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.
De Sede 'Pagoda' DS-19 Sectional Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, sofa, model 'Pagoda' DS-19, leather, Switzerland, 1973-1979 This exceptional high-quality sofa, designed by De Sede in the 1970s, is composed of two regular elements, one c...
Leather
De Sede ‘DS-22’ Modular Sofa in Caramel Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘DS-22’ Modular sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1980s This high quality sectional sofa designed by De Sede in the 1980s contains three corner element and three regular element...
Leather
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
George Nakashima Inspired Set of Four Conoid Style Dining Chairs Mixed Hardwoods
Located in Philadelphia, PA
For your consideration, a wonderful set of six, George Nakashima Inspired, Conoid Style dining chairs, likely from the late 70s or early 80s. These chairs are made with mixed hardwoo...
Hardwood
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi, set of four dining chairs model ‘Sapporo’, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s A stunning set of dining chairs designed by Mario Marenco in the 1970s, craft...
Leather, Walnut
Maison Regain Daybed in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, daybed, solid elm, fabric, France, 1980s. A Maison Regain daybed, whose structure is composed primarily of solid elm, imparts a sense of warmth and organic texture to...
Fabric, Elm
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
Italian Mid-century Sofa in Wood and Orange Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, wood, fabric, Italy, 1960s This elegant Italian sofa from the 1960s captures the balance between modernist clarity and inviting comfort that defines the era. Crafted with a so...
Wood
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
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
Rare Equipo 57 for Darro Pair of ‘Córdoba’ Lounge Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Equipo 57 for Darro, pair of ‘Córdoba’ lounge chairs, model B-E57, beech, lacquered steel, leather, reupholstered fabric, Spain, 1959 Made by the Spanish creative and visionary col...
Steel
$975 / item
Pierre Gautier-Delaye Stools in Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Gautier-Delaye, stools, beech, France, 1960s This subtle and modest design is executed in stained beechwood. The seating area is divided into two organically shaped slats and...
Beech
Mid-Century Franco Albini Inspired Bamboo Lounge Chair by Rohé Noordwolde
By Dirk Van Sliedregt, Rohe Noordwolde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo lounge chair manufactured by Rohé Noordwolde and designed by Dirk van Sliedregt. The sculptural frame features curved bamboo forming graceful loop armrests and legs, with a fa...
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid-century Bar Stools in Pine and Soft Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar stools, pine, fabric, Europe, 1960s This striking set of European bar stools from the 1960s is a beautiful example of robust, honest craftsmanship. Executed in solid pine, the s...
Fabric, Pine
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Set of Four Dining Chairs in Beige Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll, set of four dining chairs, model '72', lacquered steel, leather, United States, design 1948, later production Set of four organic shaped chairs designed by ...
Steel
Italian Mid-Century Modern Curved Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, wood, fabric, Italy, 1950s This elegant Italian sofa from the early 1950s is a refined example of postwar design, defined by its streamlined silhouette and gently curved form....
Fabric, Wood
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
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
Thonet Bentwood Cafe Chairs with Carved Floral Seats, Set of Four
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Thonet bentwood cafe chairs exemplify the revolutionary steam-bending process pioneered by Michael Thonet in the 1850s. Each cha...
Beech, Bentwood
1950's Arne Vodder Attributed Wing-back Teak Lounge Chair
By Arne Vodder
Located in New York, NY
1950's mid-century modern high back teak wing-back lounge chair attributed to Arne Vodder, fully restored and re-upholstered in velvet fabric, with minor wear and patina due to age a...
Velvet, Teak
French Mid-Century Rustic Modern Dining Chairs in Wood and Rush
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, beech, rush, France, 1950s These chairs reflect a restrained French approach to design from the 1950s, grounded in utility, materials, and clear proportions. They are...
Rush, Beech
Highback Lounge Chair in Teak and Green Leather by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Lounge chair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, made of solid teak. The frame shows the designer’s characteristic organic shaping, with elegantly curved armrests, tapered legs, and fine...
Teak, Leather
Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen upholstered in Cognac Leather
Located in Berlin, DE
Iconic Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1958. Newly upholstered in high-quality cognac leather, showing a beautiful natural patina and soft texture. T...
Leather, Teak
French Designer, Lounge Chairs, Iron, Fabric, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-lacquered iron and beige mohair lounge chairs designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Moderate patina on brass with some finish loss consistent with vintage age a...
Iron
Jacquard fabric Sofa, Mario Bellini, "Le stelle" B&B Italia, 1970
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa by Italian designer Mario Bellini, produced by B&B Italia, model "La Stelle". Made with a metal frame and upholstered in the original linen and cotton jacquard fabric. The origi...
Metal
$6,800 / set
Set of 6 Eero Aarnio Dining Chairs
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Houston, TX
Set of six suede-upholstered chairs by Eero Aarnio. The vintage chairs feature original padded seats and backs in suede with chrome-plated steel frames, exemplifying late modern Scan...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Brutalist Danish Oak Dining Chairs in the style of H. Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This set of six Danish Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, crafted in the 1960s, showcases the “Baroque Modern” or Brutalist style of Scandinavian design. Often attributed to Henning K...
Fabric, Oak
Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern M154 "Dog Biscuit" Dining Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Bradenton, FL
A set of four birchwood M154 "Dog Biscuit" dining chairs designed by Heywood Wakefield, circa 1950. One of their most iconic designs, the sculptural frames feature the famous Dog Bis...
Birch, Maple
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Lounge Chairs, Mohair, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and beige mohair lounge chair designed and produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, 1950s. Wear to wood frame consistent with age and use, including minor natural wood cr...
Mohair, Oak
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal 'Vario Pillo' Modular Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal, model 'Vario Pillo', modular sofa, Germany, 1970s This exuberant buildable sofa is designed by Burkhard Vogtherr. A very rare type of modular sofa w...
Fabric, Plastic
Ueli Berger for De Sede 'DS-80' Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
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
$1,080Sale Price|25% Off
1960s Vintage Iron Garden Dining Chairs - 4 Available
By John Salterini, Salterini, Mario Papperzini
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This is a great set of vintage Iron garden chairs. The chairs feature nice woven metal seats, ladder backs and arched legs, their details are exquisite. They are similar in style t...
Iron
Modernist Architectural Grid Bench in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bench, oak, Europe, 1960s This elegant grid bench from 1960s Europe is a refined example of structural clarity and material honesty. Crafted in solid oak, the design highlights the ...
Oak
Louis Paolozzi for Zol Pair of Lounge Chairs in Terracotta Bouclé by Pierre Frey
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Louis Paolozzi for Zol, pair of lounge chairs, model 'Rondo', beech, reupholstered in bouclé "Opio" by Pierre Frey, Italy, design 1968 These rare and striking lounge chairs, model '...
Beech, Bouclé
1950s Italian Ottoman in Brass and Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Stool or ottoman, lacquered brass, brass, fabric, Italy, 1950s This elegant Italian ottoman from the 1950s beautifully reflects the refined spirit of mid-century design. Its clean, ...
Brass
Set of 3 Cleo Baldon “Terra” Bar Stools, 1970s Architectural Iron & Sheepskin
By Cleo Baldon, Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural and architecturally refined set of three “Terra” bar stools designed and manufactured in the 1970s by Cleo Baldon. These stools exemplify Baldon’s signature balance of s...
Steel
Expertly Restored -Modern Reclining Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Kofod-Larsen
By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen
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
Shaped Oddity Rectangle Chair - Sculptural Wicker Seating
Located in Oxford, GB
A Sculptural Masterpiece by Bill Parry The Shaped Oddity Rectangle Chair transforms seating into architectural art. This striking piece features a bold rectangular silhouette crafte...
Metal
Bench in Dedar Lilaz Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Maison Regain, Lounge Chairs, Elm, Fabric, France, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of elm and grey fabric lounge chairs produced by Maison Regain, France, c. 1970s. Arm cushions in minor distress reupholstery recommended. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Fabric, Elm
Pair of Folding Chairs by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus, 1960s, Switzerland
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Leather Pair of Folding Chairs by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus , 1960s, Switzerland Measurements : Height: 84 cm Width: 59 cm Depth: 55 cm Seating height: 37 cm Please do not he...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Powder Blue Mohair Velvet Swiveling "Nautilus" Chairs by Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This pair of swiveling "Nautilus" chairs by Vladimir Kagan, crafted in America circa 1970, is a quintessential example of Kagan’s visionary design. Renowned for his sculptural approa...
Mohair, Velvet
Set of Six Giotto Stoppino Modern Metal Chrome Dining Chairs for Kartell, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Set of 6 curved chairs in faux leather with a chromed tubular frame. These chairs, as shown in the photos, require reupholstery and have some defects. While the frame and chrome plat...
Metal, Chrome
Danish 1940's Curved Small Sofa
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super elegant "Banana" shaped curved sofa that the Danes were famous for in thew late Art Deco and early Midcentury periods. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beaut...
Beech
Joseph-André Motte pair of reupholstered armchairs, 1950s
Located in London, GB
Pair of reupholstered armchairs attributed to Joseph-Andre Motte Galeon model reupholstered in brown velvet. Stylish and comfortable with wide deep seat.
Metal
Floating Island Sofa by Joe D'Urso for Donghia, Mid-Century Modern
By Joe D'Urso, Donghia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This striking Floating Island Sofa by Joe D’Urso for Donghia is a sculptural statement piece designed to command attention from every angle. Conceived in the 1990s as a true center-o...
Upholstery, Wood
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Lounge Chairs, Mohair, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and beige mohair lounge chair designed and produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, 1950s. Wear to wood frame consistent with age and use. Cushions reupholstered in brand...
Mohair, Oak
Danish 1940's Banana Sofa with Straight Back and Front
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming upholstered sofa made in Denmark sometime in the 12940's. Voluptuous organic design lines. This sofa is unique by having a straight back and front and not the curvatur...
Beech, Wool
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno Stackable 'S83' Dining Chairs
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, dining chairs, model 'S83, moulded plywood, lacquered wood, aluminum, Italy, design and production 1962 Dining chairs model S83, designed by Eugenio Gerli ...
Aluminum
Mah Jong Kenzo Missoni Sectional Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Kenzo Takada, Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic large Roche Bobois Mah Jong modular 22 piece sectional sofa designed in the mid 20th century by Hans Hopfer (German b. 1931). This special set measures 19 feet wide and featu...
Fabric, Foam
George Nakashima Set of Four 'Conoid' Chairs in Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for Nakashima Studio, set of four 'Conoid' chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1962 This stunning set of four Conoid dining chairs are designed by woodwork mast...
Hickory, Walnut
Guillerme & Chambron 'Lorraine' Dining Chairs in Solid Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, set of twelve 'Lorraine' dining chairs, fabric, solid oak, France, 1960s. These distinctive dining chairs, crafted from solid oak, are the wo...
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1970s Leather Lounge Chairs by Elsa & Nordahl Solheim for Rybo Rykken
By Elsa and Nordahl Solheim, Rybo Rykken
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A pair of rare sculptural Mid-Century lounge chairs, so called "Ry-Wing", designed by Elsa and Nordahl Solheim for Rybo Rykken & Co., Norway, circa 1970s. These stunning Scandina...
Leather, Beech
Dialogo" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1970
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
"Dialogo" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, Made in Italy, 1970. Set of four "Dialogo" chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1973. The feature of this "D...
Plastic, Beech
Dan Johnson, Lounge Chair, Cowhide, Iron, Wood, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-dyed cowhide, black-lacquered iron and wood lounge chair designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Selig, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood arms and metal frame consistent with age ...
Iron
Pair of Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs, Rosewood and Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Lutz, FL
Iconic Mid Century Modern Rosewood and Brown Leather ‘Sirocco’ Safari chair pair designed by Arne Norell, Sweden c.1960’s. Solid rosewood frames with interesting grain pattern and na...
Leather, Rosewood
$975 / item
Brutalist Bar Stools in Dark Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Barstools, stained beech, lacquered steel, Europe, 1970s Seventies Brutalist-inspired bar stools that exhibit a distinctive, sculptural approach with a brutalist touch to seating de...
Steel
Vico Magistretti 'Carimate' Dining Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti, ‘Carimate’ armchairs, model '892', stained beech, rush, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Carimate’ chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous chairs. Originally designe...
Rush, Beech
Tito Agnoli for Cinova Daybed Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Cinova, sofa or daybed, model '711', leather, laminated wood, copper, Italy, 1968 A cubic sofa designed by Italian designer Tito Agnoli for Cinova, which can be tran...
Copper
"Gaja" chair by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina, 1970s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
"Gaja" chair by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina, Made in Italy, 1970s. This Chair is made of an electro-welded, chrome-plated steel rod. This type is in the version with genuine leathe...
Steel
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