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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
Midcentury Waste Bin in Beech and Cane, Made in Denmark, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in beech and cane, design and made attributed to Cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Great original condition. Made in Denmark, 1950s.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cane, Beech

Tall Vintage Brass and Brushed Aluminum 6-Panel Screen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chic and elegant 6 panel room-divider in brushed aluminum and brass anodized aluminum. This tall and heavy set of panels are joined by brass hinges and are currently in two 3-panel s...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

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

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Stunning Pattern Three Panel Bamboo Rattan Room Divider Screen Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century stunning pattern three panel bamboo rattan room divider screen mint.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Atomic Era Jack / Jax Bookend, Doorstop or Paperweight by Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage atomic era / MCM iron jack / jax in the style of Bill Curry, circa 1970s. The piece in well worn vintage condition with a great lime green...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

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

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

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Room Divider Wall Unit Shelving
Located in Countryside, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Room Divider Wall Unit Shelving This wall unit measures: 54 wide x 17 deep x 72.5 inches high The base measures:...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Sculptural Three-Panel Midcentury Bamboo Screen Room Divider
Located in Den Haag, NL
Sculptural three-panel midcentury bamboo screen room divider.
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo

Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional light up floor model globe, by Replogle Globes Inc. The globe is 16 in. in diameter, it features an interior light, and restrain a solid mahogany frame. This example is i...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Paper

Unique Room Divider in Mirror and Faux Bamboo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This incredible vintage room divider, styled after Jansen Furniture, combines dark faux bamboo with mirror panels. Vibrant patterns and brass hinges give this piece Mid-Century Moder...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Murano Amber Green Glass Bookends - a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green amber Italian art glass bookend sculptures. Can be used by it s own or as a pair to keep your favorite books in place, or as an art contempo...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

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

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rosewood, Cocobolo

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 Home Accents

Materials

Cocobolo

Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of eight Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of Models #3651, #3652, #3653 & #3654. Designed in the 1950s, these inc...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Italian Carved Walnut Wood and Leather Foldable 3-Step Library Ladder
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian carved walnut wood foldable step ladder with three stairs with great twisted turned legs. Each step is upholstered with the original red leather decorated with gold...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Leather

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3530 'Flatiron' brass and cane bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass and ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed hand cut and polished bamboo and brass....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rattan Bamboo Room Divider Screen Paravant Italy, circa 1965
Located in Vienna, AT
Rattan bamboo room divider screen Paravant Italy, circa 1965 Ornamental handmade screen from 3 panels made from bent bamboo and rattan pieces held together with brass hinges. In the grand picture they are form a beautiful large ornament...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Rattan and Wicker Cane Folding Screen Divider
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Magnificent screen divider in natural fiber composed of 3 panels in a curved rattan structure adorned with wicker cane.
Category

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

Materials

Wicker, Cane, Rattan

Bill Curry Lg. Brass Jacks Sculptures / Bookends / Paperweight for Design Line
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of large scaled cast solid brass Jacks typical for what children used back in the day. A nice accessory for home or office as bookends, paperweights...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Phillip Lloyd Powell Custom Screen
Located in Houston, TX
Phillip Lloyd Powell screen USA, c. 1965 American black walnut, glass, brass 96 w × 1.75 d × 95.5 h inches Large four-panel custom screen by Phil...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Vintage Louis Vuitton Hat Box
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Louis Vuitton trunk / hat box. Has a silk interior with four corner pockets. Monogrammed on canvas with leather and brass hardware.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Silk

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 Home Accents

Materials

Wood

American Mid-Century Modern Solid Walnut & 38 Special Bullets Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical pair of solid 1.5" thick walnut with 38 special brass cartridge cases, with a letter "s" very cool and unique item.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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 Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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

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

Materials

Brass

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

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut, Ceramic

Paul Evans Style Cityscape Mixed Metal Patchwork Chest
Located in Houston, TX
Paul Evans style cityscape mixed metal patchwork chest. Handsome Paul Evans style cityscape mixed metal patchwork chest, box, coffer or document box. ...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Mid-Century Mirrored Hexagonal Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Mid-Century (1940s) smoked mirror hexagonal obelisks with gilt metal flame top and dark green marble base. (Attributed to GILBERT POILLERAT) (PRICED AS PAIR).  
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble, Metal

Aged Bronze Bull Bookends, B. Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mid century bronze stylized bull bookends by Ben Seibel for Jenfredware.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Beige Suitcase with Alligator Trim
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century beige woven and brown alligator trim suitcase (valise).
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Charles Hollis Large Lucite Dice
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Feast your eyes on this glorious oxblood red pair of acrylic dice by Charles Hollis. These are spectacular when the light hits them, as they glow in burgu...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Acrylic

Set of Two Giacomo Balla Paravento Balla Room Dividers by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Room divider designed by Giacomo Balla in 1917, relaunched in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. This wooden screen is based on an original tempera and pencil sketch on paper by artist Giacomo Balla. Today, Cassina revives this brightly coloured accessory to divide and complete the various areas of the house with a real artistic touch. The Balla Screen...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Paper

Blenko Clear Glass Half Circle Bookends, Pair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of vintage handmade half circle bookends in solid glass by Blenko. Both with original foil label.
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Sculptural Three-Panel Folding Screen Room Divider in Rattan and Wicker, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
This is a beautiful and rare wooden four-panel folding screen from Denmark, circa 1960. Beautiful four-panel screen, room divider, framing with intricately carved geometric desig...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

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 Home Accents

Materials

Onyx

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

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Italian Art Glass Murano Floral Decorated Bookends
Located in Englewood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern pair of Italian art glass bookends each decorated with Millefiori decoration of white flora and green leaf & vine cased in heavy clear glass in the form of booke...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Brass Judaica Shalom Peace Tree of Life Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful pair of Midcentury modern brass Shalom Judaica bookends. Brass with lovely patina with color enameled accents. Felt under the stands for use on multiple surfaces, signed “T...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Twentieth Century Illuminated Terrestrial Glass Globe by George F. Cram
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Electrified glass 10.5" Terrestrial Globe by George F. Cram Co (ca. 1951, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Composed of paper gores over glass with ocean finishes in an attractive aqua with bo...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Interesting Double-Sided School Blackboard with Josco Brand System, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Interesting double-sided school blackboard with JOSCO brand system circa 1950. Good condition, the black paint is worn, it may need to be repainted. It is double-sided, and the panels slide thanks to a pulley system...
Category

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

Materials

Beech

Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit Bookshelf Room Divider by Frank Kyle
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, spectacular Room Divider from the early 1950s by sculptor and designer Frank B. Kayle in collaboration, that we belive, with Los Castillo from Taxco For more...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Stone, Cast Stone, Brass, Copper

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 Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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 Home Accents

Materials

Stone

Fendi Vintage Hard Suitcase / Luxury Trunk, Zucca Pattern, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Fendi Zucca Pattern Epi Leather Vintage Luxury Hard Trunk Suitcase, 1970s Large Fendi Zucca monogrammed large hard suitcase. The Zucca pattern design lugga...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Ben Seibel Copper Bookends for Jenfred-Ware, a Pair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of vintage sculptural copper bookends designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfred-Ware.
Category

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

Materials

Copper

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 Home Accents

Materials

Onyx

Amazing French Hat Trunk or Coffee Table, Fully Restored
Located in Munich, DE
imitation crocodile printed leather and brass details.
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather

Artie Ladder White
Located in Cincinnati, US
Scandinavian inspired blanket/towel ladder. Simple, minimal and clean rack.  
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Wire

Rare Bill Curry Cattail Room Divider / Sculpture for Design Line 29 Cattails
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare Cattail Sculpture / Room divider designed by Bill Curry for Design Line,,Featuring 29 metal rods with beautifully shaped and painted oval ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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 Home Accents

Materials

Art Glass

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

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Light Glass Globe with Wooden Base by Paul Rath, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
-Fully functional -Photo surface defects -Made of glass, metal and wood.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Romano Dona Vintage Signed Murano Glass Obelisk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite, rare pair or glass Murano obelisks signed by master glass blower Romano Dona. Exquisite glass Murano obelisk signed by master glass blower Romano Dona. Black Murano glass resting on transparent Murano glass balls. Romano Donà grew up in a family with centuries of experience in glassmaking. He entered the kiln business at an early age, beginning his apprenticeship at the F.lli Manfren company where he worked also with his father. In 1975 he began working with the master Livio Seguso with whom he worked for twenty years in order to master his skills while learning from important artists like Henry Mavrodin, Federica Marangoni, Mimmo Rotella and Ugo Marano...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Murano Glass

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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