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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 legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern 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: France
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Double Lighting Ceramic Lamp Vallauris, 1960
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Double-light ceramic lamp in the style of Georges Pelletier Vallauris 1960 Height: 47 cm at the sleeve Diameter 22cm Shade: Height 22 cm Diameter 30cm.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Brass chandelier, 6 arms, Maison Lunel Circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
6-light chandelier, consisting of a cylindrical base in gunmetal patina brass, to which are attached 6 rectangular brass arms. Each arm supports an oval-shaped shade secured by a bla...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

CADO Poul Cadovius wall system for bookcases, shelves and storage units
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
CADO" wall system designed by Poul Cadovius (1911-2011) Denmark, circa 1960. Composed of 5 panels each measuring 190x80cm, two blocks of 5 drawers, a block with flap and key forming ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Teak, Walnut

Maison Baguès bamboo brass dark grey mirror gueridon table 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful Maison Baguès gueridon table was created with solid bamboo shaped brass and a beautiful dark grey mirror top in the early 1960s. The dark grey mirror top is timeless a...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

J.C. Mahey pair of pink black lacquer brass nightstands chests 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
These twin nightstands chest of drawers in a beautiful peach pink and black lacquer could serve in a bedroom, or as sturdy end tables in a living room or office, or else as small com...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pierre Paulin, Pair of Spider Lounge Chairs "Model F678" for Artifort. 1966
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional and rare pair of lounge chairs model F678, also known as the Spider Lounge Chair designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort Furniture Comp...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Plywood, Rope, Velvet, Upholstery, Wool, Fabric

Contemporary Brass and Murano Glass Mirror, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Wall mirror brass and Murano glass. Small artisanal production from an italian design workshop. Can be hang horizontally or vertically.
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

1950's Modernist Shaped Brass Wall Mirror
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This very decorative mirror was made in Italy in 1950s. It is typical of this period design and is all original. It could be hanged upon a wall on its own or mixed with other same s...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

'Teli' Pendant light by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos
Located in TOURS, FR
'Teli' Pendant light by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1970s
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Alain RICHARD reading lamp 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
Alain RICHARD (1926-2017) " A19 L " reading lamp in off-white lacquered metal, pivoting light head. Edition Disderot, made in France, c. 1967. Minimalist ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

“Capella” sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, design 1960's
Located in PARIS, FR
The “Capella” sofa designed by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø is distinguished by its solid rosewood structure, high quality manufacturing and assembly, by its perfect proportions an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Palisander

Willy Rizzo eggplant lacquer brass bar swivel coffee table TRG 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning TRG Yin Yang coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous mid-century look of other cl...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Willy Rizzo burl wood and brass square bar coffee table Alveo 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning square Alveo coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous mid-century look of other cl...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large folding wall light René Mathieu Ed. Maison Lunel, Paris, France circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Large foldable and swiveling wall light by René Mathieu for Lunel. Double star-perforated sheet metal shade in matte yellow enamel and white interior, original paint. The shade is ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Metal, Sheet Metal, Enamel

Willy Rizzo attributed Majorelle blue lacquer and brass coffee table 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous mid-century look of other classic Willy Rizzo designs, this Majorelle blue lacquered table...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of amber Murano Sconces, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Mid-Century-Modern Murano glass and brass sconces, Barovier & Toso style, Italy, 1980s. Two pairs of sconces available. Priced and sold by pair. Each sconce has a Murano glas...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fievet, Original Navy Poster, Fraissinet Cyprien Cruise Line, Ship, Africa, 1960
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Poster of the Compagnie de Navigation Fraissinet et Cyprien Fabre created around 1960 by Maurice Fievet to promote maritime tourism to Africa. Artist : Maurice Fievet Title : Compag...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Round Rattan and Wood Coffee Table. Italian Work in the Style of Franco Albini
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unusual round coffee table is made of a very nice rattan work with a wooden top. This is an Italian work in the Style of famous designer Franco Albini. Circa 1950
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wood

French Extending Dining Table Enamelled Metal & Chrome, circa 195
Located in Labrit, Landes
Typical of the 1950's kitchens, this french enamelled metal ans chrome table can be extented in case of last minute guests. Dimension of the extended table: 70.08 in. (178 cm) Good ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986), “TC” table in light oak, ARHEC edition, France 1950. Father of Rationalism and major player in French Reconstruction, Marcel Gascoin designs quality furni...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rope Chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Thi svery nice and unusual design chandelier is made of rope. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rope

Pair of Black Lacquered Faux-Bamboo Side Tables by Gasparucci
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of side tables is made of black lacquered faux-bamboo. This is an Italian work signed by Gasparucci. Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Saburo Inui for Tendo Mokko Square Coffee Table, Japan, 1960s
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Stunning Mid-Century Modern coffee table by Saburo Inui for Tendo Mokko from Japan 1960s. Laminated, curved and richly grained wood. This...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood, Laminate

"Magic" Table by a.Ducrot Forming Coffee Table and Dinning Table as Well
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Revelation" or "magic" low and high table designed by Albert Ducrot (1900-1964) for the Ducal company in 1950. Teak wood veneer, three tops on metal frame and solid teak wood base. T...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Extra Large Maple Brass Coffee Table Giovanni Offredi Saporiti 1980s
Located in Paris, IDF
Designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia in the early 1980s, this beautiful coffee table is fully veneered with birdseye maple wood, with brass inlays on the feet. Its symmet...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

1950s Design Oak Wooden And Velvet Seat Set of 6 Chairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Magnificent and unusual set of 6 chairs 1950s Guillerme et Chambron attribute design in oak wooden structure and velvet seat  
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Marble stele
Located in PARIS, FR
This stele is made of untreated natural marble. The structure consists of one block of marble set into another. The latter is simply slid into the former. In...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Dark Purple Goatskin Parchment Coffee Table by Aldo Tura 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This glossy varnished goatskin parchment, in rich shades of purple and dark purple, makes this beautiful coffee table typical of designer Aldo Tura. It was made in Italy in the late ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Goatskin

Set of 6 Chairs 1950 Charlotte Perriand Style
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Set of 6 chairs with straw and oak seat in the style of Charlotte Perriand 1950. Good condition. High backrest. Gouge-worked spacer bars. Dimensions: High. 100 cm width. 40 cm deep...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Straw, Oak

Spanish Elm Bed Full Size French, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Spanish bed circa 1960 for full-size bedding Massive elm The side boards will be made to have the full size (54/75 in.) Dimensions: Bed bars: Interior w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Elm

J.C. Mahey Cherry Red Lacquer and Brass Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous mid-century look of other classic Jean Cl...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Coffee Table Iron and Tiles French Representing Colors of Playing Cards, c. 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
Coffee table decorated with playing cards colors: spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs Enamel tiles top made in 1959, signed Vincent Wrought Iron base Very heavy. Shipping: L10...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Slate, Wrought Iron

Dining Set by David Rosen Futura-Series Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1950's
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional and rare entire dining set by david Rosen 'Futura-series' for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1950's. a Dining table expandable, with 8 dining chair, certains with armrest. Futura-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Red and Champagne Italian Murano Five-Tier Glass Chandelier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This spectacular chandelier features beautiful Murano glass palmettes in champagne beige color with coral red color hedges. Its colors are very warm and pleasant.It features five tea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

J.C. Mahey Black Lacquer and Brass Bar Coffee Table 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests, and will make a fascinating centerpiece for your living room. Following the glamorous...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Onda Bench by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
"Onda" is a moulded anatomic 3 seats and curved rosewood bench, the date of creation is 959. The aluminum feet contrasts with grain and veneers. This version is a newspaper holder fr...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Neoclassical Style Brass and Glass Drinks Trolley by Maison Bagués
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare neoclassical style bar cart is made of brass with glass shelves and removable rounded glass on the sides that can allow the drinks trolley to become a real round table. Thi...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Set of Garden Decoration Audoux Minet, 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
A beautiful set of bamboo-made garden decoration designed by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet from the 1950s, including a stool, a high barrel table, a magazine rack and a planter, which are all remain in great condition or quality. The bamboo-vintage solid furniture...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo

Sputnik Chandelier by Studio Glustin
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Elegant Sputnik chandelier with enlightened and different sized opaline glass globes, from Murano. Structure in brass. Creation by Studio Glustin. Pair available.
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Kim Moltzer French Lacquer and Brass Shelves, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
Functional and stylish, this shelving unit or bookcase has a brilliant brass structure, blue smoked glass shelves, and black lacquer cabinets. Designed by Kim Moltzer in the 1970s th...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Art Nouveau Psyche Full Length Mirror Dressing Table Red Marble Top
Located in Labrit, Landes
Dressing table with central psyche mirror Art Deco, circa 1930. Side tables either side with a drawer and a cupboard eachone. Beveled mirror with a small shelve shelf at its base. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

French Chandelier Ceiling Pendant Lustre Perspex and Brass Maison Arlus c. 1950
Located in Labrit, Landes
Ceiling pendant from Maison Arlus, France Lustre in perspex and brass Chandelier with three lights This chandelier is conform to USA and EU or UK standards Good condition Shipping :...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Neoclassical Raphael Brass and Opaline Coffee Table, 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
The black opaline surface of this coffee table appears reflective, calling to mind a still POOL of deep water, the result being a luxurious, timeless piece that, coupled with the int...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Purini and Mariani Bamboo Brass Shelves Étagère for Vivai del Sud 1976
Located in Paris, IDF
Functional and stylish, this shelving unit or bookcase was made from natural bamboo, with cane joints and luxe displays of brass inserts in Italy in the mid-1970s. It was designed by Giusto Puri Purini and Maurizio Mariani...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Enameled Lava Stone Ceramic Coffee Table Flip Top Chess
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Coffee table Chessboard enamelled lava in the taste of Max and Dominique Picard. Suitable for both interiors and exterior.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lava, Metal

Pair of Round Gold Gilt Brass Side Tables, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of round gold gilt brass side tables have a glass top fixed on the top circle. They are very elegant. This is an Italian work, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mazzega Ceiling Chandelier "Torciglione", 1970s
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
A rain of Murano glass spirals falling from the sky. This falling light has been made by Mazzega in Italy in 1970, each glass piece is attached to a delicate silver brass chain. The...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

1940s Polished Aluminium Steamer Trunk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This polished aluminium cabin trunk is very unusual. It is magnificent and mirror polished. Golden brass studs. Leather handles. Its interior still has been relined in black velvet...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Brass Chrome Steel Mirrored Console Table by Romeo Rega 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
A beautiful piece of design, this console table deserves to be the focal point of your entrance or living room. Symmetrical brass and chrome elements strike through a geometrical smo...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Cini Boeri - Glass top coffee table Lunario model for Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
The Lunario coffee table from Knoll International features an oval glass plate and a metal base. It is characterized by its asymmetrical appearance and its simple and timeless design...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Vico Magistretti Stackable Tables T8 for Azucena, Italy, 1954
Located in Labrit, Landes
Two stackable tables by Vico Magistretti for Azucena, Italy, circa 1954 Provenance from the estate of Italian designer and Architect Renato Magri friend ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Design Chrome Coffee Table with Glass Shelves, French, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice design coffee table is made of chrome with a glass shelf. This is a French work. Very nice design and fine quality. Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Rattan and Wooden Lounge and Outdoor Four Armchairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Superb, unique, genuine this garden lounge set in wood and rattan is graphic. You dream of a different garden, design and original and in addition vintage? Take a seat on these extra...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Wood

Illum Wikkelso Leather Sofa in Rosewood and Woven Rattan Cane
Located in Lyon, FR
Rare bench by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso Rosewood and wicker structure, fawn leather cushion with a beautiful patina.   
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Palisander

Walt Disney 'After' Child's Desk "Dalmatian" in White and Black Plastic
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Walt Disney (After) child's desk "Dalmatian" in white and black plastic, circa 1990. Wear and loss of paint.
Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

French Vitrine Bulletin Board for Hotel or Restaurant, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique original French mid-century bulletin board vitrine Painted wood Restaurant or hotel accessory Made circa 1940. Shipping: P 7.5/ L 82/ H ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Sideboard Spanish Poplar One Door Entry Hall Buffet Credenza, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Sideboard Spanish credenza one door and two drawers buffet, circa 1960 It can be used in an entry hall or in any other room Solid solid poplar and white wood Good condition Shi...
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Poplar

50s Sculpted Wooden Coffee Table, Brutalist and Minimalist, France, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
This coffee table is a unique design piece. . 50s sculpted wooden coffee table - brutalist and minimalist. . France - 1950. . Focusing on the three-dimensionality of the elevations o...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

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, Knoll, Fabio Ltd, and J.T. Kalmar. 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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