Mid-Century Modern Furniture
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used 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 influence 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.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture 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
Jane & Gordon Martz, Table Lamps, Walnut, Ceramic, Linen Marshal Studios, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of table lamps designed by husband and wife duo Jane & Gordon Martz. Produced by Marshall Studios, Veedersburg, Indiana.
Bases are sculpted walnut, with ceramic inlays.
Ja...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Ceramic
Oak Bench Upholstered in a Vintage 1970s Moroccan Wool Textile
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A solid oak handcrafted bench in dark cerused finish- handmade here in Los Angeles. Upholstered in a vintage orange and off-white Moroccan wool textile from the 1970s. In overall exc...
Category
2010s Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool, Oak
Mid Century Modern Chrome Club Chair in Faux Albino Alligator Hide
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Very large floating cantilever tub chair with chromed steel frame dressed in faux vinyl albino alligator hide upholstery.
This fabulous chair is newly upholstered and extra clean.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Glazed Ceramic Dish by Georges Jouve, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Large glazed ceramic bowl in the shape of a "squircle" (square with rounded corners) with abstract decoration.
The cup is covered with white enamel, a cross in a black circle is dra...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Luciano Bertoncini, a Wall Mirror and Coat-Rack 12 Pieces Available
Located in London, GB
Mirrored coat rack by Bertoncini. Italy c1970
12 individual pieces. Can be purchased as 12, 6, or 4 pieces.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Plastic
Vittorio Introini Credenza for Saporiti in Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, wall-mounted credenza, beige colored lacquered metal, Italy, 1960s
Exceptional sideboard designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti in the 1960s. T...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Le Corbusier, P. Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC20 Casier Standard by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Casier designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand in 1925.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
The Casiers standard formed part of a project for residential fur...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of French Modernist Wall Lights, circa 1960, Satin Glass and Brass
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare pair of French two-arm wall lights from the 1950-1960s. A Minimalist brass and lacquered structure with two satin glass diffusers and polished brass shades. Brass and ceramic E1...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel, Brass
Giuseppe Ostuni 'Attributed' Table Lamp, Brass, Metal, O-Luce, Italy, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A brown lacquered metal and brass table lamp attributed to Giuseppe Ostuni and produced by O-Luce, Italy, 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Rare Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Wall Lights Model 1552
Located in London, GB
A pair of sculptural Max Ingrand sconces. Model 1552.
Glass and frosted glass. Nickel plated glass.
Re wired for US and Europe.
c1959.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Murano Pink White Opal Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Birds on Branch Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent pink, white and gold flecks Italian art glass birds on branch centerpiece sculpture. The pair of birds are attached to the white opal b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Bruno Rey for Dietiker Twelve Barstools in Red Plywood, 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bruno Rey for Dietiker, twelve barstools, plywood, Switzerland, 1970s
This large number of stools is made in beech plywood. The stool shows a basic design, with three bent legs t...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Plywood
Side Table in Teak with Mosaic Inlay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side table, teak, ceramics, Europe, 1950s
Squared side table with ceramic inlays. This mid-century coffee or side table features a distinctly shaped top. The square has rounded corn...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Teak
Italian Murano Lantern, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Venini
Located in Vienna, AT
Fine Italian Murano lantern from the 1940s. A mix of various glass techniques with a cone shaped centerpiece which is satiated and has cut floral decorations. Very good original cond...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
1960s, Gino Sarfatti, Archimede Seguso 7 Bubble Glass Pendant, Italy
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Exceptionally rare 7 bubble glass pendant from Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso for Arteluce.
Made in the 60s, these fixtures where quite ahead of their time. The the thick and he...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ercole Barovier Rare Handblown "Pezzato" Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important hand-blown glass "Pezzato" table lamp with pink and white lattimo tessere by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Murano Italy 1950's. This lamp is a work of art.
...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Glass, Metal, Wood, Italy, 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A glass, metal and wood table lamp designed and produced in Italy, 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Oscar Torlasco Lumi Sputnik Chandelier, Italy, 1950
By Oscar Torlasco, Lumi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Striking iconic shaped so called Sputnik chandelier designed by Oscar Torlasco and manufactured by Lumi Milano, Italy 1950. This chandelier is from the 1950s when sputniks shaped lam...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Uno Kristiansson, Wall Lights, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of pine and fabric wall lights designed by Uno Kristiansson and produced by Luxus Vittsjö, Sweden, 1960s.
Sold with lampshades.
Dimensions of Sconce (inches) : 10.56 x 4.6...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Pine
Horst Brüning Daybed in Original Brown Leather and Chrome
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Horst Brüning for Kill International, daybed model 6915, steel, leather, Germany, 1960s
This well-designed daybed shows a solid construction of delicate lines and round edges. Mo...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Italian Table Lamp by Lumen in Brass and Red and Yellow Lacquered Metal
By Lumen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lumen, table lamp, red and yellow metal, brass, Italy, 1950s
This colorful desk lamp convinces the eye through its well-balanced, organic design. Two shades rest on two brass stems....
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Brass, String, Sweden, C. 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A brass and string wall light, designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1940s.
Variable dimensions, measured as illustrated in the first image.
Dimensions of back plate (inches) :...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Franco Poli for Bernini 'Ulna' Dining Chair in Walnut and Black Leather
By Bernini, Franco Poli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Poli for Bernini, 'Ulna' dining chair, walnut, leather, Italy, 1986.
This elegant dining chair was designed in 1986 by Franco Poli and manufactured by Bernini in the same y...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Mesa Sectional by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Mesa Sectional is fully upholstered and features a walnut or oak plinth base. Dimensions: 120"W x 72"D x 31"H
The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Ang...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, C. 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A brass wall mirror designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Denver Chaise Longue by Hessentia Upholstered with Off-White Fabric
Located in Carate, Brianza (MB)
Inspired by the legendary 1970s, Denver has a shape whose design is clearly visible from the side.
The chaise longue is composed of two elements: the main body with a full shape t...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ceramic Waterdrop Nesting Bowls-Mossy Green and White, in Stock
Located in Oakland, CA
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern design, these bowls thrown wheel thrown and hand pierced stoneware. Small holes are created when the clay is still wet and then each hole is painstakin...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Contemporary Ridge Wall Light with Geometric Aluminium Body and Opal Globe Bulbs
By Louis Jobst
Located in London, GB
Contemporary Ridge wall light is cast in aluminium with a raw brushed finish. The geometric cast form echo's early 20th century sculptors such as Brancusi and Noguchi. The ridged tex...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Flute Sconce by Studio DUNN, Made to Order
Located in Rumford, RI
A minimalist wall sconce, this contemporary light fixture adjusts up and down and side to side. The custom-made flute is perfectly proportioned to echo the curves of a champagne glas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel, Metal
Pair of Danish Mid-Century Edmund Jørgensen Two Tier Side Tables
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of two tier side tables produced by Edmund Jørgensen in Denmark, probably in the 1950s. Each table has two circular shelves made of veneered walnut, the frames are made of stain...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Orbitale Brass Chandelier 3 Rotating Balanced Arms, Ivory Black Twin Shades
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Orbitale 3 arms frame using the twin shade. Thanks to a customer who had the articulated sconces and wanted this version with black and ivory shades. It's a beautiful combination of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Pair of Original Arne Jacobsen Egg Chairs, 1958
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of very original iconic egg chairs by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958. A design that affords privacy in otherwise public spaces, the egg chair is sle...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Black Ceramic Pierced Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Oakland, CA
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern design, the bowl is wheel thrown and hand pierced in white stoneware with a black matte glaze. Small holes are created when the clay is still wet and t...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
21st Century Monroe Floor Lamp Polished Brass, Off White Lampshade, Art Lighting
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration:
Marilyn Monroe, the sexiest Pin-up of the 1950s, inspired a piece of Art & Design. The design of the Monroe Lamp captures the essence of her image and the sensuality of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Space Age Ball Chair in White Fiberglass and Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge or ball chair, fiberglass, leather, Italy, 1960s
Pop-cultural lounge chair, consisting of a crescent seat. The conical shaped base holds the hemispherical ball in place which...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fiberglass
La Murrina 'Fazzoletto' Table Lamp in Glass
By La Murrina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
La Murrina, Table lamp, glass, brass, Italy, 1960s
Large and impressive table lamp, produced by La Murrina in Murano, in the 1960s. The shade of this model, also known as 'Fazzolett...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italian Dry Bar by Aldo Tura
By Aldo Tura
Located in JM Haarlem, NL
Italian dry bar or cocktail cabinet by Aldo Tura.
Along with artists like Piero Fornasetti and Carlo Bugatti, Aldo Tura definitely belonged to the mavericks of Italian design. Whe...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Maison Regain Sofa in Elm and Orange Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, sofa, elm, fabric, leather France, 1960s
This sofa by Maison Regain is an elegant and well-proportioned piece within a simplistic construction that allows it to fit s...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Elm
Italian Midcentury Set of Slipper Chairs with Footstool in Wood and Bouclé, 1950
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous and very rare set of three pieces composed of two low slipper chairs and one stool or footstool.
Made in Italy in the 1950s, original pieces.
The peculiarity of this set i...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Rattan Hat Rack with Mirror, circa 1960
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare French wall-mounted rattan coat and hat rack with mirror from the 1960s. Blackened steel structure with intricate rattan weaving in varying patterns and original mirror.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Pleated Wall Light with Linen Shade off-white Handmade
By Louis Jobst
Located in London, GB
Limited edition handmade pleated wall light, simple geometric pleats formed into a semi-circular sconce. The pleated shade is made from off-white linen with a metal wall plate that f...
Category
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, Franco Teodoro for Zanotta Sofa ‘Sacco’ in Suede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, Franco Teodoro for Zanotta, beanbag sofa model ‘Sacco’, suede, polystyrene balls, Italy, designed in 1968, production in 1969.
In 1968, the Italian d...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Suede, Polystyrene
Milan New Product! Metal and Brass, Orange and Textured Fabrics Miami Armchair
Located in Lisbon, PT
The iconic Miami armchair combines clean lines with soft upholstery resulting in an effortless Modern Classic that is perfectly proportioned. Here seen in an Orange Faux leather back...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Scrumptious Pair Harvey Probber Butterscotch Even Arm Sofas Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious pair of Harvey Probber even arm sofas. These wonderful sofas were reupholstered sometime in the past and still look amazing! The fabric is a heavyweight butterscotch-colo...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Set of 4 'Monk' Dining Chairs in Black Leather, 1970s
Located in amstelveen, NL
A set of 4 walnut and black leather dining chairs, model Monk, for Molteni, Italy, 1970s.
The black leather seats form a beautiful combination with the wood. An interesting and high...
Category
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Italian Upholstered Entry Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italy, circa 1960’s
Timeless classic
Sleek and modern design
Newly reupholstered entry bench
Matte black tapered legs have been newly refinished
Wood shows signs of patina und...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases.
Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of 2 Model F598 Groovy Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and very comfortable Artifort Groovy chairs (or "M" Chairs), designed by Pierre Paulin.
This F598 model is designed and produced in the 80's.
The chairs are completely r...
Category
1980s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Classic Italian Wardrobe in Oak with Mirrored Doors
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Italian wardrobe, oak, brass, mirrors, 1950s
Luxurious wardrobe in oak with a classic and sophisticated look. The three doors are designed with elegant mirrored doors that have de...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak, Mirror
Mid-Century Aldo Tura Parchment Covered Pedestal Bar Light Up Mirrored Interior
By Aldo Tura
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1960s pedestal style bar designed by Aldo Tura is in the form of a large stemmed goblet made of wood covered in goatskin parchment. The body of the bar is decorated all the way...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Copper, Glass, Italy, 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A glass and copper table lamp designed and produced in Italy, 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Copper
Charlotte Perriand Pair of Bar Stools in Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Charlotte Perriand, bar stools, lacquered steel, leather, France, circa 1970.
Pair of stools of the famous model 'Les Arcs' by French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand. T...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Brutalist Lounge Chairs Pine Wood, The Netherlands, 1960
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Fantastically shaped pair of Dutch lounge chairs by unknown designer or manufacture, The Netherlands 1960. These well-crafted chairs feature a solid frame of pine wood with orange br...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather, Pine
Pair of Danish Black Leather and Cherry Wood Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A large and comfortable pair of Scandinavian armchairs/lounge chairs in black leather and cherry wood frames. The cushions buttoned and in great original condition the frames with sl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather
1970s Chrome and Brass Chandelier Lamp
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fantastic sculptural brass, chrome and polished aluminum chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari. Eight white "golf ball" size candle bulbs. 28" chrome chain and round chrome ceiling...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Italian Game Table by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century modern Italian game table by Paolo Buffa.
Playful game table in maple with scalloped apron.
Five drawers, each with its own ashtray.
Splayed saber legs with stretcher....
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Copper
Umberto Mascagni Vanity Chair, circa 1960
Located in Vienna, AT
Lovely Italian side or vanity chair by Umberto Mascagni, circa 1960. The seat and armrest are upholstered in a rare metallic steely-blue colored leatherette with a geometric imprint,...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Tommi Parzinger Superb Desk in Walnut with Etched Brass Hardware 1960s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Fine desk in dark walnut with ebonized satinwood inlays on top and exquisite etched brass hardware on drawers by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1960's (branded sig...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
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