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Mid-Century Modern Bookends

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
Pair of Rare Carl Aubock Brass and Tin Book Ends, First Generation, 1935-1945
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage, made in the very first pre-War period of the existence of the Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna. Model number: 3531 - Illustrated in the exhibition catalogue of the Vienna Histori...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Ceramic Bird Bookends in the Style of Georges Jouve, 1950s
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Ceramic Bird Bookends in the style of Georges Jouve, 1960s.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Tennis Players on Quartz Court Bookends by Curtis Jere for Artisan House
Located in San Diego, CA
Excellent and rare pair of bronze tennis players on quartz court bookends by Curtis Jere for Artisan House, circa 1976. The pair are signed and da...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Sculptural Austrian Midcentury Brass Key Book Ends from the, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of large completely handcrafted sculptural modernist book ends in the shape of old keys. One-of-a-kind pieces, handmade of solid brass in the 1950s in Austria.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

American Midcentury Textured Glass Owl Bookends by Blenko
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of midcentury glass owl bookends by Blenko from the 1960s. Incredible craftsmanship and detail in this pair of glass bookends that can adapt to your style as sculpture...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Blown Glass

Ben Seibel Orb Bookends, Brass, Jenfred-Ware
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel Orb bookends, brass. Pair of rounded sculptural brass over white metal bookends with cutout handles - the form resembling Turkish kettlebells. The warm patina to the brass...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Equestrian Leather and Brass Buckle Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome saddle leather bookends with strap and brass buckle details and felted bases. Warm patina/light scuffs present consistent with age/use. Measures...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Set of Desk Accessories by Rexite, Kartell, Neolt, 9 Pieces, Italy, 1980s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Four bookends, two desk organizers, two pen or pencil holders, one diary - Marked. - Rare models a and color. - Very practical. - Raul Barbieri and Gio...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Rare Carl Aubock Brass and Tin Book Ends, First Generation, 1935-1945
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage, made in the very first pre-war period of the existance of the werkstatte Aubock in Vienna. Model number: 3531 - Illustrated in the exhibition catalogue of the Vienna Historical Museum. For sale are a pair of super rare bookends...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Pair of Italian Red and Green Leather Equestrian Bookends, circa 1950s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Extra Large Set of Vintage Leather Bookends with Patinated Bronze Horses in Full Sprint, Italy circa 1950s. One bookend is in red leather and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Murano Art Glass Apple and Pear, Hand Blown, Blue, Purple, Excellent Condition
Located in Kansas City, MO
Murano art glass apple and pear Sommerso blue and purple designed by Alfredo Barbini. Both have two flat surfaces for display or can be used as bookend...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Art Glass

Railroad Tie Bookends
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Fun whimsical solid iron railroad tie bookends. Raw metal with clear coat and original felt bottoms. A wonderful addition to any designer interior space....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Atomic Era Jack / Jax Bookend, Doorstop or Paperweight by Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage atomic era / MCM iron jack / jax in the style of Bill Curry, circa 1970s. The piece in well worn vintage condition with a great patina and...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Pair of Marble Bookends with Solid Cylinder Detail
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely pair of Carrara marble bookends - two 90 degree angle pieces with a solid cylinder as a very nice and simple detail. The pair would be a complement to any desk, or work ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of C2C Designs, a Resin Based Sculptural Ear and Nose Bookend Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pair of iconic C2 Design bookends. The pair combine a combination pop Nose and Ear. The resin has a stone look and are very popular. The pai...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Acrylic, Resin

American Eagle Ceramic Bookends Faux Wood Finish
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare sculpture ceramic eagle bookends Beautiful faux wood finish with a rustic cerused whitewash. Books are not included. Versatile design ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware Bookends in Brass and Walnut "Diamond"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware brass bookends with an inlaid walnut diamond motif. Wear throughout, as shown (patina, tarnish, scuffs). Newly polished condition. Original green ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Hand Carved Alabaster Bookends w. Science like Geometrical Element
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and undoubtedly meaningful midcentury bookends of practical size and design. We are not educated in the fields of physics, chemistry or biology, but somehow we have a feel...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Alabaster

1950s Japanese Owl Sculptures Brutalist Metalsmith Birds Iron like Isamu Noguchi
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Designed by an unknown Japanese craftsman. A pair of heavy welded metal abstract bird sculptures, minimalist in design and creation. Some remna...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Vintage Brass Teddy Bear Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage mid-century brass teddy bear bookends. These pair of teddy bear would make a luxurious addition to any room, and especially as part of a nursery...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Blenko Glass Ship Bookends, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of round art glass bookends made by Blenko. Decorated with ships at full sail above a stretch of water in textured relief. Dimensions per bookend
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair 1950s Patinated Cast Brass Duck Mallard Head Bookends Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Sarreid attributed Vintage pair of patinated cast brass duck or Mallard Head bookends, Paperweight Home Decor, circa 1950. Great for holding up books on a bookshelf or as paper weig...
Category

1950s Taiwanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Sculptural Brass Jack / Jax Bookends in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of solid brass sculptural jack / jax bookends in the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1980s. The set is in good vintage condition and measures 11"W x 5"D x 4.25...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Nautical Captain Ship Wheel Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully forged in solid brass, these nautical ship wheels have a classic aesthetic that is ideal for coastal and nautical décor but can easily translate to industrial and eclecti...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Bookends #3848
Located in Berlin, DE
Classis pair of Carl Auböck bookend in a patina and polish brass mix.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Oversized Dice Sculpture with Red Dots by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage oversized Lucite sculpture designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1960s. The sculpture is 4" square and the Lucite is clear and free of clouding, craze or hazing. The pain...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite, Acrylic

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4843 Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4842 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Price is f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Polished Brass Teddy Bear Vintage Bookends Paperweights
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Polished brass teddy bear vintage bookends or paperweight. Vintage mid-century brass teddy bear bookends. These pair of teddy bear would make a luxu...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Bill Curry Sculptural Jax Bookends Design Line
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of fun / sculptural bookends by Bill Curry for Design Line. Great patina and original creamy white paint.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4102 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4102 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Rams Head Ceramic Sculpture Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice and large sculpture of a Rams Head - perfectly suited as a bookend for large books, or a Stand-alone decorative piece. No Chips or Cracks.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Italian Onyx Horse Art Deco Head Bookends
Located in Antwerp, BE
A beautiful and elegant pair of Art Deco hand-carved onyx horse head sculptural bookends with bowed head. Italy, circa 1940s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx

Blenko Glass Twisted Hearts Clear Block Bookends Wayne Husted, 1969
Located in Miami, FL
Blenko glass twisted hearts clear block bookends, Wayne Husted 1969 Offered for sale is a pair of Blenko "Twisted Hearts" clear block bookends designed by Wayne Husted in 1969. Th...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Small Sculptural Jack / Jax Bookend / Paperweight in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice small sculptural jack / jax bookend, door stop or paperweight the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice patina a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Solid Cast Brass Anchor Bookends
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of cast solid brass anchor bookends. Perfect for your Nantucket, Cape, or Hamptons home! USA, Mid-20th Century Measures: 4"W x 4"D x...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

1968 Curtis Jere Male and Female Bookends, a Pair
Located in Marietta, GA
Classic pair of gilt iron bookends, signed C Jere, 1968. One, the sign for female, and one, the sign for male. Heavy enough to actually hold books, or just use, decoratively.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Two Painted Cast Iron Antique Car Door Stops or Book Ends
By Sexton
Located in Nova Scotia, NS
This fabulous pair of painted cast iron antique cars can be used as door stops, book ends, or shelf décor. One is a red, early Model T Ford with gold and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Iron

Bookends World Globe Mid-Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Pair of mid-century world globe bookends. They globes are two pieces of timeless design and high quality, ideal for a very masculine and sophisticated environment These pieces ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Bill Curry Jacks Sculptures Bookends Paperweights for Design Line 1967
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Large Handmade Iron Jacks bookends by Bill Curry in chocolate brown enamel. Bill Curry Oversized Pop Art Jacks Bookends. Bill Curry Jacks Scul...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Blenko Clear Glass Half Circle Bookends, Pair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of vintage handmade half circle bookends in solid glass by Blenko. Both with original foil label.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Brazilian Hardwood Geometric Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brazilian hardwood geometric bookends, unmarked. 6" H x 5.75" W x 3.25" D. Dealer: S138XX
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Modern Expandable Orange Metal Bookend Holder, Made in England
Located in New York, NY
An English orange enamel expandable bookend, Midcentury Modern period, circa mid-20th century, England. Great design in a beautiful orange hue, exp...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Abstract Marble and Ceramic Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage pair of abstract marble and ceramic bookends. This interesting design is attributed to Fratelli Mannelli and was manufactured by Raymor. These stylish pair of abstract mar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Pair of Marble Dice Bookends with Marble Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Marble Dice on Marble bases. The pair are a nice compliment to any shelf and great for the game aficionado or child's room. The roll of the dice an...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Vintage Stacked Solid Wood Bookends
Located in Denton, TX
Vintage solid wood bookends made of ash, walnut, mahogany and maple. Glued together in a stacked design then shaped in a curved pattern. They make nice decorative sculptures.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Mahogany, Maple, Oak, Walnut

Pair of Sea Birds on Ocean Pylon Bookends by Curtis Jere for Artisan House
Located in San Diego, CA
Excellent and rare pair of sea birds on ocean pylon bookends by Curtis Jere for Artisan House, circa 1977. The pair are signed and dated and are in very good vintage condition with a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Quartz, Copper

Aged Bronze Bull Bookends, B. Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mid century bronze stylized bull bookends by Ben Seibel for Jenfredware.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Walnut and Ceramic Tile and Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of mid-century bookends. Solid walnut with inlaid copper colored ceramic tile. Unsigned.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Pair of Clear Glass Half Moon Glass Bookends by Wayne Husted for Blenko
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous clear glass half moon bookends designed by Wayne Husted for Blenko, circa 1960s. They are in very good vintage condition with no chips or scra...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Mcm Jane & Gordon Martz Walnut & White Tile Bookends for Marshall Studios 1960s
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut bookends with vertical white inset tiles by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios on brass bases. Very nice original condition.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Bookends with Music Sheet Pattern by Grafiche Tassotti & Figli, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of lovely and large triangular Midcentury book ends from the 1950s, executed by Tassotti & Figli, Bassano, Italy. Made of wood, covered wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood, Paper

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #3653
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #3653. Patinated and polished brass bookends. Classic 1950's design still handcrafted using traditional me...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Architectural Brass Globe Bookend & Decorative Object, 1970s
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern polished brass ball orb sculptural bookend. The design features a round spherical globe beautifully enhanced by a square walnut wood Stand, adding an architectural...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Vintage Large Sculptural Iron Jack by Bill Curry
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage large handmade iron Jack by Bill Curry. Large vintage original handmade cast iron Jack, Jax, designed by Bill Curry of Design Line, 1967. This jack is made of cast iron and is in original condition. Great addition to any decor, Industrial retro Pop Art...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Jacks Iron Bookends Attributed to Bill Curry for Design Line
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this handsome mid-century pair of Jacks bookends composed of rough cast iron with partially polished detailing. Each bookend is solid metal and weighs over ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Sculptural Jack / Jax Bookend / Paperweight in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice sculptural jack / jax bookend, door stop or paperweight the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Chrome

Mid-century Modern bookends for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern bookends 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 bookends created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern bookends made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookends, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Blenko, Ben Seibel, and Curtis Jeré. 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 bookends differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $7,500 while the average work can sell for $525.

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