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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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Recognized Seller Listings
Bitossi ‘’Dots” Table Lamp, Italy 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A rare Aldo Londi for Bitossi table lamp in raw earthenware augmented with ceramic dots glazed in varying shades of blue.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury pair of armchairs by Charles e Ray Eames for ICF, Italy 1960
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury pair of armchairs and one ottoman by Charles e Ray Eames for ICF de Padova, Original metal and wooden structure, leather upholstery Stunning set in perfect vintage condit...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

20th Century Dino Gavina Wall Mirror mod. Scolabottiglie
Located in Turin, Turin
Dino Gavina began his activity as early as the 1940s with objects for theater sets, his great passion. Convinced of the need for design that was modern but also rich in poetry, he gr...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Bronze Vide Poche, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Organic Bronze vide poche in the manner of Aubock.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Unagusta, Nightstands, Wood, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood "Del Mundo" nightstands or side tables produced by Unagusta, USA, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Coffee Table by Roger Capron
Located in Austin, TX
Coffee table from France by Roger Capron. The structure is wooden with cylindrical legs. It is topped with a tiled, curved top. The tiles feature nature details including leaves and ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Politecnico in Milan, where her work is permeated by her perspective on Le Corbusier’s and Frank Lloyd Wright’s design expe...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Soriana sofas by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1970
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury pair of Soriana two seater sofas designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1970 Original tubular structure and fabric covers. Original design winner of the Compas...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Set of Cordial/Liqueur Goblets
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver set of six (6) cordial glasses, Baldwin and Miller Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, circa 1950s. Each glass measures a little under 3 inches high x 1 1...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Murano Glass Modernist Pink Table Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of hand-blown Murano glass lamps featuring unique glass components supported on a brass structure. In the style of iconic Italian designer Ettore Sotsass. We love the pink tone ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Guillerme & Chambron Petit Repos Armchair in Green Bouclé, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
An early example of the petit repos chair in original patina, newly upholstered in a green bouclé.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Arlus, Wall Light, Brass, Metal, Glass, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, black-lacquered metal and opaline glass wall light produced by Arlus, France, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12” H x 10” W x 2.60” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches):...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

American Designer, Slipper Chairs, Walnut, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white fabric and walnut slipper lounge chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Seat height: 16.25”
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

American Designer, Lounge Chair, Bamboo, Rattan, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded bamboo, rattan and green velvet lounge chair designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Seat height: 18”
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Bamboo, Rattan

Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pink fabric wall light designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5” H x 15.25” W x 5.5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 3.44” H x 3.05” D Bulb S...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Audoux Minet Rope Barstools, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Barstools in wrought iron, the stem wrapped in thick natural rope on wooden ball feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Bag Turgi floor lamps, 1980's, Switzerland
Located in La Tour-de-Peilz, CH
Black and chrome, classic chic! Two beautiful brushed steel cups suspended at the end of thin chrome rods, all held by a pretty satin black stud. A pure form, a minimalist line and...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Rare Pendant No. 2127 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Crystal cut clear glass, frosted glass, nickel plated brass. painted aluminum. 8 x E12, (candelabra) sockets.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

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

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Fröske, Wall Mirror, Teak, Metal, Sweden, 1954
Located in High Point, NC
An etched glass, teak and metal wall mirror produced by Fröseke, Nybrofabriken, Sweden, 1954.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Sligh Furniture, Cabinet, Maple, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained maple cabinet produced by Sligh Furniture, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Maple

Tony Paul, Table Lamps, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut and brass table lamps designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. With glass diffusers. Overall Dimensions (inches): 25” H x 14” W x 15” D Stated dimensions include...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Curved Bamboo Stools in Blue Mohair, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of curved Bamboo stools upholstered in mohair.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Bamboo

Large Counterweight Fixture by Stilnovo, Italy 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Large Fixture by Stilnovo, the main arm adjusts from 80’’ to 110” long, the shade adjusts and has one light.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Cut Steel

Brass & Tan Leather Metalarte Floor Lamps, Spain 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Brass reading floor lamps by Metalarte Elegantly Wrapped in a light tan leather, fully adjustable in height from 50” to 70”.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Adjustable Brass Pendant, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Graphic pendant with double shades, it adjusts up and down from 36 inches to about 55.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pink fabric wall light designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.5” H x 11” W x 4.75” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 2.98” H x 2.75” D Bulb Spe...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Gabriella Crespi Large Brass Rectangular Picture Frame, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi large rectangular picture frame with alternating bands of polished and brushed brass, Italy, 1970s. This incredibly chic picture frame is a striking example of the ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Modernist French Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France in the Modernist style with neoclassical lines. This piece boasts a striking flamed sycamore with a striking inlay on the four doors inlayed wit ebony. This expert...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Round Dining Table with Textured Bronze Look Top and Iron Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, formica, coated iron, Europe, 1970s This circular dining table adheres to a minimalist design approach while skillfully interweaving a captivating interplay of materia...
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Midcentury hand blown Murano glass light by Seguso, Italy 1940
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Seguso flush mount light or wall light in hand-milled Murano glass. It features alternating bands of frosted and transparent glass with a ripple pattern. A central round brass 'cap' ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Milo Baughman Storage Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Storage Bench, geometric designed patterned exterior with pop-up seats, concealing cedar-lined storage, bench seats reupholstered with mohair dimensions: 56" 17" deep 1...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Roger Capron ‘Shogun’ Coffee Table in Ceramic
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron, coffee table, ceramic, stained beech, France, 1960s Lovely French coffee table with wonderful composed ceramic tiles by French designer Roger Capron. Both the tiles as...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Beech

Karl Springer Telephone Table in Chestnut Snake Skin 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted Telephone Table in chestnut snakeskin with black accents and brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The bottoms are covered in moiré silk. As with all K...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Prototype Box Table with Tray Top in Grasscloth 1976-1978
Located in New York, NY
Box Table with removable tray top covered in grass cloth inside and out by Karl Springer, American 1976-8. This was made as a prototype by one of Karl Springer’s premier artisans. It...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Wood

Wim Rietveld for Ahrend De Cirkel 'Oase' Lounge Chair in Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wim Rietveld for Ahrend De Cirkel, 'Oase' lounge chair, bakelite, lacquered steel, fabric, The Netherlands, 1950s. This very sculptural Oase chair was created by Dutch designer Wim ...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Dining Chair in Pine and Sheepskin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
TON, dining chair, pine, reupholstered in sheepskin "Aussi" by Skandilock, Czech Republic, 1950s Pine dining chairs by TON featuring light colored sheepskin seats. This particular m...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sheepskin, Pine

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Simon Gavina 'Bastiano' Lounge Chair in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Simon Gavina, 'Bastiano' lounge chair, leather, walnut, Italy, 1962 This iconic armchair part of the Bastiano line, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Simon...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Dining Chair in Pine and Sheepskin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
TON, dining chairs, pine, reupholstered in sheepskin "Maori" Honey by Skandilock, Czech Republic, 1950s Pine dining chairs by TON featuring a sheepskin in beige color. This particul...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sheepskin, Pine

Midcentury box designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Box designed by Gabriella Crespi Wooden and golden brass box by Gabriella Crespi. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Signed. Italy 1970s
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Hungry Squirrel Porringer
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round with straight sides. Cast open cinquefoil handle inset with acorn-nibbling squirrel. Fully marked including...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wharton Esherick Coffee Table and Stools in Cottonwood and Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wharton Esherick, coffee table, ash, United States, 1954 This exquisitely crafted coffee table exemplifies the artistic mastery of American designer Wharton Esherick. Its dynamic sh...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ash

Midcentury Magnolia table lamp by Sergio Mazza and G. Gramigna for Quattrifolio
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury Magnolia table lamp by Sergio Mazza and Giuliana Gramigna for Quattrifolio. Stunning table lamp with original chrome metal frame and circular opal glass. Italy 1970s Bibl...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Willy Guhl for Eternit Small Tulip Concrete Planters, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit handkerchief concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistant fiber cement and have a...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio Early and Rare Loop Cabinet in Copper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio, ‘Loop’ wall-mounted cabinet, welded copper with applied verdigris patina, steel, brass, painted wood, United States, circa 1968 Made around 1968, t...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Steel

Midcentury bronze wall lights set attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich, Italy 1940
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury set of 5 bronze wall lights attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich. Elegant golden bronze. wall lights, original curved shaped structure, with double lights, leaf decoration. Perf...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Angelo Ostuni for O-Luce ‘Cloche Mignon’ Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Ostuni for O-Luce, ‘Cloche Mignon’ floor lamp, model ‘312’, brass, marble, enameled aluminum Italy, 1949 This floor lamp known as, ‘Cloche Mignon’, meaning cute bell in Frenc...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Aluminum, Brass, Enamel

Pair of Fractured Glass Dark Amber Sconces, France 1960’s
Located in New York, NY
Moody and chic. Electrification required.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Fog & Mørup, Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and white fabric wall lights, designed and produced by Fog & Mørup, Denmark, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 13.5” H x 9” W x 5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inc...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Guillerme & Chambron Lounge Chair in Green Mohair and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison, lounge chair, oak, reupholstered in green mohair, France, 1960s A comfortable armchair with high back. This chair has interesting details. The...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Oak

Sol Bloom Patio 'Scoop' Chair with Table in Black Steel Mesh
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sol Bloom for New Dimensions Furniture, 'Scoop' patio chair with catch-all table, wrought iron, steel mesh, United States, 1950 This high back patio or garden chair designed by Sol...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Chrome Chain Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century chrome chain link handle magnifying glass.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Phillip Lloyd Powell Large Cabinet in Walnut and Gold Leaf
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Phillip Lloyd Powell, large cabinet, walnut, gold leaf, painted wood, United States, circa 1965 Crafted by the skilled hands of Phillip Lloyd Powell, this highboard stands as a test...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 'Locus Solus' Daybed in Chrome-Plated Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Production, daybed model 'Locus Solus', chrome-plated steel, Larsen fabric, Italy, 1964 This daybed by Gae Aulenti is part of the 'Locus Solus' series cr...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leather, mirrored glass, fiberglass, brass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designed by Lui...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Italian Bar Cart in Brass and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cart, wood, brass, glass, Italy, 1950s Elegant Italian serving trolley or liquor cart. The whole construction of this serving trolley is based on clear lines and round edges. Tw...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gjlla Giani for Nucleo Sormani ‘Radar’ Table Lamps in Pewter
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gjlla Giani for the Nucleo Division of Sormani, 'Radar' table lamps, pewter and glass, Italy, 1971 These rare table lamps are designed by the Italian architect Gjlla Giani for the N...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Peter Nelson for Architectural Lightning Minimalist Floor Lamp in Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Nelson for Architectural lighting, floor lamp, aluminum, United Kingdom, 1970s This floor lamp is designed by Peter Nelson and manufactured by Architectural Lighting. It is an...
Category

1970s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

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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