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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
Alfred James Perry, Mid-Century Turtle Bookends, Signed & Dated, circa 1950
Located in Chatham, ON
ALFRED JAMES PERRY - mid-century - folk art - turtle form bookends - articulated shell and features - each hand carved from a solid block of pine - weighted - original finish - each ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Softwood

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #3651
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #3651. 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

Pair of Vintage 1950s Bronze Carl Auböck Austria Bronze Square Bookends #4575
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of vintage circa 1950s "Square" handmade bookends #4575 designed by Carl Auböck Austria. Square bookends with round hole in the center and cross hatch lines with nice warm patin...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Don Shoemaker for Señal Bookends in Solid Cocobolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of solid wood bookends by Mexican-American designer Don Shoemaker for his company, Señal. Rendered in highly figured cocobolo wood, a species of local tropical wood similar to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Cocobolo

Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4101 'Melies' Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of large Carl Aubock Model #4101 'Melies' patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Curved Astrolite Lucite Bookends by Ritts Co. of Los Angeles
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of mid-century modern "Astrolite" lucite bookends by the Ritts Company of Los Angeles. This pair are each one quarter of a circle, so when put tog...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Mid-Century Made Heavy Bronze Classic Novel Book Shaped Bookends Treasure Island
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and heavy bronze bookends with Thomas Paine and Robert Louis Stevenson 'books'. With the holiday season on our doorstep we will be offering a numb...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Vintage Brass and Copper Trench Art Bookends
Located in San Jose, CA
Pair of mid century trench art bookends in copper circa 1950's. Features a rustic hammered texture and bullet casing in patinated brass. The perfect accessory to organize your books or library and pairs well with industrial modern and Scandinavian decor.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass, Copper

Ben Seibel Bookends for Jenfred-Ware
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ben Seibel design copper plated bookends for Jenfred-Ware, U.S.A.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Copper

Vintage Mid-Century Wood Plank Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and simply exceptional pair of vintage bookends. Deriving on the uniqueness of the wood grain, these bookends are elegant and modernist. Simple lines contrast with organic pat...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Alabaster Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Alabaster Bookends.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Alabaster

Brass Horse Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome pair of brass bookends on a metal base. Beautifully patinated brass horses grazing. Perfect for the Childs room!
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Brass

1950s Mid-Century Abstract Biomorphic Bookends
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Light tan biomorphic forms with brown deeply incised abstract drawing throughout. Unknown Artist, no makers markings. These table sculptures embodies many artistic characteristics of...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Bookends by Pierro Fornasetti, circa's 1958
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and original bookends by Pierro Fornasetti circa 1958. original condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Hand carved bookends in Cocobolo by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico. This design was included in the 2017 Don S. Shoemaker ...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Cocobolo

Pair of Reclining Lion Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of reclining lion bookends, a stunning pair with the look of limestone, but a composition material. The pair are of good weight for those larger bo...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Composition

Mexican Modern Bookends by Don Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Hand carved bookends made in Cocobolo by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Include original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Carl Auböck Bookends # 3652
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in polished brass.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Brass Gazelle Bookends, 1960's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Sculptural Brass Gazelle Bookends, 1960's, Nice original patina to the brass.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4637 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4637 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4630 Large Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #4630 large brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Price is for the pair....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Chrome Jack / Jax Bookend / Paperweight in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid chrome sculptural chrome 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 p...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4575 Patinated Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Produced ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Italian Travertine Sculpture Elephant by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Wonderful sculpture by Fratelli Mannelli for Travertino di Rapolano. Elephant shape travertine sculpture from the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Travertine

Solid Italian Glass Blocks Wrapped Leather Bookends in the Style of Gucci
Located in San Diego, CA
Great pair of Italian solid green glass bookends wrapped on leather, with decorative brass emblem, circa 1950s.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Salviati Murano Glowing Uranium Art Glass Italian Bird Bookend Sculptures
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown uranium yellow with orange tails Italian art glass chirping birds bookend sculptures. Documented to the Salviati Company. Each has a generic "Mura...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Uranium Glass, Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Brass Doberman Bookends with Marble Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of patinated guard dogs for your books. Marble base steadies the books, so dogs appear to be jumping, rather than pressing against the books. A compliment to any bookshelf.  
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble, Brass

Wooden Art Deco Bookends Spherical Round
Located in Sacile, PN
Art Deco bookends in wood.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage MCM Mouse / Cheese Wedge Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A whimsical pair of vintage MCM brass mouse on walnut cheese wedge bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are in very good vintage condition and measure 8.25"...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Beech and Copper Barrel Bookends, France, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of French bookends Beech and copper, made in France Shipping: L 20 P D 15 H 12 1 kg.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Copper

Charles Dudouyt's Style Bookends, 1950, France
Located in NANTES, FR
Pair of Wooden Bookends sometimes attributed to Charles Dudouyt. Do not hesitate to contact me for a shipping quote.    
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Richard Rohac, a Pair of Bookends, Austria, Mid-1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of rare abstract bookends in solid bronze, designed by Richard Rohac, Austria, mid 1900s. Marked RR Made in Austria 7 In good condition, few small signs of wear / age rela...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Curtis Jere Tic - Tac - Toe Onyx and Metal Sculptures or Bookends
Located in Saint Louis, MO
One of a kind Curtis Jere onyx and metal Tic Tac Toe sculptures or bookends, sold individually or as a pair. All of Jere's Tic Tac Toe sculptures are unique ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Metal

Owl Bookends by Blenko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Blenko glass bookends, designed by Joel Myers. In overall excellent condition, with no chips or repairs. We have 4 pairs in stock and on display in our Los Angeles Arts Distr...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Vintage Handcrafted Brass Elephant Head Bookends, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern pair of elephant head bookends made out of solid brass. The set has the original condition, and it is not polished, it shows patina. Great animal sculptures bookends.
Category

Mid-20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Onyx Figural Bookends, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Fantastic pair of Onyx figural bookends. Measure 5" W x 5.25" H W6051522.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx

Mid-Century Ram Bookends C.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A pair of bronze finish stylized mid-century ram bookends. Both bookends retain their original felt on the bottom. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Polished Cast Brass Duck Bookends, circa 1950
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of polished decorative brass duck bookends in Sarried style. Set of midcentury vintage cast metal brass duck sculpture bust bookends. Aged wa...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Austrian Midcentury Brass and Wicker Bookends by Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This rare brass and wicker book ends have been designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in the 1950s in Vienna Austria, Mod. no. 3530. the polished brass remains in beautiful condit...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Hand Carved Wooden Bookends Sturgeons, Germany, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A charming pair of ash wood bookends with carved figurines of sturgeons with beautiful yellow and black eyes. Germany, circa the 1970s. These adorable bookends will make a wonderful...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Rare 1955 Cranbrook School Aim High Logo Design by Eero Saarinen Oak Bookends
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare pair of bookends with cast aluminum seal of Cranbrook School - Aim High logo and the year 1955 mounted to the oak boards. The Aim High logo was designed by Eero Saarinen, son of Eliel Saarinen who designed the schools campus and was president from 1932 - 1946. "In 1927, 'Aim High' was adopted as the motto of Cranbrook School. Along with the motto, a seal was created. This seal, designed by Eero Saarinen, displays an archer, Acestes, aiming his arrow high up into the sky. Famous Alums of Cranbrook, Charles & Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Jack Lenor Larsen, Fumihiko Maki, Gyo Obata, Ralph Rapson, Harry Weese, Toshiko Takaezu, Niels Diffrient, Harvey Littleton, Richard DeVore, Eero Saarinen and Olga de Amaral among others. Noted Faculty Carl Milles, Keith Haring, Daniel Libeskind, Marshall...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Aluminum

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

Don Shoemaker Sculpted Rosewood Bookends for Señal Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Don shoemaker sculpted rosewood bookends for Señal Furniture.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Rosewood, Cocobolo

1950s Ben Seibel Modern ORB Bookends in Copper for Jenfred-Ware Raymor
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bookends 1950s Ben Seibel Modern ORB Bookends in copper plate for Jenfred-Ware Raymor. Maker label is present. Measures: 5.5 H x 5.38 W x 4 D Preowned original unrestored vintage...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Copper

Amethyst Specimen Lucite Encased Bookends, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of Amethyst Specimen lucite encased bookends from the 1970s. A unique statement piece.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Amethyst

Kai Kristiansen Set Teak Bookends, Denmark
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Kai Kristiansen set teak bookends Denmark Mid-century small teak bookends attributed to Kai Kristiansen, manufactured in the 1960's by Feldballe Møbelfabrik in Denmark, made of so...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Ben Seibel for Jenfredware Brass "Flame" Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
 Pair of tear-drop form brass bookends Designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfredware as part of the "Flame" series. Unique design incorporating various shapes and textures in a distinctly ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Massive Pair of Brass on Walnut Base Rams Head Bookends by Sarreid
Located in San Diego, CA
A massive pair of brass rams head bookends on walnut bases by Sarreid, circa 1970s. The bookends, which were made in Spain, are in very good condition and have a great look. They mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Pine

Carl Auböck Pair of Bookends, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of bookends, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modernist Chrome Chain Link Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of modernist chrome chain link bookends, circa 1970s. The pair are in very heavy and in good vintage condition; they measure 11.5"W x 8"D x 7"H. Great addition to any MCM office...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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 lime green...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

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

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Musicians Mid Century Modern Bookends Sculptures in Cast Iron
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of cast iron musicians, men, and woman the pair had a label that read made in Italy but it got lost.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Chic Set of Tessellated Stone Mid-Century Modern Bookends and Candlestick
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Chic mid-century set of bookends and matching chunky candlestick beautifully made of tessellated stone. Makes a stylish accessory set. Candlestick 9.25 h 4.5 round at top; 5.75 round...
Category

1970s Philippine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone

Jane and Gordon Martz Ceramic Tile and Walnut Bookends for Marshall Studios
Located in Chicago, IL
These ceramic tile and walnut bookends were designed and made by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. The rectangular forms are softened by the loose brush strokes in the glaz...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Walnut, Ceramic

Aluminum Owl Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Aluminum Owl bookends, weighted cast aluminum. Nice Image and useful!
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Aluminum

Don S. Shoemaker Sculpted Cocobolo Bookends for Señal Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Don S. Shoemaker sculpted cocobolo bookends for Señal Furniture.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Rosewood, Cocobolo

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

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

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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