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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
Period: 1950s
French Black Ceramic Mirror, style of Jouve, 1950’s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Scalloped French Black Ceramic Mirror, style of Jouve, 1950’s H: 11.5 W: 9 D: 2 in.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Scandinavian Mid Century Ceiling Light, Norway, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Modernist ceiling light in chrome with decorated shade in blown glass. Designed and made in Norway from cirka 1950s second half. The lamp is fully working and in good vintage conditi...
Category

1950s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful ceiling light with hand-decorated glass shade and brass metal base. Designed and made in Norway from ca 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in good vintage cond...
Category

1950s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Unique Luxury 44 pieces Murano Glass Set, A.Ve.M Gold Dophins and Ruby Red, 50s
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Extraordinary historical set of 44 pieces from A.Ve.M Murano. The theme of the set is the dolphin. This is wonderfully executed with attention of details. The tail and fins are in r...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold

Crystal Glass Chandelier by Vereinigte Werkstätten München
Located in München, DE
An exceptionally beautiful chandelier from the 1950s. The high-quality workmanship and the very fine material impress at first glance. Exceptionally beautiful design. The sparkling s...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Expertly Restored - Arne Jacobsen "Ant" Model-3100 Teak Chair for Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arne Jacobsen "Ant" Model-3100 teak chair for Fritz Hansen. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history b...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Steel

Severin Hansen, Side Tables, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of teak side tables designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev, Denmark, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 16.25” H x 19.25” W x 12.55” D
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Italian Midcentury Pair Handles Solid Brass Made in Italy Gio Ponti Style, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian Midcentury pair handles solid brass made in Italy Gio Ponti style, 1950s. GPB production in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Charles Dudouyt Attributed Tall Table Lamp in Oak, France, 1950s
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking tall table lamp was manufactured in France in the 1950s. The design is attributed to Charles Dudouyt. Crafted from dark stained oak wood, the lamp consists of a circu...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon Taliesin Mahogany Nightstand, 1950s
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern "Taliesin" two-tier nightstand or side table By Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon USA, Circa 1950s Measures: 21"W x 27"D x 23"H. ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley, Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable walnut wardrobe or cabinet designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, USA, c. 1950s. Interior has glass shelving and backside has round air grids ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Italian Designer, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A plywood and white fabric lounge chair designed and produced in Italy, 1950s. Seat height: 14.25”
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and walnut cabinet designed and produced by American of Martinsville, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Mid-Century Wall Sconces, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
This pair of Italian wall sconces from the 1950s embodies classic mid-century design with refined, minimalist lines. Constructed entirely from brass, each sconce combines black-lacqu...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Walter Bosse Candleholder 'cat' 'Marked'
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candleholder (cat) (Marked) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

George Nelson Leather & Walnut Illuminated Vanity with Mirror & Ottoman for Herm
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 precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Glass, Walnut

Midcentury Wall Hook "Dog" by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized wall hook "dog". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Brass Pendant, circa 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Large brass pendant from the 1940-1950s.The oversized cone-shaped body is made from a single polished sheet of brass, cut into strips that are att...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Small Black Ceramic Mirror, France, c. 1950
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small Black Ceramic Mirror, France, c. 1950 Gendarme Curved Top
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1950's RZB Round Molded Glass Fixed Ceiling Light or Wall Sconce, Germany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century round pressed glass ceiling light or wall sconce in a daisy motif. This one has a giant cut-out on the back mount from the prev...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pendant Lamp by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll
Located in München, DE
Wonderful pendant lamp from the 1950s. The lamp with the crystal glass flowers has a very luxurious charisma and sparkles particularly beautiful. The design and the materials used cr...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian Modern Butterfly Glass & Brass Pendant Lights Attributed to Stilnovo
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Stylish pair of diablo shaped hanging lamps in glass and brass. The glass features hand-engraved patterns derived from the Sgraffito technique resembling the wings texture of butterf...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Italian Brass and Ceramic Top Floating Console Table, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-century Italian Brass and Ceramic Top Floating Console Table, 1950s, Italy No damage, no crack. Wear consistent with age and use. Measurements: Height: 30 cm Width: 61 cm Dept...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Arthur Umanoff, Bench with Stools, Birch, Rush, Iron, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch, rush, and black-lacquered iron bench with two stools designed by Arthur Umanoff and produced by Raymor, USA, c. 1950s. Very light scratching on top surface of bench. Light ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rush, Birch

Fog & Mørup, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A two-armed brass and fabric wall light designed and produced by  Fog & Mørup, Denmark, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 8” H x 9.5” W x 5” D Bulb Specifications: E-14 Bulb Nu...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Designer, Side Tables, Walnut, Terrazzo, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut and terrazzo side tables designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 21.625"H x 21.5"W x 32.5"D All items ship from High Point, North C...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Terrazzo, Walnut

1950s Sideboard Birchwood Structure Glass Top Italian Design by Vittorio Dassi
Located in London, GB
An outstanding sculptural organic sideboard / dresser designed by Vittorio Dassi in the early 1950s. Birch wood and original engraved glass construction, flanked by two-legged cheeks...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Birch

Blue Murano Ashtray with Air Bubbles from Seguso, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hand blown aqua blue Murano art glass bowl or ashtray. Executed with in capsulated and controlled air bubbles. It is attributed to Archimede Seguso, Italy, circa 1940s-1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Italian Designer, Lounge Chair, Velvet, Iron, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and iron lounge chair designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Seat Height: 15"
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

American Designer, Curved Sofa, Iron, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A curved black-painted iron and green velvet sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Size of individual section: 30” H x 63” W x 37.5” D All upholstered furniture can be re...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Ole Wanscher Model FD-109 Lounge Chair for France & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant lounge chair designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Søn in Denmark, circa 1950s. This rare vintage model FD-109 lounge chair maintains the ma...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut

Drexel, Nightstands, Maple, Metal, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of maple and metal nightstands produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.25"H x 16.0"W x 21.0"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pablo Picasso Style Stoneware Wall Hanging Tile decorated with a Dove
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A beautiful hand painted and thickly glazed decorative wall tile by an unknown artist, influenced by the works of Pablo Picasso. The wall plaque is decora...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Set of Two Lovely Mid-Century Modern Brass Sconces or Wall Lamps Germany 1950s
Located in Munich, DE
Set of two elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern sconces or wall fixtures by Kaiser Leuchten, Germany, 1950s. A total of 23 sets of two available! Executed in brass shee...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti, Coffee Table, Wood, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of three black and white-lacquered wood and iron coffee or side tables designed by Gio Ponti and produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy. 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian Midcentury Modern Design Black Yellow Brass Metal Lamp 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design table jointed lamp with brass base and stems and lacquered aluminum lampshades, production Italy 1950s. Please note that the lamp is original of the...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Wood Vintage Chair, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Chair made by unknown designer. Manufactured in Spain, circa 1950. Wood. In original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb 6-Drawer Dresser for Winchendon Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb 6-drawer dresser for winchendon furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back t...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Paul McCobb, Armchairs, Walnut, Velvet, Cane, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut, green velvet and cane armchairs designed by Paul McCobb and produced by Directional, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.625"H x 24.125"W x  26.125"D  ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Cane, Walnut

Wicker Basket with Lid, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French midcentury wicker basket with lid. Elegant and versatile storage piece. This sophisticated 1950s wicker basket offers versatile storag...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass wall lights designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Configured for plug-in and can be wired complimentary. Overall Dimensions (inches):  13.25” H x 11” W x 4“D B...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Expertly Restored - Illum Wikkelsø "Capella" Teak Sofa for N. Eilersen
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...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak

Mexican Designer, Lounge Chair, Oak, Cane, Mexico, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A cane and oak lounge chair designed and produced in Mexico, c. 1950s. 11” seat height
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Oak

Swiss Art Deco Rabbit Porcelain Figurine by Marcel Edouard Sandoz for Langenthal
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This rare white porcelain rabbit figurine, with striking red eyes, is a creation of Marcel Édouard Sandoz, designed for the Swiss porcelain manufacturer Langenthal. The figurine is m...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Lovely Large Brass Mid Century Modern Sputnik Lamp, Austrian, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Executed in brass and metal. The lamp needs 18 x E14 / E15 Edison screw fit bulb, is wired, in working condition and runs both on 110 / 230 volt. Our lamps are checked, cleaned and ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
This GTV1014 was one of the first 21-inch b / w televisions produced by Geloso. It uses the intercarrier system as an audio-video medium frequency. The chassis is mounted inside th...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Plastic, Wood

Russel Wright, Chests of Drawers, Maple, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of maple chests of drawers designed by Russel Wright and produced by Conant Ball, USA, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Maple

Pair, Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Chests, USA c 1950s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Michael Taylor's Far East Collection for Baker Furniture was introduced in the 1950s. Inspired by traditional Asian design, but featuring sleek, modern lines, the pieces have remaine...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

1950s Fornasetti Vide Poche / Catchall by Piero Fornasetti, Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Fornasetti original astonishing porcelain vide poche/catchall "Sonate- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart" by Piero Fornasetti . Heavy porcelain construction for use as beautiful desk acc...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Midcentury Brass and Tinted Glass Occasional Table, 1950s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This round tripod occasional table was made in Italy in the 1950s in the manner of Ico Parisi. It has got a brass base, a bronze tinted (smoked) glass tabletop and brass handle and d...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Finnish Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Teak, Metal, Glass, Finland, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, metal, teak and etched glass chandelier designed and produced in Finland, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.5” H x  24” Diameter Dimensions of Canopy: 2.25 ” H x 3....
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Salvati and Tresoldi set of 12 walnut and leather dining chairs, Italy, 1950s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A set of twelve chairs designed by Alberto Salvati and Ambrogio Tresoldi, crafted in lacquered walnut and leather, Italian manufa...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Classic Hans J. Wegner "Wishbone" Oak Armchair for Carl Hansen & Søn
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 precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rush, Wood, Oak

Mid-Century Italian Modern Travertine Stone Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions 41in H x 4.50in W x 4.50in D Shade 11in H x 15in W x 15in D ________________________________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern f...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Pair of Mid-century Italian Armchairs Isa Bergamo Gio Ponti Style Orange Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Isa Bergamo Armchairs in Orange velvet and Brass feet period 1940/50 the artistic director was Gio ponti in those years. Totally restored .
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century, Fontana Arte Little Hanging Mirror with Brass Frame, 50s
Located in Turin, Turin
FontanaArte is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and specializing in glass processing and the production of furnishing acce...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Perforated Red Metal and Brass Chandelier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful mid century modern chandelier circa 1950s and likely produced in Italy or Austria. Great perforated red metal screens, and nice movement in the arms. Would work well al...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Walter Lamb, Chaise Longue, Bronze, Fabric, USA, 1955
Located in High Point, NC
A bronze and fabric cord chaise longue designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan, USA, c. 1955.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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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