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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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Edward Wormley
Creator: Giovanni Pasotto
Edward Wormley "Long John" Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Long John" bench/table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with slat-style top, turned edge and great curved legs. This is the long version. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - wit...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Dunbar Parsons End Table by Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar end table.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1940s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and unusual set of six dining chairs with a cane wrapped barrel back and an upholstered seat atop four slender legs.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Floor Lamp with Incorporated Table 1954 (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Floor lamp model 5410 with incorporated table in walnut with book-matched Carpathian elm and solid brass base by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1954 (signed “Dunbar Berne Indiana” on lab...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

World Globe by Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate world globe designed by Edward Wormley for Rand McNally, USA, circa 1950. Features a rotating globe mounted on a walnut base with brass capped legs. Marked "Rand McNally...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Light Wooden Open Frame End / Side Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century blond wood end / side table with a rectangular top with rounded corners, a pedestal base, and an open frame design. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Edward Wormley Donut Ottoman for Dunbar
Located in Miami, FL
Original Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar. Foam and fabric are new, springs are original. Expertly reupholstered. Original casters. Center cushion is removable.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Mid Century Wood & Cork Large Extending Dining Table by Edward Wormley
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern dining table was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1960. This exceptional table has clean, minimalist lines and is expertly crafted from mah...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Cork

Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Dunbar sofa can be paired as a sectional with matching chaise longue 5525 we have offered in another listing.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Edward Wormley Lacquered Dark Wood Two Shelf End / Side Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century end / side tables with lacquered dark wooden frames with a square top and lower shelf supported by four square legs. (EDWARD...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Edward Wormley Side Table for Dunbar
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley side table for Dunbar. The scarcer form with two-tier tabletop.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

1950s 98" Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5526 armless sofa Mohair and Wool
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s iconic armless sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture model 5526. Reupholstered in a green mohair base with neutral diagonal striped wool loose cushions. A ver...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chair
Located in Southampton, NJ
Janus Collection lounge chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red upholstery with a button tufted back and curved seat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed are a pair of elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs with arms and brass handles. These are in need of restoration, perfect if your looking to add to your set. Also c...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tilt-Back Sheridan Lounge Chair in Walnut Cane & Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant lounge chair was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the late 1960s and was only produced for a very short time. The frame is crafted from solid American claro waln...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Remarkable Set of 12 Klismos Cane Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley, circa 1948
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent unique set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly upholstered...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Dunbar Edward Wormley Polygon End Table
Located in New York, NY
A mahogany end table with polygon top. Made by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1960. Signed with Dunbar brass tag. Dark brown finish. Dimensions: 20" L × 19" D x 19.5" H. Loc...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Woven Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Expertly Restored
Located in Kansas City, MO
Mahogany storage cabinet with woven sliding doors and drawers designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The two sliding doors have fronts woven with thin pieces of mahogany and nickel p...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Eight Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Expertly Restored.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of 8 dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This stunning set has been expertly reupholstered and refinished. Dark African mahogany frames, mohair upholstery with...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Mahogany

Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood Gorgeous Dunbar table with a four-panel bookmatched olive burl wood top and a solid...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5628T Walnut and Tiffany Tile Side Tables - Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5628T Walnut and Tiffany Tile Side Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 20.75 wide x 25 deep x 23.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper lounge chairs. 1941 Design, Model 2424b solid Bleached mahogany legs reupholstered with great plains cotton fabric.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood, Mahogany

American Mid-Century Ed Wormley Ebonized With White Upholstery Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century ebonized wood continuous roundback armchair with white upholstery (EDWARD WORMLEY for DUNBAR)
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Dunbar MCM Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge chair and ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric The chair measures: 32 wide x 48 deep x 42.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Th...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Armchairs for Dunbar in Dark Expresso x 2
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Neoclassical Style occasional arm chairs for Dunbar model No. 116B. As shown in "The Other Face of Modernism" book on Wormley , and in the 1940s...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Dunbar Rosewood High Chest with Brass Ring Drop Pulls
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern five drawer Dunbar chest by Ed Wormley. Rosewood mahogany two-tone combination. Brass ring drop pulls.  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century lounge chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric This chair measures: 24 wide x 30.5 deep x 30.75 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/cha...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rare Janus Cabinet in the Style of Greene & Greene
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rare Janus cabinet, model 5811 This Janus collection piece is highly influenced by the Greene & Greene designed Arts and Crafts period furniture...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Light Finished Wooden Two Tier End / Side Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century two-tier end / side table with a square top with a shallow gallery above a lower shelf containing a single drawer supported by two reverse tapered legs. (EDWARD ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Square Wooden Double Shelf End / Side Table
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century square lacquered wooden end / side tables with an open shelf below the square top, resting on a solid stepped base that creates as a taller lower shelf. ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Club Chair
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar club chair with older re-upholstery on thick tapered legs. Unrestored, ready for new upholstery, legs show age, should be refinished. Email for up...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Classic Burlwood Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover timeless elegance with this classic parsons style dining table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table has two 18" leaves, extending its 66" width to a remarkable 102" for all y...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Burl

Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1960s, USA, two-piece sectional sofa. The sofa features split arm rests and an exposed sculpted ebonized wood frame. This sofa has been fully reupholster...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Wormley for Dunbar Cantilevered End Table
Located in New York, NY
Cantilevered end table by Wormley for Dunbar. Original condition, and finish.We have separately listed the other end table, and matching coffee ta...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960. Original leather.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Executive Office Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Executive Office Chair for Dunbar “In Clover” 932 Executive chair button tufted leather, solid walnut base, brass casters, tilts and sw...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Oak

Edward Wormley Sideboard Model 671 A for Dunbar Custom Order 1953
Located in Camden, ME
An Edward Wormley walnut and Japanese fir sideboard , model 671A for Dunbar, circa 1953. A rare exquisite Japanese inspired walnut cabinet with two drawers with cast bronze pulls and...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Finished Three Tier Wooden End / Side Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century three-tier dark wooden end table with a rectangular top and two shelves below, with rectangular supports on either side, resting on a pedestal base. (EDWARD WORM...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Rare Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1950s
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Behold an exceptional treasure of design history, a vintage mid-century modern walnut dresser crafted by the iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s. This exquisite piece is an...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caned Back Light Wooden Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 American Mid-Century side chairs with light wooden frames, solid wooden seats, and caned backs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Occasional Wedge Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
The rarely found Wedge end table designed by Edward Wormely for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. Executed in walnut, features leather-wrapped feet. completely ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza This credenza measures: 41.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches hi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Sheaf of Wheat Tables by Edward Wormley
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous mid-century sheaf of wheat side tables with gorgeous Empress Green Marble tops and brass details, designed in the 1950's by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Tables are in excell...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

#6027 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure display cabinet Stunning cabinet constructed of dark walnut with a brass plated plinth base. Concave fron...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chest of Drawers, Nightstands
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully crafted chest of drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These are mahogany and feature 5 drawers, 2 smaller than the other three. Make great n...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Low Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low slipper chair with the original faux alligator texture yellow upholstery.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Edward Wormley 'Long John' Bench for Dunbar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1946 design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the bench, lovingly termed the “Long John" has a low profile with walnut segmented, tongue-and-groove construction atop four hairpin legs ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Early Wingback Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c. 1940s
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare pair of early wingback chairs model no. 1038 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940s. This set delivers an architectural silhouette - a tall back boasts ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design x-base ottoman for Dunbar Furniture. Timeless and classic design by Wormley offering additional seating for any arrangement. Newly refinished and upholstered in...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted seat cushion is upholstered in a dark  green mohair, a beautiful compliment to the rich mahogany frame. The frame showc...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Upholstery, Mahogany

#4757 Angle Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Reupholstered in a luxe navy alpaca mohair. Chrome pin legs and classic mid century angles.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table, Model 5309
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare Edward Wormley design coffee table model 5309 for Dunbar Furniture. Iconic mid-century modern coffee table made by the highest quality American manufacturer's from the period. E...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Completely Restored Blue Velvet Grand Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa with tapered rosewood legs and newly upholstered in a plush soft blue velvet. Every inch of this grand sofa has been painstakingly restored/replaced a...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Pair of Parson End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with hand painted tiles
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Parson End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with hand-painted tiles by Artist Maire Linna Wood frame with six hand-painted inset tiles depicting gnarled trees. This is the...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs. Older restoration.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Upholstery

Mid-century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Fabio Ltd, Knoll, and Edward Wormley. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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