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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
Period: 1950s
ACCOLAY Planter Vase, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-century planter vase by ACCOLAY, France, 1950s. Concentric lines. Green, brown and purple. Anthracite speckled. Height : 16cm (6.3"), Diameter : 20cm (7.9"). Marked "Accol...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Eero Saarinen Model 174W Tulip Dining Table
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
To accompany his famous Tulip chair design, Eero Saarinen designed the Tulip table. A simple design with timeless beauty. At 54 inches diameter, it can comfortably fit 6 chairs aroun...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Eames for Herman Miller Rare 1956 First Year Lounge Chair with Spinning Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare 1956 first year production of the iconic 670/671 lounge chair with spinning ottoman by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. The spinning ottoman was only made during the f...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Carlo de Carli Italian Midcentury Chair
Located in bari, IT
Italian midcentury chair Boomerang model by Carlo De Carli designer.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

4 Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard Sculptura Arm Dining Chairs Outdoor Indoor
Located in Wayne, NJ
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern russell woodard sculptura dining chairs outdoor indoor. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of 1950s Italian Articulated Wall Lights by Stilnovo
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1950s Italian adjustable wall lights by Stilnovo. A third light of the same design is available with a red lacquered finish, which could be re-sprayed to make a set of thr...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Hans Bergström wall lamps model 397 from Ateljé Lyktan set off 2
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
lluminate your interior with the timeless elegance of the Hans Bergström wall lamps model 397, manufactured by Ateljé Lyktan in Åhus, Sweden. This exclusive set, designed in the 1950...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small 1950's Italian Sommerso Murano Glass Vase Attributed to Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to mid-century Italian designer Flavio Poli, this 1950's vase is composed of green in amber sommerso Murano glass blown in a teardrop form with a bulbous bottom gracefully...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Sconces by Rupert Nikoll, from Early 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Original condition with E14 bulbs now LED. the is also a suitable chandelier available.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cut Steel

Prescolite Minimalist White Three-Tier Saucer Pendant Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist three-tier white metal light fixture with suspended concentric rings by Prescolite, USA, circa 1950. Rewired; takes a standard U.S. bulb, 150 watts max. Reminiscent of li...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet Chair with Rope Seating
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet for Vibo Vesoul, dining chair, beech, straw, France, 1950s. The seating and backrest are made of woven hemp from the abaca plant which is close to the s...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rope, Beech

Green Midcentury Hanging Lamp by Bent Karlby for Lyfa, 1950s
By Bent Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A large Danish ceiling light designed by Bent Karlby for Lyfa, Denmark and manufactured in the late 1950s. The light consists of a green lacquered shade with a wavy bottom edge, a ce...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Set of Four Vintage Robin Day 675 Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
An iconic and extremely stylish set of four vintage Robin Day 675 dining chairs. Originally designed in 1952, this set were manufactured under license by Case furniture, they date fr...
Category

1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Abstract Mid-Century Ceramic Cross
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-century modern ceramic cross is an exemplary piece of European studio pottery that displays the innovative and abstract artistry of the period...
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

1950s Mid Century Walnut Dining Table
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century dining table that was designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1950s. The table is made from a beautiful walnut frame and has two leaves that can be added to ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi
Located in Lille, Hauts-de-France
A butterfly stool, model "S-0521/M", by Sori Yanagi, in wood and patinated brass, manufactured by Tendo Mokko, Japan, with the old editor’s label, model designed in 1954.
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

1950's French Mid Century Modern Ladies Mirrored Vanity with Marble Kidney Shape
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare Form c1950's Mid Century Modern Ladies Vanity. Kidney shape, marble and wood. Beautiful top mirror.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Marco Zanuso Style Mid-Century Modern Velvet Armchair, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Marco Zanuso style armchair. The armchair has been restored and reupholstered in blue velvet, the feet are in beech wood.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Beech, Fir

Andrianna Shamaris Mid Century Couture Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
The Mid-Century Couture Collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful single slab of ancient teak wood taken from my finest collection to produce this i...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Andrianna Shamaris Mid Century Couture Bench or Stool
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique single teak panel from my finest collection, is expertly shaped into this beautiful bench or stool. Part of the Mid Century Couture Collection. Furniture construc...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Teak

Large J.T. Kalmar Glass Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Impressive J.T. Kalmar ceiling light from the 1950s. A large textured glass disc is surrounded by pentagonal texturde glass elements held by nickeled brass elements. Eight original n...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Applique murale vintage originale à deux bras Serge Mouille édition 1954
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Applique rare et originale d'angle de Serge Mouille à deux bras pivotants, édition originale de 1954. Acier émaillé, aluminium émaillé et laiton. Toutes les pièces, la peinture et le...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Italian Mid-Century Marble Round Support or Center Table, by Dassi 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This stylish mid-century round marble center table is a stunning example of 1950s Italian design. The top is crafted from precious green marble from the Alps. The black lacquered wal...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Amoeba Side Tables by Erno Fabry
Located in San Diego, CA
Introducing the epitome of charm and functionality: Erno Fabry's exquisite pair of side tables. Crafted with precision and passion, these side tables are not just furniture pieces bu...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Aster Chair by Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti, Italy, 1950
Located in Genova, IT
aster chair designed by augusto bozzi and produced by saporiti brothers. italian chair from the 1950s, reupholstered by us with fabric in white gray melange color. lacquered metal b...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

1950s Italian Valet. Ico Parisi
Located in Genova, IT
Italian-made valet from the 1950s with a design traceable to Ico parisi.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Jacques Nathan-Garamond, Lithography Formes Utiles exhibition, UAM, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Jacques Nathan-Garamond (1910-2001) Poster for the Formes Utiles exhibition, UAM (Union des Artistes Modernes) Musée des arts décoratifs, Paris, France, 1949 - 1950 Lithograph Height...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Brutalist Round Coffee Table of Solid Oak in Henning Kjærnulf Style 1950s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Great Henning Kjærnulf style round coffee table of heavy solid oak Brutalist style with carved legs and wavy table rim. Hand made by a danish cabinet maker in the 1950s Measures: Di...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Danish Artist Stool of Beech and Cognac Colored Leather 1950s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Danish artist´s stool with folding frame made of solid beech and seat of leather mounted with brass nails. The stool is characterized by the use of an artist, with signs of paint in...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Beech

Pair of Italian Midollino and Bamboo Wall Lights from the 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Midollino Appliques handmade in Italy 1950s the period
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Carl Auböck Horn Cake Server
Located in Highland, IN
In classic Auböck style, this cake or pie server uses rich materials in an innovative manner. In this case, horn, aluminum, and cane are married to make a most elegant small server. ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

1950s Gaming Table by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square dining or game table with an ash top, on folding steel legs. Model DTM.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Black Danish Wall Lamp with Brass Detailing by Fog & Mørup, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This adjustable wall lamp was both designed and manufactured by Fog & Mørup in Denmark during the 1950s. The lamp features a folded matté black shade and a flexible brass gooseneck. ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Midcentury Murano Oval Silver Art Glass and Brass Italian Wall Mirror, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Stunning mirror in blazing silver color Murano glass, Venice. A mirror that alone will furnish your home environment. The mirror has a rear structure in wood, on which four Murano g...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modernist Fish Motif Hand-Blown Murano Glass Bowl by Alfredo Barbini
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely achieved Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Bowl in Viridian with Fish Motif is rendered by the esteemed glass artist Alfredo Barbini and originates from ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Gio Ponti Chair, Italy 1950s
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Created by the famous Italian designer, Gio Ponti, in the 50s and fine Italian manufacture. The chair is made of elegant black varnished wood and reupholstered with creamy boucle. T...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Beech, Walnut

1950's Pair of Italian Metal Table Lamps
Located in Paris, FR
A stylish 1950s Italian mid-century modern table lamp with an elegant brass structure and a black lacquered metal circular shade. Push type switch at the base. Fits two e14 bulbs. ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pol Chambost Ceramic Jug, Model 837, circa 1953, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Pol Chambost ceramic jug, 837 model, circa 1950, France. Black and yellow enameled earthenware. Dimensions: 40 cm H, 20 cm W, 17 cm D. Good original condition. Bibliography: Pol Cham...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Expanding Dining Table by Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Beautiful Flygsfors Coquille purple bowl
Located in Djurhamn, SE
The queen of the room is purple - catches the eye immediately with its extreme design. Fits well on large surfaces and wants space to shine. One of Paul Kedelv's most beautiful and c...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Modern abstract HARRIS STRONG 6 TILE PLAQUE FRAMED with original label on back
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modern abstract HARRIS STRONG 6 TILE PLAQUE FRAMED with original label on back.. Unusual subject,, depicting abstract, brutalist animals. Amazing colors,Wood frame with aluminum..
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Eight Arms Chandelier by Josef Frank for Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction with 8 arm and silk shades fitted each with E27 sockets, designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s for Kalmar Vienna. This one was produced in the 1950s. The brass part...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cleopatra Day beds by Auping 1950s Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
The Cleopatra sofa bed or daybed was designed in the early 50s by Cordemeijer for Auping. The elegant but industrial design is new in the bedrooms at that time. The boat-shaped Black...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Cora Pendant Lamp by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Peill & Putzler, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
"Cora" pendant lamp, Mid-Century Modern, extremely rare and elegant. Designed by the famous German artist Wilhelm Wagenfeld, 1952. Made by Peill & Putzler, Düren, Germany, 1950s. Ma...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Stamped Stilnovo Brass Chandelier With Colourful Cups
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
1950s chandelier made by Stilnovo, made of nine arms of light pointing upward, at different angles and lengths. The arms end with enameled colourful cups holding opaline glass curved...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Murano Sommerso Flavio Poli Glass Vide Poche with Label
Located in Verviers, BE
Italian Murano Sommerso Flavio Poli glass vide poche This small but wonderful Italian Murano Sommerso Flavio Poli glass bowl/dish/ vide poche in vivid colours of brilliant red an...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Pannello Decorativo in Lacca Cinese 1950s con Uccelli Fiori di loto e Piante
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pannello in Lacca Cinese Decoratico con Pavoni uccelli e piante con fior di loto.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Gio Ponti for Singer Dining Table in Walnut With Brass Sabots Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
A walnut dining table with brass sabots, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by M. Singer & Sons, ca. 1950s. Measures 40” in diameter, plus one 16” leaf.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Beautiful Brass Grid Ceiling Light Chandelier Rupert Nikoll Vienna Austria 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful and rare chandelier by Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria. An original mid-century vintage piece manufactured in the 1950s. It is made of Brass. The Fixture requires sixteen Eu...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large 1950s Gio Ponti Era Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Wall Mirror
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Gio Ponti era Mid-Century Modern wall mirror in patinated brass. Made in Italy in 1950s. The shape of the mirror is a very elegant ovaloid with rounded corners and beautiful taper. ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian mid-century modern round umbrella stand in arabesque marble, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern round umbrella stand in arabesque marble, 1950s Round umbrella stand in arabesque marble. The structure follows rounded curved lines, in the upper part the...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Minimalist Hand Carved Teak Wood Bench
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful single slab of teak wood taken from my finest collection is hand carved by our master carver to produce this impressive bench. The Mid-Century Couture Collection, feature...
Category

1950s Indonesian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Italian mid-century modern round umbrella stand in Calacatta marble, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern round umbrella stand in Calacatta marble, 1950s Round umbrella stand in Calacatta marble. The structure follows rounded curved lines, in the upper part the...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Mid Century Pair of cocktail chairs, France , 1950's
Located in Brussels , BE
Mid Century Pair of cocktail chairs, France , 1950's
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gunnar Nylund, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Large Floor Vase, Stoneware, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Gunnar Nylund, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Large 'Rubus' Floor Vase, Stoneware, 1950s Swedish modern “Rubus” stoneware floor vase dfesigned by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand in Sweden ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Guèridon in Chinese Lacquer circa 1950s colored wood and floral with gilded parts
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Chinese pierced lacquer coffee table 1950s
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern 9-Drawer Walnut Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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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