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
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
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
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
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
'An Ideal Husband' Original Vintage Movie Poster by Wiktor Gorka, Polish, 1956
By Wiktor Gorka
Located in Devon, GB
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...
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
Piet Hein for Skjode, Denmark Teak Solitaire Board Game, 1960's
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Piet Hein for Skjode, Denmark Teak Solitaire Board Game, 1960's. A really great rare object.
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
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
Mid Century Modern Blue and White Stacked Lucite Table Cigarette Lighter
Located in Nantucket, MA
Graphic Mid-Century Modern Table lighter made of alternately stacked pieces of opaque white and translucent navy-blue Lucite with a lighter mounted in the top. Lighter mechanism mark...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Midcentury French Anatomical Medical Teaching Display, circa 1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
A midcentury French anatomical medical teaching device of the human body. The organs and muscles are numbered and the skull has Roman numerals. One glass eye. The piece has re...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Signed Multi Faceted Murano Glass Ashtray Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Multifaceted brown and yellow Sommerso Murano glass ashtray, glass bowl attributed to Flavio Poli.
Brown and amber glass cased into clear glass and a highly decorative twelve faced g...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Magazine “Habitat”, nº15, by Lina Bo Bardi & Pietro Maria Bardi. Brazil 1954
Located in Barcelona, ES
“Habitat – revista das artes no Brasil”, nº 15, March – April 1954
“Magazine of contemporary culture, dedicated to architecture, painting, sculpture, industrial design, graphic arts...
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Frank Lloyd Wright American Architect of the Twentieth Century Book 1st Ed.1993
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Frank Lloyd Wright American Architect of the Twentieth century 1993.
by Robin Langley Sommer.
1st Edition, hardcover book.
Frank Lloyd Wright: American Architect for the Twentieth Century Hardcover book.
Frank Lloyd Wright is recognized as a dominant figure in the history of modern architecture. His life and revolutionary work is described in this volume filled with more than 180 photographs illustrating 60 of his most-beloved buildings.
An impressive, beautifully illustrated volume examines the creations of America's beloved architect, including interior furnishings, stunning private homes, and unique public buildings, with an introduction providing insight into his private life as well as his enduring work.
Publisher ? : ? Smithmark Pub
Language ? : ? English
Item Weight ? : ? 3.6 pounds
Dimensions ? : ? 11 x 0.75 x 14.75 inches.
Recognized as a dominant figure in the history of modern architecture and the greatest design influenced in the United States during the first
half of the twentieth century, Frank Lloyd Wright created, during his long and prolific career, a unique body of work that endures to this day. Beginning in 1889 with the design for his own house in Oak Park, Illinois, and continuing with hundreds of designs for residential, commercial, ecclesiastical, educational and civic structures, Wright's varied architecture is unified only by the underlying organized principles of change and innovation. Revolutionizing residential architecture with the disparate expressions of his simple creed, "out of the ground and into the light! Wright's houses feature a sense of unity and privacy, an a free flow of interior space. Wright sought synthesis in his projects by designing whenever possible, everything from furniture, art glass and lighting fixtures to table lines, carpets and carports. In his Prairies Houses, textile-block structures and Usonian houses, culminating in his masterpiece, Fallingwater, Wright experimented with forms, materials and technology in ever-evolving designs. Wright designed such ambitious commercial masterworks as the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, the S.C. Johnson and Son Administration Building and Research Tower, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum-the alter for which he is perhaps best known. This volume pays tribute to the life and works of frank Lloyd Wright with more than 180 photographs illustrating 60 selected buildings, complemented by a descriptive and incisive text. Front cover: Fallinger, the Edgar J. Kaufmann, Sr. House (1935) in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Photographer for The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Back Cover: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1943-1956) in New York City Photo by Ezra Stroller...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
James Bond 'You Only Live Twice' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Australian, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
The fifth film in EON Productions' James Bond series and the last of Sean Connery's first stint starring as the suave secret agent, it was announced during filming of 'You Only Live ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
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
Aluminum Metal TV Television Tower of Nuremberg Scale Design Model, 2000s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Scaled model of the Nuremberg television tower also called Nuremberg Egg (because of the Design). A nice architectural sculpture for every living or man’s room. Diameter given in dim...
Category
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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
Caldelli for Big Ben Cedar Wood Humidor 1970s Italy
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage 1970's Caldelli handmade solid cedar wood cigar humidor. Made for Big Ben. Measuring 27cm x 19.5cm x 8cm. Will hold cigars upto 23cm long horizontally, 16.5cm vertically, 2 d...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cedar
French Rally Cast Iron Trophy Car by Artist Rodolphe Mariotti
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality and delightfully heavy sculpted iron motoring trophy car.
Automobile depicted is circa 1920s.
Collectible and Commemorative of the ‘Rally U.C.O.L. Challenge - Driver...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge Collection, by Christie's 2009
By Christie's
Located in San Francisco, CA
A collection of historic documents of the greatest, most secret and legendary
collections formed by private collectors in the 20th Century.
The set of Auction Catalogs also includes a DVD of the entire collection.
For fifty years, the couturier Yves Saint Laurent and his friend and partner
Pierre Berge...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Set of Vintage Very Large Pick-Up Sticks
Located in Palm Beach, FL
As if something from a bygone era, a larger than life set of wood pick-up sticks set to rest in a round wood base. Let the games begin.
Each stick diameter is .5".
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
Ettore Sottsass Pink Ceramic Shiva Flower Vase, by BD Barcelona
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shiva ceramic flower vase designed by Ettore Sottsass, circa 1973, edited by BD in Barcelona.
In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use preserving a b...
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Rare Half Moon Salesman Sample Rattan Sofa and Lounge Chair and Rocking Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare Salesman Sample Mini Rattan livingroom set featuring a Paul Frankl style lounge chair, rocking chair, and sofa, each with double strand half moon arms. Miniature furniture sets ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rattan
1950s Hargo Creations (HAR) Cobra Snake Parure Necklace Earrings Bracelet Brooch
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1959 Hargo Creations (HAR) Cobra Snake Parure completed with necklace, earrings, bracelet and brooch. This coveted gilt green enamel jeweled cobra snake design is from the HAR Fantasy Collection of 1959. The bracelet, earrings and brooch are each signed HAR, the necklaces from this collection are not signed. This set is intricate, elaborate, and highly crafted. The color is light teal green enamel is accented with glass and aurora borealis rhinestones.
Necklace 16" long and the cobra centerpiece is 4-1/4" wide 2-1/2" at its longest point. The cobra necklace has the gold tone braided chain connecting both sides of the cobra in the front with a slide in clasp that closes securely and tight.
Earrings 1-1/2" x 1-1/4". Clips are strong and tight, very sturdy.
Bracelet has a spring back at its tail. It measures 1-1/2" high at the head and will fit a wrist of 6-1/2-7-1/2.
Brooch is 2-3/4" long and has a turning clasp that is secure.
HAR Jewelry History (1955 - 1967)
Known for excellent enameling and fantastic figural jewelry, including beautifully detailed Oriental figures with imitation ivory faces, exotic genies, cobras, dragons, and blackamoors. Some of the designs include large misshapen crystal cluster stones with an iridescent glow for which HAR is known. Selected pieces of HAR jewelry were featured in the famous 1990’s “Jewels of Fantasy...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Investiture Chair Designed by Lord Snowden for Prince Charles 1969
By Remploy
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This chair was designed by Lord Snowden in 1969 and produced by Remploy for the Investiture ceremony of Prince Charles, and done in the period Mid-Cetury Modern style. The chair is made of ash with a bentwood back and painted in a bright red with Prince of Wales styled feathers on the back in gilt. These chairs are known as 'investiture chairs...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool, Bentwood
Raymor Style Vintage Bronze Black Gold Glazed Ceramic Asymmetric Ashtray Italy
By Raymor
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage glazed black, bronze and gold Ceramic ashtray, vide poche, catchall attributed to Raymor Pottery, Italy.
Handcrafted Pottery Ashtray and a highly decorative asymmetric desig...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
American Brass Telegraph Mounted on Circular Mahogany Base Bendix NY, Circa 1930
By Bendix Corporation
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass ship's double engine order telegraph mounted on circular mahogany base. E. O. T. has been electrified and has a faint bell ring when changing positions. Bendix Corpor...
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Wire
Large Set of 8 Vintage Lab Sieves, English, Brass, Stacking, Scientific, C.1965
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large set of 8 vintage laboratory sieves. An English, brass stacking scientific apparatus, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1965.
Fascinating set with superb period a...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
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
Midcentury Gymnastic Leather and Oak Pommel Horse Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large mid-century modern gymnastic pommel horse or bench vault. The bench features an oak frame covered with rich patinated cognac leather. The leather has a lovely aged patina with ...
Category
20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Signed 1st Edition of 'Minding the Store' by Stanley Marcus
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A SIGNED FIRST EDITION of ‘Minding the Store’ A Memoir by Stanley Marcus.
Published by Little, Brown (1974).
First Edition Second Printing. Pages 383.
Dust Cover in fai...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Groton Inn Crest Restaurantware Plate – Early 20th Century Hotelware
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A rare antique porcelain plate bearing the crest of the historic Groton Inn, one of America’s oldest inns, dating back to the 17th century. A fine example of early 20th-century hotelware, this piece showcases the durable yet elegant craftsmanship typical of institutional porcelain used in prestigious establishments.
Design Features:
• Crested Emblem: The plate prominently features the Groton Inn’s crest, with intricate detailing and subtle accents in red and gold, reflecting the inn’s storied history.
• Classic Style: Simple green and gold border lines encircle the rim, adding understated elegance.
• Material: High-quality glazed porcelain with a sturdy, utilitarian design typical of early hospitality tableware. It is very sturdy and feels almost like ironstone.
• The bottom is marked with the maker in green and reads, "Mitchell Woodbury Co., Mayer China, Boston".
Historical Significance:
The Groton Inn, originally established in 1678 in Groton, Massachusetts, was a landmark of American history and culture...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paint
1950s Rare Marijuana Ashtray Bowl San Francisco Architect California SF
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Amazing 1950s sculptural ashtray created in the MCM period in San Francisco. Small studio craft, low numbers produced. Signed.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
'Please, Not Now!' Original Vintage Australian Daybill Movie Poster, 1963
Located in Devon, GB
A sultry Brigitte Bardot sizzles on this striking stone lithography poster for the French screwball rom-com 'La Bride sur le cou,' released in Australia and the UK as 'Please, Not Now!' and in the US as 'Only For Love'. Bardot starred as the saucy young model who enlists a handsome doctor in a zany plan to make her boyfriend jealous when he goes off with an American heiress. Directed by Bardot''s former husband Roger Vadim...
Category
1960s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
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
Carl Auböck Magnifier, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bowl, Austria 1960s. The measurements given apply to the magnifier. The cover measures 1-7-14cm.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn, Leather, Glass
Italian mid-century Filofort sewing chest of drawers by Tre Cerchi ISC, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Filofort sewing chest of drawers by Tre Cerchi ISC, 1940s
Filofort sewing chest of drawers with light wood structure, with walnut colored handles.
Produced by Fil...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
'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
Midcentury MiG-17 High Subsonic Fighter Airplane Model
Located in Weesp, NL
Rare midcentury chrome-plated brass MiG-17 fighter jet airplane model. The MiG-17 was first build in the USSR in 1952.
Though the MiG-17 still strongly resembles its forebear, it had an entirely new thinner and more highly swept wing and tailplane for speeds approaching Mach 1...
Category
1950s Russian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
6 Le Cirque N.Y. Oval 11" Plates Designed By Adam D. Tihany For Villeroy & Boch
By Adam Tihany
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...
Category
20th Century Luxembourgish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Marble and Brass Lidded Canister
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green marble canister with cream veining features a brass and stainless steel lid. Originally a cigarette holder, it would be perfect for it's intended use or a vessel for q-tips or ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
Munchener Painted Coat of Arms with Giant Schnauzer
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) coat of arms/family crest depicting a black dog atop a red and gold shield of sheep flanked on either side by bulls above a banner reading "Munchener," which c...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Vintage Crown Trifari Gold-Tone Pinwheel Brooch
By Trifari
Located in Topeka, KS
Beautiful gold-tone crown Trifari pinwheel shaped brooch. This great pin is in excellent like-new condition.
This is a gorgeous 1.75-inch diameter bro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare Mexican Modern Silver Jewelry Suite Caviar Model William Spratling
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare four-piece suite of Mexican Modern silver jewelry suite circa 1940s from Taxco, Mexico and crafted by William Spratling (1900-1967), an American designer and entrepreneur who ...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
'Ulysses' Original Vintage Movie Poster by Wiktor Gorka, Polish, 1957
By Wiktor Gorka
Located in Devon, GB
A simplified adaptation of Homer's 'Odyssey,' the 1954 Italian fantasy-adventure film 'Ulysses' follows the warrior king on his wandering ten year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, where his loyal queen and son pray for his safe return. Kirk Douglas starred as the titular Greek hero, alongside producer Dino De Laurentiis' wife Silvana Mangano in a double role as both the faithful wife Penelope and mysterious sorceress Circe. Shot over seven months on a budget of $3 million, with almost a year in post-production, 'Ulysses' earned $124 million at the US box office alone and provided a template for Italian productions to come, igniting the sword-and-sandal craze for lavish Greco-Roman historical...
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage California Green and Brown Ceramic Pottery Round Ashtray
By Edith Heath
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage ashtray with a glowing splash in yellow, green and brown colors.
Classic Mid-Century Modern round ashtray in yellow green and brown glazed ceramic, the outside is painted brown but not glazed.
The ceramic tray is in good condition.
This could make an interesting retro trinket tray or small relish dish...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
James Dean 'East of Eden' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Romanian, 1968
Located in Devon, GB
A dark and moody photomontage teases the love triangle at the centre of the drama on this rare poster for the first Romanian release of Elia Kazan's 1955 adaptation of John Steinbeck...
Category
1960s Romanian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
1950s Native Aztec Sterling Silver Brooch Pendant Pin Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Native sterling silver brooch pendant Aztec Pin Made in Mexico
Maker Stamped from Mexico
2 w x 2.5 tall x .13 thickness
Preowned original vintage condition
See imag...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
1960s Swank Arrow Tie Bar Clip
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Swank Arrow Tie Bar Clip
maker stamp
3.5 long x .25 x 3.16 thickness
Preowned vintage
Refer to images provided
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Czechoslovakia Blown Glass Glittery White Church Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
Here is a quaint traditional style church made of glass blown into a mold and covered in shiny, aurora borealis glitter. It would make a fun, glittery white addition to your seasonal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
Snow Cover Cottage/House Blown Glass Christmas Tree Ornament Decoration Lot of 3
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable set of three blown glass cottage or house Christmas tree ornaments with fun snow made of shiny glitter on the rooftops and ground and a decorated tree in front of...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
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
Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Mexican Geometric Linked Chunky Bracelet
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sterling silver ladies bracelet was made in Mexico in approximately 1969 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The bracelet is composed of a series of geometrically stylized A...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Carl Auböck Bell, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bell, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Murano Glass Table Lighter And Ashtray Set
By Mandruzzato
Located in Torquay, GB
Vintage 1960s table lighter and ashtray set by Mandruzzato.
Both lighter and ashtray are in perfect condition.
The lighter works and produces...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass
Signed "Rattan Furniture" First Edition Coffee Table Book by Harvey Schwartz
By Harvey Schwartz
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original brand new 1st edition copy of Rattan Furniture: Tropical Comfort Throughout The House signed by author Harvey Schwartz.
Request a personal message written by the author at...
Category
1990s American 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.