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Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Illuminated Glass World Globe on Mahogany Stand by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mahogany sculptural globe stand supported by brass sabots originally designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1953. The globe itself is a 16" Rand McNally Terrestrial globe composed ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

French Pair of Parchment Suit Cases Trunks, circa 1930
Located in Labrit, Landes
French vintage pair of suit cases, made of parchment and fabric, with label holder. The address of the original owner is wrotten inside each suit case. Good vintage condition. Cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Light Gray Privacy Screen or Room Divider with 50's Printed Fabric
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original 1950's light gray enameled metal frame privacy screen or room divider with original 1950's printed fabric. The frame is visibly aged with heavy patina, scratching and some p...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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 Home Accents

Materials

Softwood

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 Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern German Plant Stand Rattan Bamboo Room Divider, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing Mid-Century Modern plant stand, flower pot holder or room divider. made in Germany, circa 1950s. This is a beautiful all original item in...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Wood

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 Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Vintage Modernist Steel Railroad Tie Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage heavy train railroad tie track bookends in the style of Ward Bennett. Green felt to bases, smooth metal finish to tops, front and back with textured steel on the sides. Great additions to your Modernist and Mid Century décor...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

Postmodern Room Dividers / Paravents, Nilla Rosa by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
Located in Renens, CH
Nilla Rosa room dividers by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy. No longer in production. The room divider or paravent consists of two sheets of perforated metal bent into geometrical shap...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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 Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Danny Allessandro Fire Screen with Chrome Footed Bases 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Fire screen in glass with 2 chrome footed bases by Danny Allessandro and sold through Holly Hunt, American 1970's. The glass size can be customized to spec if needed.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Safe Deposit Box, Czechoslovakia 1930s
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage safe-deposit box in a great functional condition. The box was created in 1930s in Czechoslovakia and works like brand new. Original key...
Category

1930s Slovak Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

Vintage Italian Wooden Ladder
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful vintage wooden rung ladder of Italian manufacture from the 1950s. The ladder was made with sturdy and fine wood, still in excellent condition. The vintage ladder has seven...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Italian Room Divider in Rattan and Wicker, 1960s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Authentic Italian rattan and wicker screen from the 60s. Very nice work of rattan with its curls and patterns. 3 panels, usable in various positions. Vintage product...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

1970s Beech Room Divider by Ludvik Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use.
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Beech

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 Home Accents

Materials

Cocobolo

Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in Brown Leather with Beige Fabric, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in brown leather with beige fabric, 1960s Rectangular suitcase in light brown leather with stickers. Metal closure, handle present. Beige fabric i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Vintage cat traveling bag, 1970's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Vintage wooden cat travel bag made in wood. With some nice patina and great details.
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Plywood

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 Home Accents

Materials

Ceramic

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 Home Accents

Materials

Copper

1950s Display Column
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant 1950s display column of Italian manufacture. Brass base, burnished brass leg, glass top.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Vintage Lucite Decorative Obelisks
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hollywood Regency-Style lucite obelisks, ca. 1970s, USA. Large-scale, statuesque decorative objects measuring H: 19.88" and 20.25" (there is a slight dimensional disparity between th...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

Milo Baughman Style Mid Century Burl Wood Room Divider
Located in Countryside, IL
Milo Baughman style Mid Century burl wood room divider Room divider with 3 sections; each measures: 34.5 wide x 3 deep x 87.5 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Burl

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 Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

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 Home Accents

Materials

Bronze

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 Home Accents

Materials

Travertine

Pair of Midcentury Marble Horse Head Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish pair of midcentury marble horse head bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and well crafted, they are honey cream in color w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greek Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Philip & Kelvin Laverne Monumental Custom Architectural Room Divider Screen 1965
Located in Dallas, TX
This monumental brutalist screen was privately commissioned in 1965 directly from the studios of Philip and Kelvin Laverne for a private residence in New Jersey. The interior of this residence was featured in the New York times as one of the most iconic interiors of the 1960s. The screen is comprised of 25 vertical rows of 5 elements with a total of 125 panels. All of the panels were handmade in the Laverne Studios in NY. Each individual 7x22" panel is unique. They were created by etching the panels with acid and then using a proprietary applied patina technique to create a distinct design on each one. This screen mounts to an anodized gold track allowing the panels to be rotated up to 180 degrees to allow for varying amounts of light to pass through. They can also be opened like a curtain. This extraordinary custom screen...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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 Home Accents

Materials

Rosewood, Cocobolo

Mid Century Folding Screen by Tropicraft of San Francisco
By Tropicraft
Located in New York, NY
Interesting and graphic three panel folding screen by Tropicraft of San Francisco. The outer frame is painted black wood, the inner decorative panels are translucent sheet plastic w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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 Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Rare Wood Screen of Kalengo Wood by Jerome Abel Sequin
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This beautifully crafted wooden screen is by the designer and artist Jerome Abel Seguin who carves and works these beautiful pieces in his studio in Fran...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Rattan French Riviera Room Screen Paravent Divider, France
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Authentic rattan screen from the 60s. Very nice work of rattan with its curls and crosses patterns. 3 panels. This screen has been carefully cleaned in the workshop for imme...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rattan

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 Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Percival Lafer Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood and Leather Room Divider
Located in Countryside, IL
Percival Lafer mid century Brazilian rosewood and leather room divider This room divider measures: 21.5 wide x 1.5 deep x 68.25 inches high ?All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Italian 1970's Three Panel Bamboo Decorative Screen
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully ornamental handmade three panel bamboo screen; the bamboo held together with brass pins and screen connected via brass hinges. A dramatic way to divide a room or space,...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather, Illums Bolighus, 1950s, Dainsh Midcentury
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in beautifully patinated leather and brass. Made for Illums Bolighus in the 1950s. Great original condition. Made in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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 Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Set of Two Vintage Bohemian Rattan Bamboo Plant Stand Nesting Tables, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Handsome set off two vintage Bohemian bamboo plant stands or nesting tables. The group consists of two plant stands of graduating size. The trendy boho stands are made of rattan / ba...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Wood

Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in Brown and Green Leather, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in brown and green leather, 1970s Rectangular suitcase in brown leather. Brass closure, handle present. Forest green leather interior with a pocke...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

21st Century Room Divider / Screen Sculptures by Natasha Dakhli, 2021
Located in London, GB
Ceramic screen/room divider sculptures by Natasha Dakhli, 2021 _______ Dimensions: H 185 cm x L 140cm _______ Modular rotating sculptures made of enamel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Stoneware, Ceramic

Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in Brown Leather with Beige Fabric, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern luggage in brown leather with beige fabric, 1970s. Rectangular suitcase in brown leather. Brass closure, handle present. Beige fabric interior with two el...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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 Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in Green Leather with Beige Fabric, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern luggage in green leather with beige fabric, 1970s. Rectangular suitcase in green leather with metal profiles. Metal closure. Light beige-green fabric inte...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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 Home Accents

Materials

Oak

Large Library Step Ladder Attributed to London Film School by Stephens & Carter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An imposing 1970 film prop ladder by maker Stephens & Carter, stamped L.F.S (London Film School). In good solid condition with nice wear and paint. Original...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

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

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Four Panel Painted Room Divider, C 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Mid-Century Modern four panel painted and gilt wood fantasy room divider. C 1950
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Italian Bamboo Lounge Chair, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing Mid-Century Modern lounge chair. Made probably in Italy, circa 1970s. This is a beautiful all original item in good condition. It has some signs of use, scratches to the b...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Fabric, Rattan, Wood

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 Home Accents

Materials

Wood

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

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1950s MCM French Design Style Wooden And Caned Folding Screen Divider
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Graphic and highly decorative folding screen divider composed of 4 panels in wooden base adorned with rattan wicker cane.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cane, Wood

Unique Vintage Screen
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Unique vintage figurative screen composed by 6 panels in tainted wood worked in marquetry. Structure in brass. Italy, 1920s
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern home accents for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern home accents 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 home accents created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern home accents made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original home accents, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Blenko, Ben Seibel, and Replogle Globes. 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 home accents 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 $188,000 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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