Modern Furniture
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Period: 1950s
Sycomore Sofa Convertible in a Bed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A sycomore sofa could be convert in a queen bed.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Sycamore
Digamma by Ignazio Gardella, Gavina, Set of 2 with 2 Pouf
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Designed by Ignazio Gardella in 1957, the Digamma armchair is a comfortable chair rooted in the tradition of late Italian modernism.
Its rational structure features two geometric sec...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rattan shelf
Located in Lugo, IT
Rattan shelf
Good condition.
Thanks
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Rattan
After Marc Chagall, Vence Cite des Arts et des Fleurs, 1954
Located in Holmfirth, GB
VENCE CITE DES ARTS ET DES FLEURS (EDITION WITHOUT TEXT - "FETES DE PAQUES")
An poster after Marc Chagall, printed by Mourlot Paris. This copy is from the edition without text, pri...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Dali Photograph by Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979)
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Title: Dali Clockface
Date: 1953; Printed in 1981 as part of the ten-piece Dali Portfolio...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
1955 T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb 3307 Coffee Table in Sherry Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1955 T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb #3307 Coffee Table. This is a stunning example of Robsjohn-Gibbings' work and one that is so representative of Wi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Guido Gambone Ceramic Lamp, Italy, 1955
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental 19-inch ceramic table lamp with a geometric yellow and white design. This impressive lamp is signed "Gambone, Italy". Guido Gambone (1909 to 1969) was known for expressi...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Waylande Gregory "Madonna and Child" Ceramic Lamps
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylized "Madonna and Child" ceramic lamps.
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Mid-Century Modern Decorative Pot in Solid Wood in the Form of an Olive
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Mid-Century Modern decorative pot in solid wood in the form of an olive with metal base.
Measures: 72cm tall x 35cm wide.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
1950s Pair Knoll Leather Butterfly Chairs Jorge Ferrari Hardoy Bonet and Kurchan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous pair of C. 1950 vintage cognac leather Butterfly chairs, designed by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy, Antonio Bonet, and Juan Kurchan for Knoll. This is a vintage ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Arthur Siegel Cement Mixer 1953, Abstract Dye Transfer Print, Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning lifetime signed dye transfer print by Arthur Siegel. Although color photography was available to the public in the late 1930s, most respected "p...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Tubular Lounge Chairs and Ottoman in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of armchairs and ottoman in steel and leather, Europe, 1950s.
Modern pair of tubular armchairs and matching ottoman. These chairs are made of bent tubular steel with black sadd...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
Leather Stitched Side Table by Jacques Adnet, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Side table with stitched leather legs and wooden table top.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Italian Glass Murano Table Lamp by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Milan, Italy
Glass table lamp designed by Flavio Poli and produced by Seguso, 1950s.
Biography
Designer, businessman, ceramic artist. Born in Chioggia, he attended the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
1950s Alvar and Aino Aalto for Artek Tea Trolley 901 in Birch with Ceramic Tile
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original ‘Tea Trolley 901’ Serving Cart, designed in 1936 by Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek. The piece was manufactured in Finland circa 1950s. The strong frame is made fr...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch, Rubber
1950s Pair of Jens Risom Designs Inc Walnut & Laminate End / Side Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a rare pair of Jens Risom Designs Inc walnut & tan laminate end/side tables. These tables are marked and original examples. They were designed by Jens Risom and pr...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
1950s Florence Knoll Brazilian Rosewood Double Six Drawer Dresser w/ Marble Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Double Dresser, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1958. This example dates to the late 1950s and features a rich Brazilian Rosewood Veneer. The wooden c...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Venini, Murano Glass Bowl/Small Vase Acid Signed 'Venini, Murano, Italia' 3 Line
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful small bowl in ruby red glass by Venini. Signed in acid 3 lines, several designers worked at the studio at same time in the 40-70" could be any, for sure made for Venini as ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Cabinet Series Three-Door Cabinet Bar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Door Basic Cabinet Series bar in walnut, initially designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular piece was produced ca.1950. Three cabinet door...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Hans Wegner Drop Leaf Desk AT-305 for Andreas Tuck, 1955
Located in Savannah, GA
A Hans Wegner drop leaf desk or table, model AT-305 for Andreas Tuck, 1955.
The top with custom finish for an artist in a thick white water-resistant poly coating (perfect for kitch...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Santiago de Compostela Traditional Memorabilia Figure
Located in Barcelona, ES
Santiago de Compostela memorabilia metallic figure. Made Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1950s Alvar & Aino Aalto for Artek Children's Coffee Table w/ Top, Model 81B
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a child’s table (or can be used as a coffee table), model 81B, designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek in 1933. It was manufactured in Finland circa 1950s. The piece is ...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch
1950s Set of 4 Hans Wegner for Fritz Hansen FH4103 Stacking Heart Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a fine set of four FH4103 Stackable ‘Heart’ Tripod Dining Chairs, initially designed by Hans Wegner in 1952. These particular examples were manufactured by Fritz Hansen i...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak, Teak
A Pair of 2 MID-CENTURY-MODERN Chairs, in the style of RENE GABRIEL, France 1950
By Rene Gabriel
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of sturdy Modernist, Bauhaus, Constructivist, and Reconstructionist dining chairs, featuring rigorous square-section structures in solid oak, with rounded reinforcements and s...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Modernist Mahogany and Laminate Desk, Italy, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Unique looking desk, composed of bold, broad shapes.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Mahogany
A Lunel wall lamp
By Maison Lunel
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rare large sconce Maison Lunel
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian Mid Century Sideboard Honey Color in Birch Wood, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
orgeous Italian Mid-Century sideboard made of elegant birch wood that gives the piece a warm and welcoming honey color. This exquisite piece features a refined design with a softly c...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Small Picture Frame Squared for round portrait Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square frame for round photo in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, English style, early 1900s. External cm. 6 x 6 internal diameter cm. ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series (BSC) Credenza
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a credenza / dresser, originally designed by George Nelson in 1946 as part of the Basic Cabinet Series. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the 1950s. Th...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Teve Chair by Alf Svensson
By Alf Svensson
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Alf Svensson Scandinavian low chair named teve chairs translates as TV chair designed in 1953 for watching television. Manufactured by Studio Ljungs Industrier AB Malmö during the 19...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
A Sapphire Blue Vase by Per Lütken for Holmegaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
A sapphire blue mouth-blown vases for Holmegaard glass and each signed on the bottom. Very good condition all around, with no chips or scratches. Engraved with the year, 1955, and Ho...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
1950s Mosaic Tile Top Table
Located in Stamford, CT
Black and white mosaic tile top low table with musical notes and banjo design. Metal perimeter, black painted wood legs with metal feet.
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
1951 Set of 4 Bauhaus W199 Arm Chairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an outstanding set of 4 W199 Birch Armchairs, designed by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet in 1951. They were produced in Austria in the early 1950s and the listed ...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch
Italian Mid Century Fontana Arte Glass Pocket Emptier, signed FX, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Beautiful glass pocket emptier Attr. Max Ingrand produced in Italy around the 50s/60s by Fontana Arte.
Signed 'FX'.
In Very good vintage condition.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Framed Street Photograph by Vivian Maier Editioned with Provenance
By Vivian Maier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A framed black and white street photograph by Vivian Maier (American, 1926-2009), untitled and undated (circa 1950s), This is a gelatin silver print print...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Jean lurcat coffee table for Saint Vincens
By Jean Lurçat
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie table par Jean Lurcat, Saint Vincens, vers 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Iron
Arredoluce Midcentury Colored Metal and Brass Italian Floor Lamp, 1950s
By Arredoluce
Located in Rome, IT
Three lights floor lamp, probably by Arredoluce, circa 1950
Perfect condition
Lacquered and colored metal and brass
Measures: Height 180cm x 45 cm (cup), base diameter cm 30.
Category
1950s Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Ebonized X Leg Dining Table / Desk 7230-X
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare George nelson X leg dining table / desk, produced by Herman Miller. This example is the model number 7230-X ta...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Abstract Expressionism Painting
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An exceptional abstract expressionism painting signed PAULET circa 1950
Poliakoff school.
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paint
C. 1958 Gordon Bunshaft of SOM / Alcoa / GF Studios Italic Credenza / Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a custom Italic Cabinet, designed by Alcoa / Reynolds / GF Studios for Gordon Bunshaft and SOM's Reynolds Metals Headquarters in Richmond, VA. The design is largely seen as a...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel, Aluminum
Leather and Metal Stool, France, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Two Available; Priced individually.
Beautifully patinated oxblood leather stools with blackened metal hairpin legs.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Plaster Church Traditional Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster wall artwork of a church. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller BCS Walnut Three Drawer Cabinet (no bench)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with four drawers, Model 4606, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. T...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Don Wallace for Lauffer Design 2 Stainless Steel Set of 42
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Don Wallance for Lauffer designed 2 stainless flatware sets of 42. One of the most popular mid-century patterns, Lauffer Design 2 retains the crown for beautiful design, functionalit...
Category
1950s German Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
1957 Arne Jacobsen Fritz Hansen of Denmark Sofa Model 3300/4 4-Seat Sofa Knoll
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Model 3300/4 sofa, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen of Denmark. This examples was produced circa 1957. While it is more common to see the single-seater...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Turquoise ceramic table lamp by Accolay, France c.1955
Located in Holmfirth, GB
A turquoise ceramic table lamp by Accolay. Stamped to the underside.
France, late 1950s. Excellent condition, rewired in braided black cable, PAT rested and supplied with an off whi...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Lantern in Steel and Yellow and Green Glass, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large tubular lantern made of three gilt metal rings which delimit three colored glass scales ranks: two green ranks framing a yellow one. The lantern is close below by a circular op...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Lucien Clergue - Nude of the sea
By Lucien
Located in PAU, FR
Lucien Clergue
Nu de la mer, 1958
Numbered out of 20.
Signed and numbered on the back.
Clergue workshop stamp.
Dimensions 59.5 x 49.4 cm
Framing Frame with museum glass Dimensi...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Wooden Traditional Figure in a Niche of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious signed plaster figure of a virgin in a wooden niche. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wea...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ana Eva Bergman - G 2-1953 Deux Formes Noires Ou Deux Univers
Located in PAU, FR
Rare engraving by Ana Eva Bergman, named G 2-1953 Two black forms or two universes Intaglio print in color on Arches vellum paper, Roger Lacourriere workshop. Edition 13/15 This capt...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
alvar aalto pendant lamp A335A by Valaistustyö
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar aalto design A335A by Valaistustyö.
50's orijinal condition.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Ceramic vide-poche by Georges Jouve, France, 1950's
Located in Paris, FR
Blue ceramic vide-poche by Georges Jouve, signed
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
12 Venetian Goblets w/ White Cane Twist Stems & Gold Inclusions
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A lovely set of 12 hand blown tall and elegant wine goblets. The bowl and foot are embellished with gold leaf and the tall stems are composed of white twisted canes which are a subtl...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Studio Made French Hand-Painted Porcelain Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Studio made sage green porcelain table lamp with hand-painted blue flowers, on a gilded base, French, 1950s.
Measures: Shade diameter: 14 inches.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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 seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Rug & Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. 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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