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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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern Copper and Pewter Bookends Signed Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These whimsical bookends depict two human figures running on human hamster wheels. The figures themselves are pewter, and the bookends are copper. Artist signed on both bookends.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Copper, Pewter

Unusual Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Oversized Nose Bookends
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Unusual pair of oversized Italian marble composition bookends. Outrageous and fun, a must have for the person who already has everything. I am sure they don't have a pair of these!
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Composition

Set of 2 Mid-Century Art Deco Brass Bookends
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Art Deco Brass Bookends, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1950 to 1959. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Mid-Century Modern Item T...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Aluminum Jacks / Jax Bookends
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mid Century Aluminum Jacks / Jax Bookends.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Sommerso Art Glass Bookends
Located in Englewood, NJ
A pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano glass "Sommerso" decorated bookends decorated in a purple/plum color cased in a light blue - clear overlay. The bookends are unsigned - ci...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Art Glass

Pair of Art Deco Bookstands
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Art Deco Bookstands
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Mid Century A to Z Brushed Steel Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible pair of midcentury, solid brushed steel, "A to Z" bookends circa 1970s. Incredibly solid with an impactful presence, these sculptural pieces render style to any decor. C...
Category

1970s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Bookends
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Bookends. Expressive faces with glass eyes gives these bookends a striking presence.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Alabaster

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 very heavy and in good vintage condition; they measure 14.75"W x 6.25"D x 6.5"H. Great addition to an...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 2 Mid-Century Scandinavian Bookends in Teak, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Scandinavian Bookends in Teak, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Teak Style: Mid-Century Modern ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Blenko Ice Glass Elephant Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Modernist set of tinted ice blue glass stylized elephant bookends. Blenko Glass Co.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Art Glass

Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Bookends, Italy, c.1970
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Bookends, Italy, c.1970.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Travertine

Large Jacks Polished Steel Book End or Decorative Objects
Located in Westport, CT
Large handmade polished steel Jacks book ends decorative arts, circa 1940s.
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron, Steel

Hard-to-Find Pair of Vintage Carl August III Nickel-Plated Bookends Model 5403
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a rare pair of nickel-plated iron bookends designed by Carl Auböck III and crafted by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. These bookends were part of a brutalist-influenced collection o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Pair of MCM Triangle Lucite Bookends with Spirals by Herb Ritts for Astrolite
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool pair of MCM triangle lucite bookends with spiral design by Herb Ritts for Astrolite, circa 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition and measure 11.5"W x 2"D x 5...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

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

Vintage Bronze George Washington & Mount Vernon Bookends by F.R. Woodward
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of bronze bookends. By F.R. Woodward. In bronze. One bookend with George Washington in profile with the Washington family coat of arms and family motto 'Exitus acta pr...
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Contemporary Carved Column Bookends- a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Contemporary bookends. A beautiful deep red on a carved wooden column. A chic and simple design. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

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

Original Vintage Midcentury Glass Owl Bookends by Blenko
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of midcentury glass owl bookends by Blenko from the 1960s with original signature seal sticker. Incredible craftsmanship and detail in this pair of glass bookends that...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Blown Glass

1960s Rustic Gold Jack Bookend George Nelson Design Line Calif
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Rustic Jack Bookend Decor George Nelson Design Line Calif 4.5 tall x 5.75w x 4.75d Original Rustic Unrestored Vintage Condition Item, preowned. Refer to images.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

1950s Ben Seibel Brass Clam Shell Bookend Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Ben Seibel Brass Clam Shell Bookend Set Brass bookends designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfredware 5.5 h x 4 d x 5.5 w Preowned original vin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Set of 16 Mid-Century German Minimalist Colorful Metal Bookends, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Minimalist Colorful Metal Bookends from Soennecken, 1960s, Set of 16, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure ...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Sculptural Bookends Brass and Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents: Vintage modern pair of bookends brass and wood No maker information 6 w x 5.5 d x 6.75 h Original vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Post Modern Marble Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of vintage Italian marble bookends, circa 1970s. In the style of Sergio Asti. Stone is beautifully veined and in great c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Post Modern Marble Bookends
Post Modern Marble Bookends
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Glass Owl Bookends by Blenko
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool pair of MCM hand-blown glass owl bookends by Blenko, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and solid with a smooth back side a finish and a textural finish on the front. Very cool...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage S Monogram Cast Glass Ice Cube Bookends by Blenko, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Handsome pair of heavy mid-century cast glass ice-cube shaped bookends by Blenko with scripted capital S monogram. Front and back are polished smooth and all four sides are textured....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Midcentury Sculptural Jacks Bookends by Bill Curry for Design Line
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid iron sculptural jacks bookends in pink and plue by Billy Curry for Design Line. Could also be used as doorstops. 1960s.  
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

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

1950's Patinated Iron Jax Sculpture Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1950's pair of patinated cast iron Jax bookend / sculptures.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Pair of Italian Gold Gilt Folding Bookends by Franco Tacchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful air of Italian gold gilt folding bookends by Franco Tacchi circa 1960s. The bookends are in good vintage condition and measure 7"W x 3.5"D x 6"H. Great look! #4114
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Bookends Glass and Wood in the Style of Fontana Arte Italy 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of bookends in acquamarine glass structure and wood in the style of Fontana Arte. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Large Mid-Century Italian Travertine Horse Head Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Very stylish pair of large mid-century Italian travertine horse head bookends, circa 1970's. The bookends are heavy, solid and well crafted and measure 10"W x 3"D x 10.5"H. They are...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Travertine

Pair of Golf Ball Bookends Lucite and Chrome Vintage German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Super cool and nice design sculptural golf ball bookends. Nice golfball atop a nickel base. Nice addition to every room. Chrome with patina and one of the lucite stands with scratche...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Vintage Modern Astrolite Products Lucite Arched Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a great set of modern Lucite bookends by Astrolite. In excellent condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #5535 'Rainbow' patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Sculptural Solid Walnut Bookends, c.1960
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mid Century Sculptural Solid Walnut Bookends, c.1960.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Walnut

Vintage George Washington Bronze Bust Bookends
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a pair of vintage George Washington bust bookends. The pair feature the likeness of Washington with detailed facial features and form...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

1970s Blue Quartz Stone Bookends Ethereal Blue
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury pair of organic modern bookends polished floating blue quartz stone 4 1/2" H x 3 1/2" W x 4 1/4" D (each) Original organic vintage unrestored condition. Refer to images.
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Quartz

2 Italian White Carrara Marble Horse Head Shaped Animal Bookends Objects of Art
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of hand carved Italian white Carrara Marble bookends in the shape of a Horse Head. These are very substantial, heavy and well handmade bookends. They are handmade white with gra...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Pair of Vintage Stacked Tortoiseshell Lucite Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very special pair of vintage stacked tortoiseshell and clear lucite bookends. The design has hints of Art Deco and Hollywood Regency and is an eye-catcher in any library, office, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Pair of "Quotation" Gold Leaf Finish Bookends by Curtis Jere
Located in San Diego, CA
Fun pair of mid-century modern iron "Quotation Mark" bookends with gold leaf finish by Curtis Jere, circa 1968. The bookends are in very good vintage condition with a great patina a...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Cut Steel, Gold Leaf

Pair of Modernist Iron Gilded Chain Link Bookends with Smooth Gold Finish
Located in San Diego, CA
Interesting pair of modernist iron gilded chain link bookends with a smooth gold finish, circa 1970s. The pair is heavy, slip resistant and in good vintage condition. They measure 5....
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Vintage Italian White Carrara Marble, Red, Black Dice Bookends Pair Of Polished
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of vintage unusual Italian 1960s white carrara marble bookends have large dice propped as the focal point with red and black resin dots. They have been professionally polis...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Achille Castiglioni, 1991 Left Handed Black Oiled Oak Lungangolo For Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Achille Castiglioni, 1991 Left Handed Black Oiled Oak Lungangolo For Karakter Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be filled ...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Oak

Pair Mid Century Modern Pottery White Horse Head Bookends Abingdon Pottery 1940s
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome Pair of Mid Century white Horse Head Modern Bookends by Abingdon Potteries. Beautiful designed horse heads bookends in glossy white glaze which were produced from 1938 thr...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Pair of Vintage Solid Onyx Aztecs Mexican Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of solid onyx bookends, circa 1970's Aztec style some light chips due to age Sold AS/IS.
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx

Libbiloo' Circus Horse Bookends by Russel Wright, 1928
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early pair of nickel-plated, fanciful 'Libbiloo' circus horse bookends by Russel Wright, designed in 1928. Each marked RW.
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Nickel

1970s Emaus Bookends Mahogany Steel Copper Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents pair of Bookends, Mid Century Mexican Modernist. Unmarked, attributed to Emaus. Made in Mexico circa the 1970s. Mahogany, stainless steel, copper. 6.5H x 4.63 W x 5...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel

Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Wood & Inlay Curved Modernist Bookends - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Wood & Inlay Curved Modernist Bookends - a Pair. Item features solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, nice inlay, clean modernist lines, qual...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Pair of Modernist Chrome and Cork Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and hard to find pair of modernist chrome and cork bookends, circa 1970s. The pair are heavy and in good vintage condition; they measure 4.75"W x 4.5"D x 6"H. Great addi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Chrome

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

Pair of Sculptural German Art Nouveau Brass Bronze Bookends 1900
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative pair of Art Nouveau brass/bronze bookends. Germany, 1900s.   
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass, Bronze

1970s Italian Wooden Door Stop
Located in Carimate, Como
Vintage 1970s Italian stylish wooden doorstop  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Abstract Sommerso Bookends by Luciano Gaspari for Murano Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of large abstract sommerso bookends by Luciano Gaspari for Murano Glass, circa 1960's. The pair are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Blown Glass

Pair of Vintage Rare Freeform Geode Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Versatile set of white and gray colored geode bookends, circa 1960s. The set is in very good vintage condition. This particular set is a unique pair that parallels two sides. One s...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Rock Crystal

Industrial Metal Mold Sculpture Bookends, a pair, circa 1950
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of industrial stainless steel hand-shaped molds was used to manufacture gloves circa 1950. Those forms are the female and male parts of a complete mold. They will look supe...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Large Atomic Era Jack / Jax Bookend, Doorstop in the Style of 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 measures 8"W x 8"D x 6....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Vintage Large Scale Brass Rams Head Bookends, 1970's
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Vintage Large Scale Brass Rams Head Bookends, 1970's
Category

20th Century American 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

Onyx Figural Bookends, a Pair
Onyx Figural Bookends, a Pair
$332 Sale Price / set
30% Off

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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