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.
Carl Malmsten, Sofa, Birch, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch and light-grey fabric sofa designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 78.5"W x 27.75"D Seat Height (inches): 16.75" Ar...
Fabric, Wood, Birch
Contemporary Galapinhos Lounge Chair, Oak Root, Cotton, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Galapinhos Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Galapinhos lounge chair brings the essence of nature indoors, insp...
Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Wood, Leather, Burl, Oak, Walnut
2 Piece Directional Sofa Designed by Paul Mccobb
By Paul McCobb, Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Bensalem, PA
Two piece directional sofa designed by Paul Mccobb smaller section is 62 inches feel free to reach out with any questions
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Kidney Shaped Curved Serpentine Biomorphic Cloud Sofa
By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern biomorphic kidney shaped sofa. This long tailored cloud sofa features an elongated removable single seat cushion with a curved tight back. Original neutra...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Model 4907 sofa and Ottoman for Dunbar Mid Century
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the Model 4907 sofa exemplifies the designer’s masterful balance of modern restraint and traditional comfort. Introduced in the mid-20th centur...
Upholstery
$15,542 / item
Tito Agnoli '9000' 4 Seater Sofa for Arflex 312cm
By Tito Agnoli, Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Tito Agnoli '9000' Sofa for Arflex, Italy. New, current production. Modular seating system, this listing is for a 4 seater 312cm. The modular seating system '9000' by Tito Agnoli i...
Fabric
Universal of High Point Midcentury Black Vinyl Faux Leather Convertible Sofa
By Universal Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern settee or loveseat sofa in black vinyl faux leather by Universal of High Point. It is in wonderful vintage condition. We have restored the wood, cleaned the vinyl, repaired a few spots where stitching was loose, and put on a new dustcover. But there are still little signs of age. Please see photos, circa 1950s. What a fun little Mid-Century Modern convertible sofa. Settee? Loveseat? Armless sofa? Bench? A rose by any other name…….!!! Anyway, I digress. It is a great piece no matter what we call it. I am sticking with convertible sofa. It is comprised of a black vinyl faux leather bench seat...
Faux Leather, Wood
$160,000 / set
Rare Paul Evans Biscuit Tufted Cityscape Sofas, Signed
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional pair of Paul Evans biscuit tufted Cityscape sofas, signed and in near mint condition. Finding one is hard, but a pair in this pristine state is near impossible. These ...
Chrome
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Turquoise Velvet Sofa by Cesare Lacca, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant two-seater sofa designed by Cesare Lacca in Italy during the 1950s. This sculptural piece embodies the refined balance between organic form and architectural precision typica...
Velvet, Wood
limited edition Tramonto A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Berlin, DE
1 of 50 limited edition Tramonto A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina For the three-seater sofa, the padded skyscrapers are upholstered in an exclusive fabric with a raised t...
Fabric
Moncloud Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina, Modern Italian Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Moncloud Sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) THE FUTURE IN A SOFA A generous, welcoming refuge that celebrates comfort and hospitality. Designed by ...
Upholstery
Thomas Thos Moser “Hartford” custom white Leather sofa
By Thomas Moser
Located in Miami, FL
Thomas Moser “Hartford “ Custom white leather Sofa circa 2016
Leather, Wood
Pieter De Bruyne Four Seat Sofa in Wool and Padouk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pieter de Bruyne four seat sofa, padouk, wool, Belgium, 1960s Spacious and powerful sofa designed by Belgian designer Pieter de Bruyne. This sofa is made mainly in padouk, the prefe...
Wool, Padouk
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Style Gondola Sofa By Rowe Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous Mid-Century Modern gondola sofa was produced by Rowe Furniture Co. in the 1950s designed in the style of Adrian Pearsall's gondola sofa model 2640-S, the hottest sellin...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$6,832Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Lou Hodges Three-Seat Sling Sofa, Oak & Leather, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly rare and iconic 1970's Sling sofa by Lou Hodges for California Design Group has been restored and is in beautiful condition. As comfortable as it is striking, this ic...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
$352,564Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Sofa prototype by Marzio Cecchi Model Serpente with certificate
Located in Milano, IT
Marzio Cecchi was an Italian designer of great talent and innovation who left an indelible mark on the world of design. He was an assiduous participant in the artistic and cultural movements of his time, and unfortunately died prematurely in a tragic car accident in New York. Prominent among his most iconic and futuristic achievements is the Serpente sofa prototype with certificate, a work of art consisting of several modules held together by a tube and totally swiveling. This sofa is extremely rare and has reached high quotations in the world's most important auction houses. We are dealing with a piece of exceptional importance, as it is a prototype that never entered the market and always belonged to the designer's family. The sofa is certified and documented and has a certain provenance. Moreover, it is in perfect original condition, never restored and carefully preserved in its original condition. A unique and extraordinary piece of historic Italian design of the 1900s, with great historical importance and with room for growth even at the investment level. The sofa is made of leather and consists of 6 modules for a total of 6 seats. It is a work of art of Italian...
Leather
Vintage Undersea Printed Three Seat Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the serene charm of the seaside with this captivating vintage three-seat sofa, featuring a whimsical undersea motif. The upholstery showcases a balanced composition of vibran...
Upholstery, Wood
American Midcentury Sofa Done by W. Platner
Located in Houston, TX
Warren Platner (June 18, 1919 – April 17, 2006) was an American architect and interior designer. Platner produced a furniture collection that has proved to be a continuing icon of 19...
Leather, Zebra Wood
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia First Edition 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970
Located in New York, NY
'Camaleonda' First Edition modular sofa, designed by Mario Bellini, for C&B Italia, 1970. The structure is constructed of wood and upholstery in fabric. Original label. Prod. C&B,...
Fabric, Wood
20th Century , Brown Atlantis Three seats Sofa, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Atlantis sofa from the 1960s, produced in Czech Republic - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in small...
Fabric
Minerva Sofa / Daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen in Teak, 1950s
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Halle, DE
Iconic Minerva sofa by renowned Danish design duo Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1950s. Manufactured by France & Daverkosen (later France & Son). The sofa impresses with its so...
Fabric, Teak
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 Seat Rattan Sofa.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa.
Bamboo, Rattan
Adrian Pearsall American Mid-Century Orange Upholstered Platform Sofa
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century orange nap upholstered platform sofa with floating walnut frame and end tables on both sides (ADRIAN PEARSALL) Torn Upholstery, Not Good Shape
American 1940's Tufted Curved Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super stylish curved sofa. Made in the US probably in the 1940's maybe early 1950's. Designer and maker unknown. Tufted and with loose cushion. Has a bit of Hollywood pana...
Wool, Wood
Drabert Lobbytop Leather Sofa by Otto Zapf, Black, Modern Design, 1970
This Lobbytop three-seater leather sofa is upholstered in soft, high-quality leather and is in very good condition. The black, smooth leather shows a slight patina on the seat cushio...
Leather
Arne Norell for Westbergs Möbler 'Divina' Sofa
By Arne Norell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell for Westbergs Möbler, 'Divina' sofa, fabric, stained beech, Sweden, late 1950s This 'Divina' sofa is designed by Swedish designer Arne Norell. The seat is characterized ...
Fabric, Beech
A Classic Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa With Rosewood Legs Model 4907
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa, model 4907, with six rosewood legs. Nine feet long.
Upholstery, Rosewood
Vatne Mobler Knut Saeter Rosewood Leather Sofa Danish Modern MCM
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1960’s 4 seater sofa designed by Knut Saeter in black leather and rosewood. Minimalist design with the suspended profile and flared arms, each se...
Leather, Rosewood
American Designer, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Fabric, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo, rattan and cream-white fabric sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.0"H x 62.0"W x 36.5"D Seat Height (inches): 16.5" Arm Heigh...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Olive Green, 1971, Set of 2
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971, set of 2 The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a l...
Velvet
Finnish Design Curved Sofa Attributed to C. J. Boman, Circa 1940s
By Boman OY
Located in Helsinki, FI
A striking curved sofa of generous proportions, often referred to as a banana-shaped sofa, manufactured in Finland during the 1940s and most likely by Boman Oy under the direction of...
Fabric, Wood
$8,165Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Italian Sofa in Brown Leather Maralunga , 1970's
Located in Milano, IT
Vico Magistretti Maralunga 3 seater leather sofa, produced by Cassina. Dark brown leather. With tree adjustable backrests for variable sitting positions. This piece was one of two id...
Leather, Wood
Perfect patinated Le Bambole original leather sofa by Mario Bellini - B&B Italia
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Le Bambole Two Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Perfect patinated Cognac/Brown Leather Lounge Sofa with Sculptural Soft Form Designed in 1972, Le Bambole stands as one of t...
Leather
Grete Jalk Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa
By Grete Jalk
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Grete Jalk Mid Century Danish Teak Sofa This sofa measures: 71.75 wide x 26.5 deep x 27.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 22 inches Good Vintage Condition ...
Upholstery, Teak
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Olive Green Velvet, 1971
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” two-seater sofa for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag cont...
Velvet, Foam
Large Plumy sofa by Annie Hiéronimus for China (Ligne Roset), France, 1980s
By Annie Hiéronimus, Cinna (Ligne Roset)
Located in Lyon, FR
Large Plumy sofa, designed by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna (Ligne Roset), manufactured in France in the 1980s. Exceptionally comfortable and designed for complete relaxation, the seat ...
Velvet, Foam
1970s Rare Mid Century Two-Seat Sofa, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Velvet fabric in good original condition - cleaned - high of seat 40 cm
Fabric
Viggo Boesen Attribution, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Sweden, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded bamboo and rattan sofa attributed to Viggo Boesen and produced in Sweden, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.25"H x 67.75"W x 30.0"D Seat Height (inches): 15.0" A...
Bamboo, Rattan
Raphael Raffel Designed Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa in Suede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 1970's, made-to-order, suede upholstered, Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Design is attributed to the famous Raphael Raffel (1912-2000). Raffel, who trained at the École d...
Suede
RARE Alberto Rosselli Sofa Two Seater for Saporiti 'Confidential', Italy, 1970s
By Saporiti, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Basel, BS
Alberto Rosselli Set For Saporiti 'Confidential', Italy Design, 1972 Two seater sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti-- 2 available, sold individually. Matching Ottoman (comes with ...
Steel
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Curve Module, White
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Curve module Measures: W. 125 cm / D. 96 cm / H. 70 cm / Seat Height 42 cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules t...
Foam
$3,154Sale Price|20% Off
Tobia Scarpa "Coronado" Black Leather Sofa for B&B, Italy 1970 ca.
Located in Sacile, PN
Coronado sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The project is dated 1966. Black leather, great condition.
Iron
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s. Organically shaped Mid-Century Modern sofa made by Danish master carpenter in Denmark in the 1940s or 1950s. Striped ...
Wool, Oak
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Outdoor Sofa, Rattan & Stainless Steel, Italy
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Outdoor Sofa For Cassina A two- or three-seater sofa designed by Antonio Citterio and inspired by textural contrast. The exoskeleton of the base supports a...
Rattan
Patricia Urquiola 'Trampoline' Outdoor Sofa in Burgundy for Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen size and color. Outdoor sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2020. Patricia Urquiola interprets the happiness of life outdoors with a collectio...
Steel
Model 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Florence Knoll, model 578, produced by Knoll International in the 1950s. The design reflects Knoll’s signature balance of clean lines and f...
Metal
Oscar 2-seater Sofa, in COM fabric, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt
By Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Oscar Sofa, in COM fabric, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt Inspired by the curved lines poetry of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, OSCAR sofa allures for its sensual and free-flowin...
Fabric, Wood, Fur, Leather, Wool, Mohair, Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid-Century Three Seats Velvet Yellow Sofa, in the style of Gio Ponti
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
1950s Vintage Three Seats Velvet Yellow Sofa, ISA Bergamo Living Room Three Seat Seats Sofa in the Style of Gio Ponti. manufactured by Isa Bergamo in the 1950s. This stunning and u...
Velvet, Wood
Mario Bellini B&B 'Camaleonda' Lounge Sofa in cognac leather
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Bellini B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Lounge sofa in original cognac leather, 1973 The Camaleonda sofa, designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini in 1970...
Metal
De Sede DS-600 ‘Snake’ Sectional Sofa in Patinated Tan Leather by Ueli Berger
By De Sede, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS-600 ‘Snake’ Sectional Sofa in Patinated Tan Leather by Ueli Berger, Switzerland, 1972 An enduring icon of avant-garde furniture design, the DS-600 sectional sofa by Ueli ...
Metal
1960 Kho Liang Ie Model 070 Corner Sofa Set with Marble Side Table for Artifort
By Kho Liang Ie, Artifort
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Awesome 'Model 070' corner sofa set with daybed by Kho Liang Ie for Artifort, 1960s. Kho Liang Ie was born in 1927 in Magelang, Dutch East Indies. After Indonesia's independence in 1...
Marble, Metal
$44,355 / item
Gaetano Pesce Tramonto A New York Sofa For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gaetano Pesce Tramonto A New York Sofa For Cassina A 20th century design icon, symbol of the vitality, innovation and creativity of Italian design and one of its masters, Gaetano Pe...
Polyester
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 4
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage ed...
Velvet, Plastic
Rattan Wicker Corner Pretzel Sofa Paul Frankl Style, Italy, 1940s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rome, IT
Pretzel corner rattan sofa designed in the manner of Paul Frankl. This unique sofa features a bent rattan base with four-strand square pretzel arms and it is a solid single curved ra...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Cane
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa, 1960s Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Raleigh, NC
This exceptional Adrian Pearsall platform sofa showcases the renowned mid-century modern designer's signature floating aesthetic with integrated walnut end tables elegantly positione...
Upholstery, Walnut
Kubus Leather Sofa by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, PA
Iconic Kubus sofa designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1910 and masterfully produced by Wittmann Möbelwerkstätten, Austria, in the 1980s. Upholstered in beautiful, supple cognac-brown leat...
Leather, Wood
$56,720Sale Price|20% Off
Vladimir Kagan (1927-1988) Tufted Livid Velvet 'Unicorn" Sofa Model U522, 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Iconic Vladimir Kagan (1927-1988) Tufted Livid Velvet Upholstered Cast Aluminum 'Unicorn' Sofa, Model U522, Introduced 1960, Late 1960'S. Vladimir Kagan was an American furniture d...
Aluminum
Rare Fabric Folding Sofa by Halabala for UP. Zavody, 1953, Czechoslovakia
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Praha, CZ
1953 rare wooden folding couch made by Halabala for UP Zavody, in fomer Czechoslovakia. Made of fabric and wood. Repolished, cleaned, shows signs of use and age (mainly the fabric an...
Fabric, Wood
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s
By Augusto Romano, Studio BBPR
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s. Requires reupholstery. We can upholster in COM - please enquire. Fast shipping worldwide.
Brass
1970s MP-211 Two-Seater Sofa by Percival Lafer in original black leather
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer and produced by Lafer S.A. in Brazil around 1975, the MP-211 two-seater sofa stands among the most recognizable and technically sophisticated examples of B...
Leather, Rosewood