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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
Vintage Silver Jack Bookend Modern Pop Art George Nelson 1960s Design Line CA
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bookend Vintage single silver Jack bookend accessory Modern Pop Art Style George Nelson 1960s No label, attributed to George Nelson Design Line California Measures: 4.5 tall x 5 ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Studio Mixed Wood Bookends
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage handmade studio solid planked mixed wood bookends, circa 1970s. This unique set is handcrafted in zebrawood, walnut, maple, oak, rosewood and plywood. Perfect to display with...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Cork, Plywood, Maple, Zebra Wood, Oak, Rosewood, Walnut

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

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

Pair of Solid Onyx Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice elegant pair of solid onyx bookends with decorative motifs.
Category

20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx

Pair of Mid Century Hollywood Regency Brass Pineapple Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Hollywood Regency brass pineapple bookends. Beautiful pieces original to the period and style. These sculptural pair adds whimsy a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

1950's Wood Carved Polynesian Couple Bookends
Located in Spring Valley, CA
Beautiful pair of mid century bookends. Done in a traditional folk style. From the island-nations of the South Pacific.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Ben Seibel Jenfred Ware Copper Finish Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of bookends was designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware in the 1950s (New York) and exported by Raymor. This exquisite example is nicely aged with a rich, patinated copper ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Copper

Ermanno Nason for Cenedese Italian Murano Alexandrite Glass Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning, rare and vintage midcentury centrepiece glass sculpture by Ermanno Nason (1928-2014) for Cenedese of Murano, Venice, Italy. An absolutely stunning piece of Mid-Century Mura...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

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

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

Mid-Century Modern Danish Bookends 1960s Set of 2
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Modern Danish book ends 1960s set of 2. Pair of solid hardwood book holders with metal feet. Stamped with golden Wejra logo. Cleaned and po...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Ritts Astrolite Modern Abstract Lucite Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A good pair of Ritts Astrolite Lucite bookends,  of an abstract, modernist design with pierced central openings. Height: circa 6 3/4 in. Items purchased from David Sterner Antiques...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Mid Century Rectangular Bookends by DAPCO
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and incredibly minalist set of walnut bookends by DAPCO. This pair is simple lined and graphic squared. A beautiful leather plaque is contained by walnut edges along with a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Glossy Black Porcelain Eagle Head Bookends by Hispania Daiso / LLadro
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool pair of glossy black porcelain bald eagle head bookends by Hispania Dasio / Lladro of Spain, circa 1985. The set is quite striking and in v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Porcelain

Midcentury Scandinavian Teak Bookends from ESA, 1970s, Set of 9
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of 9 bookends in untreated teak with steel rest's manufactured by ESA in Denmark during the 1960s or 70s. The design is similar to bookends attributed to Kai Kristiansen. Measu...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Teak

Pair of Multi Wood Mosaic Bookends in the Style of Don Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mixed-wood bookends. A compliment to any shelf or library. Reminiscent of Don Shoemaker - intricate attention to detail... A mosaic of rich wood colors, these bookends pair w...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Wood

Large Atomic Jack / Jax Bookend or Doorstop in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage atomic era, mid-century modern large iron jack / jax in the style of Bill Curry, circa 1970s. The piece is functional as either a bookend, door stop or decorative accent and ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Midcentury Danish Teak Bookends
Located in Vienna, AT
Made of teak in Denmakr in the early 1950s.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Teak

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

Hollywood Regency Brass Swan Bookends, A Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of Hollywood Regency brass swan bookends. In fabulous vintage condition, this pair is created from brass, and depict a swan with the beak to...
Category

20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Rare Vintage Mid Century Lucite Bookends with Embedded Sea Shells
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage mid century lucite bookends with embedded shell. These 1960s gems are glamorous, lustrous and enigmatic. Two perfectly proportioned seashell specimens float in luci...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Bronze Dancers Couple 1970s Belgium Artist V D Brande
By V. D. Brande
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful set of two expressive dancers from the seventies, handcrafted in bronze, inspired by sculpted clay sculptures a technique that is characteristic of the seventies and gives ...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Polished Aluminum Rare Spanish Galleon Ship Sculptures by Hoselton Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Polished aluminum rare Spanish galleon ships sculpture by Hosleton signed, and numbered made in Canada circa 1970s.
Category

20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Aluminum

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

Ben Seibel Aged Bronze Srirrup Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Custom finished aged bronze stirrup bookends, c.60s.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Bookends Walnut Wood Live Edge Design Organic Form 1970s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bookends Pair of walnut wood organic form bookends live edge natural design. Artist signed Wetter Original vintage unrestored preowned. Measures: 5.75 W x 6.5 H x 6.25 D inches. Preo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Mid-Century Aqua Ceramic Foo Dogs / Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of mid-century aqua ceramic foo dogs / bookends, circa 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage with no chips or cracks and have a wonderful patina. They measure: 14...
Category

20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Tan Leather Bookends Mounted with Gilt Bronzed Dolphins, Italian circa 1940
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a beautiful, pair of Tan Leather book ends, mounted with gilt bronzed metal dolphins, which we date to the mid 20th century. The bookends have been beautifully modelled ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Solid Marble Bookends with Brass Anchor
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of green solid marble bookends with brass anchor accent, circa 1970s. The set are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure 5"W x 4.75"D x 7"H. #1493.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble, 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

Lucite / Acrylic Law Enameled Scales of Justice Book Ends
Located in Westport, CT
Lucite / acrylic black enameled scales of justice book ends, stainless steel return to fit books together as shown, nice for book display on shelving or ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Stainless Steel

Metal Scroll Style Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Metal scroll bookends with center of wood. This unique style bookend is perfectly suited for any desk and especially the Childs room. Pulling back the scrolls allows books ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

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

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

Mexican Handmade Ebony Bookends
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this rare pair of Mexican Handmade Bookends made in fantastic Ebony wood this kind of wood its very hard and heavy.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ebony

Ben Seibel Jenfred Ware Copper Finish "Stirrup" Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of bookends was designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware in the 1950s (New York) and exported by Raymor. Sculptural "stirrup" form with a nicely aged, patinated copper finis...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Copper

Pair of Midcentury Lucite Bookends by Herb Ritts for Astrolite
Located in San Diego, CA
A gorgeous pair of mid-century lucite bookends by Herb Ritts for Astrolite, circa 1970s. The pair are in excellent condition and would make a great addition to any midcentury study o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Vintage Cast Metal & Cold-Painted Figural Chestnut Horse Head Bookends
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of cast and cold-painted sculptural horse head bookends are unsigned, but presumed to have been made in England in approximately 1960 in a realistic style. The well execute...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Granite, Spelter

Pair of Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Hard Wood Foo Dogs
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of vintage Chinese hand carved hard wood foo dogs or bookends which I believe are made from mahogany or elm, circa 1970s. The dogs are in very good condition and mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Hardwood

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

Pair of Ice Block Emerald Glass Bookends by Blenko Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of of free flow ice block emerald glass bookends by Blenko Glass, circa 1970s. The bookends look like a large chunk of ice with a very cool three dimensional effect and mea...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Bookends by Carl Auböck III
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare pair of bookends by Carl Auböck III. Nickel plated steel. 1970s.  
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Steel

Ben Seibel Atomic Brass Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Set of atomic sculptural brass finished bookends by Ben Seibel, c60s.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Solid Wood with Inlay Curved Bookends, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern solid wood with inlay curved bookends - a Pair. Item features solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, nice inlay, clean modernist lines, quality cra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

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 Carved Oak Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century carved oak bookends with leaf designs (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Oak

Bookends Horse Faux Ivory and Portoro Marble Italian Design, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bookends horse faux ivory and portoro marble Italian design, 1950s.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Pair of Hand Carved Knotty Pine Wood Eagle Head Bookends by Sarreid
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking pair of hand carved knotty pine eagle head bookends by Sarreid, circa 1970s. The bookends, which were made in Spain, are in very good condition and have a white wash overl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Pine

Book Holder, 1950s Attr. Richard Rohac
Located in Wien, AT
Book holder, 1950s Attr. Richard Rohac Brass blackened Original marble Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble, Brass

Grouping of Six Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of six Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of models #4635, #4636 and #4637. Designed in the 1950s, these incredibly refined and sculptural bookends are execu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid-Century Atomic Wire Mesh Black Table Top Book Shelf
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly clean and modernist lines define this unique table top book shelf. This simple piece carries strong lines that manifest its era and car...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Solid Cast Brass Mid Century Era Horse Related Bookends
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of solid cast brass bookends was made by the Hohn manufacturing company of New Hampshire in approximately 1970. The bookends depict a silhouette of a horse's head with a pi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

1970's Modernist Steel and Chrome Links Bookends
Located in New York, NY
1970's modernist steel and chrome Italian links bookends, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Pair of Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Hard Wood Foo Dogs
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of vintage Chinese hand carved hard wood foo dogs or bookends which I believe are made from elm, rosewood or another type of hardwood, circa 1950s. The dogs have gla...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Hardwood

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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