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.
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
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
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
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
$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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
$1,080Sale Price|25% Off
1960s Vintage Iron Garden Dining Chairs - 4 Available
By Salterini, John 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
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
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 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
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
Danish 1940's Banana Sofa with Straight Back and Front
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
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
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
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
Mah Jong Kenzo Missoni Sectional Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois, Kenzo Takada, 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
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
Mid Century Big Italian Easy Armchair, Beige Wool, Walnut Wood, 1950s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Mid-Century Italian Easy Chair, 1950s An elegant Italian mid-century easy chair from the 1950s, featuring a beautifully sculpted bentwood frame and refined, well-balanced proportion...
Beech, Wool, Bentwood
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
Pair of two T-Chairs by Katavolos, Littell and Kelley for ICF Italy 1960s
By Douglas Kelly, Ross Littell and William Katavolos, ICF De Padova
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of “T-Chairs”designed by William Katavolos, Ross Littell, and Douglas Kelley in 1952 and later manufactured in Italy by ICF in the 1960s. The design is all about lightness and t...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 4 pcs. Mid-Century Italian Claudio Salocchi Dining Chairs
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 4 pcs. Mid-Century Italian chrome frame dining chairs with fur skin upholstery by Claudio Salocchi from 1960's. Very good original vintage condition.
Chrome
$2,948Sale Price|20% Off
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
French, Set Of 2 Twisted Grape-vine Roots Bar Stools 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair Grape-vine Roots Bar Stools . A pair of rustic art high stools made from branches of antique vine wood that is especially old, and thick, with dramatic expressive character an...
Walnut
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
Ten Mid Century Shell Chairs in Beige Velvet Capri II by Pierre Frey, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture industry in the 1960s in Poland. They are after full renovation upholstery and carp...
Textile, Wool, Velvet, Beech
Convertible sofa Anfibio by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, Italy
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Three-seater Anfibio sofa designed by Alessandro Becchi in the late 1960s and produced by Giovannetti in Italy. Fully padded with foam and upholstered in cognac full-grain leather,...
Leather
Danish Otto Schulz style Low Mid century Lounge Chair in Oak and Shearling 1940s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Otto Schulz style lounge chair made by unknown Danish master carpenter sometime in the 1930s or 1940s. The style is similar to that of Schulz with the typical separat...
Sheepskin, Oak
Six Mid Century Shell Chairs in Blue linen fabric Arsene by Pierre Frey, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture industry in the 1960s in Poland. They are after full renovation upholstery and carp...
Textile, Wool, Velvet, Beech
Pair of Danish 1940-50s Lounge Chairs with Carved Armrests in Oak
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s pair of lounge chairs in the style of Mogens Lassen with a very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller sp...
Mohair, Beech
$6,217Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Mid-Century armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Refined pair of Mid-Century Italian armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa, produced in Italy in the 1940s. These armchairs display the graceful lines and understated sophistication a...
Fabric, Wood, Maple, Walnut, Bouclé
Mid-Century Ingmar Relling Siesta Ottoman for Westnofa, Black Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ingmar Relling designed the Siesta ottoman as the companion piece to his renowned Siesta lounge chair, both produced by Norwegian manufacturer Westnofa....
Leather, Bentwood
Early Pair of Arne Jacobsen Swan Chairs Fritz Hansen Made in Denmark
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Rare early vintage set of two vintage Arne Jacobsen Swan Lounge Chairs by Fritz Hansen, made in Denmark. All original swivel chairs with alternate rare bases that have the option of ...
Upholstery
Mid Century Upholstered English Klismos Dining Chairs with Black Frames - Set 12
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this set of 12 dining chairs date from approximately 1950. Frames have painted black satin finish and have a klismos shaped style with cantered legs. Currently uph...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Curved Serpentine Sectional Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Weiman
By Weiman, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sleek and modern, this sofa was designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Weiman Preview, dating to the 1980s. It features an elegant three-piece design, with the main body set upon...
Fabric, Upholstery
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
Set of 8 Dutch Mid-Century Stacking Chairs with Single Shell Seat
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome, Mid-Century reddish teak toned dining chairs with blue enameled metal frames. Metal legs and side hooks for creating a single row of chairs. Very comfy single pressed wood ...
Metal
A Beautiful Pair of French Leather Club Chairs, Caramel Moustache Models C1950's
Located in Hastings, GB
A Beautiful Pair of French Leather Club Chairs, Caramel Moustache Models Circa 1950’s These chairs have been lovingly preserved, the original colour has patinated beautifully, a com...
Leather
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Teak Dining Chairs Danish Midcentury
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of 6 model #42 dining chairs also known as the "Z" chair designed by Kai Kristiansen manufactured by Schou Andersen in the 1960s. One of the most iconic and coveted chairs to com...
Wool, Teak
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
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
Mid Century GFM Stool in Drawing Jacquard by Dedar, 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
Mid Century Set of Two GFM 64 Armchairs and Stools, Jacquard by Dedar, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of 4: 2 x beautiful armchairs and 2 x stools GFM 64 designed by Edmund Homa. The armchair was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The...
Textile, Beech
Pair of Birte Iversen Danish 1950's Pair of Lounge Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant pair of 1950s lounge chairs by Birte Iversen and made in Denmark sometime in the 1950's. Small scale and super elegant. Very versatile design solid and sturdy construction. B...
Mohair, Beech
Arne Norell Scirocco 2 Safari Chairs by Norell AB Sweden
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
A Pair of Scirocco Safari easy chairs by Arne Norell (1917-1971). They are made of solid rosewood mounted with patinated grain leather seat, backrest and armrests. Loose cushions of ...
Brass
Mogens Lassen Style Danish 1940s Highback Lounge Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s lounge chair in the style of Mogens Lassen with very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a space in need of a st...
Wool, Beech
Brazilian Designer, Rocking Chair, Wood, Cowhide, Brazil, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige cowhide rocking lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1970s. Wear to wood frame consistent with age and moderate use. Reupholstered in brand new cowhide...
Cowhide, Wood
Cassina Soriana Mohair Sofa designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Cassina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic labeled Italian modern "Soriana" sofa, made by Cassina and designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The 20th century sofa features the iconic "soft-architecture" construction, co...
Metal
Set of 6 Vintage Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs by G Plan
By G Plan Furniture, Victor Wilkins
Located in Gardiner, NY
Set of 6 authentic vintage mid century modern dining chairs. Designed by Victor B Wilkins for G Plan. Maker's label on bottoms. This set is in excellent condition with brand new v...
Teak
Le Bambole 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s, reupholstered
Located in Berlin, DE
The Bambole series stands as one of the defining statements of Italian design in the 1970s—an object that treats seating not as a frame with padding, but as a continuous upholstered...
Leather
$1,680Sale Price / set|20% Off
Cantilever Chrome Chairs with Cushions Attr Gastone Rinaldi 'Sabrina'
Located in Toronto, ON
Set of four Cantilevered chrome chairs attributed to as the 'Sabrina' chairs by Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA. They feature a removable cushions on all four chairs. Please note, the chai...
Chrome
Mid Century Modern Restored Velvet Barrel Chair Pair by Lawrence Peabody
By Richardson Nemschoff, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Lutz, FL
Iconic and seldom seen Lawrence Peabody design for Richardson Nemschoff. The sculptural walnut frames allow the seats to have a floating aspect to them while also providing ample sup...
Velvet, Walnut
Set Off Two Bastiano Longue Chair By Afra & Tobia Scarpa For Gavina 1960s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Bastiano Longue Chairs By Afra & Tobia Scarpa For Gavina 1960s
Leather, Teak
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
Edward Wormley, Armchairs, Wood, Mohair, Cane, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood, cane and mohair armchairs designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, USA, c. 1950s. Minor wear to wood frame consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions...
Mohair, Cane, Wood
$2,684 / set
Pair of Tacchini Mayfair Leather Lounge chairs
By Tacchini
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Tacchini Mayfair Leather Lounge chairs
Leather
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