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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 celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Vintage Bakelite, Sheet Metal / Tin Globe from the 1950s, West Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Globe from the 1950s. Specially made on the subject of aviation. Depicted with all kinds of flying lines. Made by the company M.S. Germany. The globe is made of Tin and the stand is Bakelite. Globe and stand...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Signed 1980s Arts and Crafts Handcrafted Pressed Plywood Sitting People Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
Mid Century Modern handcrafted pressed plywood sitting people bookends, table sculptures, decor, room accents and accessories. Signed by Artist. O-542-335
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Plywood

Pair of Illuminated Murano Glass Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Murano glass obelisks retrofitted with LED bases.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Nickel

Midcentury Italian Carved Walnut Wood and Leather 4-Step Library Ladder
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian carved walnut wood step ladder with four stairs and nicely carved details and decorated structure. Each step is upholstered with da...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

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 Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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

Bill Curry Sculptural Jax Bookends Design Line
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of fun / sculptural bookends by Bill Curry for Design Line. Great patina and original creamy white paint.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Pair of Mid-Century White Marble "Chief" Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of mid-century white marble "Chief" bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and well crafted. They measure 8.5"W x 2.75"D x 7.25"H and would make a great addition t...
Category

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

Materials

Alabaster

Vintage Midcentury Black Marble Coiled Snake Sculpture Door Stop Desk Statue
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting, large and heavy marble sculpture of a coiled snake. In the manner of Alexander Girard. Simple and playful form.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

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

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

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

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

Materials

Brass

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

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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

Carl Aubock Iron & Brass Coin Medal Midcentury Bookend, Austria, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
This is a rare modernist book end, designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck III in the 1970s. The bookend consists of a large brass medal, which displays the coat of arms of the hous...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Restored Rattan Seven-Tier Tic-Tac-Toe Display Shelf Wall Etagere Unit
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage seven-level Paul Frankl-inspired rattan shelf room divider wall with mahogany shelving. The unit features a unique broken up seven-level shelf design with modernist "Tic-Tac-...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Mid-Century White Alabaster Sculptural Fish Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of mid-century white alabaster sculptural fish bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and well crafted. They measure 10.25"W x 2.5"D x 5"H and would make a great a...
Category

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

Materials

Alabaster

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4843 Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4843 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Price is f...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass bookends #4636. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, original m...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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 and measures ...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Replogle Precision Globe with Rotating Zodiac Constellation Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Replogle 12" Precision Globe showing the relation of the Sun to the Earth, given the month of the year, and displaying day and nighttime periods. Features a pasteboard globe with bod...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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 Home Accents

Materials

Marble, Brass

Onyx Figural Bookends, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Fantastic pair of Onyx figural bookends. Measure 5" W x 5.25" H W6051522.  
Category

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

Materials

Onyx

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 Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Telescoping Adjustable World Globe by Rand McNally, Chicago
Located in Buffalo, NY
16 inch diameter telescoping adjustable world globe by Rand McNally, Chicago, wonderful color and proportion, adjustable from 52 inches to 76 inches, retains original metal baseball ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Achille &, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Clear Libreria Pensile For Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Achille &, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Clear Libreria Pensile For Karakter Originally designed in 1957, perfected over the years, and produced by Bernini in 1966. Seeking to pare down...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Arrow Brass and Wood Bookends with Hand Stiched Leather, France 1960's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Arrow Brass and Wood Bookends with Hand Stiched Leather, France 1960's
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Onyx

Pair of Sculptural Brass Jack / Jax Bookends in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of solid brass sculptural jack / jax bookends in the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1980s. The set is in good vintage condition and measures 11"W x 5"D x 4.25...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chapman Obelisk Lamps, circa 1977
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylish Lucite and brass obelisk lamps by Chapman, 1977.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

Globe by Denoyer Geppert Company
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A graphic and finely fabricated spun steel teaching globe mounted on a weighted stand.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

1950s Ben Seibel Copper Clam Shell Bookend Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Ben Seibel Copper Clam Shell Bookend Set Copper bookends designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfredware 5.75 h x 5 w x 4 d Preowned original vintage condition Refer to listed images
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Copper

20th Century Giacomo Balla Decorative Wooden Screen for Gavina hand decorated
Located in Turin, Turin
Dino Gavina began his activity as early as the 1940s with objects for theater sets, his great passion. Convinced of the need for design that was modern but also rich in poetry, he gr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Funky Danish Bookends
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Funky Danish bookends-blond guy and dark guy caricatures! Well made and hand painted.
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak

Vintage 1982 Rand McNally Physical/Political Lighted Light Up World Globe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1982 Rand McNally Physical/Political Lighted Light Up World Globe. Circa 1982. Measurements: 17" H x 13" W x 12" D.
Category

1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Plastic

Mid-20th Century Mid Century Modern Tall Standing Birdcage Black Painted Bamboo
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern tall standing birdcage comprised of black painted bamboo spindles, thin metal bars, and tapered hexagon top & base with cane over wood panels. And comes with a fabulous parrot basket...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pinewood Room Divider by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful room divider by Alvar Aalto, made from vertical slats of pine, snugly adjoined. Can be shaped in various ways and stands steadily on the ground.
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Pine

Vintage Table Globe, English, World Map, 13.5 Inch Diameter, Cartography, C.1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage table globe. An English, paper finished world map with chrome meridian, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Fascinating mid-cent...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Extending Book Slide, Venetian, Gilt, Tulipwood, Bookrest, Mid Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage extending book slide. A Venetian, gilt finished tulipwood bookrest, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Delightfully presented book slide, with appealing f...
Category

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

Materials

Giltwood

Murano Glass Pear Bookend Paperweight or Decorative Piece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Glass Murano Hand Blown Pear Bookend or paperweight with interior burst of orange. A wonderful mid century piece that can easily stand or lay on its side with a flattened side. ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Murano Glass

Brass Obelisk Refinished in Antique Bronze Finish from Gimbels Department Store
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brass obelisk refinished in antique bronze. Originally a display item from Gimbels Department Store.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1970's Religious Cross Bookend
Located in San Diego, CA
Black lacquered wood with resin cross bookend circa 1970's.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Resin, Wood

Sheik Campaign Style 1970s Brass Studded Leather Trunk on Brass Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sheik Campaign Style 1970s Brass Studded Leather Trunk on Brass Stand USA, circa 1970s Immerse your living space with this 1970s exquisite Sheik Campaign Style Brass Studded Leath...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1950s Atomic Era Mid-Century Modern Single Iron Jack-Jax Bookend Doorstopper
Located in San Diego, CA
Gold Leaf finish on this solid iron jack, which can be used as a bookend or door stopper, is circa 1950s original finish is nicely worn.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Musical Violin and Horn Sculpture Cast Metal Bookends Vintage Circa 1950's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage cast metal bookends in musical instruments orchestra violin horn sculpture theme. Mid-Century Modern Pair of bronze cast metal bookends in the shape of musical instruments. M...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Triangular Cast Glass Bookends by Blenko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An awesome pair of heavy mid-century modern cast glass triangle shaped bookends by Blenko. Two sides are polished smooth and the other three sides are textured. In very good vintag...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Ben Seibel Brass "Keys" Bookends, USA 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical pair of "Keys" bookends by Ben Seibel in Brass with green enameled accents.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Enamel

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 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 Home Accents

Materials

Glass, Wood

Midcentury Modern Rolling Room Divider, Italy 1950s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage rolling room divider, Italy 1950s This vintage rolling wood room divider is a unique and functional piece of Italian design from the 1950s. Originally used in cinema as doub...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

Frederic Weinberg Bird Cage Shaped Planter Hanging Fixture with Onion Dome Top
Located in Chicago, IL
This bird cage shaped hanging fixture was originally designed by Frederic Weinberg as a planter. A slight variation of this design was also available as an actual bird cage, but I can find no reference to it having been offered by Frederic Weinberg as a ceiling fixture. So I assume it was converted to a hanging fixture for its original owner, where it hung in the center of a circular staircase. The form is of a stylized tower with an onion dome...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of MCM Patinated Bronze Faux Bois Geese Brass Bookends
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Pair of Mid-Century Modern Patinated Bronze Faux Bois Brass Bookends Featuring Geese. Absolutely spot on in terms of this MCM period, this pair will add to that vibe class...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Chicago Midcentury Papier-Mâché Globe Brass Metal Black Made in USA, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Chicago midcentury Papier-Mâché globe brass metal black made in USA 1950s, variable height, traces of wear and original Patina.
Category

1950s Virgin Islands Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage BLENKO USA Glass Duck Bookends a Pair from the 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Striking pair of duck glass bookends by Blenko, circa 1980s. Pair of Blenko Ducks bookends featured in a clear textured glass. Pair of handmade heavy and sturdy glass bookends with t...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Pair of Travertine Bookends-Mid 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of mid-20th century Italian travertine bookends carved in creams and beige coloration. They are a classic and elegant addition to any bookshelf of decor.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Travertine

Perforated Brass Fireplace Fender
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Perforated brass fireplace fender with cast animal foot and rope details.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Sailboat Bookends, Powder-Coated White
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Powder-Coated Creamy White Set of Mid-Century Sailboat Bookends Substantial in size and weight, these solid vintage brass newly powder-coated boats are both form and function. Fabu...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid Century 12” Terrestrial Black and Gold Globe
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid Century 12” Terrestrial Black and Gold Globe This is an unusual colour presentation for a globe, this is a Mid Century piece, the sea is in Black and the land is in Gold, the ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Paper

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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