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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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70
Item Ships From: France
Style: Mid-Century Modern
1970s Shell Lighter, France
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1970 shell lighter, will feet well with modern ahtrays.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Nucci Valsecchi cane brass upholstered armchairs 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This pair of cane and brass armchairs from the mid-century modern French Riviera era is bursting with glamour. The pair was designed by Nucci Valsecchi and produced in Italy in the early 1970s, and it almost looks as though it hasn’t been touched since then. The cubic design and chic materials will lend the room a curated feel. A light brown and golden cane...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Ceramic Low Table with Roger Capron's Tiles
Located in St Ouen, FR
Garden table in terracotta ceramic tiles whose center is decorated with country motifs combining fruits, flowers and birds in an orientalist spirit. The enamelling in relief brings a...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

French Dining Table Maxime Old Style Mahogany Art Deco
Located in Lyon, FR
French dining table Maxime Old style mahogany Art Deco. Good condition.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Roger Capron rare sun table
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A very beautiful exemple of Roger Capron work, the sun table in ceramic This side table was probably made with Jean Derval Around 1960s, vivid colors Made in Vallauris, signed Ra...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

De Sede Sofa DS 600
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
De Sede Sofa DS 600 in leather
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Antler, Leather

Edouard Schenck Dog Dachshund Andirons Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
Here is a pair of vintage wrought iron dachshund andirons designed by Edouard Schenck in the early 1950s. Edouard Schenck was a French andiron maker who designed zoomorphic pieces as...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Three Seater Pierre Cardin Modular Sofa in black lacquer and silk, France 1970s
Located in Renens, CH
Pierre Cardin, a trailblazing fashion designer known for his innovative and unconventional approach, extended his creative vision into the realm of furniture design. Pierre Cardin's ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Malachite Ashtray Vide Poche Desk Accessory Green Color Africa 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Great and unique shape carved malachite stone ashtray or vide poche. Imposing item, stunning color and pattern which makes it unique. Natural malachite sculpture. Some are called vide poche or ashtray dresser caddy...
Category

20th Century Congolese Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Malachite

Contemporary Pair of Brass and Gilt Murano Glass Palm Tree Sconces, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Contemporary Gilt gold powder leaf Murano glass and brass palm tree leaf wall lights lightning lamps sconces. Contemporary work from a small artisanal italian design workshop...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Hans Olsen teak table and chairs for Frem Rojle circa 1960
Located in Grenoble, FR
Mid century modern teak dining set by Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle, circa 1960s beautiful teak set by Hans Olsen including an integrated extending table allowing dining for 8 people. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Poul cadovius
Located in Grenoble, FR
Poul cadovius Very nice set of Cadovius teak stoves from the Cado series from 1958 in very good condition. One of the boxes has a series of drawers, the doors are in painted plywood ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Pair of Brass Sconces Murano Glass, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of brass wall lights lamps sconces, nice Murano glass diffusor, neo Industrial elegant style. In the style of Perzel, Mazzega, Vistosi, Venini, La Murrina, Carlo Aldo Nason. To...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Dorothy Thorpe Frosted Lucite Resin Fruit Bowl Mid Century
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Lovely frosted resin cabbage bowl by Dorothy Thorpe. Signed under the object. Beautiful decorative object. Good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Rene Mathieu Swing Arm Sconces Wall lamp French Adjustable Lunel Arlus
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Superb pair of Swing arm sconces by Rene Mathieu, adjustable sconces. US rewired and in working condition Totally restored and refinished 1 light, 40 watts max bulb.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Outdoor Pair of Sconces Lanterns, Amber Glass and Wrought Iron, c. 1960, France
Located in Labrit, Landes
French outdoor light lanterns pair of exterior wall sconces wrought iron and amber glass The inside of the glass is grooved. Neogothic style Exter...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

Verner panton Fun 2MD mother-of-pearl chandelier J. Lüber 1968
Located in Grenoble, FR
Original Chandelier, model, 2DM Fun, design 1968, J Lüber, Basel Nickel-plated metal and mother-of-pearl. Garlands of circular mother-of-pearl plates suspended from three rings of in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Forged Iron and Ceramic Coffee Table - Cocktail Table - Patio Table-60s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Vintage Mid-Century Wrought Iron and Ceramic Coffee Table from the 60s Artfully designed Ceramic - gorgeous Colors from the 60s - beautiful Blacksmithing A rare unique Table...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Christian Techoueyres for Maison Jansen Brass Flower Wall Lights, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This pair of beautiful flowers wall lights sconces are one of the most iconic pieces by French designer Christian Techoueyres for Maison Jans...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Peter & Denise Orlando, Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Tea Set 1960s, Era Capron
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Peter & Denise Orlando, Mid-Century Modern ceramic tea set 1960s, Era Capron Free form Ceramic cups and under cups by Peter and Denise Orlando, France 1960s. Glazed in grey with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Togo Armchair by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1973
Located in PARIS, FR
This sofa was designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset in the 1970s. He devoted 26 years of his life to heading the design department at Ligne Roset. It was in 1973 that the designer conceived his most iconic creation: the Togo sofa...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Foam, Leather

Turned teak Table Lamp, 1960, Italy
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
A Mid-century table lamp. In solid Teak, Italy, 1960. Elegant teak lamp. It is in good general condition and works perfectly. The diffused light is very pleasant and the lamp off...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Large Mid-Century French Stoneware Vase Signed by Jean Austruy (1910-2012)
Located in COLMAR, FR
This is a large, signature piece by the renowned French ceramic designer/maker, Jean Austruy (1910-2012), see signature on the base. Jean Austruy was born in Castres in southern Fran...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Togo Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
Famous brown leather sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy edited by Ligne Roset model Togo from 1970. 2-Seater Entirely made in foam with a cover in original leather.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

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

3 folding beech deck chairs circa 1970 price is for one 3 are available
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
3 folding beech deck chairs circa 1970 price is for one 3 are available
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Beech

Pair of italian nightstands 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of italian nightstands in light wood. Each piece has three drawers, consisting of two small drawers in the upper part and one in the belt section. The handle details are particu...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage straw donkey , 1950s decor
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Vintage straw donkey, decoration 1950 Decorated with multicoloured wool and with 2 pockets on each side. Good condition
Category

Mid-20th Century Maghreb Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Table Lamp, Abacus in Lacquered Wood and Metal, 1960.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Table lamp, abacus in lacquered wood and metal, 1960. Table lamp from the 1960s, vintage design, forming an abacus in lacquered wood and metal. h: 64cm, d: 40cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

rare blue crystal Daum vase
By Daum
Located in Brooklyn, NY
rare blue version of the Sorcy vase in thin crystal , circa 1950's unsigned
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Jean Dobré/ Tropicart. Rotating wooden platter, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Dobré/ Tropicart. Rotating wooden platter c. 1960 Signed at the fire Solid wood 10 x 46 x 46 cm
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Spectacular French Mid-Century Clipper Ship Wall Light, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Spectacular iron wall light, France, circa 1950. Square three-masters clipper. Ambient and decorative wall light. Measures: height : 28"(71cm), width : 16.9"(43cm), depth : 7.2"(18.2...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Design Brésilien. Futuristic Pendant with 5 lamps, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
Brazilian design. Futuristic Pendant, c. 1960 Metal and glass 75 x 75 x 70 cm Suspension has five burners with chromed metal structure and two convex translucent glass trays.
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Lalique France, Pair of Champagne Glasses with Angel, 1945
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Pair of champagne glasses created by Marc Lalique in 1945. This very beautiful creation shows an angel headmolded at the top of the foot spreading its large wings on the shoulder of ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Table basse moderniste en chêne vers 1950 France
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table basse moderniste en forme de fleur datant des années 50 fabrication française. Période reconstruction. Structure en chêne clair.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bay Keramik Large Mid-Century Sumerian Vase
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Large mid-century stoneware vase with a handle by Bay Keramik, Germany. Magnificent revolving decor showing Sumerian characters and scenes of life. Measures: Height: 17.9"(45.5cm), W...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Roger Capron ‘Shogun’ Coffee Table in Ceramic France 1970 Brown and Green Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Shogun" ceramic coffee table by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1970. Roger Capron, 'Shogun’ coffee table, bi-color ceramic, beech, France, 1960s Signed Brown and beige French coffe...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Silver Plated Pineapple Vide-Poche in the style of Maison Charles
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice silver plated vide-poche looks like a pineapple. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver

Small Ceramic Mirror
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This small decorative mirror is made of small ceramic elements assembled like a marquetry. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Elephant table in rattan in the Vivaï del Sud style, Italy 1970
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Elephant table in rattan in the Vivaï del Sud style, Italy 1970. Can be used as a sofa side table or bedside table. This table has its original removable top and wooden horns.. Good ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Serving Tray Cloche Plate Bell for Cheese or Fruit in Rattan and Glass Italy
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Serving Tray Cloche Plate Bell for Cheese or Fruit in Rattan and Glass Italy Dimensions of the bell with the rattan base Diameter 36cm High 27 cm
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Art Glass

Large Lucite and Chrome Coffee Table with 2 Glass Shelves
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice large coffee table is made of chrome with double lucite feet and with 2 glass shelves. This is a French Work. Circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Sergio Rodrigues, Dining table "Ilidio", c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
Model table 'Ilidio' created in 1965 by Sergio Rodrigues. This table presents itself as a summary of the style of Sergio Rodrigues, who made him "the most Brazilian designer". It is ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Spectacular French Mid-century "Rooster" Wall Light, ca. 1970
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Great decorative power. Spectacular wall light in glass mosaic, resin and wrought iron, France, ca.1970. Rooster. Large and very decorative. Height : 34.25"(87cm), Width : 25"(63.5cm...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Turtle Scale Pattern Top Maison Mercier 1970
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Turtle scale pattern top Maison Mercier 1970 in plexiglass (lucite). Golden brass gallery.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Design Brass Mirror, French, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This design mirror is all made of brass. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Joaquim Tenreiro, Pair of "Concha" Armchairs, c. 1955
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of armchairs model "Concha", by Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1955. This model, with a rather atypical design compared to Joaquim Tenreiro's style, is a response to the needs and desire...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Jorge Zalszupin, Coffee Table "Componive"l, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
The Componivel center table by Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin is a modern and elegant piece of furniture. It consists of a tempered glass top, a metal structure and solid wood le...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Atelier Liceu de Arte e Oficios. Coffee table, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
This remarkable coffee table is imbued with Brazilian history and craftsmanship. Dating from the 1960s, she proudly bears the label of the Liceu de Arte e Oficios workshop, an emblem...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Sergio Rodrigues. Wall shelf, c. 1965. Solid wood and wood veneer
Located in PARIS, FR
This shelf is a classic creation by Sérgio Rodrigues in which we find the characteristics that have made him an icon of Brazilian and international design. As usual, the artist crea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

1960s Bamboo Living Room Set Chairs
Located in Buxton, GB
Discover the 1960s classic Italian indoor living room set made from bamboo! The light wood tone adds a rustic yet modern feel to your living room. Relax in style with the woven seat ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Sculpture of an Elephant in Patinated Bronze, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of an elephant in patinated bronze, 20th century. Sculpture of an elephant in patinated bronze, marble base, 20th century animal bronze. h: 21.5cm, w: 20cm, d: 8cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of modern Scandinavian chairs, 1950 – 60’s
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of Danish chairs from Scandinavian modernism. A classic of modern design and fine execution. Their rosewood structure has magnificent contrasting veins, the seat padding as well...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Palisander

Pair of Rosewood nightstands
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of italian nightstands in laminated rosewood. A simple design that reminds of the Gavina furniture. Two large drawers on each. The condition is very good, a little chip as big ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

ACCOLAY Vase, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Beautiful French Mid-century vase by ACCOLAY, France, 1950s. Concentric lines. Green, brown and purple. Anthracite speckled.. Height : 20cm (7.9"), Diameter : 18cm (7.1"). After the...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Stuccoed plaster console in the style of Giacometti.
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Elegant plaster console. Two- tier console, the top of each leg end with a piedouche cup. Stuccoed plaster on metal structure Inspired by Neo classical taste and more specifically...
Category

2010s French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Plaster

ACCOLAY French Mid-century Vase, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-century vase by ACCOLAY, France, 1950s. Concentric lines. Superb green, black and yellow cover. Height : 27cm (10.6"), Diameter : 17cm (6.7"). Marked "Accolay" under the base
Category

1920s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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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