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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
Period: Mid-20th Century
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

Vintage Cast Glass Bookends by Blenko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic pair of heavy Mid-Century Modern cast glass semi-circular column bookends by Blenko. In very good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. 5" x 5" x 2.5...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Pair of Cast Brass Mallard Duck Bookends Mid Century Modern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage pair of Mallard duck bookends is made of polished cast brass with detailed eyes, cheeks and beaks. The wide bases curve gently down, providing extra stability to the heavy, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, Set of 8
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-century bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, set of 8. Very decorative Danish modern bookends in rosewood and metal designed by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for Feldball...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of 1970s Black & Clear Lucite Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of mid-century modern bookends in black and clear lucite. Sophisticated and clean with a light-catching quality that adds a polished element to any bookshelf. In good vintag...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Art Deco Architectural Bird Bookends Art Brass Co NY Geometric Pair Owl Falcon
By Art Brass Co.
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Pair of brass American Art Deco Bird bookends designed in sharply geometric patterns, like metropolis architectural elements of the 1920-1940. Each bird is stamped "Art Brass Co NY...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

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 Solid Brass Folding Chinese Foo Dog Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of solid brass folding foo dog bookends, circa 1960s. The bookends are in good vintage condition and measure 7"W x 3.5"D x 6"H. Great look! #3588
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Jean Gillon Jacaranda Equine Sculptural Bookend Pair, Labelled, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean Gillon Mid-Century Jacaranda Equine Sculptural Bookends, Brazil, 1960s. Handcrafted with hard rosewood (also known as jacaranda), rare pair of horse head bookends by Jean Gillo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Jacaranda

Pair of Mid-Century Teak Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of mid-century teak bookends, circa 1960s. Two sets available. #3559
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Mid 20th Century Bill Curry Jax Bookends - a Pair
Located in Charleston, SC
Mid Century Bill Curry for Design Line Red and green Iron Jack Jax Bookends. All paint is original. Two of twelve colors manufactured by Curry's company, Design Line. I love thes...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Modernist Solid Brass Bookends. Sleek Timeless Decor Ben Seibel
Located in Peoria, AZ
SLEEK! MODERN SCULPTURAL MID CENTURY BRASS BOOK ENDS GREAT LOOK! DIMENSIONS: EACH APPROX. 7" BY 5-1/2" In the manner of Ben Seibel These book ends are a clean addition to any d...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Brass Bookends Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware Orb, 1950s
Located in London, GB
Pair of rounded sculptural brass bookends in organic form by Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware, distributed by Raymor, USA, 1950's. Cast metal with shiny brass finish and partly a dark pat...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

2 bookends vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
2 bookends vienna around 1950s Brass Original patina The books are not for sale they are only for the photoshooting
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Italian World Globe Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
An Italian pair of world globe bookends with brass accents, circa mid-20th century, Italy. A great pair for an office, library, living room, etc. Marked 'Made in Italy' on back as sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Blenko Clear Textured Glass Bear Bookends by Wayne Husted
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of MCM Wayne Husted designed clear textured glass bear bookends for Blenko, circa 1960s. In fine condition, no damage. partial labels. In fine condition, no issues. Model 4034
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Glass

Pietro Fornasetti, Rare metal Bookend Janus Two-Faced 1950s (First edition)
Located in Argelato, BO
Pietro Fornasetti, Rare metal bookend from the 1950s (First edition) In the extraordinary creative imagination of Pietro Fornasetti every household object is transformed and embelli...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Vintage Italian purple marble bookends, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A very unique and incredibly rare pair of vintage Italian marble bookends in hand-carved geometric form, circa mid 1960s. Glorious tones of amethyst, lilac, and aubergine with cream ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Abstract Ceramic Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Abstract pair of Ceramic Bookends. They have the feel of some that Ben Seibel designed and made of metal. In good shape and heavy enough to hold books in place!
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Wooden Arts & Crafts Dice Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome pair of 1950s-1960s vintage rounded hand-carved oak library bookends with large ebonized 6-sided dice. Each die rotates on it's axis and has pips made from iron nails. Fits ...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Teak

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 Ring Bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of nickel and copper art deco machine age bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two circles, one larger in a black satin enameled c...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Nickel, Enamel, Copper

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brass Duck Bookends
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Mid-Century Duck Brass Bookends Sculptures Substantial in size and weight, these solid vintage brass ducks are both form and function. Fabulous pair displayed on a bookshelf ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Egg Shaped Marble Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Egg shaped marble bookends. Each egg has a flat side to hold books tight! White marble with gray graining throughout. Nice size measuring 5.5 tall and 3.5 a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Pair of Mid-Century White Marble Horse Head Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Very stylish pair of mid-century white marble horse head bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and solid and well crafted. They measure 8"W x 2.25"D x 8.5"H and would make a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Alabaster

Mid Century Bookends Revolving World & Moon Globe
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A pair of vintage German decorative bookends with spinning globes of the moon and earth
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Mid-20th Century Brass Bookends Inspired by 'the Thinker' from Auguste Rodin
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of brass bookends, depicting The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. Presumably made in Italy, around 1960-1970. Good condition, beautiful colour and patina. Dimensions: 18 (h) x 8,5 ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Vintage Curved Astrolite Lucite Bookends by Ritts Co. of Los Angeles
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking 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 together provide a semi-c...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Midcentury Sculptural Jack Bookend or Door Stop
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid metal sculptural jack bookend. Could also be used as doorstop. 1950s.  
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Sheldon Rose Alpha Sculpt Cube Letterpress Sculptures Bookends 1960s
Located in Troy, MI
Pair of Mid Century Modern typographic cube sculptures or bookends designed by Sheldon Rose circa 1960s Titled "Alpha Sculpt" formed of cast metal with raised letters and symbols ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Curtis Jere Mars & Venus Gold Gilt Bookends Sculptures Signed Jeré, 1968
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A beautiful, and in lovely condition, pair of Mars and Venus Curtis Jere sculptures or bookends depicting the male and female gender symbols on square bases made of gold leafed cast iron. In beautiful condition with original patina and signed "C. Jeré 1968". The gilt really adds a nice warmth and glow. These would look exquisite displayed in a lit bookcase, in a master bedroom, master bath...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Iron, Gold

Vintage Modernist Stair Cut Polished Steel Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage modernist stair-cut polished steel bookends, circa 1970s. Beautiful and simple with great mid-century minimal lines, the bookends are in very good vintage condition and meas...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Steel

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Travertine Horse Head Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Very stylish pair of mid-century Italian travertine horse head bookends, circa 1970's. The bookends are heavy and solid and well crafted. They wold ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Travertine

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Bill Curry Design Line POP Red Color Jacks Bookends
Located in St. Louis, MO
Bill Curry for Design line very fun pop red colored playful iron jacks bookends or decorative objects. Often attributed to George Nelson, these are all original paint. Some light scu...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Vintage Abingdon USA Ceramic Horse Head Bookends with Labels, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Abingdon USA Ceramic Horse Head Bookends with Labels, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of substantial early Mid-Century ceramic horse bookends...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

A pair of pink marble bookends by Vermont Marble Co, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A pair of pink marble bookends by Vermont Marble Co, mid 20th century. Pale pink with burgundy and brilliant coral veining. Felted bottoms. Note the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Beveled Lucite Bookends
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Lucite Mid-Century Bookend Set, 1960's Vintage Mid-Century Modern, heavy Lucite bookends with beautiful beveled edges. These bookends almost glow when the light hits them. Polished...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Vintage Majolica Staffordshire Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bookends - a Pair
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming pair of vintage majolica Staffordshire Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bookends. The black and white dogs with a red collars rest their paws ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Abingdon Pottery 1940s Mid Century Modern Pair Black Horse Head Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome Pair of Mid Century Horse Head Modern Bookends by Abingdon Potteries. Beautiful designed horse heads bookends in glossy black glaze which were produced from 1938 through 1...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Abingdon Pottery Pair White Ceramic Mid Century Modern Horse Head Bookends 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 creamy white glaze which were produced from 193...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid-Century Sheldon Rose AlphaSculpt Typesetter Block Sculpture Bookend
Located in San Diego, CA
Signed Sheldon Rose (American 20th Century) Typesetter cube sculpture, can also be used as bookend. In polished polychrome silver metal. Sheldon Rose (American, 20th century), attend...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

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

1940s Pair Modern Pottery Black Horse Head Bookends Abingdon Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome Pair of Mid Century Horse Head Modern Bookends by Abingdon Potteries. Beautiful designed horse heads bookends in glossy black glaze which were produced from 1938 through 1...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Pair of Modernist Solid Marble Cube Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A really nice pair of modernist solid black and white marble cube bookends, circa the 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure 3"W x 3"D...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

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

Brass Gazelle Bookends
Located in Vallejo, CA
A pair of vintage brass bookends in the shape of gazelles. Beautiful gold patina and green stone bases. Great stylized deco design.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Brass

Mid-Century Hand Carved Alabaster Owl Sculptures with Glass Eyes Bookends 1950s
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful, meaningful, practical and decorative mid-century bookends. Given the fact that owls are the international symbol for wisdom and learning, these are the perfect sculptures...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Alabaster

Vintage Danish Teak Bookends 1960s, Set of 2
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak bookends 1960s, Set of 2 Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern bookends in solid teak with metal base. Very good original condition. Ready to support.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Teak

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sunshine Yellow Boat Bookends
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Powder-Coated Sunshine Yellow Set of Mid-Century Sailboat Bookends These solid vintage newly powder-coated boats are both form and function. Fabulous pair displayed on a bookshelf ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal, Iron

Bronze Cast Patinated American Eagle Bookends Circa 1950s
Located in San Diego, CA
Bronze-patinated American bald eagle bookends circa 1950s. Beautiful elegant pair.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Pair of MCM Arched Lucite Bookends in the Style of Herb Ritts
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of MCM arched lucite bookends in the Style of Herb Ritts for Astrolite, circa 1970s. The pair are in excellent condition and would make a great...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Mid Century Italian Alabaster Bookends
Located in London, London
Pair of bookends Alabaster Handcarved  Bookshaped Italy Mid 20th Century
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Alabaster

Mid-Century Jane and Gordon Martz Ceramic and Walnut Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of ceramic and walnut bookends by Jane and Gordon Martz for their company, Marshall Studios. Each bookend stands sculpturally and presents a ceramic inlay detail in wo...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Pottery, Walnut

Cast Brass Bookends, Israel 1967
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Cast Brass Bookends, Israel 1967 made by Tarra Sancta Guilt.
Category

1960s Israeli Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mid Century French Brass Nautilus Shell Paper Weight Bookend Objet d'Art Decor
Located in Pearland, TX
Beautiful vintage Mid-Century French brass nautilus shell paper weight bookend objet d'Art. A solid and heavy piece, weighing approximately 2 lbs. It's a stylish piece for any room d...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Don Shoemaker Bookends for Señal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Guido...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Regency Hand-Painted Bookends - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Regency bookends. A charming little couple in period dress. Hand painted detail on a ceramic cast. Acquired from a Palm Beach e...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Vintage Murano Glass Millefiori Bookends
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this pair of millefiori (thousand flowers) bookends have multi color murine flowers suspended in clear, heavy Murano glass. Oval shape with flat base and flat inside ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookends

Materials

Murano Glass, Murrine

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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