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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
Decorative Low Table, Jo Amado, France 1962
Located in St Ouen, FR
Elegant side table made of a thick slab of glazed concrete with an abstract pattern resting on a lacquered steel base. About the Artist Jo Amado (b. 1917 - d. 1963) is one of the...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Concrete

1970s Green Lacquered Panel
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s Lacquered Panel Decorative wall panel Wood lacquered in green France 1970 L. 240 cm W. 285 cm
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

La Borne 20th century design 1960 brown and grey ceramic pitcher
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Montreau Lohof - La Borne Large stoneware ceramic pitcher Realised circa 1960 Unique handmade brown and grey ceramic piece Original perfect condition Height 17 cm Large 17 cm
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Storage by Christian Durupt, Courchevel
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Set that can be wall-mounted, consisting of a towel rack and four storage shelves made of solid pine dating from the 1970s and originating from the French Alps. Origin: Apartment fu...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pierre Lebe XXth century design porcelain ceramic table lamp circa 1970 virebent
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pierre Lebé - Virebent Abstract porcelain ceramic table lamp by Pierre Lebé for Virebent Original good condition Signed under the base Colored ceramic glazes Ceramic height 14...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mirror by George J. Sowden, Memphis 1986
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Mirror designed by George J. Sowden in the 1980s stands as a testament to his innovative approach to design. As a co-founder of the groundbreaking Memphis group alongside luminaries ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

1970s Coffee Table with Glass Top
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s Coffee table with glass top Chrome and brass details on the top. Lucite feet. Designed by Sandro Petti, architect. Italy, 1970 90x 160 × 38 cm
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Oil on canvas painting by Oscar Troneck
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oscar Troneck Oil on canva France 1970 40 cm х 31 cm
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

1970s Resin Eggs by Pierre Giraudon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pierre Giraudon 1970s resin eggs France 1970 Height: 28 cm, Diameter : 14 cm Height: 11 cm, Diameter: 8 cm
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

Brown 20th century design lions ceramic table lamp by Jean Austruy 29 cm
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Austruy Large brown ceramic table lamp Lions ceramic decoration realised circa 1950 Signed under the base Electrical system is ok Ceramic height 25 cm Large 18 cm Height w...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Wood Elephant Decorative Push Toy on Wheels 1960s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Wood Elephant on wheels from the 1960s. Superb collector's item, with a very sleek and minimal design. This piece made of pine displays a beautiful woodwork, taking advantage of th...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood, Pine

Pierre Devie 20th century ceramic vase green color signed 1965 design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pierre Devie Green stoneware ceramic vase by Pierre Devie Signed under the base Original perfect condition Height 22 cm Large 13 cm
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Georges Frydman Efa System
Located in Grenoble, FR
Georges Frydman Efa system wall-mounted bookcase in lacquered laminate, aluminum cabinet Perfect and original condition. modular elements, secretary Georges Frydman is a designer-i...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Large ceramic vase or pitcher abstract colored bird by Bernard Buffat 1970 34 cm
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Bernard Buffat - La Grande aux potiers Large colored ceramic pitcher or vase by Bernard Buffat Rare and spectacular abstract ceramic piece Unique handmade piece Original perfect ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

European Rug Herati Design
Located in RÉDING, FR
"European Rug Herati Design" Crocheted Tetex rug made in Germany, Herati design. Mid 20th century. This quirky pattern is made up of palmettes and flowers, it looks like it's just p...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

French Oak Statuette The Apothicary Replica From Amiens Cathedral circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French handmade wood statue in oak. Good condition and nice patina Shipping: 10 / 11 / 41 cm 1.1 Kg.
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Oak

Zoomorphic Sculpture, Accolay, France c. 1960
Located in St Ouen, FR
Large polychrome ceramic following the shape of a stylised bird. The cut-out volumes allow this elegant piece to be adapted into a lighting fixture. Perfect original condition. Ab...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Sutherland, Original Travel Poster, Menton French Riviera, Beach, Palm Tree 1964
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Poster created by Graham Sutherland in 1964 to promote tourism on the Côte d'Azur, here in Menton. Artist: Graham Sutherland Title: Menton – Tropical - France Date: 1964 Size: 23 x ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of pendant lights by Dominioni
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Mid-Century Modern pendant lights, by Caccia Dominioni, attributed to Azucena Italy 1950s. The pair of Italian lanterns is made of a Holophane glass diffuser and brass mounts...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Goldsmith Henin - Cutlery Set In Sterling Silver 120 Pieces - Minerva - XXth
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Silversmith HENIN - 120-piece solid silver cutlery set - Minerva - NET WEIGHT: 5940 grs approximate GROSS WEIGHT FILLED SLEEVES: 2100 grs approximate SCRATCHES OF USE - NOT NUMBERED...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Decorative Low Table, Jo Amado, France 1962
Located in St Ouen, FR
Elegant side table made of a thick slab of glazed concrete with an abstract pattern resting on a lacquered steel base, signed and dated. About the Artist Jo Amado (b. 1917 - d. 1...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Decorative Low Table, Jo Amado, France 1962
Located in St Ouen, FR
Elegant side table made of a thick slab of glazed concrete with an abstract pattern resting on a lacquered steel base, signed and dated. About the Artist Jo Amado (b. 1917 - d. 1...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Oval Fruit Bowl In Hammered Silver XXth Around 1960 Zurich
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oval fruit bowl in hammered solid silver mounted on a 1 cm oval base. Dimensions: length 34 cm - width 25.5 cm - height 5 cm Material: Silver Weight: 812 grams Hallmark: SWAN (guaran...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Sconces Frozen Glass Black & Golden Chrome circa 1960 Arlus Style France
Located in Labrit, Landes
French wall sconces black with golden chrome pair of lights Wall Lights Made circa 1960 in the Arlus style Good condition Shipping: P 12 / 12 / H 43 cm 0.6 kg.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Drawing on Paper, Preparatory Drawing, Young Woman, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Drawing on paper, preparatory drawing, young woman, 20th century. Drawing of a young nude woman at her desk, preparatory drawing, 20th century. H: 50cm, W: 48cm, D: 0.3cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Charlotte Perriand stairs
Located in Grenoble, FR
Charlotte Perriand rare staircase for the Les Arcs1600 ski resort in 1968 larch structure
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Goldsmith Bancelin - Soup Tureen In Sterling Silver Around 1950/1960
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Centerpiece represented by a solid silver octagonal tureen. the domed body is engraved on four sides with a decoration of foliage and shell arabesques, flanked on each side by chisel...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

porcelain abstract ceramic vase circa 1970 20th century design 23 cm
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Att. to Yves Mohy or Pierre Lebe Abstract modernist ceramic vase realised circa 1960 Original perfect condition height 23 cm Large 25 clm Depth 10 cm
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

La Borne 20th century design modern brown and grey ceramic vase 1970
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne potters 20th century design brown and grey ceramic vase Original perfect condition Height 21 cm Large 24 cm depth 5 cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

French artistic wall tapestry signed and dated 1977
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
French wall tapestry from 1977, hand-woven by the artist using a variety of materials such as jute, cotton and wool. An artistry showcasing a stunning blend of shades and textures. ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Jute, Cotton

Drawing on Paper, Preparatory Drawing, Man with Balalaika, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Drawing on paper, preparatory drawing, man with balalaika, 20th century. Drawing of a man with his balalaika, preparatoir drawing on paper, 20th century. H: 73cm, W: 51cm, D: 0,3cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Bronze Sculpture Representing the Child and the Joy of Baseball, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture representing the child and the joy of baseball, 20th century. Bronze sculpture representing the child and the joy of baseball, 20th century. H: 19cm, W: 16cm, D: 10cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

"Spikes" Wall Sconces by Studio Glustin
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Pair of long sconces in brass and sculpted Murano glass. Creation by Studio Glustin.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Wash Drawing by Artist Evelyne Luez on Paper, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wash drawing by artist Evelyne Luez on paper, 20th century. Drawing by the artist Evelyne Luez on paper in wash, representing a meeting of men with hats, 20th century. H: 42cm, W: 5...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Crystal Baseball Glove Forming a Cup, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Crystal baseball glove forming a cup, 20th century. Baseball glove forming a crystal cup, 20th century. H: 16.5cm, W: 29cm, D: 20cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Bronze Sculpture of Ratapoil after Honoré Daumier, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture of Ratapoil after Honoré Daumier, 20th century. Bronze sculpture of Ratapoil after Honoré Daumier, 20th century. H: 34cm, W: 14cm, D: 11cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Double-sided vase by Robert and Jean Cloutier, circa 1960
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Unique piece. Brown glazed ceramic. Double-sided, each with a different face. Signed on base : Cloutier RJ.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Model 271 Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen, Denmark circa 1960
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Set of armchairs, model 2207 and 2204 armchairs, by Børge Mogensen, Scandinavian coffee table model 271 by the renowned designer Børge Mogensen, it was manufactured in Denmark in the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Torpedo Murano Glass Sconces by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Very rare Mid-Century Modern Space Age Pair of triple model gellule torpedo wall lamps lights lightning sconces by Carlo Nason for the manufacture Mazzega, blown white smoke Murano g...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Maison Jansen Gilded Wood Painted Glass Top Coffee Table, 1950
Located in Paris, IDF
This coffee table by Maison Jansen was made in the early 1950s, with beautifully carved wood feet and structure painted in off white with gilded accents, and an amazing painted glass...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Daybed, French Reconstruction 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Beech daybed, France 1950. The top consists of an oak veneered part and a shelf inlaid with opposing triangles in light oak and mahogany. The mattress and its two cushions are covere...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Beech, Oak

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

Large Teak Mirror by Franco Campo & Carlo Graffi for Home, Italy 1950's
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Large Italian mirror by designers Franco Campo & Carlo Graffi for Home dating from the 1950's Oval-shaped wall mirror with curved plywood teak surround receiving a mirror held by 4 ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Plywood

Pair of Chairs by Christian Durupt, Meribel 1960
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Christian Durupt, a skilled French cabinetmaker who worked in the 1960s and gained renown for his exquisite creations in solid wood. Notably, he collaborated with Charlotte Perriand ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pine

Leather Desk Set by Le Tanneur, France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, FR
French leather desk set manufactured by Le Tanneur. France, circa 1970’s. All pieces are saddle leather with black contrast stitching, typical of Le Tanneur. Beautifully worn in l...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Ceramic Totem Lamp by Georges Pelletier for Accolay. France, 1960s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Totem table lamp sculpture in ceramic terracotta by the french ceramist artist Georges Pelletier for the manufacture Accolay in France. Rare and unusual color, Early production from ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Square Faceted Witch Mirror with Infinity Effect, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Square faceted witch mirror with infinity effect, 20th century. Square faceted witch mirror with infinity effect, 20th century. H: 100cm, W: 100cm, D: 4cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Pair Of Modernist Half Moon Consoles - Wrought Iron - Ca 1970
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Pair of modernist style half-moon consoles forming a wrought iron pedestal table. Original and modular piece allowing these pieces to be presented separately in a half-moon console o...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Lunel French Mid-Century Modern Pair of Gilt Bronze White Opaline Sconces, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely elegant pair of French midcentury sconces by Lunel. In black matte lacquered metal and satin white opaline, France, 1950s. Important: The pair of sconces is composed by: Im...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Brass

Costela Lounge chair from Martin Eisler, 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Le fauteuil Costale de Martin Eisler avec une date de fabrication de 1955 en bois de Imbuia. La structure un tubulaire de fer et les lattes sculptés en bois, tous les éléments struct...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Round Faceted Witch Mirror with Infinity Effect, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Round faceted witch mirror with infinity effect, 20th century. Round faceted witch mirror with infinity effect, 20th century. D: 118cm, D: 4cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Abstract Wood Sculpture, Brown and Gold color Base France 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Abstract Wood Sculpture, Brown and Gold color Base France 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Drawing on Paper in Ink, the Battle, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Drawing on paper in ink, the battle, 20th century. Drawing on ink paper depicting a battle in black and white, 20th century, unsigned. H: 44.5cm, W: 64.5cm, D: 0.2cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Large Rectangular Faceted Witch Mirror with Infinity Effect, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large rectangular faceted witch mirror with infinity effect, 20th century. Large rectangular faceted witch mirror giving an infinity effect, 20th century. H: 198cm, W: 120cm, D: 4cm
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Mid Century Horses Wall Decoration Panel Embossed Copper c1950
Located in Mimizan, FR
Mid century horses wall decoration panel embossed copper c1950-70 Good vintage condition with good patina.   
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

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

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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