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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 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

Midcentury Sculptural Bookends Brass and Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents: Vintage modern pair of bookends brass and wood No maker information 6 w x 5.5 d x 6.75 h Original vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Bill Curry for Design Line Nut Bookends, Nickel Chrome, Cast Iron, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Bill Curry for Design Line Nut Bookends, Nickel Chrome, Cast Iron, Signed. Strong heavy 8 sided nut form bookends with real threads in nickeled chrome over iron. The polished nickel ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Pair of Mid-Century Owl Bookends Sculptures in Silver
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Pair Metal Silver Painted Bookends. Absolutely spot on in terms of this MCM period, these sturdy owls sitting on a branch will add to that vibe classic modern vibe displa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Frederick Weinberg designed Floor Birdcage Lamp
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Outstanding full size sculptural metal and wood birdcage by designer Frederick Weinberg. Clean with new enamel paint. Bulb socket in top with black bamboo shade sides.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Romano Dona Vintage Signed Murano Glass Obelisk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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 American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Decorative Obelisks in Pure Glass Signed "Save Venice 1989", Italy
Located in Bagnolo Mella, Brescia
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your space with this pair of decorative obelisks crafted in pure glass, signed "Save Venice 1989". These unique pieces serve as both a captivating...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Vintage bamboo and wicker PARAVENT
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Beautiful vintage screen dating from 1960. Made of Italy, this four-panel screen, is distinguished by the simplicity of its wicker curl design, and is a vintage decorative elemen...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

Mid-Century Italian 2-Panel Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century 2 panel screen with a square panels of abalone shells in a rustic wood frame. As is
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Design Line Inc. Bill Curry Stainless Modernist Cube Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Very heavy and seemingly rare cube on cube stainless clad bookends by Bill Curry for Design Line.
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Vintage Maitland-Smith Green Faux Stone Obelisk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful green faux marble obelisk. The four-sided tapered obelisk has a turtle shaped brass tone metal finial and feet. It sits on a matching pedestal that is lined to the undersid...
Category

1990s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Stone, Metal

Op Art 3-Panel Screen c 1960s
Located in Norwalk, CT
A remarkable work of fantastical swirls and shapes in vibrant colors, this continuous psychedelic artwork is on canvas stretched and mounted on three wood framed panels...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Canvas

Mid-Century Modern 1970s Geometric Trapezoid Lucite Bookends - Astrolite
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of MCM 1970s Herb Ritts for Astrolite designed clear & frosted lucite Trapezoid shaped bookends. In fine condition, no damage. no Label. In fine condition, no issues.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

1950's Patinated Iron Jax Sculpture Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1950's pair of patinated cast iron Jax bookend / sculptures.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage S Monogram Cast Glass Ice Cube Bookends by Blenko, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Handsome pair of heavy mid-century cast glass ice-cube shaped bookends by Blenko with scripted capital S monogram. Front and back are polished smooth and all four sides are textured....
Category

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

Materials

Glass

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

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather, Illums Bolighus, 1950s, Danish 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

Solid Italian Glass Blocks Wrapped Leather Bookends in the Style of Gucci
Located in San Diego, CA
Great pair of Italian solid green glass bookends wrapped on leather, with decorative brass emblem, circa 1950s.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

F.lli Mannelli Pair of Bookends in Rapolano Travertine Marble, Italy 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of stone bookends by Fratelli Manelli. Made from exquisite Rapolano Travertine, a type of Italian travertine known for its distinctive cream color and delicate veining.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Black Iron Room Divider Screen with Black Tessellated Stone Accents
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury three-panel room divider or screen made of welded black powdercoated iron with black tessellated stone centerpieces. Most closely re...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Rectangular Bookends by DAPCO
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and incredibly minalist set of walnut bookends by DAPCO. This pair is simple lined and graphic squared. A beautiful leather plaque is contained by walnut edges along with a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut

1960s Vintage Midcentury Double Panel Teak Bookends
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Vintage Midcentury Double Panel Teak Bookends 7 h x 5.25 d x 5 w Unrestored preowned original vintage condition Wear and tear are present Refer to all images for condition
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak

Charles Hollis Jones Bronze and Lucite Waste Basket, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning bronze and Lucite waste basket designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1960s. The piece is very heavy, well designed and...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Italian Equestrian Brass Sculptural Bookend in the shape of a Horse Head, 70s
Located in Roma, IT
I am offering for sale a sculptural bookend made in Italy between the 70s and 80s, probably a gift made by, or coming from, an office of the Rome Airports, as is engraved in the arti...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Ballymore Warehouse Garage 4 Step Metal Rolling Safety Ladder w/ Rails
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Ballymore Warehouse Garage 4 Step Metal Rolling Safety Ladder w/ Rails. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 68.5" H x 20" W x 32" D x 38" H t...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Modern Parchment Paper Luggages or Suitcases Set of Two 1960
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Two parchment suitcases from the 1960s owned by a Milanese nobleman. The details are all refined, which makes them of excellent executive quality. A...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Parchment Paper

Handsome Pair of Ben Seibel Stirrup bookends
Located in Evanston, IL
Own a piece of decorative arts history with Ben Siebel's stirrup bookends, designed for Jenfred-Ware. Crafted from brass, these bookends showcase Seibel's signature blend of sculptu...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair Mid-Century Modern Beveled Rectangle Lucite Bookends
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage pair of tall, heavy monogramed thick lucite bookends with beautiful beveled edges on aluminum bases. These bookends almost glow when the light hits them. Polished and substan...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Late 20th Century American Mid Century Modern A - Z Bookends by, Curtis Jere
Located in Englewood, NJ
A Pair of Mid Century Modern cast iron "A-Z" Iron Bookends finished in original gilt finish. They are each signed "@ C Jere 1970" They are In great vintage condition with some loss o...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

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

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

Large Atomic Jack / Jax Bookend or Doorstop in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage atomic era, mid-century modern large iron jack / jax in the style of Bill Curry, circa 1970s. The piece is functional as either a bookend, door stop or decorative accent and ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Pair of Wooden Dice
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of solid burl wood decorative dice with contrasting maple wood inlay showcasing the numerical numbers on each side of the die. These playful pieces would be great in a game ro...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Burl

Pair of Mid Century Hollywood Regency Brass Pineapple Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Hollywood Regency brass pineapple bookends. Beautiful pieces original to the period and style. These sculptural pair adds whimsy a...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Glass Bookends in the Style of Lalique
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pair of frosted Horse Head sculpture bookends. The pair could be used as decorative pieces but also are perfect for bookends, especially in a Childs room. They are molded...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Art Glass

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

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

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Brass Chrome Bookends with Louis Vuitton Monogram Fabric
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Pair of Brass and Chrome Bookends with Louis Vuitton Monogram Fabric These custom, very substantial monogrammed bookends are...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Chrome

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. Unique piece...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

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

Wooden Hand Painted Room Divider
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This intricately designed room divider features dark wood construction with hand painted elements on one side. This piece is lightweight, so moving it around your space is very simpl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Burlap, Velvet, Wood

Trash Can
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in leather and brass. Great original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Sea Birds on Ocean Pylon Bookends by Curtis Jere for Artisan House
Located in San Diego, CA
Excellent and rare pair of sea birds on ocean pylon bookends by Curtis Jere for Artisan House, circa 1977. The pair are signed and dated and are in very good vintage condition with a...
Category

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

Materials

Quartz, Copper

Studio Crafted Wood Heart Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Sweet pair of Studio Crafted Wood Heart Bookends for the book lover in your life. Solid carved wood.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Abstract Marble and Ceramic Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage pair of abstract marble and ceramic bookends. This interesting design is attributed to Fratelli Mannelli and was manufactured by Raymor. These stylish pair of abstract mar...
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Decorative Napoleon Screen in the Style of Pietro Fornasseti, French Work, 1940s
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This decorative Napoleon decor screen is made of red velvet and printed material. This is a French work in the style of Pietro Fornasseti, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Polished Aluminum Rare Spanish Galleon Ship Sculptures by Hoselton Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Polished aluminum rare Spanish galleon ships sculpture by Hosleton signed, and numbered made in Canada circa 1970s.
Category

20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Modernist Chrome and Cork Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and hard to find pair of modernist chrome and cork bookends, circa 1970s. The pair are heavy and in good vintage condition; they measure 4.75"W x 4.5"D x 6"H. Great addi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Rattan Room Divider, Starburst Design, Mid Century, MCM, Boho Chic, Backdrop
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This stylish rattan room divider features a starburst design, perfect for adding a touch of mid-century modern (MCM) and boho chic style to any bedroom or living room. Use it as a ba...
Category

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

Materials

Rattan

Pair Large Faux Malachite Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very large, vintage wooden obelisks with faux malachite and granite finish, each 39.5 inches tall. In good condition with some scuffs, scratches and small losses.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Elephant Bookends, Blenko
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century solid cast glass stylized elephant bookends. Backs are polished smooth, while fronts are textured.
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Pair Casa Bique Blush Marble and Brass Obelisks, Attr. Robert Marcius
Located in Trenton, NJ
This beautiful pair of blush marble and brass grid obelisks feature the distinctive midcentury style of Robert Marcius for Casa Bique, and are often attri...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

Balla Screen by Giacomo Balla Produced by Simon International in 1971
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Folding screen realized based on a project designed by Giacomo Balla in 1916-18. Multilayer wood structure. Three panels linked with folding hinges. Silk-screen printing decoration ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

World Globe by Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate world globe designed by Edward Wormley for Rand McNally, USA, circa 1950. Features a rotating globe mounted on a walnut base with brass capped legs. Marked "Rand McNally...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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 Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3651 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

Pair of MCM Leather Wrapped World Map Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Classic pair of large leather wrapped bookends with a midcentury brass world map plaque embedded in the front, circa 1970s. The bookends measure 9" W x 6" D x 6.5" H and would make a...
Category

Late 20th Century American 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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