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Mid-Century Modern Benches

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
Pair of Polished Brass Benches by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of polished brass benches designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1970s. We currently have one pair in aged brass and one p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of Charles Hollis Jones Benches in Solid Brass, Signed and Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of solid brass benches designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1970s and manufactured in 2015. The frames of the benches are made in solid brass and upholstered in COM or COL...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Pair of Charles Hollis Jones Brass Benches, "Box" Line
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass benches designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1960s. The benches are upholstered in white Naugahyde and they are in excellent original condition. ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Charles Hollis Jones "Tree of Life" Bench, Limited Edition of 11
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Lucite and nickel-plated long bench designed by Charles Hollis Jones as a part of his new series "Tree of Life." This new line is the first limited edition that Charles is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Nickel

Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Steel & Fabric Benches / Stools by Forma Nova
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Benches by Forma Nova with a sober, neoclassical curile / X-form base design in enameled steel. Seat is composed of st...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Handmade Italian Midcentury Iron and Straw / Rattan Stool or Bench
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Italian midcentury stool / bench / ottoman incorporating elements of the neoclassical and the neo-Baroque in a modern context. The stool is composed of a handmade gilt wrought iron frame with finials extending from the tops, a rattan / straw seat and painted decorative wood stretchers. A matching throne...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Ebonized Black Tufted Purple Velvet Italian Wood Bench, 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1940s ebonized black tufted Italian wood bench upholstered in purple Belgian velvet.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Ebonized Wood Benches / Stools, André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Sober, elegant pair of French Curile form / X-frame benches / stools in ebonized wood in the modern neoclassical spirit, typical of André Arbus.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Handmade Italian Modern Craftsman Bench / Sofa in the Spirit of Andrea Branzi
Located in New York, NY
A stunning, unique sculpture / sofa / bench in the spirit of Andrea Branzi's Modern Rustic / Brutalist Aesthetic as seen in "Domestic Animals". This original and rare piece unites th...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

1970s Brass Bench with Ivory Sheepskin Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass bench with ivory sheepskin seat from the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Wood and Steel Industrial Bench or Table or Shelving Unit, Vintage Industrial
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage Industrial wood and steel Industrial bench or table or shelving unit. Overall dimensions are 48" x 18" x 24 1/4". Top measures 48" x 14". Shelf measures 40" x 11" x 9 1/8".
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Half Circular Nickel Silver Upholstered Knotched Bamboo Bench
Located in North Miami, FL
This Mid-Century Modern bench is a half moon knotted bamboo nickel silver bench that is upholstered in a beautiful and expensive champagne and silver cut velvet upholstery. It is ver...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Fabulous American Craftsman Carved Free Edge Bench Mid-century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous American craftsman carved free edge walnut bench. I sure wish i could find a signature on this unusual one of a kind bench-that would make describing this piece a bit easie...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Italian Long Hair Goatskin Benches
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern style long hair goatskin benches in the manner of Ico Parisi. Custom handmade frame and hand carved tapered legs. Custom sizes are ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

1960s, Italian Carved Wood Tufted Tan Leather Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Italian carved wood tufted bench upholstered in tan or beige leather.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

French Midcentury Handstitched Leather Bench / Magazine Stand by Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French Mid-Century Modern handstitched leather bench / magazine rack by Jacques Adnet. The top of the frame is wrapped in black leather an...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather

Pair of Italian Midcentury Carved and Turned Wood Stools or Benches, Italy, 1930
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern traditional benches / stools in richly carved and turned wood.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Mid-Century Modern Stools or Benches in Goat Skin
Located in New York, NY
Exotic pair of French Mid-Century Modern stools or benches in a sober, tripod form, covered entirely in goatskin. Chic and comfortable. Interesting pieces for a city apartment or a r...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Goatskin

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Minimalist Hand Carved Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful single slab of teak wood taken from my finest collection is hand carved by our master carver to produce this impressiv...
Category

1950s Indonesian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Sculptural bench by Jose Zanine Caldas
Located in London, GB
Sculptural bench by Jose Zanine Caldas made in Pequi wood.
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hardwood

Pair Brueton "Macao" Steel Benches by Stanley Jay Friedman
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of “Macao” benches / ottomans by Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton is a striking example of the seamless fusion of form and function that characterizes 1970s American desig...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

1950s restored bench seat
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant ebony-stained wooden bench, sprung seat with velvet upholstery. Restaurato.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Coffee table - bench in rosewood, Swedish design
Located in PARIS, FR
A very beautiful coffee table – bench representative of modernist Scandinavian design. The graphic and clean lines make this table an elegant and timeless choice. Its sleek design an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Palisander

Large Vintage Bench in Solid Wood, France circa 1970
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Very large solid wood corner bench, mountain furniture originating from the French Alps. Its simple design will be appreciated and ideal for a large entrance or reception area. Cons...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Type 400 slat bench designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International 1952
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
1960ies knoll international 400 slat bench designed by Harry Bertoia, 1952. The Famous Italian-American sculptor Arieto Bertoia (born in 1915) moved to the US with his family in 19...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Tri-Mark Designs Bench, Bronze, Upholstery, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Tri-Mark Designs Bench, Bronze, Upholstery, Signed. Tri-Mark Designs of Pennsylvania manufactured this bench in two sizes - this is the smaller 3 foot version with an appealing propo...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Charlotte Perriand Cansado bench Steph Simon France 1958
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Large slat bench designed by Charlotte Perriand for the Cité Cansado in Mauritania and manufactured by Steph Simon in 1958. The bench is constructed with solid teak wooden slats and ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Bas Pruyser bench / sofa 2 x for Ahrend / De Cirkel 90s
Located in WEERT, NL
Bas Pruyser benches 2 x for Ahrend / De Cirkel 90s / width 120 cm Total ( 2 benches ) width 240 cm height 76 cm depth 60 cm Seat height 44 cm
Category

1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Retro 3 seater leather bench in the style of Herman Miller, circa 1970’s
Located in Houston, TX
Retro 3 seater leather bench in the style of Herman Miller, circa 1970’s. Can be used for living room seating, or even porch seating. In good original condition and structurally soun...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Jacques Borker Two Seater Bench Teak Metal Cream Fabric Cushion France 1970's
Located in Hellouw, NL
French tapestry artist Jacques Borker is best known for his bold abstract interpretations and his style is most associated with the Bauhaus movement and Art Deco. Borker also made fo...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Early George Nakashima Conoid Bench c. 1964
Located in Brooklyn, NY
George Nakashima Conoid Bench c. 1964. Beautifully figured crotch grain American black walnut with Hickory spindles and rosewood butterflies. Very unusual topographic shaped slab....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hickory, Rosewood, Walnut

George Nelson Platform Bench
Located in Palm Springs, CA
George Nelson platform bench for Herman Miller, Michigan. Bench measures 68.25" wide, 18.5" deep and 14" high. Bench is all original.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Tri-Mark Leather and Chrome Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tri Mark Chrome Flat Band 36" Long Bench. Original leather upholstery in nice shape with a couple marks. Bench dates to the early 1980's. Chrome is very cl...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Wonderful Pair Black Enamel Brass Ball Upholstered Benches
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Sea Foam Green Enamel And Brass Ball Accented Benches With Green Upholstery Two Benches Available Each Sold Separately
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass, Iron

Teak and Brass Bench Stool, Denmark 1960s
Located in Naples, IT
Teak stool bench ,Denmark 1960 Solid and stable metal base with brass details and orange fabric cushion
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Merida bench in walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W48 D20 H17 SW44 SD19 SH17 Handcrafted solid walnut bench with a removable upholstered seat. Item is structurally sound and sturdy with fresh fabric. Interested in this build and w...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Velvet Tufted Benches: Elegant Comfort with Stylish X-Shaped Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the luxurious charm of our vintage velvet tufted benches, a pair that exudes elegance and comfort. Crafted with a solid wood frame, these ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Wood

Charlotte Perriand Bench from Les Arcs, France circa 1968
Located in Malibu, US
A classic, simple and functional pine bench designed by acclaimed architect and designer Charlotte Perriand for the Les Arcs Ski Resort in France. A wonderful example of Perriand’s ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Charlotte Perriand Long Bench from Les Arcs, France circa 1968
Located in Malibu, US
A classic, simple and functional pine 4-seater bench designed by acclaimed architect and designer Charlotte Perriand for the Les Arcs Ski Resort in France. A wonderful example of Pe...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

George Nelson, Platform Bench, for Herman Miller, late 1940s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nelson, Platform Bench, for Herman Miller, late 1940s Black painted birch frame, the slatted top on three curved supports, 235cm wide, 47cm deep, 36cm high This is an origin...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Birch, Paint

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench Seat, mahogany base, labeled to base "Dunbar." Dealer: S138XX
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Low Mahogany & Cane Bench, Coffee Table, 1950's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Low Slung Cane, bleached Mahogany Bench -Cocktail Table. Featuring a sturdy rectangular solid bleached Mahogany frame, stretchers to each end, inset w...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Mahogany, Cane

Florence Knoll for Knoll 72” Black Leather Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll 72" Black Leather Bench for Knoll. Classic Knoll Design! Fits in perfectly to so many spaces! Functional and Elegant. All Original Condition with some nice patina....
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Panca anni '40 in palissandro e acero
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Elegante e particolare panca anni 40 con struttura in palissandro e particolari lavorati in legno di acero. Il rivestimento, in bouclé, è nuovo in quanto rifatto di recente.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bouclé, Maple, Palisander

Model 656 Bench by John Behringer in Faux Leather for Fabry Associates
Located in Chicago, IL
A magnificent 4-seater bench (model 656) by John Behringer for Fabry Associates. These iconic benches were used in the TWA terminal, designed by Eero Saarinen. This design is also pa...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Spanish Patinated Iron Benches
Located in Buchanan, NY
This pair of Spanish 1950s benches, made from gilt iron, holds an elegance that is both timeless and distinctive. The hourglass frames, central stretcher, and gently curved feet each...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

1970s Danish Dining Bench/Sofa, Restored
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished - newly upholstered in synthetic sheepskin fabric
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Sheepskin, Fabric, Wood

Midcentury wooden bench Italy 1960
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Beautiful Mid-Century solid wood slatted bench, with brass details and black leather cushion. Perfect vintage condition, Italy 1960
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

French Turned-Frame Brutalist Bench in Solid Elm, France, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
If you're looking for a unique bench that breaks away from traditional French designs, then this bench is the perfect choice for you. The bench dates back to the 1950s and this desig...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Elm

Harvey Probber Bench with Brass Accents, 1955
Located in Hamburg, PA
A minimalist designer bench by Harvey Probber, 1955. This modern bench has brass accents and mahogany legs. The solid brass accents can be polished bu...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Bench by Gijs Bakker and Wim Wilson
Located in PARIS, FR
Very decorative this wenge bench by Dutch designers Gijs Bakker and Wim Wilson created in 1967. It resembles the better known one created by Martin Visser but differs in particular i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wenge

Maple & Fabric Poufs attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1940s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Pair of stools in the style of Paolo Buffa, 1940s. Maple structure with crossed legs and Chinoserie style fabric upholstery. Light wear due to age and use. Solid and functional. Pack...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Maple

George Nakashima, American Black Walnut & Hickory Spindle Bench, 1972
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima bench, created 1972, carved from a single slab of American black walnut with freeform front edge, and with turned hickory spin...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hickory, Walnut

TH Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb X Base Upholstered Bench circa 1950s
Located in Troy, MI
X Base bench by TH Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb circa 1950s Rectangular tufted seat newly upholstered in an Ivory matte velour Flanked on each side by a sculptural X form base in...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Maple

Edward Wormley Bench by Dunbar, Model 5429
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design bench for Dunbar, Model 5429. Classic design by Wormley in brass square frame on capped feet. Newer Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery that presents very well, ready ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Design Institute America Pair of Chrome Benches
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Design Institute America Chrome Benches. Nice Scale and Size. Very Solid! Fabric looks original! Often said to be Mio Baughman, but...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Jean Prouvé Style Concrete Bench, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of Jean Prouvé style concrete benches from France, circa 1960. Very similar to Prouvé’s iconic ‘Marcoule’ bench from 1953, these benche...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Concrete, Steel

Sven Ivar Dysthe 2 Seater Bentwood Walnut Bench w/ Circular Seat And End Table A
Located in Asheville, NC
Rare mid century modern Norwegian bench set by Sven Ivar Dysthe. 2 seats, a circular cushion and an end table. New high quality elephant grey vinyl upholstery. The wood has been clea...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Naugahyde, Bentwood

Mid-century Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern benches 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 benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern benches made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Stamford Modern, Carlos Solano-Granda, Lawson-Fenning, and Montage. 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.

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