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Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

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 legendary 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.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern credenzas, 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Knoll
Florence Knoll designed four door credenza for Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
Very clean and original early Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates Credenza. Teak cabinet with cream doors and maple veneer interior . Left side of cabinet holds two drawers and tw...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Wood

Florence Knoll for Knoll Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll for Knoll Hanging or standing Cabinet. Always meant to hang from the wall, last used as a bar. Added feet for ease of placement. Walnut outer cabinet, and cream col...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Metal

Vintage Midcentury Florence Knoll Credenza - Walnut + Chrome + Leather
Located in Decatur, GA
Mid Century Modern credenza by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, circa 1960s. Walnut case with a walnut tone laminate top, chromed steel legs, black leather pulls and a white o...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Calacatta Marble and Rosewood Florence Knoll Credenza
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage and timeless rosewood credenza with original white Calacatta marble top on chrome legs with chromed pulls and finished back. A very versatile piece, perfect for any home or...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1960s Florence Knoll Rosewood and Marble 4 Position Credenza
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning Florence Knoll marble-top rosewood credenza, c.1960s. Polished chrome base, rosewood veneer, and Olympus Calacatta marble top make this piece drop dead gorgeous, while the 4...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Carrara Marble, Chrome

A Mid-Century Knoll Walnut Credenza
Located in New York, NY
Fitted with four sliding doors; on metal feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Metal

Knoll Mid Century Natural Oak and White Marble Top Credenza
Located in Countryside, IL
Knoll Mid Century Natural Oak and White Marble Top Credenza This credenza measures: 74.75 wide x 18 deep x 25.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call rest...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble

Mid-Century Modern Two-Tone Doors Lacquer Credenza by Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant credenza designed by architect and designer Florence Knoll and manufactured by Knoll Associates Inc, circa 1950s. This iconic design features a walnut wood case over six soli...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Florence Knoll Designed Credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern office sideboard by Florence Knoll. Walnut grain throughout with strong metal legs. Pull out tray and file cabinet. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Metal

Rosewood Credenza with Marble Top by Florence Knoll
Located in Dorchester, MA
This version of Florence Knoll's modernist credenza for Knoll features a gorgeous rosewood case sitting on slender chrome legs and topped with a marble slab that picks up the warmth ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Mid Century Modern 4 Door Early Walnut Credenza by Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Early 4 door walnut credenza by Knoll Associates c1953. Ash interior with 6 adjustable shelves. Wood legs with steel brackets that are mounted on the underside for strength. Cabinet ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Steel

Florence Knoll Rosewood and Marble Credenza or Sideboard, 1960s
Located in Dallas, TX
Florence Knoll's iconic sideboard/credenza in rosewood with marble top. The sideboard features 4 bays with internal shelving in one bay and file drawers and smaller drawers in three ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Steel

Restored Vintage Carrara Marble and Rosewood Florence Knoll Credenza
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage, circa 1970s, restored rosewood credenza with original white carrara marble top on chrome legs with chromed pulls. Restoration includes light sanding, staining, satin laquer ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Oak Credenza with Slate Top by Florence Knoll for Knoll
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll, this iteration of her classic clean-lined credenza features a warm oak case sitting on slender chrome legs and topped with contrasting slate. In...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Slate, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Green Verde Marble Top Credenza or Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern classic cabinet designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a dark mahogany case, stainless steel legs and a rare gree...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

Rare Sideboard No.119 by Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
In my opinion the nicest sideboard of Florence Knoll. wonderful clear lines and a elegant touch. does have a real back and can be used as room divider.
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Teak

Florence Knoll Credenza New Edition with Alpi Verdi Marble Top, 2010s
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
This Florence Knoll Credenza was originally designed in 1961 by Florence Knoll for Knoll. This Credenza is a new edition manufactured in 2012. The new Florence Knoll Credenza is updated for today's needs, This Florence Knoll credenza has a larger size with proper ventilation cutouts to accommodate AV racks and equipment. The generous new dimensions will ensure that all equipment and cords are hidden in style yet easily accessible, perfect for any high end living- and conference room. The door fronts are in same wood white lacquer finish as the body. All have polished aluminum pulls, top flush mounted storage doors with magnetic closures. The base is made of welded square steel finished with polished chrome. Flush door fronts in the same lacquer finish as the case. Complete rotating doors...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Metal

Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood, features Notch pulls with chrome details, Four file drawers and Four pencil drawers, chrome plated adjustable feet, with lock. [Kno...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Chrome

Knoll Walnut Credenza with Marble Top
Located in Toledo, OH
Knoll Walnut credenza with marble top. Circa 20th century around 1952. Walnut 4 door credenza on a square tube chrome frame with adjustable sh...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll for Knoll with Black Marble Top Credenza
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern classic cabinet designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a dark mahogany case, stainless steel legs and a black mar...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

Knoll Mid-Century Modern Teak and Chrome Double Chest Credenza, circa 1970
Located in Shippensburg, PA
KNOLL TEAK AND CHROME DOUBLE CHEST CREDENZA Stamp dated "Nov 17 1970"; unlabeled; in fine original condition Item # 104LHI14A A very fine vintage credenza in the form of a side-by-...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Oak Credenza with Marble Top by Florence Knoll for Knoll
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1961, this handsome credenza comprises a light oak case on a chrome base with a marble top in "white extra." Four doors with inset handles conceal adju...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Wall-Mounted Rosewood Cabinets by Florence Knoll, Excellent Condition, Pair
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two rosewood wall mount storage cabinets or credenzas designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll. Early production in Brazilian rosewood with whit...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Wood

Stylish Modern Sliding Door Credenza by Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Mid-Century cabinet features spacious sliding door storage and sleek modern design. Iconic design by Florence Knoll, this spacious console cabinet is ideal for use as a television stand, office storage, or for dining room use. Steel legs, unique handles, and cloth covered doors add to the appeal of this vintage Knoll cabinet...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Teak

Florence Knoll Black and White Lacquered Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
A modern take on the Classic, presented is an eye-catching black and white lacquered sideboard/credenza designed by architect and designer Flor...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Wood, Leather

Exclusive Credenza with Refrigerator and Marble Top, by Florence Knoll, 1961
Located in Schagen, NL
When Florence Knoll transformed the traditional private office configuration by replacing the executive desk with a table, she needed to provide an alternative to the lost storage sp...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Steel

Mid century Black Lacquer Florence Knoll office Cabinet Credenza leather pulls
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful practical credenza for living or office space. Sliding doors with leather pulls reveal two file cabinets, drawers and adjustable shelves. Perfect for your storage needs. Ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Chrome

Sideboard Model 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll international, USA 1950s. This sideboard is model 116 and is made out of ash wood. The two seagrass sliding doors features patinated cogn...
Category

1950s Central American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Seagrass, Ash

Mid-Century Modern Sideboard 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1952
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1952. Veneered with maple wood with characteristic handles from brown leather. The sliding doors are covered with coarse, bright ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Walnut Credenza
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
As part of the furniture of Cydsa (Celulosa y Derivados, S.A.) founded in 1945 in Mexico, credenza in walnut, with two shelves by side, restored on the outside and changing the color...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Metal

Shop Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenzas and Other Credenzas on 1stDibs

Antique and vintage credenzas can add an understated touch of grace to your home. These long and sophisticated cabinet-style pieces of furniture can serve a variety of purposes, and they look great too.

In Italy, the credenza was originally a small side table used in religious services. Appropriately, credere in Italian means “to believe.” Credenzas were a place to not only set the food ready for meals, they were also a place to test and taste prepared food for poison before a dish was served to a member of the ruling class. Later, credenza was used to describe a type of versatile narrow side table, typically used for serving food in the home. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard — in fact, the terms credenza and sideboard are used almost interchangeably today.

Credenzas usually have short legs or no legs at all, and can feature drawers and cabinets. And all kinds of iterations of the credenza have seen the light of day over the years, from ornately carved walnut credenzas originating in 16th-century Tuscany to the wealth of Art Deco credenzas — with their polished surfaces and geometric patterns — to the array of innovative modernist interpretations that American furniture maker Milo Baughman created for Directional and Thayer Coggin.

The credenza’s blend of style and functionality led to its widespread use in the 20th century. Mid-century modern credenzas are particularly popular — take a look at Danish furniture designer Arne Vodder’s classic Model 29, for instance, with its reversible sliding doors and elegant drawer pulls. Hans Wegner, another Danish modernist, produced strikingly minimalist credenzas in the 1950s and ’60s, as did influential designer Florence Knoll. Designers continue to explore new and exciting ways to update this long-loved furnishing.

Owing to its versatility and familiar low-profile form, the credenza remains popular in contemporary homes. Unlike many larger case pieces, credenzas can be placed under windows and in irregularly shaped rooms, such as foyers and entryways. This renders it a useful storage solution. In living rooms, for example, a credenza can be a sleek media console topped with plants and the rare art monographs you’ve been planning to show off. In homes with open floor plans, a credenza can help define multiple living spaces, making it ideal for loft apartments.

Browse a variety of antique, new and vintage credenzas on 1stDibs to find the perfect fit for your home today.

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