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.
Three-Seater Sofa with Carved Oak Frame, Denmark ca 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Danish modern design was originally developed in the mid-20th century and was influenced by the German Bauhaus school. Drawing on the Scandinavian tradition of quality craftsmanship,...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
$10,331 / item
Sofa Settee with Weaved Texture and Lamb Fur Single Man
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Sofa settee with black and white weaved texture natural lamb fur in taupe color, solid wood frame and polished brass fittings. Includes 3 decorative cushions like in the pictures. Ne...
Brass
Bastiano sofa in canvas designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 1960
By Gavina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT
Bastiano 2 seater sofa by Tobia Scarpa with original upholstery in canvas. Supporting structure in wood, flying cushions with polyurethane bottom and top in feather on covered steel...
Canvas, Wood
Mid-Century Danish Style Couch
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish style couch, made in Yugoslavia. Classic 60s&70s design. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Wood
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrecht Sofa for Cassina in red, green or blue
Located in Berlin, DE
Sofa designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 1988. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color.
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Pencil Leg 4 Cushion Sofa
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern pencil leg 93" 4 cushion sofa Offered is an unrestored mid-century modern sofa, probably by Kroehler. The sofa very unique lines and is elevated on pencil legs representing that Mid Century Modern/ Jetsons era. The fabric needs to be redone, but still looks like it was a set extra in the Brady Bunch...
Fabric
$6,492 / set
Rattan sofa, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rattan sofa with black lacquered steel legs. Produced in Brazil, 1960s. Very good condition with small signs of usage. Please note: matching table + chairs also available.
Metal
Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Liceu De Artes e Officios, Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
Two-seat sofa designed by Liceu de Artes e Oficios in solid rosewood, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1960s. The piece has been recently refinished and newly upholstered in natural leather. Liceu De Artes & Oficios was established in 1873 by a group of elite coffee aristocrats that pretended to train skilled labor for possible future industrialization of Brazil. Seven years after, the institution changed completely the proposal, really becoming a school of craftsmanship, occupying a building design by Ramos de...
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage Patchwork Leather 2-seater Beanbag / Sofa In Style of De Sede
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This comfortable vintage sofa was made around the 1970s in Germany. It was upholstered with brown/cognac patchwork leather and filled with polystyrene beads. The sofa / beanbag remai...
Leather
Vintage Leather Couch by Faarup Mobelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Experience the perfect blend of Scandinavian craftsmanship and timeless comfort with this vintage leather couch by Faarup Møbelfabrik, a distinguished name in Danish furniture design...
Leather, Wood
Italian MId Century Modern Gold Velvet Upholstery Cloud Shape Sofa Cast Brass
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Italian MId Century Modern Gold Velvet Upholstery Cloud Shape Sofa Cast Brass Legs MINT!
Brass
$3,003 / item
Mid to Late 20th Century Italian Sofa
Located in London, London
Mid to Late 20th Century Italian Sofa A generous Italian sofa from the 1970s or 1980s, designed with a strong architectural frame in solid wood and deep, inviting cushions. The cont...
Fabric, Beech
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Handsome Tomlinson style X-Long Sofa Pecan Wood Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome X-long Tomlinson Sophisticate style sofa. This piece retains its original textured stiped fabric in presentable condition. The cushions are still soft and the sofa is very...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno D70 Reclining Sofa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Norwalk, CT
An iconic example of Italian mid-century design, continually reproduced for its highly renowned marriage of style and functionality, this fully adjustable reclining sofa...
Leather
Original de Sede DS 18 Zweisitzer Sofa Design Couch Leder
By De Sede
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und äußerst seltenes Vintage Zweisitzer Sofa vom Schweizer Traditionshersteller de Sede zum Verkauf an. Bei dem Möbel handelt es sich um das Modell "DS18...
Leather, Wood
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Krefeld Settee or Sofa in Dark Brown Leather for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed Krefeld settee in a rich dark brown leather for Knoll. Recent 2009 production based on his 1930s designs for the Esters and Lange residenc...
Leather, Wood
1960s Arne Vodder Attributed 2 Seater Lounger Sofa in Green Mohair
By Arne Vodder
Located in Charleston, SC
A stunning sculptural Danish 2 seater sofa in the style of Arne Vodder. Teak frame with subtly scooped and curved arms and a base that makes it appear to be floating. The cushions ar...
Metal
Modular Sofa " Sistema 61" by Giancarlo Piretti, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Modular Sofa " Sistema 61" by Giancarlo Piretti, Italy, 1970s Dimensions on the listing are for one of the possible configurations. This sofa is modular. Dimensions : 62*62*38.5h...
Fabric
$13,160 / item
Large Curved Modern White Velvet Sofa
By The Tailored Home, Jhon Ortiz
Located in Greenwich, CT
This large curved sofa was inspired by midcentury Italian design. Upholstered in white crushed velvet. The sofa features a single cushion with foam, dacron, and down. Its tight back ...
Velvet, Foam, Maple, Down
Shearling Sheepskin Sofa, Made in Denmark
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sheepskin sofa, handcrafted in Denmark and upholstered with New Zealand shearling wool. The style is reminiscent of Flemming Lassen's Ingeborg Sofa, a rediscovered modernist gem des...
Sheepskin, Walnut
Mid-Century Black Leather Tufted Sofa Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style
By Kroehler Mfg. Co., Edward Wormley
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a very handsome, gorgeous black leather geometric tufted pattern sofa by the Kroehler Mfg. Company, in the style of Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The design of the frame is rema...
Leather
CH 102 - Sofa in dark brown leather by Hans J. Wegner
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
CH 102 - 2-seater sofa in dark brown, patinated semi-aniline leather with steel frame. Marked by manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son. Designed by Hans J. Wegner in the 1950's.
Steel
1970s Czechoslovak Modular Leather Five-Seat Sofa
Located in Praha, CZ
.Modular leather sofa manufactured in Czechoslovakia in the 1980s. This versatile system consists of five individual lounge modules that can be arranged into a long sofa or used sepa...
Leather
Pair of Berndhart Channeled "Flair" Lounge Chairs with Upholstered Matching Cube
By Bernhardt Design, Bernhardt
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Berndhart Channeled "Flair" Lounge chairs with upholstered matching Cube Table. The slightly curved backs can be connected for continuous larger seating option (pictured). C...
Bouclé
$59,726
Rare Sofa by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Rare sofa by Alvar Aalto. Finland, 1956. Provenance: Kansanela¨kelaitos (The Social Insurance Institution of Finland). Example provided with original label....
Brass
$2,550Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Danish Modern Oak, Tweed and Leather EJ315 Sofa by Erik Jørgensen
Located in Shippensburg, PA
The EJ315 was designed by Erik Ole Jørgensen in 1972 for production by Erik Jørgenzen Møbelfabrik, the current example still retaining its original label on the underside of the fron...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Hans J. Wegner GE-290/3 Three Seater Sofa in Soap Treated Oak
Located in Lejre, DK
Three seater sofa model GE-290/3 designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by Getama. The sofa is made in soap treated oak with original cushions and original branded manufacturer stam...
Oak
Ligne Roset by Michel Ducaroy Togo Yellow Modular Sofa, Set of Three
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Rochester, England
The iconic Togo sofa, originally designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset in 1973 has become a design Classic. This three-piece modular set is incredibly versatile and can be conf...
Fabric
Axel Einar Hjorth Velvet Sofa, Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sofa designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s. Velvet Upholstery. Dimensions: H: 73 cm / 2' 4 3/4'' W: 168.5 cm / 5' 6 1/4'' D: 68 cm / 2' 2 3/4'' Depth of the corner side: 136 cm / 4' 5 1/2'' SH: 43 cm / 17'' Provenance: Fredrik Anderzon who was the manager of the brewery Nässjö Bryggeri commissioned a modernist summerhouse in 1936 and this sofa formed part of the interior. Literature: A high back chair that matches this model, Christian Björk, Thomas Ekström...
Upholstery, Velvet
$7,900 / set
Couch and Ottoman by Martin Borenstein
Located in Palm Springs, CA
All orginal couch and ottoman by Martin Borenstein. Couch measures 76" wide, 34" deep and 34" high. Seat height is 13". Ottoman measures 50" wide, ...
Fabric, Wood
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Angular Sofa for Votre Maison, France 1960s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Utrecht, NL
The best design characteristics of Guillerme et Chambron meet in this beautiful, artistic oak sofa. The duo’s designs are exceptional for a wide array of reasons, starting from the u...
Oak, Fabric
Guillerme et Chambron Sofa
Located in London, GB
A solid oak sofa designed by Guillerme et Chambron in the 1970s. The sofa features the duo’s signature bold design and has been newly reupholstered in wool fabric, combining durabili...
Wool, Oak
Handcrafted Ebonized Oak Moresby Sofa with Custom Linen or Leather Upholstery
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This handmade solid wood constructed sofa includes handcut joinery and custom upholtered seat and seat back cushions. This sofa is shown in our in house black leather with an ebon...
Oak, Walnut
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Kiwi Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 180cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
Finn Juhl 'Jupiter' Sofa for France & Son, Denmark 1965
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A collectible mid-century statement, the "Jupiter" sofa offers both artistic presence and functionality.
Leather, Rosewood
Reupholstered sofa in textile
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Reupholstered 'Banana sofa' in 'Teddy' textile (colour: Nude).
Textile, Wood
$12,785 / item
Mid Century Leather Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
With a long tight upholstered backrest, and a boxed cushion seat, with low profile arms, raised on six square tapered legs. Proudly made in the USA, each piece boasts traditional 8-...
Leather, Wood
Danish Modern Two-Seater Sofa with an Accent Pillow, Denmark ca 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
While Danish design was also influenced by international exchanges and therefore trends, its modern qualities are timeless virtues originating from national traditions of simple func...
Bouclé, Wood
Danish mid-century Modern Design Three seater sofa in teak 1950 Vintage grey
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Introducing a timeless piece of mid-century Danish design. This sofa produced in 1950 Denmark and expertly crafted from rich teak wood. Restored & reupholstered in elegant grey fabri...
Teak
$7,967Sale Price / item|50% Off
Cambridge Loveseat Sofa in the Style of 1930's Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Cambridge Loveseat Sofa, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Cambridge loveseat is a refined homage to the golden age of design from the early 20t...
Brass
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
French Wooden Two-Seater with Leather Cushions, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
French; Sofa Set; Living Room Set; leather cushions; 1960s; armchair; Club Chair; Lounge Chair; Loveseat; Two-Seater; Settee; Sofa; Footstool; Ottoman; Coffee Table; French Design; ...
Leather, Wood
White upholstered Italian three leg sofa circa 1950, having new fabric.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
White upholstered Italian three leg sofa circa 1950, having new fabric.
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Modern Leather Two-Seat Couch — Circa 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Italian mid-century modern two-seat leather couch, circa 1980s. Upholstered in high-quality soft leather, this sofa offers a clean, tailored silhouette paired with generous...
Leather
Pair of New Reupholstered Dunbar Tuxedo Lounge Chairs in Ultra Fabric
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an even arm Tuxedo lounge chairs by Dunbar Furniture. It has 3 cushioned seats and is on casters for easy movability. It has be newly reupholstered in a rich off white Ultra ...
Fabric
$6,840Sale Price|20% Off
Fabulous Robert Ebel Postmodern Weiman Curved Cloud Sofa Chaise
By Robert Ebel
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Robert Ebel for Weiman Preview cloud sofa. This sofa retains its original upholstery which is quite dated and shows wear-we do recommend reupholstery. This fabulous sofa...
Upholstery
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Papaye Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 180cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
Leather sofa by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, 1960
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century sofa by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, 1960s. Beautiful brushed steel frame and chocolate leather cushions and armrests. 1960s - Germany Good c...
Chrome
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Cognac Leather, Italy, 1962 - 2 available
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Cognac Leather, Italy, 1962 - 2 available
Metal
DOOQ Sofa Settee with Soft Papaye Velvet and Silk Fringes La Folie 140cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, La Folie exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let yourself be drawn by this flirtatious feeling of...
Silk, Velvet
Pair of Armchair Gio Ponti Casa e Giardino, 1930s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Lisboa, PT
Collectible Vintage Italian armchair designed by Gio Ponti for the Casa e Giardino manufacturing company in the late 1930s. This iconic design piece has been completely restored fro...
Brass
Two-seater Model 115 in Velvet Upholstery by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands
Theo Ruth’s Model 115 for Artifort is a refined example of mid-century Dutch design. With a focus on organic form and comfort, this two-seater combines sculptural elegance with a rel...
Fabric, Wood
A Pair of Eva and Nils Koppel Three-Seater "Koppel" Sofas, Denmark 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Eva and Nils Koppel met while she was studying at the Danish Academy, Copenhagen. Together they studied architecture and later worked in design icon Alvar Aalto’s office. Their furni...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Walnut Italian Sofa
Located in Chireno, TX
Mid-century Italian walnut sofa upholstered in off-white linen.
Steel
$4,920Sale Price|20% Off
De Sede DS47 Bullhide Leather Sofa, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Antwerp, BE
DS47 two-seater sofa, a masterpiece crafted by De Sede in Switzerland in 1970. Immerse yourself in luxury with its high-quality brown buffalo leather, showcasing the renowned craftsm...
Leather
$10,033 / item
Soriana Armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
By Cassina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Soriana armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Manufactured in Italy. The idea of comfort itself becomes a sofa. Soriana came into being in 1969, thanks to an intuitive vision...
Metal
Amanta Mario Bellini per B&B 4 Poltroncine modulari in velluto
Located in Ghedi, IT
4 splendide poltrone Amanta, disegnate da Mario Bellini, icona del design italiano. Realizzate in velluto azzurro, queste poltrone modulari si distinguono per le loro condizioni ecce...
Velvet
Nordic Modern Two-Seater Sofa by Oy Boman Ab, Finland 1940s
By Boman OY
Located in Utrecht, NL
Oy Boman AB was a prominent Finnish furniture manufacturer in the early to mid 20th century. The company was known for producing finely crafted seating that balanced traditional Nord...
Fabric, Wood
Brazilian Rosewood "Amazonas" Sofa by Jean Gillon for Italma
By Jean Gillon, Italma
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning vintage "Amazonas" sofa designed by Jean Gillon for Italma. Gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood frame with knotted rope supports with upholstered cushion seat. Matching chair avai...
Fabric, Cord, Rosewood
Danish Modern Sofa by Ib Kofod-Larsen Newly Reupholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Danish Modern Oak Frame Sofa Newly Reupholstered in Ivory Sheep’s Wool Shearling by Ib Kofod-Larsen Elegant Danish modern sofa designed by renowned architect and furniture designer ...
Oak
De Sede DS 63 Lounge Chair in Leather, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS 63 lounge chair in leather, Switzerland 1970s Robust DS-63 lounge chair. This De Sede lounge chair ensures ultimate comfort and building qu...
Leather