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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
Wheelmaster Roller Coaster Ride C. 1950/1960's
Located in New York, NY
Cool vintage Roller Coaster Ride toy by Wheelmaster. Architectural and graphic, this is being offered for display only, it is freestanding, but not safe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Steel

Rietveld 'Berlin Chair and End Table' Model Toy, 1985
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Scale model kit of the Berlin chair and end table. Manufactured in Holland in 1985. It consists of parts of quality wood with little paints. In 1/6 scale...
Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Paper

Ko Verzuu for Ado, Mid-Century Modern, Wood Blocks Construction Netherlands Toy
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Toy designed by Ko Verzuu, circa 1930. Manufactured by ADO in Netherlands. ADO Blokken, canvas bag with a set of wooden blocks / cubes to play. In original condition, with minor we...
Category

1930s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Enigma Wooden Puzzle Tri Dimensional Toy
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible tri-dimensional toy wooden puzzle, with magnets, that connect together circa 1970's, apiece of art by itself.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Traditional Paper Lantern, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional textile and metal lantern. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful ...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona. Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

20th Century Brown Leather Model of a Rhinoceros by Dimitri Omersa
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A 1970's Rhinoceros trophy by Dimitri Omersa in brown havana coloured leather in very good condition including hanging bracket. Great colour and patina throughout. Free delivery for ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Leather

Traditional Paper Lantern, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional paper lantern. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

1960s Set of 12 Wood Toy MONKEYS Danish Kay Bojesen Era Jointed Teak & Oak
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 Toys and Dolls

Materials

Oak, Teak

Table Abacus, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
This is a great item that will easily take you back to your childhood and bring a bit of fun and character to any desk. A table abacus produced in Czechoslovakia in 1960s. It used to...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Ko Verzuu for Ado, Mid-Century Modern, Wood Blocks Construction Netherlands Toy
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Toy designed by Ko Verzuu, circa 1930. Manufactured by ADO in Netherlands. ADO Blokken, canvas bag with a set of wooden blocks / cubes to play. In good original condition, with min...
Category

1930s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Canvas, Wood

1950s Antonio Vitali & Kurt Naef Modernist Swiss Handmade Wood Toy Elephant Car
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Wonderful vintage hand carved wood Toy Elephant shaped car by famed Swiss Master Toy Artist Antonio Vitali and modernist Kurt Naef. In...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Rubber, Wood, Plywood

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. ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Deru Folded Leather Hippo
By Deru
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Vintage folded leather Hippo by Deru of Germany. Good condition overall, the leather is soft and supple and the rivet is intact. Some stains on the leath...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Leather

Antique Hand Painted Paperboard Trumpet, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique hand painted paperboard trumpet. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautifu...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Paper

Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona, Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Beech Plywood Wood Children Rocking Toy Chair, Italy 1970s
By Peppe de Giuli
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury plywood and beech wood children rocking toy chair for children. Peppe de Giuli probably designed this fantastic piece during the 1970s in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Traditional Folding Metal Lantern, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional textile and metal lantern. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful ...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Mobo Prairie King Rocking Horse Toy, England, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
1960s Mobo Prairie King Rocking Horse Toy. This Rocking Horse was made in England by D.Sebel & Co LTD Mobo Toys. This metal horse toy is standing on a frame with springs to rock. With a red saddle and a gold colored saddle cloth or caparison. Made in England is also pressed in the trapping. A midcentury vintage metal toy...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Vintage Kay Bojesen Articulating Wood Toy Elephant
Located in Chicago, IL
A early Vintage Kay Bojesen Articulating wood toy elephant. signed with early Denmark signature on foot. Appears to have a slender chipped area on th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Antique Cork Construction Set Game, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique cork construction game. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category

1930s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Cork

Vintage Music Drum, 1970’s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Vintage music drum, made in the 70’s in Czechoslovakia. It was originally originally part of a drum kit. In good Vintage condition. Measures: Height: 10 cm...
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Vintage Stuffed Elephant Toy on Wooden Cart with Wheels, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage stuffed Elephant Toy on a wooden cart with wheels - rollers - balls. This large elephant pull along toy has glass eyes, a plush skin and a be...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Patinated Metal and Wood Roller Skates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of roller skates, made famous in the movie THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH... when Tom Ewel falls over them twice (not the actual skate props from the movie)... The pair are heavily patinated and make a great decorative addition to many settings, especially the office, or kids room, play room'
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Antonio Vitali Wood Toy Family Set for Creative Playthings
Located in San Mateo, CA
Carved wood toy family by Antonio Vitali, Swiss toy designer. Vitali designed this set for Creative Playthings in 1954. These were marketed under the na...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Pair of Painted Leather Giraffe Sculptures
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming pair of hand painted leather giraffe sculptures featuring a geometric pattern body and life like heads. Beautifully hand-crafted with expressi...
Category

20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Leather

Rocking Beauty Designed by Gloria Caranica for Creative Playthings
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Classic rocking horse by Creative Playthings. This bentwood birch piece is in nice vintage condition. A great piece to add to your midcentury modern collection.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Birch

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Rocking Elephant
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This stylized elephant is an original variation to the classical rocking horse. It would be great fun for children to ride on its back (as you can see by its tail that has suffered ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Pine

Kay Bojesen Vintage Puffin
Located in Krefeld, DE
Vintage and early puffin designed by Kay Bojesen. It is marked with the old sticker: Kay Bojesen copyright Denmark.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

LB LTD Tri-Ang Steel Train-Steam Locomotives Toy
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a bright orange and black color train-steam locomotives metal toy. It has four black tires and a little silver metal bell in the front top of...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Steel

"Lincoln Bank" Still Toy Savings Bank, American, circa 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
This seldom seen bank is technically a mechanical bank but basically it is a still bank with a slight mechanical function, that being; once it is full of coins, it opens up automatic...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Pinocchio Toys Attributed Tonna Giocattoli, Italy, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pinocchio toy figure. As good as new. The legs, arms and head can be moved. Measure: Height 25 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Dancer, Doll, 1950, Spanish
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Dancer, Doll, 1950, Spanish Measures: H 33cm, L 23cm, P 17cm.
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric

Set of Two Vintage Bugatti MatchBox Car Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two vintage Bugatti MatchBox car toys. By MatchBox, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Set of Two Vintage Ssico Jaguar Match Box Car Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two vintage Ssico Jaguar match box car toys. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Kay Bojesen, Early Horse Figurine in Beech, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Measurement and info: Type: Wooden horse toy/figure. Material: Beech. Color: Beech with natural patina and aging. Design/maker: Kay Bojesen. Origin: Denmark. Period...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beech

Kay Bojesen and Jorgen Bloch Lion in Natural Rope, Denmark 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare example of the Danish toy-design-master Kay Bojesen work. This lion in braided natural rope was designed I collaboration between Jorgen Bloch and K...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Rope

Midcentury Antique "Mariquita Perez" Doll
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury antique "Mariquita Perez" doll. Mariquita Perez appeared in the market in 1940, being the best known doll of the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s in Spain, Portugal and in so...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Large Chrome Jacks Book Ends
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of large chrome Jacks Book ends.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Mid Century Red Retro Westfield Mfg Columbia Fire Arrow Bicycle Bike MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Westfield Mfg Co Columbia Fire-Arrow bike. Measure: 69".  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Early 20th C Handcrafted Red French Wooden Horse Toy
Located in Hastings, GB
Handcrafted French childs pull along wooden horse. Fantastic hand painted spotty wooden horse on wheeled base, pull along handle. The wheels have also been painted spotty in black ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Giant-Sized King's Guardsman by Kay Bojesen
Located in Weesp, NL
A very rare and monumental giant-sized model of the Royal Danish King's Guardsman hand crafted in wood having retaining its vivid original paint. Thi...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Kay Bojesen Painted Wooden Puzzle, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bought from the collection of Danish Design Museum in Randers Denmark (now closed) this large puzzle designed by Kay Bojesen reigns among his rarest designs. This example is probably...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beech

Mid-Century Modern Stylized Rattan Rocking Horse
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern stylized rattan rocking horse in lovely condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage so will show signs of wear an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Rattan

Adorable and Therapeutic Musical Clown Automaton Figure/Toy
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage condition. Features porcelain head, hands and feet. Made in France during the 195...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Textile, Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Handmade White Finished Wicker & Rattan Coffee Pot
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern handmade & hand woven white finished wicker, rattan & cane sculpted coffee or tea pot with lid. Great as toy storage container or for a coffee sShop display. All...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wicker, Cane, Rattan

Set of Six Vintage Aerial Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of six vintage aerials toys. By Unknown manufacturer, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materi...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Pouf, Therapeutic Toy in Jute, Material by Renate Müller, Germany, GDR
Located in Halle, DE
Original and Authentic therapeutic Toy for children by Renate Müller, East-Germany, GDR, circa 1973. A Drum-shaped pouf with handles, made of jute...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Vintage Kings Guardsman Wood Toy by Kay Bojesen, 1970s
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 Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beech

Midcentury Stocks and Bonds Board Game by 3M
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury stocks and Bonds board game by 3M, circa 1964. This set is in excellent condition and appears to have never been played. Stocks & Bonds is a "stock market game for investors and speculators of all ages and incomes" according to the box. This game is complete and consists of a stock board, chalk, eraser, dice, calculator, securities review cards, record sheets, situation cards, stock certificates...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Modern Cast Aluminum Fairground Horse Sculpture
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Mid-Century Modern cast aluminum fairground horse sculpture with original polychrome wheatered patina on a wrough iron Stand with movement mechanism. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Aluminum, Iron

Kay Bojesen, Vintage Painted Zebra Figure, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A wooden toy zebra made from Danish beech and hand painted white and black. It was designed by Kay Bojesen in 1936. This particular example was manufactured in the 1950s. It has bee...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beech

Mid century modern Wicker and Bamboo Rocking Horse
Located in Weesp, NL
Bamboo and wicker mid century modern rocking horse Adorable rocking horse in great condition produced by Rohe Noordwolde, the Netherlands in the 1960s. Measurements: H 74 x W 40 x L...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

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

Kay Bojesen 1950s Oak Elephant
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Early elephant designed by Kay Bojesen in 1953. Its made from solid oak and features articulated limbs, legs, trunk and a removable head. This is an early example made between 1955-5...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Oak

Train Station Toy, Germany, Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Train station toy, Germany, around 1950s Working well Original condition.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Vintage Dump Truck by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large dump truck with two men and a cargo consisting of seven blocks of lacquered beech. Designed and manufactured by Kay Bojesen in Denmark in the 1950s. T...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beech

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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