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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: Late 20th Century
Original Carlo Scarpa Chair
Located in MADRID, ES
Carlo Scarpa chair lacquered in red and upholstered with Hermès fabric. About the artist: Carlo Scarpa (1906, Venice - 1978, Sendai, Japan) was an Italian architect who graduated fr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Marcel Breuer Cesca Bar stool Chrome and rattan Model S32, 1970s
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
A stylish mid century Cesca bar stool originally designed by Marcel Breuer for Knoll International. Model S32 made in Italy 70s The Cesca was originally designed in 1928, after Breu...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Alvar Aalto Style Rocking Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Studio-made, unknown age and manufacturer. This piece is in good vintage condition but has wear consistent with use
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Murano Glass Mushroom Lamp by Peil and Putzler
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage Murano glass mushroom lamp by Peil and Putzler. This is hand blown Italian Murano glass, imported to Germany and made by Peil and Putzler in the ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Midcentury Extra Large Vintage Wall Mirror with Brass Frame, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful and elegant extra large vintage wall mirror with deep solid brass frame and original vintage crystal mirror glass. Made in Italy in the 1970s. The brass frame with its orig...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Leather and Plywood Dining Chairs in the Style of Mobil Girgi, Set of 4
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four dining chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the late 60s. The legs are made of ash, and the seat and back made of plywood. It is upholstered with brick-colored leath...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Bedside table/Nightstand, pair 1970s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Pair of nightstands/bedside tables This pair of italian bedside tables reflects modest but conteporary aesthetic. Practicality and perfect form in one pair of beautiful nightstands. ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Ovoid Vase In Solid Silver Northern Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Solid silver ovoid vase with melon ribs. Dimensions: height 24 cm – width 15 cm – depth 13 cm Base 9 cm x 7.5 cm Material: Silver 2nd grade 800/°° Weight: ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Bronze Sculptural Console Attributed to Diego Giacometti
Located in London, GB
An absolutely incredible console in solid bronze with a black steel table top. The table which has had a steel top inserted is made in the matter of the work of Diego Giacometti, bro...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Rope Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A surrealist rope table lamp with hessian shade. Circa 1980's France.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rope

Black Hebi (Snake) Lamp, 1970s
Located in London, GB
This icon of 20th century design was created in 1970 by Japanese engineer and designer Isao Hosoe for Valenti, Italy. Structure in flexible metal that can be twisted in every direc...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Eames DSS Chairs - Set of 8
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pleased to offer a great collection of 8 Mid Century Modern Herman Miller Eames DSS stacking chairs in elephant hide grey. These chairs are in...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Lampada Leucos Febo Roberto Pamio e Toso
Located in Napoli, NA
Lampada modello Febo Di Roberto pamio e toso Leucos Originale 1970 Design lab Vetro di Murano fatto a mano e marmo
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Photorealism Acrylic on Canvas Titled “Chris” After Chuck Close
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Large acrylic on canvas portrait of a young man with a facial piercing, featuring mosaic like cells that were popularized by the world renowned artist Chuck Close. The reverse bears ...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Acrylic

Luana Marble Dining Table, 1970s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
- 29.5"h, 79"w, 39"d - Brown, black and ivory luana marble - Condition: Excellent; very light scratches to table top
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Original pair 'Etcetera' lounge chair by Jan Eskelius, Sweden c1970
Located in London, GB
Original Jan Eskelius 'Etcetera' chair c1970 Re upholstered in a 4 way stretch mohair (Fabric is Knoll). Sculptural chair professionally re upholstered
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Bilancia pesa persona Wunder
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persona prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 in perfetto stato Meccanica restaurata Pesata 120 Kg divisioni 500g
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Sideboards by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard - Italian Collectible Design - Dark Wood Cabinets Set of three modular cabinets/sideboard, designed by Gianni Moscatelli for Italian furniture brand For...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Buffet bas en bois et éléments rotin
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Buffet en bois en état moyen car le bois est piqué par des vers et doit être traité.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

bufet portes coulissantes en bois vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Meuble de rangement en bois contre plaqué et en état moyen. Le bois est taché et rayé. Il est vermoulé.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fir

Oil on Canvas by Armilde Dupont, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Oil on Canvas by Armilde Dupont, Belgium
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Buffet bar en bois vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Meuble de rangement bar en bois contre plaqué et en état moyen. Le bois est taché et rayé. Il est vermoulé.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pine

Commode en bois style vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Meuble de rangement en bois en état moyen car le bois est piqué par des vers et doit être traité.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Lino Sabattini Modernist glass carafe, circa 1970
Located in PAU, FR
Lino Sabattini Modernist glass carafe, circa 1970, sculptural silver metal handle. In a perfect state Height 19.5 cm Width 20 cm
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Fantastic Murano Glass Tube Chandelier - 36 pink glass tube
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Italian vintage chandelier in Murano glass and nickel-plated metal structure. The armor polished nickel supports 36 large pink glass tubes in a star shape. Period: late XX century Di...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Danish Vintage Bureau Bookcase by Johannes Sorth
Located in London, GB
An absolutely stunning Danish vintage bureau bookcase by Johannes Sorth. This was made in Denmark, it is stamped and dated from 1972. The quality is outstanding, this has incredibly...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Meuble de rangement en bois
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Meuble de rangement en bois en état moyen car le bois est piqué par des vers et doit être traité.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Teak & Cane Coffee Table
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 41.25” Dia x 19” H Description: A gorgeous vintage teak coffee table with a cane lower shelf. In great vintage condition. A few small...
Category

1970s Canadian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

Radius Hanging Lamp by Eric Balsev for Fog & Mørup Danmark 70's
Located in Berlin, DE
Dänische Deckenleuchte, die in den 1970er Jahren von Erik Balslev für Fog & Morup entworfen wurde. Der zweifarbige gebrannte orange und braune Lack verleiht jedem Raum einen Hauch vo...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid-Century purple glass valet tray
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century modern collectible glass - purple glass valet tray A timeless and attractive valet tray / bowl in glass. Shade of purple fading towards clear, looks like a "Sommerso" pi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Vintage Signed Print from the American Revolution Bicentennial
Located in London, GB
A fantastic vintage signed print from the American revolution bicentennial, dating from 1976. This is beautifully designed, clearly celebrating the USA’s achievements in space explo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

2 x Armchair (sz20) 1 x sofa (bz20) model Sandwich. Design by Claire Bataille
Located in WEERT, NL
2 x Armchair (sz20) 1 x sofa (bz20) model Sandwich. Design by Claire Bataille and Paul Ibens for 't Spectrum collection from 1973-1974. 2 x Fauteuil (sz20) 1 x sofa (bz20) model Sandwich. Ontwerp van Claire...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage foldable coffee table, chromed tubular metal and smoked glass
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage coffee table - Italian collectible cocktail table - foldable low table A vintage 1970s coffee/cocktail table with three tubular legs in chr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Vintage Windowsill Planters, Italian, Terracotta, Window Box Jardiniere
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of 4 vintage windowsill planters. An Italian, terracotta window box jardiniere, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Charmingly petite windowsill planters, ide...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Space Age Mushroom Table Lamp by Herda, Mid Century Modern
Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH
A cute classic mushroom table lamp by the Dutch brand Herda in white/beige colour. The classy white mushroom shade produces a nice and warm light. The lamp requires one E27 (standard...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Nerone & Patuzzi ‘C9 105 LP’ Marble lighting Sculpture for Forme e Superfici
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Rare 'C9 105 LP' marble light sculpture by Nerone & Patuzzi for Forme e Superfici, Italy 1970s. The lamp is crafted out of solid Carrara marble showing an artistic engraved graphic l...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Black leather sofa by Anna Gili for Mastrangelo Milan Furniture 1996
Located in WEERT, NL
Black leather sofa by Anna Gili for Mastrangelo Milan Furniture 1996 Wooden frame with H.R. expanded polyurethane. Turned feet in lackered beechwood
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Beech

Pair of Vintage Italian Brass and Marble Side Tables
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of vintage Italian brass and marble side tables, dating from the 1970’s. They are of outstanding quality, the solid bras frames are heavy and very well made. They ar...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Kinkeldey Wall Light Fixtures, Crystal Glass, 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
A pair of wall light fixtures by Kinkeldey, Germany, manufactured in the midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The wall light...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

1970s Swedish Large Pair Of Brass Table Lamps With Cone Shaped Shades
Located in London, GB
A stunning 1970’s very large pair of brass Swedish table lamps with conic lamp shades. The shape of the shades cast a really warm and beautiful diffuse ambient light. These structura...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

1970s Coffee Table With Natural Stone and Acrylic Top, Danish
Located in London, GB
Elegant vibrant rectangular coffee table attributed to Danish designer IB Kofod Larsen. The table is in great condition, the frame is made of chrome plate metal and the top has been ...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian Midcentury Vintage Wall Mirror with Brass Frame and Decor, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful and elegant vintage wall mirror with solid brass frame and new crystal glass. The brass frame of the mirror has a beautiful golden color and a circumferential decoration co...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Midcentury Sectional Travertine Marble Coffee Table of Four Pieces, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Important and beautiful vintage sectional coffee table made in Italy of thick Italian Travertine Marble during the 1970s. The complete table consists of four equal parts, which put t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Vase by Vivi Calissendorff, Sweden, 1970s, Apricot, Terra Cotta, Stonware, Tan
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase by Vivi Calissendorff, Sweden, 1970s Stamped. H: 13 cm Diameter: 9 cm
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Living Room Sets Gae Aulenti for Knoll 1970s Black Grey Italian Style
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Living Room Sets Gae Aulenti for Knoll 1970s Black Grey
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare Barovier Flower Ceiling Lamp, Murano Art Glass
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Fantastic and fabulous of vintage Barovier and Toso Murano Italy art glass ceiling light. The rare lamp is made of 24 mouth-blown hand-formed leaf-form clear glass panels plus a huge...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Pair of Vintage Pink Glass Petals Drop Wall Sconce
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Fantastic pair of vintage Murano wall sconce made by 10 pink glass petals (transparent crystal, smooth outside, with crystal powder and then rough inside) in a chrome frame. Period: ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

1970s Pair of Chrome and Glass Wall Lights by G. Sciolary, Italy
Located in London, GB
The Pair of Chrome and Glass Wall Lights designed by Gaetano Sciolari, crafted in Italy during the 1970s, is a testament to the enduring c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

1970s Substantial White, Grey, Black, Pink Marble Coffee Table, sculptural Base
Located in Basel, BS
Absolutely gorgeous marble coffee or cocktail table from the 1970s, in fantastic, virtually unused condition. Features incredibly stunning sculptural bases. The top comes off from t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Fantastic Glass Tube Chandelier - 36 Albaster Pink Glasses
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Italian vintage glass chandelier with alabaster pink glass tubes. The armor polished nickel supports 36 large glass tubes in a star shape. The alabaster technique created in Venetian...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Large Bronze Metal Table Lamp Arredoluce, Italy, 1970s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Impressing and large table / desk lamp in brushed aluminum with bronze effect dating back to the 70s. The gooseneck stem and the finish of the lampshade are reminiscent of the brass...
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Tubular Brass Cantilever Bar Stools, Set of 3
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage set of three Marcel Breuer Cesca style rattan and brass bar stools with arms. The mid-century modern design features a tubular brass finish metal frame, rattan back with lo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Woman with Cannon in Bronze By Spero Anargyros
By Spero Anargyros
Located in San Francisco, CA
Classic female form beautifully rendered in Bronze atop a marble base signed and dated 1970 What's a fearless muse without a trusty cannon? This one gleams like old gold as it rests...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Elegant Murano Poliedri ceiling light - Carlo Scarpa - smoked glasses
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Elegant Italian ceiling light made from 84 beautiful Murano smoked glasses "poliedri". Structure in gold and brass colored metal. Period: late xx century Dimensions: 17,70 inches (45...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

1970s Oversize Highly Decorative Urn/planter by Tommaso Barbi, Italian
Located in London, GB
Tommaso Barbi's signature style, characterized by a harmonious fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics, is palpable in every curve and contour of this excepti...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Abstract black ceramic cubist sculpture, 1970s
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Abstract cubistic ceramic sculpture, The Netherlands 1970s. The sculpture is made out of heavy chamotte clay with a beautiful black glazed finish. Interesting composition out of seve...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Danish Teak & Leather Magazine Rack By Aksel Kjersgaard for Salin Møbler
Located in Toronto, CA
Sublime vintage Danish teak magazine rack. Leather & suede lined pouch. Beautiful texture play between the construction materials. Functional & a great statement piece.
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Suede, Teak

Danish Henning Kjærnulf attr. Long Sideboard of Solid Oak with 4 Doors 1970s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Long sideboard attr. to designer Henning Kjærnulf and most likely manufactured by the Danish company Nyrup Møbelfabrik/ EG Furniture, Denmark in the 1970s. The country style sideboard...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

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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