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.
Kristian Vedel, set of black leather Modus furniture, Denmark 1960s
By Kristian Solmer Vedel, Søren Willadsen
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
This Kristian Vedel set from 1960s Denmark exemplifies timeless Scandinavian modern design with its sleek black leather finish and functional modularity. This set contains two easy c...
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Italy 1980s
Chrome
Expertly Restored - Pair of Mid Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Slipper Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Ammannati & Giampiero for Rossi di Albizzate 'Grandangolo' Seating Elements
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tittina Ammannati and Vitelli Giampiero for Rossi di Albizzate, 'Grandangolo' lounge chairs, leather, metal, Italy, design 1969 A wide and seamlessly curved lounge chair designed by...
Metal
José Zanine Caldas Tête-à-Tête Conversadeira Namoradeira Rocker Lounge Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
José Zanine Caldas, 'Namoradeira' - 'Conversadeira' - Tête-à-Tête - lounge chair, Vinhatico hardwood, Brazil, ca. 1980 José Zanine Caldas’s sculptural rocker, which goes by several...
Hardwood
Pair of 1950s Lounge Chairs in Burgundy Red Fabric and Walnut Frames
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, burgundy red fabric, walnut, Europe, 1950s These elegant lounge chairs embody a sophisticated appearance of 1950s design. Crafted from richly toned walnut, th...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Elm & Tweed Lounge Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut-Stained Elm Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam, New Pirelli Webbing ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern ...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Elm
Guillerme & Chambron Lounge Set with Connecting Table in Solid Oak
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, coupled lounge chairs with side table, fabric, oak, France, 1960s Guillerme & Chambron are known for their high quality solid oak furnit...
Fabric, Oak
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena Italian Lounge Chairs Grey Leather and Steel
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, lounge chairs, leather, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1963 These cubist lounge chairs in grey leather were designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for ...
Steel, Chrome
Brazilian Designer, Lounge Chair, Wood, Leather, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood, plywood, metal and beige leather lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Design inspired by the Boomerang chair by Richard Neutra. Provenance: ...
Leather, Wood
Super Rare Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut & Orange X-Base Chair
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Super rare, possibly unique armchair designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates in the 1960s. While other variations of this design reached mass production and still se...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Walnut
Gio Ponti for Cassina '811' Lounge Chair in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Figli di Amadeo Cassina, lounge chair, model ‘811’, chestnut, fabric, rubber, coated metal, Italy, 1957 Made in 1957, this rare lounge chair model 811 is designed by G...
Metal
Gae Aulenti 4x Lounge Chairs by Knoll, Black Steel, Leather Cushions
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vienna, AT
Collectors set of 2x two Gae Aulenti for Knoll International lounge chairs-Priced as a pair This set of two times two lounge armchairs is constructed of black lacquered steel frames...
Steel
Set Of Two Vintage Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
Rodolfo Bonetto and Giotto Stoppino for Tarlisio Pair of 'Bossa' Lounge Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rodolfo Bonetto and Giotto Stoppino for Tarlisio, pair of 'Bossa' lounge chairs, fiberglass, corduroy velvet, Italy, 1968 These rare Bossa lounge chairs (1968), born from the colla...
Velvet, Fiberglass
Danish 1940s Large Lounge Chair with Organic Rounded Proportions Yellow Mohair.
By Fritz Hansen, Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s highback lounge chair in the style of Flemming Lassen with very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller sp...
Wool, Beech
Sergio Conti, Marisa Forlani and Luciano Grassi for 'Artigianato' Lounge Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio Conti, Marisa Forlani and Luciano Grassi for Emilio Paoli, 'Artigianato' lounge chair from the Monofilo series, lacquered iron, nylon, Italy, design 1953, made 1954/55 During...
Iron
Guillerme & Chambron 'Petit Repos' Lounge Chair in Solid Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, 'Petit Repos' lounge chair, solid oak, fabric, France, 1960s. Guillerme & Chambron are known for their high-quality solid oak furniture, ...
Fabric, Oak
Lina Bo Bardi & Carlo Palanti, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Peroba, Brazil, 1948
By Studio d´Arte Palma, Lina Bo Bardi
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of peroba wood and blue fabric lounge chairs, model P9 Tridente, designed by Lina Bo Bardi & Carlo Palanti and produced by Studio D'Arte Palma, Brazil, c. 1948. Provenanc...
Fabric
Pair of Authentic Black leather Chrome lounge chairs Le Corbusier LC2 by Cassina
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An Authentic pair of Modern LC2 lounge or club chairs Le Corbusier. Model LC2 in Soft Black Leather with Chrome frames Made by Cassina. Chairs shows little to no signs of use very co...
Chrome, Steel
Bernt Petersen 'Kludestolen' Oak Lounge Chairs, Denmark, 1970s — Set of 3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three 'Kludestolen' lounge chairs by Danish designer Bernt Petersen, produced in Denmark in the 1970s. Each chair features a solid oak frame with a natural hand-wax finish and...
Leather, Canvas, Oak
Pair of Italian Chairs c1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 33"w x 33"d x 28"h Italian Designed: Wood Frame w/ Italy, c1980s Pair of 2 VNT1821
Upholstery, Wood
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Classic Danish 1950s Midcentury Lounge Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant 1950s lounge chair by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard made in Denmark ca. 1950. The chairs exhibit the rolled armrest detail and tapered front legs often preferred by Peter Hvi...
Wool, Beech
Pair of Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 24"w x 32"d x 32"h Italian Designed Wood Frame w/ Upholstery Italy, c1930s Pair of 2 VNT1813
Wood, Upholstery
Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo Elegant Lounge Chair in Brown Velvet
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo lounge chair, velvet, beech, Italy, 1950s This elegant lounge chair, designed by Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo in the 1950s, is a beautiful e...
Velvet, Beech
Argentine Designer, Lounge Chair, Wood, Leather, Argentina, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown leather lounge chair designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 25.5"H x 27.65"W x 32.0"D Seat H...
Leather, Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' Lounge Chair in Ash and Leather
By Simon Gavina Editions, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Bastiano' lounge chair, leather, ash, Italy, 1961 Designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina’s experimental design lab in 1960, the Bastiano series re...
Leather, Ash
Danish Mid-Century Modern Oak Lounge Chairs in Kjærnulf Style, 1960s. Set of 2.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Oak Lounge Chairs in Kjærnulf Style, 1960s. Set of 2. Beautiful Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern rustic brutalist arm chairs in solid Nordic white oak and o...
Oak
Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva For Wittmann 1980
By Paolo Piva
Located in Čelinac, BA
Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva for Wittmann Austria 1980
Fabric
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs in Forest Green Mohair by Pierre Frey
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of club chairs, reupholstered in mohair "Bold - Forest" by Pierre Frey, stained beech, Italy, 1940s With its spacious design and fresh mohair upholstery in a rich forest green...
Mohair, Beech
Art Deco Lounge Chair in Wood and Cane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, beech, cane, Europe, 1930s/1940s This elegant lounge chair was crafted in Europe in the 1930s/1940s, showcasing the timeless appeal of early modern design. The piece f...
Cane, Beech
Ricardo Legorreta 'Butaque' Lounge Chair in Oak and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ricardo Legorreta for Legorreta Arquitecto, 'Butaque' lounge chair, oak, leather, Mexico, 1997 This Butaque lounge chair was designed by Ricardo Legorreta and made by Legorreta Arqu...
Leather, Oak
Mid-Century Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Aubergine Velvet & Tapered Walnut Supports
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modern lounge chair and matching ottoman pair epitomize the sleek, thoughtful design of 1960s American modernism. Upholstered in luxurious smoked aubergine velvet, t...
Velvet, Walnut
Ueli Berger for De Sede 'DS-80' Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger for De Sede, lounge chair, model 'DS-80', wood, leather, Switzerland, 1970s The 'DS-80' lounge chair designed by Ueli Berger for De Sede. The frame is a stark, dark grey...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century GFM Stool in Yellow Jacquard by Casamance, E. Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful stool designed by Edmund Homa. The stool was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The GFM type stool is regarded one of the best ...
Textile, Beech
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Walnut Lounge Chairs by Longhi, Milan
By Longhi
Located in Troy, MI
An exceptional pair of sculptural Italian lounge chairs by Longhi of Milan, showcasing masterful woodworking in warm walnut. The sinuously curved frames feature elegantly sculpted op...
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Lady Lounge Chairs by Marco Zanuso, Italy 1960's
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of “Lady” Lounge Chairs by Marco Zanuso Newly upholstered in soft cream boucle fabric bouclé Brass Legs, Italy, circa 1960 Available to view in-situ at our Miami gallery.
Brass
Danish Lounge Chairs in style of Frits Henningsen, ca, 1950 in Teal Colored Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish low back armchair from around 1950. Very much in the style of Frits Henningsen with a strong design identity and clean strong lines. Solid and sturdy construct...
Wool, Beech
Lawson-Fenning Ojai Lounge Chair, Solid Walnut & Upholstered Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ojai Lounge Chair features a solid white oak or solid walnut base and a single tufted cushion with straps. Available in Leather & with the Ojai Ottoman
Fabric, Walnut
Expertly Restored -Modern Reclining Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Kofod-Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Oak, Walnut
Pair of Milo Baughman "Recliner 74" Chairs for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a beautiful pair of Recliner 74 chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. This sleek design was original conceived by Baughman in 1966, though these examples were manufactu...
Leather, Walnut
A Stylish & Rare Pair of Mid-Century Leather Lounge Chairs, France Circa 1950’s
Located in Hastings, GB
A Stylish & Rare Pair of Mid-Century Leather Lounge Chairs, France Circa 1950’s This charming pair of chairs is very lovely. Stylish, sculptural, and versatile, these lounge cha...
Leather
Vintage Mid Century "Model 654" Leather Chair and Ottoman by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is an early Model 654 chair with accompanying ottoman by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates, 1941. This example in its original leather strapping is a patina lover's dream. The s...
Leather, Birch
Brazilian Designer, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and printed light grey fabric lounge chairs designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric ideally replaced. Overall Dim...
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Barcelona Chair in Special Order Stainless Steel
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Authentic Midcentury Modern Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll – Premium Stainless Steel Version Offered for sale is an iconic Barcelona Chair, designed by Ludwig Mies ...
Stainless Steel
A. Rudin Pair of Lounge Chairs and Ottoman In the style of René Gabriel
By Rene Gabriel, A. Rudin
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of deep and comfortable A. Rudin Lounge chairs, and ottoman. In the style of René Gabriel. This is a bench-made, luxury seating set featuring clean, transitional lines and a d...
Linen, Rope, Wood
Viggo Boesen Attribution, Lounge Chair, Wood, Shearling, Denmark, 1940s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in High Point, NC
A white shearling and wood lounge chair attributed to Viggo Boesen for Slagelse Møbelværk, Denmark, c. 1940s. Minimal signs of wear. Reupholstered in brand new authentic shearling....
Wood
Post Modern Design by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Set East Side Lounge Club Chairs
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Post Modern Design Iconic 1980s lounge chairs featured with original soft leather upholstery in high quality of leather in the colors grey, black seat and aubergine red, designed by ...
Chrome
Arne Norell, Pair of Sirocco Lounge Chairs, Leather & Ash, AB Aneby, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful pair of safari chairs designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, during the 1960s. The chairs are crafted with a solid frame in ash and a wa...
Brass
Vintage 1970s Barcelona Lounge Chairs Set of 2 by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare set of Barcelona chairs was designed by Architect Mies van der Rohe and Designer Lily Reich in 1929 and produced by Knoll International in the 70s labeled The Barcelona ch...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
1950s Bamboo Lounge Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
1950s Bamboo Lounge Chairs with original green finish. Chairs have casters in the front. Chairs need to be recovered, we can help.
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
Argentine Designer, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Argentina, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and white fabric lounge chairs designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Refinished and reupholstered in recent history. Overal...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Solid Oak Danish Brutalist Lounge Chair, Henning Kjærnulf style, 1960s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Presenting this exceptional lounge chair, attributed to Danish architect and designer Henning Kjærnulf, a masterclass in the "Baroque Modernism" style that defined his most celebrate...
Fabric, Oak
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Artona' Lounge Chairs in Elm and Checkered Fabric
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, pair of 'Artona' lounge chairs, ash, checkered fabric, Italy, 1975/1979 Pair of cubic ‘Artona’ lounge chairs by Italian designer couple Afra and...
Fabric, Ash
René Gabriel Lounge Chair in Green Linen Pierre Frey Fabric and Wood
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Rene Gabriel, lounge chair, stained beech, linen fabric "Arsene" by Pierre Frey, France, circa 1945 This armchair is attributed to the French artist René Gabriel, kno...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Swedish Modern Pine Lounge Chairs with Leather Armrests, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
A characterful pair of Swedish lounge chairs from the 1970s, crafted in solid pine with a robust and architectural frame. Made by a skilled Swedish Cabinetmaker. The chairs feature ...
Leather, Wool, Pine
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison Lounge Chair in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison lounge chair, grey/lightbrown fabric, oak, France, 1960s This lounge chair by Guillerme & Chambron, designed in the 1960s, is a beautif...
Fabric, Oak
1950s Fritz Hansen Style Lounge Chair In Green Velvet With Oak Armrests. Denmark
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant mid-century Danish lounge chair from the 1950s, executed in rich green velour upholstery. The design reflects the refined and organic aesthetic associated with the Fritz Hans...
Velvet, Oak, Pine
Two Mid Century GFM Stools in Drawing Jacquard by Dedar, E. Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful pair of two stools designed by Edmund Homa. The stool was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The GFM type stool is regarded one...
Textile, Beech