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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
Fabric Screen by Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A curved room divider with a solid wood frame upholstered in brown fabric.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

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

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

Materials

Lucite

Woven Aluminum Laundry Hamper Chest
Located in Miami, FL
Aluminum woven laundry chest or hamper
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Midcentury Lucite and Brass Footed Obelisks
Located in Troy, MI
Pair of decorative Lucite and brass footed obelisks in manner of Maison Jansen, circa 1980s. Found in France. Unknown maker. Base has round brass feet, faux...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pop-Art 1960s Hanging Screen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pop-Art 1960s hanging screen or room divider. Mod style plastic discs connected by metal chromed hoops in shades of bright orange, brown and white. Can...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Atomic Wood Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing vintage French atomic wood sculpture is one the largest one seen. It is Mid-Century Modern. It would be great on a pedestal or large cabinet and or console. It is quite ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Pair of Midcentury Amber Glass Owl Bookends by Blenko
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury pair of handblown amber colored owl bookends by Blenko, circa 1960s. The bookends are heavy and solid with a smooth back side a finish and a textural finish on the front. ...
Category

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

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Modern Era Chrome Bookends w. Book Reading Mystical Monk Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderfully unusual and artistic bookends by an unknown designer. This pair of mystical bookends from the Mid-Century Modern era shows two stylized monks in their habits. Sitting on...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Brass Horse Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome pair of brass bookends on a metal base. Beautifully patinated brass horses grazing. Perfect for the Childs room!
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Midcentury Black Marble Coiled Snake Sculpture Door Stop Desk Statue
By Jonathan Bonner, Alexander Girard
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

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

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

1930s Nickel-Plated 'Libbiloo' Circus Horse Bookends by Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early pair of nickel-plated, fanciful 'Libbiloo' circus horse bookends by Russel Wright, designed in 1928. Each marked RW.
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Room Divider Wall Unit by Ludvik Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov, 1960s, Restored
Located in Wien, AT
This room divider from the 1960s was designed by Ludvik Volak for Drevopodnik Holesov, in Czechoslovakia. This is made of bent beech plywood and ash veneer. Completely restored. Exce...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Ash, Plywood

1950s Mahogany and Capiz Shell Gridded Panel
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A well scaled and finely crafted gridded panel having a handmade lap jointed mahogany frame and inset with expressive and translucent squares of capiz shell.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Shell, Walnut

Pair of American Art Moderne Faux Painted 3 Fold screens
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Art Moderne (1940s) rust painted faux woven rush 3 fold screens with diamond design (priced as a Pair)
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Pair of Midcentury Ben Seibel Sculptural Brass Bookends
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural brass Ben Seibel for Jenfred bookends, circa 1950s. A freeform, organic design in brass finish with applied patina that has deepened over time giving them an even more ric...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Lars Hellsten for Orreford Glass Elephant Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of large and heavy art-glass elephant bookends designed by Lars Hellsten for Orrefords, in vintage original condition both of them are signed.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Art Glass

Leather Travel Trunk with Handles, France, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful leather trunk manufactured at the mid-20th century period in France. It has very nice proportions, handles at both sides and 2 large solid metal rings at the back enable t...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

Mid-Century Modern Handcrafted Marked Blenko Thick Clear Glass Owl Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern handcrafted Blenko thick glass owl bookends. Original label on back of each.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Blown Glass

1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' Illuminated Globe on Walnut Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' globe composed of paper gores over plastic with a cast aluminum half-meridian all mounted to a walnut base equipped with two upright dividers for paper...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Arturo Pani Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pair of Iron Obelisks
Located in Mexico City, MX
Pair of Mexican Mid-Century Modern iron obelisks. The obelisks show green patina.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Sculptural Relief World Globe by Nystrom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Sculptural relief world globe by Nystrom, wonderful design, aluminum stand, raised graphics, nice color and patina. Measures: 16".
Category

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

Materials

Composition, Aluminum

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather and Brass. Made for Illums Bolighus, 1950s
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

Abstract Screen Painting Waterfall by Lenn Kanenson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lenn Kanenson American abstract artist Waterfall by Lenn Kanenson 73.5" x 73" folding wall screen Signed by Kanenson bottom right corner Eac...
Category

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

Materials

Acrylic

Vladimir Kagan Architectural Louvered & Illuminated Room Divider with COA, 1967
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An incredibly rare louvered and illuminated room divider in solid walnut floating over a cylindrical brass foot, custom-designed by Vladimir Kagan circa 1967. Six sculptural, marquise-shaped slats are angled at 45 degrees to the frame and flank the light box which houses a single 6-foot fluorescent bulb. Authenticated by and registered with the Vladimir Kagan Design Group, this piece is offered to the collector with all corresponding documents including certificate of authenticity, company letter, related archival photos, and numbered registration plaque. While their archivists have seen similar slatted dividers that Kagan designed (see last image in this listing), they’d not seen one with an incorporated lighting element before and thus feel that this example may well be one-of-a-kind or, at the very least, from a strictly limited run. That said, it seems that this general concept of combining lighting with room partitioning...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of 'Maschere' (Masks) Bookends by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
A rare and beautiful pair of 1950s 'Maschere' (Masks) bookends designed by the incomparable Piero Fornasetti. The bookends each depict a Greek theatrical mask, (tragedy), and are exe...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Peephole Folding Screen 'Every Good Hunch Deserves Favour' by Susan Curtis, 1994
Located in Dayton, OH
Functional artwork by Susan Custis. Folding screen or room divider, aptly titled 'Titled Every Good Hunch Deserves Favour'. This was a featured installation art piece at an exhibit i...
Category

1990s Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Patent Leather

Antonio da Ros Handmade Glass Sculptural Bookends, circa 1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antonio da Ros handmade glass sculptural bookends, circa 1960 Absolutely beautiful vintage 1960s bookends by noted Italian glass master Antonio da Ros. This matching pair measu...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Large Midcentury Oversize Gold Brass Duck Bookends a Pair, Made in Spain
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Two very large brass duck bookends. This pair is not the average size brass mallard bookend that you see often. This set is quite a bit larger than th...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Obelisks
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Obelisks crafted in the Mid-Century with copper and brass. As a symbol of power for thousands of years these obelisks do not disappoint. Having an intriguing mixture of textu...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Copper

Folding Floor Screen Aluminum Leaf France or Italy, 1980s
Located in Camden, ME
A 4-panel aluminum-leafed folding floor screen from the 1980s possibly Italian or French. Each panel is its own individual design constructed o...
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Faux Bamboo Gilt Iron Screen by Bagues
Located in New York, NY
French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical screen / room divider in gilt wrought iron faux bamboo by Maison Baguès, circa 1940-1950. The elegant piece i...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Leather Suitcase "Les Must de Cartier" Burgundy Bordeaux Luggage
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage leather suitcase "Les Must de Cartier" burgundy Bordeaux luggage. Cartier maroon leather with zip around and gold-tone hardware suitc...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather

Midcentury Curvy Stone Bookend in Yellow and Cream
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Creamy color stone bookend. Midcentury in form, this lovely bookend is the perfect way to add interest to any shelfie. With a flat back for holding up those heavy novels, and sloped ...
Category

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

Materials

Stone

Barry Kieselstein Cord Large Eagle Head Sterling Alligator Belt
Located in Westport, CT
Barry Kieselstein Cord Large scale eagle head sterling belt buckle with sterling loops and tip, all stamped sterling 1992 USA with hallmarks, all original brown alligator belt. Meas...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tall Midcentury Bookcase '1 of 3'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern bookcase with drawer storage and fold down desk/cabinet. Part of a 3 piece unit. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut

1930s Light Brown Canvas Extra Large "Cube Shape" French Hat Trunk, Hat Box
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This large hat box features light brown canvas, leather trim and solid brass clasps and corners as well as a leather handle on the top. Beautiful and warm patina. 1 key. Original b...
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1970s Mahogany Steel and Copper Modernist Bookends Emaus of Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents pair of Bookends, Mid Century Mexican Modernist. Unmarked, attributed to Emaus. Made in Mexico circa the 1970s. Mahogany, stainless steel, copper. 6.5H x 4.63 W x 5...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel

Italian Sculpture Book Ends, Italy, 1970s, Pair
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Wonderful pair of sculpture book ends in the shape of two dogs.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Travertine

Pocketbook Fine Quilted Black Leather with Extra Long Chain Classic Chic
Located in Westport, CT
Black fine soft leather, channel design quilted large envelope shaped, double length long chain strap with leather woven, in very fine condition, top quality clean interior three com...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of Figural Custom Bookends
By Samuel Joseph Brown
Located in New York, NY
Interesting pair of midcentury figural custom aluminum bookends created by Philadelphia artist Samuel Joseph brown (1907-1994).
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Blenko Stylized Bamboo Glass Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Pair of cast clear glass bookends with a stylized bamboo motif by Blenko.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Art Glass

Hagenauer Style Horse Bust Bookends, Walnut and Brass, Austria, ca. 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist bookends from dated to the 1940s/1950s, showcasing exquisite horse heads. In the style reminiscent of Atelier Werkstätte Hagenauer, these bookends are fashioned ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian 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

Mid-Century Modern Hawaiian Male and Female Bookends, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This pair of Hawaiian Mid-Century Modern bookends feature skillfully carved male and female busts that have been coated in a sand/plaster finish further enhancing their antiqued look...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Large Dome Shape Mother of Pearl Decorated Jewelry Box or Small Truck
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern dome shape lid mother of pearl decorated jewelry box.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Ed Wormley of Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Illuminated Globe Light Fixture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut and brass tripod or tri-leg base stand Mid-Century Modern illuminated globe by Ed Wormley.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

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

Wooden Art Deco Bookends Spherical Round
Located in Sacile, PN
Art Deco bookends in wood.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Pair of Carl Auböck Bookends #4100 in a Patina and Polish Brass Mix
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

1950s Replogle Glass Illuminated Precision Globe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 10" 'Precision' Globe was manufactured in the early 1950s by Replogle (Chicago, IL) and edited by cartographer, Gustav Brueckmann. Composed of paper gores over glass with a cast...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage World Globe by AJ Nystrom
Located in New York, NY
A vintage large school globe by A.J. Nystom Co. USA, circa 1950. Features delineated brown continents, along with oceans, latitude and longitude numbe...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Oversized Dice Sculpture with Red Dots by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage oversized Lucite sculpture designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1960s. The sculpture is 4" square and the Lucite is clear and free of clouding, craze or hazing. The pain...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite, Acrylic

California King Palm Tree Floor Lamp in Polished Brass by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The California King palm tree floor lamp is a celebration of living and creating in Los Angeles for almost two decades. The palm tree is as m...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Metal

1960s Replogle Illuminated Glass Globe on Mahogany Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s Replogle (Chicago, IL) globe on stand composed of paper gores over glass with a cast metal meridian. Base is mahogany with brass feet and features a full 360 degree swivel acti...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather and Brass. Made for Illums Bolighus, 1950s
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

C.S. Hammond & Co. 1950s Inflatable Globe on Tripod Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hammond's International Globe (circa 1955) composed of an inflatable globe on painted metal tripod base. Images and font are large in scale and very l...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Chromed Steel Railway Tie Bookends, 1985
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fun present! Midcentury chromed steel railway tie bookends, 1985 The pair of chrome-plated polished steel ties come with a foil label on the reverse reading, authentic rail fro...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

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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