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Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary 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.

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
Color:  Blue
Blue Clown Head Cookie Jar, USA, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare survivor from late 1950s or early 60s comes this large canister in the shape of a clown bear head. It measures 25 cm in height and 17 cm in width. Originally made as a toy beach/sand toy...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Plastic

Set of Four Vintage Ford Match Box Car Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of four vintage Ford car toys. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a b...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

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San Francisco Trolley Toy Friction Car. Japan, circa 1950s
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Rare Mushroom, Clown and Boy Head Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
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A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alw...
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Shepherd & Wooly Sheep Putz Toy Set Antique German Christmas 1900s, original Box
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Antique German set of eleven Putz stick-legged sheep with a shepherd boy and his dog. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas nativit...
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Early 1900s Austrian Antique Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
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1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
H 67 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
Large Weird, Creepy, Perfectly Patinated Plastic Clown Head
Located in Kansas City, MO
It's strange and freaky, but so cool. Vintage Ronald McDonald plastic clown head sculpture. By the way, it is hollow inside and can be put over ones head an...
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Marx Toys Key-Wind Tin Lithograph "Jalopy" Toy Car with Box
Located in Fulton, CA
A mechanical wind-up tin lithograph toy car by Marx Toys. "Jalopy" Circa. 1940's. Excellent original working condition. Includes original box.
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1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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Nice Pipe Holder, 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Nice pipe holder, 1960s. Original condition.
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1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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Nice Pipe Holder, 1960s
Nice Pipe Holder, 1960s
H 3.15 in W 5.52 in D 4.73 in
20th Century Toy Car
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautifully colored metal toy cars. The one of the left from Lehmann is sold, the other one from Germany marked G & K on the side of the car is still a...
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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20th Century Toy Car
20th Century Toy Car
H 4.34 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in
Lady Liberty Souvenir Building Vintage, USA, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1960s souvenir building architectural model. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice desktop item or jus...
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Metal

Vintage Wooden Toy Dog Car by Konrad Keller Holzspielwaren, Germany, 1950s
By Konrad Keller
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Just look at this happy vintage dog from the 1950s! This post-war wooden dog on wheels was made and designed by German toy manufacturer Konrad Keller Hol...
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Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates", circa 1920
By G. Doloy
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Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop...
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Mid-century Modern toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage toys and dolls created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern toys and dolls 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 toys and dolls, popular names associated with this style include Kay Bojesen, Ko Verzuu, Creative Playthings, and Mobo Toys. 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 toys and dolls 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 $14,979 while the average work can sell for $670.

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