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

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rattan

1970s Walnut Wood Bookends Live Edge Design
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bookends Pair of walnut wood organic form bookends live edge natural design. Artist signed Wetter Original vintage unrestored preowned. Measures: 5.75 W x 6.5 H x 6.25 D inches. Preo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut

1970s Emaus Bookends Mahogany Steel Copper 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

Pair of Solid Cast Brass Mid Century Era Horse Related Bookends
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of solid cast brass bookends was made by the Hohn manufacturing company of New Hampshire in approximately 1970. The bookends depict a silhouette of a horse's head with a pi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Bookends
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Bookends. Expressive faces with glass eyes gives these bookends a striking presence.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Alabaster

Vintage Regency Hand-Painted Bookends - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Regency bookends. A charming little couple in period dress. Hand painted detail on a ceramic cast. Acquired from a Palm Beach e...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

1950s Ben Seibel Modern Brass Bookends Sculptural Tear Drop Flame
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass bookends 1950s Ben Seibel modern bookends tear drop flame in brass Selling a pair. Measures: 7.5 H x 4.5 W x 2.25 D inches Preowned original unrestored vintage condition. ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Wood & Inlay Curved Modernist Bookends - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Wood & Inlay Curved Modernist Bookends - a Pair. Item features solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, nice inlay, clean modernist lines, qual...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

1970s Agate and Gold-Plated Bookends
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s agate and gold-plated bookends in the manner of Buccellati. Italy, circa 1970 Great vintage condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Agate, Gold Plate

Owl Bookends by Blenko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Blenko glass bookends, designed by Joel Myers. In overall excellent condition, with no chips or repairs. We have 4 pairs in stock and on display in our Los Angeles Arts Distr...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Vintage Mid-Century Atomic Wire Mesh Black Table Top Book Shelf
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly clean and modernist lines define this unique table top book shelf. This simple piece carries strong lines that manifest its era and car...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

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

Mid-Century Craftsman Four Panel Wood Screen, USA, 1970's
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-century modern four panel screen on brass casters. Unique artisan meets craftsman. Heavy and well made, the freestanding screen incorporates multiple mixed wood species creatin...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Wrought iron three panel folding screen with bumblebee insect decoration
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique whimsical and organic in design wrought iron three panel screen . Lacquered steel with bumblebee / insect decoration . Wings of the bee are decorated in cane the body is glas...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

Screen by Bud Tullis in Wenge & Woven and Aluminum
By Bud Tullis
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Bud Tullis wenge and woven aluminum screen circa late 1980’s. This all original example is hand sculpted and has multicolored aluminum on one side is monochromatic on the other.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Iron and Gilt Trellis/Screen
Located in Winnetka, IL
Custom iron and gilt paint trellis/screen. The whole unfolds into a screen, if desired. Designed to hold fabric as well. All in the regency taste. Can be used indoors or out.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Decorative Floral Scene Theme Molded Glass Panel w/ Wrought Iron Stand Base MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Decorative Floral Scene Theme Molded Glass Panel Room Divider Screen w/ Wrought Iron Stand Base MINT.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Rare Midcentury Waste Bin in Bamboo, by Lauritz Lønborg, Made in Denmark, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in cane, designed and made by Lauritz Lønborg. Great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cane

Pair of Large Orthoceras Obelisks
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large pair of Orthoceras obelisks. This monumental pair are impressive decorative interior design pieces. With a timeless look in a mid-century modern style, these obelisks make a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Stone

Pair of Mid-Century Chrome Gear Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American (Mid-20th Century) chrome plated bookends with industrial gear design (engraved with presentation information) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

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

Pair of Acrylic Obelisks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very modern and sleek pair of acrylic obelisks. The pair are the perfect compliment to any space - interiors from modern to traditional.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Acrylic

Pair of Mod Carved Travertine Bookends by Up & Up, Italy, 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mod Carved Travertine Bookends by Up & Up, Italy, 1970s Dimensions: Each 7" H x 4" W x 2" D Together: 7" H x 8" W x 2" D A sculptural pair of Italian travertine bookends by...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Travertine

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

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Lucite

Two Bookends by Carl Auböck Brass Design Vienna, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of large solid brass bookends created and manufactured by the Austrian architect and designer Carl Auböck. These outstanding objects made of solid polished and decorated brass...
Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Kai Kristiansen Set Teak Bookends, Denmark
Located in Oirlo, LI
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

Vintage Blenko handmade Art glass Bookend
Located in Seattle, WA
A single Blenko glass bookend. Heavy. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Dimensions. 4”W ; 4”D ; 4”H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Art Glass

Curtis Jere Mars & Venus Gold Gilt Bookends Sculptures Signed Jeré, 1968
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A beautiful, and in lovely condition, pair of Mars and Venus Curtis Jere sculptures or bookends depicting the male and female gender symbols on square bases made of gold leafed cast iron. In beautiful condition with original patina and signed "C. Jeré 1968". The gilt really adds a nice warmth and glow. These would look exquisite displayed in a lit bookcase, in a master bedroom, master bath...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron, Gold

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

Pair of Antique French Sheet Music Veneered Obelisks
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French 1940s-style antique (16th century) vellum veneered obelisks with caligraphy music manuscript notation (priced as pair).
Category

16th Century Antique 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

Mid-Century Modern Folding Screen, Wooden Structure, Vinyl Upholstery - France
Located in Girona, Girona
Nice folding screen, three parts, wooden structure, cotton filling and "prehistoric horses" pattern vinyl upholstery. Golden studs decoration. Fran...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Patinated Sculpta-Grille Bones Screen on Walnut Base by Richard Harvey, 1960s
Located in Culver City, CA
This isn’t just a room divider. This is a tanned, well-traveled, effortlessly bronzed bombshell who’s been sunning her curves on the French Riviera since 1968. A screen with a backst...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Resin, Walnut

Pair of Murano Italian Mid Century Modern Art Glass Obelisks
Located in Englewood, NJ
Pair of Murano Italian Mid Century Modern Art Glass Obelisks each decorated with clear lattice/spiral decoration cased in heavy clear glass further decorated gold speckled and scallo...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Faux Grey Suede Brass Trim Truck Hope Chest Storage Box Cardin Style
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Faux Grey Suede Brass Trim Truck Hope chest storage box Cardin Style.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair Of Tall Carved Alabaster Art Deco Style Horse Head Bookends
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of opposing tall carved alabaster stylized horse head bookends mounted on plinth bases. Both with vertical striations of white, cream and gold. Dimensions: 5" D, 10 1/2" H and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Alabaster

Vintage Boho Brass Egret Bookends - Set of 2
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your home library or display shelves with this exquisite pair of Vintage Boho Brass Egret Bookends. These captivating designer bookends showcase masterful craftsmanship, feat...
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Boho Sculptural Travertine Bookends - Set of 2
Located in west palm beach, FL
Infuse your shelves and tabletops with organic elegance and a touch of bohemian flair with this captivating set of two Vintage Boho Sculptural Travertine Bookends. Crafted from natur...
Category

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

Materials

Travertine

1968 Curtis Jere Male and Female Bookends, a Pair
Located in Marietta, GA
Classic pair of gilt iron bookends, signed C Jere, 1968. One, the sign for female, and one, the sign for male. Heavy enough to actually hold books, or just use, decoratively.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century German French Metamorphic Library Steps Farmhouse Chair 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a Pine Metamorphic chair, it can be used either as a normal chair or when the top is flipped over it transforms into a step ladder. This is a country piece from Nuremberg Ge...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Pair of Beech and Copper Barrel Bookends, France, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of French bookends Beech and copper, made in France Shipping: L 20 P D 15 H 12 1 kg.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Copper

Paravento Nillarosa di Mario Botta per Alias
Located in Baranzate, IT
Paravento Nilla Rosa di Mario Botta per Alias, Italia. Il paravento è costituito da due fogli di ferro perforato e verniciato. Alle estremità è presente un bottone con il nome de...
Category

1980s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Pair of Vintage Brass and Copper Trench Art Bookends
Located in San Jose, CA
Pair of mid century trench art bookends in copper circa 1950's. Features a rustic hammered texture and bullet casing in patinated brass. The perfect accessory to organize your books or library and pairs well with industrial modern and Scandinavian decor.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass, Copper

Italian mid-century modern Screen in bamboo and rattan, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Screen in bamboo and rattan, 1950s Screen composed of 6 rectangular panels in bamboo and rattan. The structure in the upper and lower part has parts decora...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Rope

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

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Decorative Mid-Century Modern Artisan Iron and Glass Screen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brilliant and uniquely constructed, artisan free-standing wrought iron screen. Acquired from the original owner, this stunning decorative arts piece was purchased back in the early 1...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Steel

Galerie Maison & Jardin bamboo marquetry brass trunk 1970
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Galerie Maison & Jardin trunk from the early 1970s. Natural bamboo as the chief material, the patterned marquetry creates a beautiful symmetry, with an organic aesthetic, w...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Copper and Pewter Bookends Signed Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These whimsical bookends depict two human figures running on human hamster wheels. The figures themselves are pewter, and the bookends are copper. Artist signed on both bookends.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Copper, Pewter

Polished Stainless Steel Bookends, Former Hand or Glove Molds, circa 1960
By Industrial Production
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning pair of industrial stainless steel hand or glove molds has its use turned into bookends. The rare pieces were crafted in France circa 1960. Those rare forms are the fem...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cut Steel, Steel, Stainless Steel

Vintage Groovy Mushroom Bookends
Located in Seattle, WA
Patina + character. Vintage condition as pictured, Listing is for described item only. Box H5 Dimensions. 4” W ; 1.50” D ; 5.50” H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Harry Winston Rare Black and Red Suede Leather Trim Purse/Pocketbook
Located in Westport, CT
Harry Winston "Rare" black and red suede, petite leather trim, silk cord, with handmade tassel, interior embossed stamp in gold Harry Winston. The measurement below is ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Silk, Suede

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

Vintage Heirloom Globe By Replogle On Wooden Tri Leg Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage 16'' Heirloom Globe by Replogle on Wooden Tri Leg Base with Brass Wheels Add a touch of classic elegance and historical charm to your home or office with this exquisite vint...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Rare Curtis Jere A-Z Bookends Signed Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
CLASSIC CURTIS JERE A-Z IRON BOOKENDS.SIGNED C JERE IN NICE VINTAGE CONDITION. SURPRISINGLY HEAVY AND GILDED GOLD WITH A NICE VINTAGE PATINA.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Pair of "Quotation" Gold Leaf Finish Bookends by Curtis Jere
Located in San Diego, CA
Fun pair of mid-century modern iron "Quotation Mark" bookends with gold leaf finish by Curtis Jere, circa 1968. The bookends are in very good vintage condition with a great patina a...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cut Steel, Gold Leaf

Balla Screen prototype hand-painted produced by Centro Duchamp, 1971
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Folding screen realized based on a project designed by Giacomo Balla in 1916-18. One out of the first three Balla screen entirely hand-painted on both sides. Multilayer wood structur...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

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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