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Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

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
Period: 1960s
1960s Vintage Merry Go Round Crib Quilt Applique Cotton Childrens Toddler 53.5"
Located in Dayton, OH
Merry Go Round crib quilt in applique, a Paragon kit quilt, circa 1960s. Dimensions: 36" x 53.5" (Width x Length)
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Cotton

1960s Fun Vintage Blue Plaid Leisure Blanket Troy N. H.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Fun Vintage Blue Plaid Leisure Blanket Troy New Hampshire 52 x 64.25 Label present Preowned original vintage condition See all images.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Textile

Midcentury Large Cloth, Fabric or Textile in Style of Panton Verner, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare cloth - perfect original condition - never used.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Textile

Vintage Pierre Cardin Leather Jacket, Men's Small or Women's Large
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage brushed leather zippered motorcycle jacket with folding collar and tri-band decorative racing stripes across the breast and up and down the front sides. Brown satin lining. M...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Leather

Signed, Victor Vasarely 1969 Op Art Silk Scarf Screen-Print
Located in New York, NY
Framed, color screen-print on silk scarf. Untitled. 138/150. Measures: 37" W x 36.5" H.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Silk

Pair of Karel Appel Curtains, 1963, Documented at Stedelijk Musem
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Super rare and impressive pair of large cotton ''gordijnstof' curtains, designed in 1963 by world renowned Dutch painter and sculptor Karel Appel (1921-2006) for the textile company Hermann Hartman & Co of Amsterdam. This extremely rare, original repeat print textile is documented in the Stedelijk museum's textile collection under object nubmer KNA 1998, please see image 2. Each curtain measures 56.7" X 83.85" (144cm X 213cm). 'Gordijnstof' translates as "curtain fabric" confirming that this textile was originally designed by Appel specifically for use as curtains however being of such an impressive dimension these examples could equally be used as wall hangings ,as photographed, or mounted on both sides of a screen or mounted and framed as an art work in its own right , a practice which is becoming increasingly commonplace as high end textile designs by important artists are becoming increasingly valued , appreciated and sought after in the marketplace. Appel's paintings and sculptures can be found in the collections of some of the world's most prominent museums including the Museum of Modern art in New York and Tate Modern ,London. Each curtain is of a very impressive scale with each measuring 56.7 " (144 cm) X 83.85" (213cm). The curtains are signed on the banding KUNSTENAAR DESSIN ONTWERP Karel Appel, HARTMAN PRINT, AMSTERDAM. Another of Appel's designs for Hermann Hartman,Amsterdam can be found in the collection of the national textile museum in Holland. Please see image 9. Even a small sample of this 1963 textile in good condition would be hard to find today but to find two large scale Appel curtains intact and in beautiful unfaded condition with no staining or fraying must be next to unique today. This is a very rare find and certainly a unique opportunity. Image 10 shows Karel Appel in his atelier in New York in 1966. Provenance: These curtains come from the private collection of a retired Professor from Oxford,UK. Biography: Karel Appel was an Expressionist Dutch painter. He was a member of the famous Cobra, the European group of the late 1940s to early 1950s, which promoted spontaneous expressionism and abstract features in painting. Appel's paintings incorporate applications of vibrant, violent colors often possessing a primal, childlike quality or a schizophrenic innocence. Later in life, Appel turned to creating figurative sculptures. Examples of his work can be seen in the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, Boymans-Van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam, and other collections. Expressionist painter Karel Appel made a name for himself in the world of painting by creating a majestic collection of highly distinguishable work for which he became internationally renowned. From the start, art curators could not ignore Appel's work, which has been exhibited at major museums around the world, including New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Manhattan-based Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Tate Gallery in London. Though Appel is widely recognized as one of the best-known Dutch Expressionist painters of all time, he was also a passionate printmaker, sculptor, and ceramicist. Karel Appel’s childhood and early life Christiaan Karel Appel was born on April 25, 1921, in his parents’ house at 7 Dapperstraat, Amsterdam. His father, Jan Appel, owned a barbershop. His mother, born Johanna Chevalier, was a descendant of French Huguenots. Karel Appel had three brothers. He studied art from 1940 to 1943 at the Rejksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts during the German occupation and befriended young painter Corneille and, some years later, Constant. His parents opposed his choice to become an artist, leading him to leave home. This was also necessary to hide himself from the German police so that he would not be picked up and sent to Germany to work in the weapon industry. Appel produced his first real painting on canvas, which was a still life of a fruit basket at the age of fourteen. On his fifteenth birthday, his wealthy uncle Karel Chevalier gave him a paint set and an easel and some lessons on painting. Career. In 1946, his first solo show was held in Groningen, Netherlands. He also participated in the Jonge Schilders exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum of Amsterdam nd created a buzz in the art world, as it generated a huge scandal and many objections in the press and public. About this time, Appel was influenced first by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, then by the French brute-art artist Jean Dubuffet. In 1947, he started sculpting with various used materials and painted them in bright colors such as white, red, yellow, blue and black. Karel Appel became the member of Nederlandse Experimentele Group in Holland along with the young Dutch painters Anton Rooskens...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Cotton

A Large Modernist Abstract Tapestry by Mathieu Mategot
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist wool woven tapestry designed by French artist and designer Mathieu Mategot (1910-2001) circa 1960s. The piece is signed with Matégot and monogrammed TMP fino (Manufactur...
Category

1960s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Canvas, Wool

Superb Large Picart Le Doux Aubusson Woven Wool Tapestry, 1961
Located in New York, NY
Jean Picart Le Doux (1902-1982) Exceptional large woven wool Aubusson tapestry by Picart Le Doux with central armillary sphere motif, flanked by symbols of the sciences, perfect for ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Wool

Hand Loomed Textile
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An exquisite hand-loomed textile of good scale incorporating an expressive and colorful array of tufted wool and variegated fabric elements.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Textile

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1930's Appliqué Eagle Quilt
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Angora/ Mohair Siirt Blanket Pillow Covers, 1960s/70s
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Maharam Pillow, Unisol by Verner Panton
Located in New York, NY
Maharam pillow Unisol by Verner Panton 001 black/white Created by Verner Panton in 1965, Unisol is a graphic pattern featuring rows of black ellipses on a white round. The ellipses ...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

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Vintage Linen Upholstery Textile Fabric
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Mt. 12,40 x cm. 52 of a vintage tissue, suitable for armchairs upholstery in a country or seaside home: difficult to find this quantity.! This tissue was used for French mail bags...
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Vintage Linen Upholstery Textile Fabric
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H 20.48 in W 488.19 in D 0.4 in
Pierre Frey Large Bolster Cushion
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A beautiful handcrafted bolster cushion in classic fabric by The House of Pierre Frey. The bolster cushion is made with piping and fitted with zipper. The size is perfect for a k...
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2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

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Verner Panton Curtain Panel, Tapestry, Fabric by Mira-X Collection, 1960s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Powerful original curtain panel designed by Verner Panton during 1969-1971. 100% cotton material, Mira-X Collection., Made in Switzerland. The curtain is custom made directly from t...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Fabric, Cotton

Collection of Four Plaid Camp Blanket Pillows
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of amazing plaid camp blanket pillows with red, gray, cream and black stripes. These are beautiful subtle wool pillows.
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

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5 Pieces of Mira x Fabric by Verner Panton, and One Piece of 70's Fabric
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
We have 2 pieces of Green Velour Squares by Panton for Mira X formerly curtains some fading on one and a split on the other as per photos. Two pieces of Blue Purple and Red squares, ...
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Large Black Leather Pillow with Leather Piping Trim
Located in Dural, AU
Create an instant designer look with this ravishing, large black leather pillow. Intricately handcrafted using honored time leather craftsmanship ...
Category

2010s Australian Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Leather

Design Lips by Verner Panton
Located in Milan, IT
'Design Lips' is a fabric wall panel designed and produced in 1968 as part of Verner Panton's 'Anatomical Designs Collection', which were photoreali...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Materials

Cotton

Design Lips by Verner Panton
Design Lips by Verner Panton
H 15.75 in W 41.34 in D 0.79 in
Zabihi Collection Vintage Small Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mini size mid 20th century Turkish Anatolian rug Measures: 1'6'' x 2'10''
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

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Mariners Compass Crib Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mariners Compass Crib Quilt. (Circa 1938) This Quilt is Very Finely Executed w/ Floating Stars on the Outside Boarder. Pristine condition. The quilt is fro...
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

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Mariners Compass Crib Quilt
Mariners Compass Crib Quilt
H 54 in W 53 in D 0.5 in
Previously Available Items
Handcrafted Wool Serape Bohemian Blanket Modern Colors Viva! Mexico 1960s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Ole! Vintage Mexican handcrafted Wool serape Bohemian blanket Viva Mexico! Made in Mexico circa 1960s. Unmarked. Wonderful graphics & colors. Original preowned vintage unrestored fai...
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Rare Maria Kipp Carved Teak & Woven Textile Sunburst Wall Decoration, circa 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer-craftsman Maria Kipp dominated the Mid-Century Southern California market with her firm, producing custom handwoven materials, as exhibited in this exquisite sunburst wall a...
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1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

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Summer Wreaths Yellow and Green Folly Cove Designers Hand Printed Pillow
By Folly Cove Designers, Mary Ann Lash
Located in Essex, MA
An original hand block printed Folly Cove Designers fabric yellow and green long rectangular lumbar pillow in the 'Summer Wreaths' pattern by Mary Ann Lash, circa 1969, new down fill...
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Op Art Eye Dazzler Textile Wall Hanging
Located in Rochester, NY
In the style of Verner Panton, a brilliant 1960s modernist op art screen printed wall hanging on finely wove natural cotton linen. Most likely Sca...
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1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Berber Shepherd's Bag
Located in Wilton, CT
In remarkable condition, this tanned hide bag was purchased in Morocco from the original owner in the late 1960s. Entirely handcrafted from thick camel hide, the entire front flap pa...
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Berber Shepherd's Bag
Berber Shepherd's Bag
H 12 in W 11 in
Monumental 60's Abstract Hand Woven Fiber Art Wall Tapestry
Located in Peabody, MA
Impressive 7 foot tall wall hanging of individually woven, feathery strands of various natural and dyed fibers. This piece is a breathtaking example of the freeform Fiber Art ...
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Mid-Century Fiber Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960's- 70's Woven Carpet with Mid-Western Scene. In Original Condition. Signed, but the Signature and Artist are unknown to us. Cleaning is recommended.
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Mid-Century Fiber Art
Mid-Century Fiber Art
W 94 in L 64.5 in
Swedish Wall-Hanging Textile
Located in New York, NY
Double-woven textile in blue, white, and dark gray. A decorative wall hanging from Sweden, made c. 1960's.
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1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Quilts and Blankets

Swedish Wall-Hanging Textile
Swedish Wall-Hanging Textile
H 65 in W 36 in D 0.5 in

Mid-century Modern quilts and blankets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern quilts and blankets 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 quilts and blankets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern quilts and blankets made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original quilts and blankets, popular names associated with this style include Jackie Villevoye, Pamela Print, Pierre Cardin, and Area ID. 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 quilts and blankets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $85 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $650.

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