural mirrors.
The circles inlaid with mirrors on the front and b...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
Brooch by Line Vautrin, Black Talosel Encrusted with Red Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This Brooch in black Talosel encrusted with red mirrors in the shape of flower petals represents a very characteristic aesthetic of the work of Line Vautrin.
This organic shape is d...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
1960s Pierre Cardin French Fashion Icon Chrome "PC" Logo Chain Necklace Pendant
Located in St. Louis, MO
Minimalist 1960 / 1970s MOD Pierre Cardin designed Haute Couture chrome plated "PC" logo on chain, necklace pendant. Chain is 23" l , PC logo is 2"h x 1.82"w x 0.07"d. Stamped France...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1950s Aluminum on Wood General Electric Logo, Sign Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
1950s aluminum on wood General Electric logo, sign plaque. Salvaged from General Electric Buffalo NY office, stunning, original plaque, cast aluminum depicting famous G E Logo, mount...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Swedish Modern Ericsson "COBRA" Ivory Vintage Rotary Telephone Sweden 50s
Located in Miami, FL
Scandinavian Modern Ericsson "COBRA" ivory vintage rotary phone, Sweden 50s. This phone was made in Sweden and is in very good condition with no issues. It does dial out but does no...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Georg Jensen Disk Pendant Necklace Sterling Silver 337a Designer Nanna Ditzel
Located in Toledo, OH
Georg Jensen modern designed disk pendant necklace. Sterling Silver, # 337A designed by Nanna Ditzel. 2 3/8" diameter with a 29" chain. 33.5 grams. Excellent condition, newly buffed.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Studio Craft Chess Set in Brazilian Rosewood & Philippine Mahogany
Located in Dallas, TX
This striking hand-turned chess set, crafted in the 1960s by an unknown artisan, embodies the refined geometry and natural elegance of mid-century studio craft design. Meticulously s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni, Treccani Edition of 1973
Located in Puglia, Puglia
I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni - Treccani edition of 1973.
Superb two-volume edition bound in leather, embossed copper cover, work by the s...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Copper
$1,666 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Vintage Anatomical Pull Down Chart 'Osteology, GH Michel Company
By G.H. Michel Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Anatomical Pull Down Chart 'OSTEOLOGY ,GH Michel Company,Black background,amazing color contrast.Beautifully screened printed,linen backed.S...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
1970s Vintage Sculptural Magnifying Lens Glass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sculptural magnifying lens glass
7.38 w x 1.5 d x 6 h
Unrestored vintage condition
Refer to images.
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Holder for Set of Three Cigars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful case for three cigars of your choice... cuban, hand rolled... you name it.
Tin case is perfect place to stash three for the game, dance or long weekend.
The piece lo...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Super King 3-Wheel Roller Skates
Located in Peekskill, NY
This pair of rare midcentury English 3 wheel street skates were produced for only a short time by Davies Steel specialities. They date to the 1960s. This designs advantage is the low centre of gravity, 3 wheel balance...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Large French Chrome Desktop Model of Douglas DC3
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French chrome desktop model of Douglas DC3
A super piece and a great desk ornament for the desk that has everything else
This model was displayed b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Bracelet by Line Vautrin – Beige Talosel Encrusted with Violetts Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This beige Talosel bracelet has been meticulously hand-sculpted by scarification to create an organic shape reminiscent of the emblematic creations of Line Vautrin.
Each link, there are seven in total, is adorned with purple mirrors subtly embedded in the Talosel to create a very shimmering and luminous effect that perfectly captures Line Vautrin’s poetic aesthetic. The small, irregularly shaped...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
Mid-Century Modern Hand Carved Pink Rock Crystal Catchall Bowl Vide Poche, 1970
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern pink and white Mineral Rock ashtray, catchall, vide poche or bowl made in Italy.
Raw Rock Crystal hand carved in a geometric shape.
Great as Ring Dish or Key Bowl...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal
Brass Pipe Holder by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass blackened pipe holder manufactured in the 1950s in Austria by Hertha Baller.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
Vintage Brass Tic Tac Toe Set Game on Custom Lucite Base
Located in North Miami, FL
This polished brass Mid-Century Modern vintage tac tac toe square game set has 10 players total of X's and 0"s. A new custom lucite base was made to gi...
Category
1950s Taiwanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
X Large Leather Rhinoceros Footstool Dimitri Omersa Abercrombie & Fitch, 70's
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Vintage XL leather rhinoceros decorative footstool designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, circa 1960s is hand-stitched and features aged leather. This Charming fellow is huge-much bigger than I expected. It measures 20" T x 45" L x 10" D and the seat height is 16" T.
The horn, tail, and eyes are intact. The vintage leather footstool...
Category
1970s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
$3,960 Sale Price
20% Off
'To Kill a Mockingbird' Original Vintage Australian Daybill Movie Poster, 1964
Located in Devon, GB
A scarce original stone lithograph poster for the first Australian release of the 1962 American film adaptation of Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning ...
Category
1960s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Vintage "Miro's Posters" Art Book Catalogued by Gloria Picazo
By Joan Miró
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage "Miro's Posters" art book catalogued by Gloria Picazo, circa 1980.
The book is in good vintage condition and measures 9.75"W x 11.5"H. #3274
The book is 269 pages with 1...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$220 Sale Price
20% Off
Memento of Bruce Goff Professorship for Creative Architecture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Rare numbered printing of Bruce Goff's "Le Mar." Printed as a memento of appreciation for friend of Mr. Goff's who helped to establish the Bruce Goff Profes...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pierre Cardin 1970 Paris Sculptural Artistic Metallic Tie In Steel And Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
Metallic art tie designed by Pierre Cardin.
Very rare metallic tie, created in Paris France by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin, back in the 1970. It was crafted as a piece of art...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel, Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,237 Sale Price
25% Off
Mid-Century Era Assorted Medical Doctor's Field Examination Instrument Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage medical doctor's instrument set is unsigned, except for a few numbers on several of the pieces, but presumed to have originated from German...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
Frank Lloyd Wright by Peter Gossel and Gabriele Leuthauser Taschen 1994
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Frank Lloyd Wright by Peter Gossel and Gabriele Leuthauser Taschen 1994, Paperback Book.The American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) exerted unique influence on the architec...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Man With the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming, First Edition, in Original DJ, 1965
By Ian Fleming
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Fleming, Ian. The Man with the Golden Gun. London: Jonathan Cape, 1965. First edition, second state printing. Octavo printing. In the original publisher’s black cloth boards with gil...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Handmade Humpty Dumpty Wooden Shelf Decor
Located in Seattle, WA
Unique vintage handmade Humpty Dumpty wooden shelf decor. Vintage patina and character. Vintage condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only.. Box H6
Dimensions. 7.5" W...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Silver Maltese Royal military boat presented to Sir Robert Laycock Major General
Located in Central England, GB
This larger scale solid silver presentation model depicts a traditional Maltese sailing or fishing boat.
The model is beautifully handmade in solid silver with Maltese silver hallmar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Maltese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
James Dean 'Rebel Without a Cause' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Finnish, 1956
Located in Devon, GB
A rare poster for the first Finnish release of the Classic 1955 teenage drama "Rebel Without A Cause," with artwork by Engel. Starring James Dean in his most celebrated role as a tro...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
1940s Large Medical School Anatomical Heart Model
Located in Montclair, NY
A circa 1940s to mid 1950s large anatomical model of the human heart used to teach anatomy in medical school. Hand painted in multi color mat enamel with all the chambers and parts o...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Rubber
Portrait Gallery of Grand Bostonians from Joe Tecce's
By Daniel Varoujan Hejinian
Located in Hanover, MA
Framed series of American modern pen and ink drawings, sixteen portraits of Boston "pols" and Italian American civic leaders, all of whom were the famous 'Friends of Joe Tecce's' of the eponymously named restaurant in Boston's North End.
The frame is sixteen feet long by one foot tall...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Oak Sailing Ship 1950s Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage sailing ship from hammered brass and oakwood designed and executed in Vienna 1950 in the style of Franz Hagenauer.
This amazing sailing ship with a stained...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
West Germany Blown Glass Flattened Ball White Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a great simple hand blown solid white Christmas tree ornament that would make a wonderful palette for an artist or would add a stark, clean, simple addition to a tree or othe...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
$72 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
1950s Midcentury Jacaranda Geometric Faceted Humidor Dispensary Apothecary Box
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy solid Brazilian rosewood lidded jar/box, weighing 1 lb. 11 oz. Possibly was designed as a humidor but does not smell of tobacco. Unmarked.
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rosewood
$1,600 Sale Price
39% Off
Softbound Program "The Art of Alexander Calder" Long Beach Museum of Art 1970
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice softbound program from Alexander Calder's 1970 exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art in Long Beach, CA from January 11, 1970 to February 8, 1970.
The program is in go...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$160 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Table Radio with Wooden Case
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Antique table radio with wooden case. With a classic design, probably from the 40s and 50s, and a sturdy dark wood structure.
The speaker grille is covered in a woven fabric, allowi...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1970s Modern Pottery Art Blue Tambourine Goatskin and Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Modern Artistic blue tambourine in Goatskin. Pottery and wood.
Art 13.88 Diameter x 1.38 D.
Unrestored vintage preowned condition.
See images provided.
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Goatskin, Pottery, Wood
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, First Edition, 1943
By Ayn Rand
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Rand, Ayn. The Fountainhead. New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1943. First edition printing. Octavo. Rebound in modern half red Moroccan leather and marbled boards, with gilt tooling and titles to the spine, and the original dust jacket bound-in.
Presented is a first edition printing of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Scott Henderson Design for Mint Inc. White Porcelain Pig Shaped Piggy Bank, 1980
Located in Miami, FL
Scott Henderson Design for Mint Inc. White porcelain open top pig, piggy bank, animal sculpture Mid-Century Modern.
Marked at Base, Makers Trademark.
T...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
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
Brooch by Line Vautrin, Beige Talosel Encrusted with Amber Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This beige Talosel brooch is a unique piece of jewelry that perfectly captures the aesthetic characteristic of Line Vautrin’s work. It is adorned with small amber colored mirrors, which are intricately embedded in the beige Talosel to create a luminous and textured effect that catches the eye.
The circular shape of the brooch recalls the organic and natural themes very present in the creations of Line Vautrin, the small square mirrors artistically arranged recall the meticulous attention to detail that Line Vautrin had for her many works. The Talosel has been carefully sculpted by scarification to create perfect harmony with the amber mirrors...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Abstract decors with gold glaze and pockets of molten glass
Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020)
Born in...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Lady's Vintage Black Mink Hat by I. Magnin & Co. Circa 1965
By I. Magnin
Located in Incline Village, NV
Well made black mink hat designed and sold by I. Magnin & Company in the mid 1960's. The style, undoubtedly worn and made popular by Julie Christie in t...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fur
Collection of Five Vintage European Leather Medicine Balls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Collection of five European leather medicine ball, three (the orange, and two tan balls) are from Germany, all were sourced in Italy (circa 1940s/1950s).
Perfectly aged patina with n...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Ronson rare plexiglass floor lighter from the 70s
By Ronson
Located in Vigevano, PV
Ronson rare plexiglass floor lighter from the 70s
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Christo and More SMS A Collection of Multiples 'William N. Copley, 1968'
Located in Chicago, IL
Christo and More SMS A Collection of Multiples 'William N. Copley, 1968'
S.M.S. is an art collection in a box that was available by subscription in 1968. Through February and December, subscribers were mailed six issues containing assorted works of art curated by William N. Copley. The portfolios consist of “original reproductions" by 73 artists including William Copley, Christo, Marcel Duchamp, Roy Lichtenstein, Joseph Kosuth, Walter de Maria, Yoko Ono, Lawrence Weiner, Richard Artschwager, Man Ray, Bruce Nauman, John Cage, Terry Riley and more.
S.M.S. included renowned and unknown artists side by side. As form of protest against galleries, S.M.S. made contemporary art affordable and accessible at a modest price of $125.00 per subscription. The portfolios are all kept in their original display covers.
Edition of approximately 2,000 published by Letter Edged in Black Press.
Volume No. 1 February 1968
Little Box of Earthquake and Cotton (cover), Irving Penn; Black Dress, James Lee Byars; Chicago Project…, Walter de Maria; My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Kasper Konig; Luggage Labels Nancy Reitkopf; Project for a Bridge, Sue Braden; A Postcard for Mother, Richard Hamilton; Two Propositions in Black, Le Monte Young and Marian Zazeela; Store Front, Christo; Sol Mednick; Pharmaceuticals, Julian Levy.
Volume No. 2 April 1968
Seven Minute Recording of Contapetrie, a surrealist word game (cover), Marcel Duchamp; The Mirror of Genoveva, Meret Oppenheim; Three Color Separations, Alain Jacquet; A Two-Year-Old Girl Choked to Death Today on an Easter Egg, Ray Johnson; A Proposed Comic Section for the New York Times, Bernard Pfreim; Farwell to Faust, George Reavey; Album, Clovis Trouille; Legal Tender, Bruce Conner; 10 collages, Marcia Hertscovitz; Cynocephalus & Co., Nicolas Calas.
Volume No. 3 June 1968
Untitled abstract landscapes (cover), John Battan; Clouds, William Bryant (Bill Copley); Ode to London, Dick Higgens; Two Drawings, Ronnie Landfield; Bush in Hand, Roland Penrose; The Father of Mona Lisa, Man Ray, signed and numbered; Glove, Enrico Baj; Four Titled Abstracts, Joseph Kosuth; Correspondence, H.C. Westerman; Signal Flag Poem, Hannah Weiner; Poppy Nogoods All Night Flight, Terry Riley; Poems, Atograf.
Volume No. 4 August 1968
Untitled (cover), Robert Stanley; Drift Study 4:37:4:05:09:50 5 VII 68, La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela; Permanent Parking Decal, Robert Watts; 100 Year Calendar, On Kawara; Lichtenstein Hat, Roy Lichtenstein; Diary: How to Improve the World (You Will Only Make Matters Worse) continued, John Cage; Phenakistiscope, Hollis Frampton...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$3,552 Sale Price / set
58% Off
Hot Wheels Classic Redline Era: Hot Wheels - Birth of the Redline Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hot Wheels Classic Redline Era: Hot Wheels - Birth of the Redline Hardcover Book.
Angelo Von Bogart
Penguin, Aug 31, 2009 - Antiques & Collectibles - 224 pages
Combining candy-colore...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Vintage 1980s Alexis Kirk Articulated Sculptural Silver Tone Choker Necklace
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage c. 1980s designer Alexis Kirk (1936-2010), articulated silver-tone sculptural choker necklace. Kirk was known for making bold, sculptural statement pieces. Made in NYC, USA
...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Ed levin Early Mid Century Sterling / Pearl Pin or Necklace
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well artisan crafted Mid-Century Modern 925 sterling silver concave pin back or hanging necklace in the brooch pendent style giving the wearer two choices in wear ability. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Heavy Butterscotch Bakelite Bangle Bracelet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
1/4" thick Bakelite bangle bracelet in a butterscotch color.
2 3/8" inside circumference.
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
$83 Sale Price
30% Off
Big Leather Die Card Game Box Italy Dice Vintage Midcentury Object Casino Gift
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Nice worn red leather covered box in form of a die. Slotted interior for 3 decks of cards.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
$436 Sale Price
20% Off
Large 1950's Philips' Hanging Globe
By Philips
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb decorators' interior design piece, this very large hanging globe made by the Philips' company in the 1950's hangs from a brass chain, the ...
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
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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