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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: 1940s
Set of 14 Paul Frankl Corset Oak Dining Chairs for Brown Saltman in Latte Bouclé
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sultry large set of 14 Oak Corset Dining Chairs designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Brown Saltman newly professionally restored and refinished in original stain with new cushions...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak

Large Danish Mahogany Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Originally retailed at Illums Bolighus, Copenhagen's most prestigious department store, this large Danish mahogany cabinet references 18th-cent...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Vintage Italian Mid Century Murano Wall Mirror 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your space with our Vintage Italian Mid Century Murano Wall Mirror from the 1940s. This exquisite piece boasts a Murano twi...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Medical Display Cabinet in Steel - Italiy 1945-50
Located in Girona, ES
Medical display cabinet in steel painted with metallic green “hammered” paint. Base and door in polished aluminium. Original glass shelves. Lo...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Handles Brass Glass Murano 1940s Gold Venini Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of mid-century Italian handles in brass and Murano 1940s gold glass, the brass has been well restored and polished and the glass is clean.
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Guglielmo Ulrich Attributed Italian Art Deco Dinning Room Chairs, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Set of four chairs with a wonderful backrest and a very particular upholstery used for the seat, elegant and linear as in the style of Guglielmo Ulrich. Four chairs attributed to Gu...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Beech

1940s Mid-Century Nightstand, Bedside Table, Cherrywood Gio Ponti attributable
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant and particular, of great image bedside table or nightstand in cherrywood, circa 1940, Gio Ponti design attributed In good conditions polished to wax Esposizione Mobili Cantù ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Bauges French Mid-Century Metal and Murano Glass Bird Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French mid-century (1940s) red and white painted metal 10 arm chandelier with Murano glass bird in center with canopy. (Attributed to BAGUES).  
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Six Dining Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Set of six dining chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. Mahogany with patinated brass details.  
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

EARLY ERNEST RACE DA Sofa, 1949, Classic British Design
Located in Somerton, GB
A Classic piece of British design, this early DA sofa designed by Ernest Race has a welded steel frame with coil sprung seats and beech legs. Recently r...
Category

1940s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Jens Risom Pair of 'Vostra' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, pair of 'Vostra' chairs with ottoman, beech, pink canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s Elegant lounge chairs with ottoman with be...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Sideboard in the Style of Maxime Old, Mahogany, Brass -France
Located in Girona, ES
Spectacular sideboard, solid and stained mahogany, French polish with satiny finish. Doors decorated with concentric squares in wood and brass. Decorative polished brass rods in the base and in front of the marble top. Side doors with two shelves and the central one with two drawers and two shelves. Polished brass hinges and keys. Very high quality. In the style of Maxime Old...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Four-Arm Murano Glass Chandelier Attributed to Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Small elegant clear Murano glass fixture with four-arms, glass stem and central bowl with bronze internal parts and canopy.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Pietro Chiesa Style Italian Lantern Pendant
Located in Hanover, MA
1940's Italian pendant lantern in the style of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Elegantly scrolled brass terminating in two scallop edged tulip form aluminum socket cups in original ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Hans Pieck Molded Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Pieck, Dutch, "Lawo" Molded armchair in birch plywood, circa 1946.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Birch

Transitional Silvered Gilt Bagues Eight-Light Rock Crystal Jansen Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Transitional silvered gilt bagues eight-light rock crystal Jansen chandelier fixture Measures: 30" x 30".
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal

Restored Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley, circa 1947
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful pair of Modern chests by Edward Wormley for Drexel, circa 1947. Expertly constructed in silver elm and finished in cream lacquer. The functional size and scale allow for ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Amboyna Burl Wood Commode Attr. Maurice Dufrène 1940s
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful 1940s Art Deco chest of drawers attributed to Maurice Dufrène imparts a cosy, glowing mood to any space. The warm amboyna burl wood remains looking healthy and smooth some eighty years later. Gilded carved feet and solid brass handles adorn the front of the commode, and one of the signatures of Maurice Dufrène during his lead at La Maîtrise. This commode feels delightfully modern for the period and charmingly vintage now...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Mid-Century Modern Table Made in '40s Czechia, Non Restored Walnut
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Small table. Czech midcentury Material: Walnut Period: 1940-19649. Condition: restored.
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

1940s Blue All Glass Chandelier, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - Fully functional.
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Magnificent Rare Modern Commode by John Stuart, circa 1940 - Pair Available
Located in Atlanta, GA
This majestic commode has undergone a meticulous complete restoration. The chest may be re-lacquered in another Ben Moore color in advance of shipment, if so desired. A stellar ex...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Round Tripod Sidetable, Solid Mahogany and Thick Glass- Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Round tripod sidetable in solid mahogany, French polish, thick glass on top. Italy c. 1948.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Pair of Dassi "verde alpi" Marble and Rosewood Console Tables, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
A rare pair of elegant Vittorio Dassi console tables, nightstands, circa 1940 Brass cylindrical feet, top and base in "verde alpi" Italian marble and central drilled foot Good condi...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Stoneware Bowl by Winslow Anderson, 1947
Located in South Charleston, WV
Created by Winslow Anderson in 1941 while a student at Alfred University, it is one of a kind and unique. Measures: 1.5" tall, 9" wide and 7" deep. Signed with Winslow Anderson's ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Modern Vintage Brass Lobmeyr Crystal Chandelier Austria circa 1945
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage brass crystal chandelier by J. & L. Lobmeyr, which is decorated with beautiful glass flowers and crystal el...
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Bookcase in Brazilian Wood
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
We work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...
Category

1940s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Charles and Ray Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint for Evans in Original Wrapper
Located in Chicago, IL
These leg splints were designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced for the United States Navy by the Evans Products Company, molded plywood division. They're still in their origin...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Glass Art Murano and Brass handles Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
pair of Unique and Rare Large Murano glass knobs by Seguso with solid brass conical base 1940s
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large J.T. Kalmar Chandelier by Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Large brass frame with nine arms in two tiers each fitted with E27 porcelain sockets each with silk shades. Designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s for J.T. Kalmar produced in the 1940s...
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large American Abstract Modernist Painting - Zoute, 1949
Located in Rochester, NY
Large American abstract modernist impressionist oil painting on masonite board in the great original artist hand painted sgraffito combed decorated wood frame by Zoute ( born Leon Sa...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Masonite, Paint

Poltroncine pieghevole in corda stile Hans Wegner
Located in Napoli, NA
Coppia di poltrone restaurate in perfetto stato Attribuite a modello JH 512, disegnata da Hans J. Wegner per Johannes Hansen, 1949
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rope, Wood

Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Art Glasses Murano and Solid Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Art Glasses Murano and Solid Brass
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

Knud Joos Rosewood Side Table
Located in San Diego, CA
Knud Joos Rosewood Side Table with beautiful steal frame. Dimensions: 16.5 L x 16.5 W x 16.25H About the Designer: Knud Joos was a Danish furniture designer and craftsman know...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

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

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

Two Gio Ponti shape Fontana Arte table or wall mirrors Italy c1950
Located in London, GB
Two Gio Ponti shape Fontana Arte free standing table or wall mirrors. Italy c1950 in very good condition Lovely patina to brass. Mirror in very good condition. Some age but no rea...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Jan De Swart Lucite Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
This Lucite sculpture by the artist Jan De Swart is an early work from the 1940s. The organic bean-shaped sculpture is entirely handmade and polished by the artist, very few of these...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Karl Blossfeldt Photogravure: Nature's Elegance in Classic Frame (1942)
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Presenting a captivating Karl Blossfeldt Photogravure from the 1942 edition of the book 'Wunder in der Natur.' In its original condition, this piece boasts minor wear that beautifu...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Karl Blossfeldt Photogravure: Nature's Elegance in Classic Frame (1942)
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Presenting a captivating Karl Blossfeldt Photogravure from the 1942 edition of the book 'Wunder in der Natur.' In its original condition, this piece boasts minor wear that beautifu...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Set of Four Karl Blossfeldt Framed Photogravures: Nature's Elegance (1942)
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Presenting a captivating set of four Karl Blossfeldt Photogravures from the 1942 edition of the book 'Wunder in der Natur.' In its original condition, this piece boasts minor wear ...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Brutalist Solid Oak Sideboard, France, 1940s
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Constructivism Credenza, solid oak, France, 1940s. Large Art Deco Brutalist sideboard. The credenza consists of tree storage facilities with shelves covered with very detailed des...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Mid-century Porcelain by János Török - Zsolnay Manufacture -MCM -
By Zsolnay, János Török
Located in Budapest, HU
Streamlined body, restrained painting. Stunning hand-painted Zsolnay women figures. Porcelain figures by renowned Hungarian artist János Török. The present figures are published in...
Category

1940s Hungarian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Danish Design Armchairs Upholstered Light Boucle. Sweden, 1940s
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A Danish furniture design pair of easy armchairs upholstered with light bouclé. Original from 1940s Sweden. The chairs look in pristine condition and have not been used after a recen...
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Jean Prouvé Petit Potence Black Wall Lamp by Vitra
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Industrial and minimalistic wall lamp designed by Jean Prouvé and produced by Vitra. The Potence swiveling wall lamp was designed by Jean Prouvé...
Category

1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of Carl Auböck Patinated Brass Candle Holders
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of patinated candle holders designed by Carl Aubock in 1948. This signature piece from the Auböck collection is hand made manufactured in Vienna Austria workshop ever since 1948...
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Joaquim Tenreiro: Exceptional Pair of Jacaranda Armchairs, Brazil 1940's
Located in New York, NY
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906 - 1992) A stunning pair of armchairs of exceptional lightness and elegance, in jacaranda, by pioneer of Brazilian modernism Joaquim Tenreiro. With their slim...
Category

1940s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

pairs of Jacques Adnet style Wall Sconces Art Deco France
Located in Miami, FL
Jacques Adnet wall sconces. We have the matching chandelier. PRICED by PAIR.  Measurements: Back plate: 5.3/4 inches H, 2.5 inches W. With shade: 13 inches W, 7 inches D projectio...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

Early Florence Knoll 3-Seat Model 26 Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Very early Florence Knoll sofa, circa late 1940s, in vintage oatmeal nubby wool Knoll fabric, with down seat and back cushions. The six inset legs make...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Textile, Maple

Augusto Romano Side Table in Braided Straw and Blond Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Augusto Romano, side table, beech, braided straw, Italy, circa 1948 A rare side table designed by Italian designer Augusto Romano around 1948. A well-executed table that features a...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Straw, Beech

Medical Chart Bone Structure
Located in Otley, GB
A superb vintage medical chart 1947 supplied by Adam Rouilly & Co Ltd London. Fantastic colours & illustrations of the bone structure. Comes as a...
Category

1940s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

MidCentury Walnut Brass and Velvet Italian Club Chair Armchairs, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Very Italian style at the turn of the last century, exalting walnut wood combined with a very very elegant velvet. Very arched back for an unmistakable design. The armchairs have a ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Fontana Arte Style Glass and Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Fontana Arte style glass and bronze floor lamp. Stunning Italian Fontana Arte style glass (Murano glass?) and bronze floor lamp. This great Italian floor lamp has geometric ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Small Precedent Dresser in Elm by Edward Wormley for Drexel
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this small four-drawer dresser for Drexel's Precedent Collection. Composed of silver elm, the case sits on a plinth base and features large brass-plated zinc ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

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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