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.
to
382
988
841
1,893
41
34
1,968
908
848
816
576
468
327
281
238
205
144
132
100
65
61
51
38
38
4
11
1,878
75
54
1,289
391
3
1
6
23
80
295
336
233
49
22
1,007
414
371
241
224
1,120
573
459
236
202
1,968
1,964
1,965
54
42
20
15
13
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Teak Type 135 Radio from Wega, 1960s
By Wega
Located in Lisboa, PT
This radio, type 135, was made by Wega in West-Germany, during the 1960's. With a teak wooden case, it has broadcast, long wave, short wave plus FM or UHF. ...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Les Ateliers L&M Bordeaux Barometer stich leather 1960s France
Located in Den Haag, NL
Les Ateliers L&M Bordeaux Barometer Green Stich Leather, Savannah made in France. Ship decor .Works perfect .
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Rare Pair of Pearl & Oakley Acoustics Ceramic Chinese Urn Stereo Speakers
By Altec Lansing Corporation
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very Unique 1980s Asian Modern Pearl & Oakley Acoustics custom home audio speakers in the form of Chinese lidded urns or ceramic vases with crackle glaze...
Category
1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
'20000 Leagues Under The Sea' Original Vintage British Quad Movie Poster, 1955
Located in Devon, GB
A rare British quad poster for the first UK release of Walt Disney's 1954 live-action sci-fi adventure '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', based on the 1870 novel by Jules Verne. From th...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Sandro's Inri: a Contemporary Minimalist Sculpture and Objét Trouvé, 2017
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sandro's INRI is a stunning contemporary minimalist sculpture that's sure to impress and inspire. Created by the talented artist Sandro in 2017, this sculpture is an objet trouvé that has been masterfully intervened to give it new meaning and purpose.
This incredible objet trouvé is a masterpiece of visual poetry, taking a vintage double bass case...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, First Edition, First Printing, in Dust Jacket, 1957
By Ayn Rand
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Rand, Ayn. Atlas Shrugged. New York: Random House, 1957. First edition, first printing. Thick octavo. In the publisher’s original first issue dust jacket, green cloth boards, stamped...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
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
Checkers Game "The Solitaire" in Wood by Artek, Italy, 1970s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Rome, IT
Checkers game "The Solitaire" in wood by Artek. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
It comes with its original box and instruction paper. The original label is still attached on the botto...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Tiffany& Co. 18K Gold And Ruby Flower Form Brooch Pin
Located in Norwood, NJ
Tiffany & Co. vintage 18k yellow gold and ruby floral form pin brooch. Polished and Florentine finish. 9 prong set round rubies. Made in Italy. Fully marked Tiffany & Co. 18K Italy. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
1970s Sterling Silver Turquoise Pendant Attributed Pal Kepenyes Spores
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Style of Pal Kepenyes Sterling Silver Pendant Turquoise Stone
1.63 w x 2 1/16 h x .75 d
Attributed of Pal Kepenyes Pendant, Unsigned. Design consistent with Kepenyes work.
Preowned ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Sterling Silver
Radio TSF Radialva Super-As 55, 1950s, Bakelite
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original made of dark brown bakelite with brown knobs. Behind the glass station shell is a red and black painted metal plate that has been blackened behind the transmitter division. ...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
1960s Set of 12 Wood Toy MONKEYS Danish Kay Bojesen Era Jointed Teak & Oak
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Set of 12 Wood Toy MONKEYS Danish Kay Bojesen Era Jointed Teak & Oak
Collection is from different countries; most are from Japan.
Some have labels remaining.
5 large 5 medium ...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Extruded Aluminum Chess Set
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Modern extruded aluminum chess set with 32 stylized figures in the original presentation box. (Stamped: Austin Enterprises 1962, made by ALCOA) Case measurements...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Signed Collage
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Jack Nicklaus is widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. He won 117 professional tournaments in his career and his major championship record remains unequall...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large Vintage Ship Propeller Display, English Bronze, Oak, Maritime, Mid Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage ship propeller display. An English, bronze and oak decorative four-blade maritime mount, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Of great proportion and superb decorative appeal
Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order
Polished bronze blades present wonderful golden tonality
Propeller blades ringing...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
DIETER RAMS 1973 Braum Cubism Desk Lighter In 18Kt Yellow Gold And Lapis
By Dieter Rams
Located in Miami, FL
Fabulous desk lighter designed by Dieter Rams for Braum.
This is a fabulous ultra-modernist T3 Domino desk lighter, created in West Germany by the architect and designer Dieter Rams...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
1970s Gorgeous Smoking Set by Lalique, Signed on the Bottom, Made in France
By Lalique
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous smoking set in crystal by Lalique. made in France. The both pieces are signed on the bottom. Made in France. The table lighter works perfectly.
The items are in excell...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Italian Table Lighter in Plexiglass Chrome Band Design 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Plexiglass design table lighter with chrome band accessory a really beautiful accessory. Cylinder body. Made in Italy in the 70s. Perfectly functional. Please watch the video and pho...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Vintage Set of Thirteen Las Vegas $1 Poker Chips
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool vintage set of Las Vegas casino $1 poker chips, circa late 20th century. The chips are 1.5"D and in very good overall condition. The set includes a chip from the follo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Bakelite
Vintage Dunhill Rollagas Silver Pocket Lighter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage 1960s Dunhill Rollagas silverplate pocket light lighter featuring a textured finish.
Stamped: "Dunhill US. RE24163 PATENTED SWITZERLAND"
M...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Model of wooden boat hull On metal Base - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Model of wooden boat hull On metal Base - 20th
Boat - Decoration - Vintage
Measures : 128cmx27cm H:43,5cm
Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Bean Seedling
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Bean Seedling
A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Vintage Suzuki Musique Flute
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Suzuki Musique Flute
27.13 long x 1.75 diameter
Preowned vintage condition unrestored.
Refer to all images listed
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Ed Ruscha: Reading Ed Ruscha Book 2013 First Edition Hardcover SIGNED
By Ed Ruscha
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a signed First Edition of Ed Ruscha: Reading Ed Ruscha hardcover book. The signature is personalized to the gallery owner, Patrick Painter. The book was released on March 31,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Japan Furniture Exhibition '61
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
Catalog accompanying an exhibition held in the United States in 1961, sponsored and published by the Japan Export Furniture Manufacturer Association (JEFMA), a trade organization of 48 leading furniture makers in Japan, in collaboration with their government-run National Industrial Arts Institute, with the dual purpose of stimulating the production of Japanese “Good Design” in furniture, and introducing the results to the U.S. market. According to the introduction to this, the second iteration of this exhibition, “it is full three years since the First Exhibition was held in the United States in 1958…these recent years, we Japanese furniture manufacturers have increasingly equipped with facilities for mass production, so that we are now in a position to offer the products of better quality at lower prices. At the same time we have been making efforts to create furniture of graceful design with Oriental taste, using Japanese traditional craftsmanship. We have mainly selected the furnitures which are ready for mass production, and added some pieces of Japanese taste.”
The 24 page catalog presents chairs, tables, and case pieces by prominent Japanese architects and designers including Katsuo Matsamura, Taichiro Nakai, Kozo Asari, Hideo Saito, Takeshi Mineo, Yujiro Yamaguchi, Ryuchi Ise, Fukuji Suzuki, Masaharu Ito, Keisuke Nakamura, Yo Yamagishi, Shigeru Imai, Shiro Kodo, Tadao Kawanami, Akira Sogi, Tomoichi Yoshida, Sori Yanagi, Taichiro Nakai, Toshio Miyake, Motoi Kojima, Fukui Suzuki, Akira Takayabu, Selichi Watanabe, and T. Nii, along with works from the Industrial Arts Institute and an armchair by American ex-pat Noemi Raymond, wife of architect Antonin Raymond. Manufacturers include. Manufacturers represented in the exhibition include Akita Mokko Co, Bokai Industry Co, Fuji Furniture Co, Haneda, Kosajujo Co, Inada & Co, Iwai Kogyo Co, Imada Mokko Co, Kobe Wood Chemics Assoc., Kosuga & Co, Kotobuki Seating Co, Kobyashi Fukuzo & Co, K.K. Shimada Seisakusho, Kubo Shoten Co, Kassai Manufacturing Co, Miyoshi Mokko Co, Okamura Mfg. Co, Sakigake Furniture, Santa Kogyosho Corp, Tendo Mokko, Tsuji Mokko Co, Tottori Kagu Kogyo Co, Taihei Mokko Co, Toki Mokko Co, Toyohashi Mokko Co, Yamaguchi Co...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Modernist Bracelet Silver Bangle Taxco Mexico
By Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Handcrafted Modernist Bracelet Bangle Silver Taxco Mexico
cutout designs
2 15/16 outside diameter 2.5 inside diameter x 3/16 thick
Stamped Mexico 925
Preowned vintage
Refer to listed...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
San Francisco Examiner Newspapers for January 1944 in Hard Bound Book (Complete)
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fairly rare item to find: San Francisco Examiner Newspapers, complete and original in actual real size format, from January 1st, 1944 through January 30th 1944; hardbound mounted front and back in very good and readable condition----pages turn with ease and approximately 700 to 800 pages of World War II news, sports, advertisements, editorials, society pages, Sunday "Funnies", classified advertisements, and local San Francisco Bay Area news. War news stories about Germans, Russians, and Japanese battles...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Hand Carved Wood and Leather Chess Set
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Intricately hand-carved wooden chess with leather game board. King piece measures 4.25" high.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Wood
Audoux Minet Rustic Nautical Rope & Green Glass Ball Table Lamp, circa 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A mid-century French Riviera Marine themed Audoux Minet table lamp, circa 1960.
An Iconic design – a green blown glass ball modeled on the buoys used by French fisherman...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rope, Blown Glass
Vintage Kings Guardsman Wood Toy by Kay Bojesen, 1970s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Wooden kings guardsman in lacquered beech. It was designed by Kay Bojesen in 1942. It features movable head, arms and legs and it still has it original riffle. This example was manuf...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beech
1950s Midcentury Shortwave Radio by Phillips
By Phillips
Located in San Diego, CA
This cool vintage original radio shortwave by Phillips, circa 1950s with bakelite knobs in cream color case, the radio works but it takes a while to war...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Four German Steiff Lion Monkey Rabbit Hand Puppets
By Steiff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four hand puppets by iconic plush toy maker, Steiff. The puppets are all in very good condition with no rips, stains or damage. They work great bu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool, Mohair, Cotton, Silk
Joseph Kutchinsky 9ct Yellow Gold & Steel Cigar Cutter Hallmarked London 1966
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Joseph Kutchinsky 9ct Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Mounted Slide-Action Engine Turned Textured Cigar Cutter
Hallmarked 375 KV London 1966
Creator: Joseph Kutchinsky (Jeweler)
Heig...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Stainless Steel
Pair of Metal Military Red and Blue Gasoline Tanks, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of metal military red and blue gasoline tanks, circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Modern German record player, radio by Siemens , 1950s
By Siemens
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid Century Modern German record player, radio by Siemens , 1950s
The radio is in fully functional.
Dimensions:
43 D x 120 W x 111 H
It is in good vintage condition, however,...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Teak
Kartell 1968 Catalog: Lampade e Arredamento
Located in New York, NY
November 1968 catalog for the iconic Italian design company Kartell, divided into two sections: Lamps and Furnishings. Square 8vo with printed plasticized wrappers, 55 pages, lavishl...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1970s Mexican Hand Hammered Silver Torc Collar Necklace
By Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Mexican Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Torc Collar Necklace Choker
4.75 w x 6 h
.925 silver stamped
Preowned vintage
Refer to images listed please
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Framed Yacht Club Flag
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool mid-century framed yacht club flag, circa 1960s. The flag is presented in a black wood frame with a red back ground. The overall piece meas...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Contina AG Mauren Curta I Mechanical Calculator
Located in Mexico City, MX
An important CURTA Type I mechanical calculator by Contina Ltd. Mauren. Made in Liechtenstein, manufactured in september 1968. Serial number 72161. Black body with 8 digits for data ...
Category
1960s Liechtenstein Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1960s Sterling Silver Fish Skeleton Pendant Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Sterling Silver Fish Skeleton Pendant
in the style of Antoñio Pineda Taxco Mexico
stamped
1.5 long x 0.63
Preowned Condition
Refer to listed...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Golf is My Game, Signed by Bobby Jones, Second Edition, 1960
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Jones, Robert (Bobby) Tyre, Jr., Golf Is My Game. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1960. Second edition, inscribed and signed by Bobby Jones on first free endpaper. Presented in ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Royal Hunt Cup Ascot 1955 Winner - Horse Racing Dunhill 'Aquarium' Table Lighter
Located in London, by appointment only
An exceptional and rare Special Commission Dunhill Sporting Horse Racing Half-Giant 'aquarium' Table Lighter in Gold Plate.
The top with raisable arm stamped Dunhill and Reg. No 737418 on the reverse, above the lucite body carved with the victorious horse and jockey. Nicholas Nickleby is shown with his distinctive white sock in the enclosure on the back and winning the race on the front.
Commissioned by the owner of Nicholas Nickleby, winner the Royal Hunt Cup...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lucite
Metal Sauceboat, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Metal Sauceboat, Circa 1930. by unknown manufacturer, France. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials: Me...
Category
1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Donald Duck driving his yellow DD1 cabriolet
By Walt Disney
Located in Valladolid, ES
Extremely Rare and amazing Walt Disney Donald Duck in Yellow Car Polyresin Figurine Statue
The famous and very funny image of a very angry Donald Duck in his yellow convertible.
This...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Complete Decorative Set of 6 Graham Greene Books Designer Edition, England
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We purchased a entire collection of books from a local (Rancho Mirage, CA) art collector/philanthropist chic and perfectly designed home library. We have decided to start selling the...
Category
Early 2000s English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a lovely cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Fossil Money Clip Wood Metal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Fossil Money Clip Wood Silver Metal
Modernist design
1 x 1.88 x .38
Preowned original vintage condition
Refer to images please
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Rocking Sheep with Real Sheepskin Coat and Carved Face and Feet
By Povl Kjær
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cute little wooden rocking sheep with real sheep coat, carved face and feet, with wood handles. In original condition, with visible wear and patina. In orig...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool, Wood
1970s Chunky Wide Link Sterling Silver Bracelet
By Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Modernist Chunky Wide Link Sterling Silver Bracelet
stamped
7.38 w x 1.38
Preowned vintage
Refer to images listed
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
1960s Modernist Striking Chess Game Set Aluminum and Walnut Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Modern chess game set in aluminum and walnut wood
Unmarked
Preowned vintage condition. Some pieces have been restored.
Refer to all images please.
Measures: 3 tall x 12 x...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Ward Bennett Designs for Brickel Associates (2 Volumes)
Located in New York, NY
Two catalogs presenting Ward Bennett’s product designs for Brickel Associates, published circa 1977. Bennett (1917-2003) was an influential and acclaimed artist, sculptor, interior d...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper
'The Man with the Golden Arm' Original Movie Poster by Saul Bass, British, 1956
By Saul Bass
Located in Devon, GB
Based on a novel by Nelson Algren, Otto Preminger's controversial and groundbreaking 1955 drama "The Man with the Golden Arm" starred Frank Sinatra in an...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Roller Skates by Matollo, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage hockey roller skakes in black and brown leather. Manufactured by Matollo, Spain, 1950s-1960.
The boots are made in leather on a metal base with...
Category
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Comb Made from Horn
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful half-moon shaped comb. The item was hand-crafted from horn and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It's a remarkable example of the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn
Nova Tecno Midcentury Pleated Leather and Brass Ashtray, Italy 1970's
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning floor standing ashtray fully made in a thick Italian leather, chromed metal and completed by a stylish brass chain. This incredibly stylish and charming ashtray was made by ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Paul Evans Patchwork Copper Large and Small Humidors w Cigar Ashtray, c 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic set of Paul Evans 'Patchwork Copper' smoking accessories, manufactured by C.C. Design Inc and retailed by Directional in the 1970s, with beautiful light patina and age, p...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Copper, Pewter
1970s AD Design Modern Cuff Bracelet Jens Andersen & Erik Dunning Denmark
By Georg Jensen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Jens Andersen and Erik Dunning for AD Design
silver plated modern bangle cuff bracelet
AD Design Made in Denmark
2.25 tall x 2.75 w x 1 d
Preowned...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
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.