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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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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Item Ships From: Connecticut
Style: Mid-Century Modern
"Surge" Polished Aluminum Sculpture by Alexander Liberman
Located in Stamford, CT
"Surge" a polished aluminum sculpture by Russian or American artist Alexander Liberman (1912 - 1999). Signed and dated. From the estate of ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
1950’s Carl-Harry Stålhane Vase for Rörstrand
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare 1950’s Carl-Harry Stålhane vase in a matte gray / brown / blue glaze in great vintage condition. Produced in Sweden for Rörstrand in the 1950's. Signed underfoot with ‘R’& 3 crowns, Atelje...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage S-shaped Ceramic Serving Platter
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage S-shaped Ceramic Serving Platter by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France
Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables a...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Serge Mouille - Library Ceiling Lamp in White - IN STOCK!
Located in Stratford, CT
Description:
Originally designed to illuminate bookshelves in a library, this unique lamp may also light works of art or highlight a particular area in a room. The pivoting and tilting lamp shade works well alone or in grouped installations.
Customization:
This lamp is available immediately, with its 39” height configuration. While we cannot provide you with a longer pendant, we can shorten the length of the existing pendant.
Switch and bulb options:
The library ceiling lamp is meant to be hardwired (Wired to a J-Box) so no wire is visible.
The light bulb is controlled from the wall switch.
The lamp comes with a 7 W (60 W equivalent) dimmable LED bulb per default.
We can provide you with the new 7 W dimmable LED spotlight designed to light up art...
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$3,540 Sale Price
25% Off
Serge Mouille - Spider Ceiling Lamp 5 Falling Arms in Black 47" Drop - IN STOCK!
Located in Stratford, CT
DESCRIPTION:
A chandelier as inspired as it is impressive, this new design departs significantly from the original Spider ceiling lamp, with five fixed arms of different lengths dro...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
$9,456 Sale Price
20% Off
Serge Mouille - Antony Sconce in White - IN STOCK!
Located in Stratford, CT
This sconce incorporates the "moule" or mussel shell shade, simple and natural in design. The shade is connected by a brass swivel and supported on a bent, rotating arm attached to t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Serge Mouille - Agrafee Desk Lamp in Black - IN STOCK!
Located in Stratford, CT
Clamp desk lamp. At 26 inches at its highest, this lamp may affix to many surfaces providing direct lighting where it is needed.
Available in white or black. Brass swivels connect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Serge Mouille - Spider Sconce with Three Arms in White - IN STOCK!
Located in Stratford, CT
With three stationary arms projecting from the central mount into the room, this lamp becomes a reference point while illuminating the surroundings. Each lamp head tilts and revolves...
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$7,008 Sale Price
20% Off
Glass Sculptural Pyramid Light
Located in Stamford, CT
Dramatic and unusual light sculpture. Amazing detail with miniature elongated cubes of clear glass individually sewn to each other by thin silver wire. A wonderful one-of-a-kind piece.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver, Wire
Midcentury Set of 10 Art Glass Green Translucent Plates with Scalloped Edges
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning set of 10 matching art glass translucent plates with scalloped edges. The color is extraordinary.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Midcentury Three-Piece Lucite Powder Room Set
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An amazing group of three vintage Lucite accessories for the powder room; wastebasket, tissue holder and soap-dish. Each piece has meticulou...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Lucite
Serge Mouille - Spider Ceiling Lamp with 5 Falling Arms in White
Located in Stratford, CT
A chandelier as inspired as it is impressive, this new design departs significantly from the original Spider ceiling lamp, with five fixed arms of different lengths dropping from the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Serge Mouille - Black or White Rotating Sconce with 1 Curved Arm
Located in Stratford, CT
The one arm curved sconce is both stylish and practical as it can be used in many different design applications. The shade tilts and revolves on a brass ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Mid- Century Signed Burr Satinwood Giorgio Collection Sideboard
Located in Stamford, CT
A Mid-Century burr satinwood Giorgio Collection sideboard / server with brushed chrome hardware. Signed inside center drawer. Custom protective pad included. Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Large Venini Murano Curved Glass Sconces Wall Lights
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare Venini curved glass sconces, a matching pair. All dimensions are below. Wired for USA and
in perfect working order. Now, more than ever, home...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Robert Mangold "Frame and Elipses"
Located in Stamford, CT
A Robert Mangold etching titled "Frame and Elipses". Produced in 1988, signed and numbered in pencil 37/50. Framed in 12-karat white gold frame using all archival acid free materials...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Ebonized Oak Cabinet Designed by Jean Pascaud & Produced by Maison L' IDEAL
By Jean Pascaud
Located in Stamford, CT
A cabinet designed by Jean Pascaud. Ebonized oak with nickel plated brass accents produced by Maison L' IDEAL. The interior in blond wood with four drawers and clothes hanging ap...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Heavy Polished and Forged Steel Floor Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Twin-light with a double steel band standard with an oval attachment in the middle and splayed legs mounted on a horseshoe shaped base. Leather wraps around the standard and legs.
Co...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Serge Mouille - Spider Sconce with 7 Arms in White or Black
Located in Stratford, CT
The largest of the spider sconces, this lamp is not only unique in its design but equally impressive in an installation where it is the focal point of th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Brass
Serge Mouille - Rotating Sconce with 3 Arms in White
Located in Stratford, CT
With arms measuring 52, 58 and 91 inches, this sconce can project light into a room at varying angles due to the independent rotation of each arm and each shade. Switches located on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$9,990 / item
Serge Mouille - Rotating Sconce with 3 Arms in Black
Located in Stratford, CT
DESCRIPTION:
With arms measuring 52, 58 and 88 inches, this sconce can project light into a room at varying angles due to the independent rotation of each arm and each shade. Switche...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$9,990 / item
Dan Flavin "for Janette, affectionately" Aquatint in Colors
By Dan Flavin 1
Located in Stamford, CT
A Dan Flavin aquatint and etching in colors. Titled, signed and dated # 30/30 - 1988. Measures: Sheet 22 1/4 in. × 31 3/16 in.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Philippe Barbier Oval Black Resin Coffee Table with Agate Insert
Located in Stamford, CT
Philippe Barbier ( b. 1927 ) oval black resin coffee table with agate insert. Signed. Circa 1970's. France.
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin
Pair of Lucite Table Lamps in the style of Karl Springer
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Karl Springer style column table lamps of clear Lucite with alternating frosted band and clear glass cube blocks.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Lucite
Knut Hesterburg "Propeller" Coffee Table in Cherry Enamel over Anodized Aluminum
Located in Stamford, CT
A Knut Hesterburg for Ronald Schmitt "Propeller" coffee table in cherry enamel over anodized aluminum with new custom star-fire glass top. Paint is later.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Brass and Black Enamel Stilnovo Style Pendant
By Stilnovo
Located in Stamford, CT
Elegant Stilnovo style pendant with two brass angular arms radiating from a black enameled central body. Each arm has a cylindrical opal glass c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Serge Mouille - Spider Sconce with 5 Arms in Black or White
Located in Stratford, CT
A larger sconce with two identical long arms and three shorter arms of varying lengths, this lamp can illuminate a large area of a wall or room. Each lamp head rotates and tilts. B...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Maison Christofle Vase with Chevron/Zig Zag Design in Dinanderie Form
By Christofle
Located in Stamford, CT
A Maison Christofle Vase with Chevron/Zig Zag Design in Dinanderie Form.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Serge Mouille - Agrafee Desk Lamp with Double Swivel
Located in Stratford, CT
36 inches at its highest, this adjustable lamp may affix to many surfaces providing direct lighting where it is needed.
Available in white or black. Brass swivels connect the shade...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$3,990 / item
Serge Mouille - Large Snail Ceiling Lamp
Located in Stratford, CT
A snail shell provides the inspiration for this lamp with its swirling cut out in the circular shade. Light projects downward through the opening while the shade causes light to refl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$12,110 / item
Pen and Ink Drawing by Malcomb Mckesson circa 1960's entitled "Hair".
Located in Stamford, CT
Pen and ink signed drawing by Malcomb Mckesson entitled "Hair" circa 1960's. Professionally mounted and framed in nice gold and black frame.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Soldered Wire Sculpture by American Sculptor Marilynn Gelfman Karp
By Marilynn Gelfman Karp 1
Located in Stamford, CT
A soldered wire sculpture under plexiglass vitrine by American sculptor Marilynn Gelfman-Karp.
Signed and dated.
Sculpture size - 15" high by 25" wide by 7.5" deep,
Circa 1970.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Wire
Dramatic Two-Tier Kinkeldey Chandelier with Square Crystals
Located in Stamford, CT
An drum form Kinkeldey chandelier comprising two tiers of heavy 4" square crystals. Superb condition for age and nearly immaculate crystals. Suits a wide variety of decors and is wel...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
Mixed-Media Floral Art Signed Oshino Okuda
By Oshino Okuda
Located in West Hartford, CT
Mixed-media collage on board by Hawaiian artist Oshino Okuda. The colors are fabulous. Signed/hallmarks on back.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
"Primal Sign V Copper" Aquatint and Etching by Robert Motherwell
Located in Stamford, CT
"Primal Sign V (Copper)" aquatint and etching from one zinc plate by Robert Motherwell (American. 1915-1991) Numbered 18/28 with 7 artist proofs in edition. Archival framed using mus...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Large Abstract Painting "Golden Embers in the Sky" Signed by Arlene Carr
Located in West Hartford, CT
Large, unframed signed abstract painting depicting colorful fall leaves.
Signed by well listed American painter Arlene Carr. The medium is acrylic on canvas. Signature at lower rig...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Bubble Textured Hustadt Leuchten Flush Mount
Located in Stamford, CT
Well-sized ceiling flush mounts by Hustadt Leuchten.
Two E-14 base bulbs up to 40 watts per bulb, new wiring.
FLD 1646.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Unusual Sinusoidal Chandelier in Brass and Black Enamel in the Style of Stilnovo
Located in Stamford, CT
Style of Stilnovo
Italy, 1950s
Sculptural and unusual Stilnovo style chandelier in brass, the sinusoidal form arms ending in gloss black enamel socket caps. Well shaped and appropri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cylindrical Glass Table Lamp with Interior Lighting
Located in Stamford, CT
A beautiful cylindrical lamp attributed to Kaiser Leuchten with interior lighting, the exterior having a mottled organic ice glass surface with a refracting interior pattern.
Interi...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Craftsman Burled Mahogany Table Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
A large Mid-Century Modern, craftsman burled mahogany table lamp.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Astor Petite Brass Ottoman in Snow Velvet by Montage
By Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Montage, the Astor Petite ottoman is a wonderful addition to a refined interior space. Astor was designed with the delicate proportions of t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,000 / item
Pair of Unusual Brass & Copper Overlay Bowls
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of unusual brass & copper overlay bowls, circa 1920 - 1930.
Category
1920s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
$3,900 / set
Eighteen-Arm Richard Essig Sputnik Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
Glamorous Sputnik chandelier with dramatic glass covers, in the style of Richard Essig.
Each arm takes a single E-14 base bulb up to 40 watts per arm; pictured lit with 10 watts bul...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Petite Brass Hairpin Ottomans in Mint Velvet by Montage
By Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
The perfect addition to any space! Wonderfully proportioned pair of ottomans upholstered in a supple mint velvet of the highest quality; 100% cotton. This ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Petite Brass Hairpin Ottomans in Teal Velvet by Montage
By Montage
Located in Wilton, CT
The perfect addition to any space! Wonderfully proportioned pair of ottomans upholstered in a supple Teal Velvet of the highest quality; 100% cotton. These work in a multitude of spa...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
White Painted French 1940s Carved Wood Floor Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
French 1940s white and gilt carved wood floor lamp. Newly rewired.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Original Abstract Painting "Street Candy" Signed Arlene Carr
Located in West Hartford, CT
Large original abstract painting titled "Street Candy" signed by Connecticut artist Arlene Carr.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Abstract Original Signed Painting by Arlene Carr
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning original oil on canvas abstract with multitudes of blue waves by the artist Arlene Carr.
Signed at bottom. Frame appears to be new.
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas
18 Karat Gold and Druzy Quartz Brutalist Abstract Design Lapel Pin
Located in Norwalk, CT
This pin is a simple yet abstract form with much visual appeal. The featured Druzy stone has a multi colored appearance providing much interest for the eye. Also included are tiny di...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold
Casa Bique Large Fossil Stone Bronze Inlaid Candelabra/ Candlestick
Located in Westport, CT
Casa Bique fossil stone bronze inlaid large double candlestick / candelabra .I have seen that this candlestick was made in under 30 examples.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
1950s Lucite Mirrored Chrome Lamp
Located in Westport, CT
Wonderful polished mirrored chrome large Lucite square disk column standing lamp, circa 1950 all original.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Pair of 1940's Style Classic Club or Lounge Chairs in Amber Color Shearling
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful exuberant pair of new Danish modern lounge chairs of our own design. The design is inspired by the classic designs from the 1940s but with our own design variations and up-...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Tommi Parzinger Rare Table and Four X Chairs
Located in Westport, CT
Tommi Parzinger card table or small dining table and four double X back chairs, rare dark mahogany Hollywood inlaid top.
Table size: 36 x 36 29" high.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Price Upon Request
Karl Springer Red And Black Custom Striped Table
Located in Westport, CT
Karl Springer Rare and unusual Custom red and black striped Table one of a kind,with original Label and customers name
Circa 1960's (Karl Springer 1931...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Price Upon Request
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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