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Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

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
Color:  White
White Oak, Brass and Glass Barcart
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood constructed barcart with hand-cut joinery, tempered glass panels, and fine metal accents. Handmade in Los Angeles, California. Shown in white oak. Wood type is availab...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

Willy Rizzo Italian Squared White Botticino Marble and Steel Coffee Table, 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Midcentury squared coffee table in white Botticino marble and steel bottles or objects holder. This outstanding item was designed in Italy during the 1970s in the style of Willy Rizz...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel, Steel

Midcentury White Plastic and Metal Chrome Italian Bar Cart Oval, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Very rare midcentury bar cart in white plastic and chromed metal. This piece is in very good condition, was designed in Italy during the 1950s. A wonderful piece that will complet...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bar Cart style Jansen Bamboo Brass
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bar Cart style Maison Jansen. Bamboo Brass Design. France 1950s Wooden plates and brass hand polished. Restored condition.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

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Willy Rizzo Extendable Coffee Table With Hidden Bar, Cidue, Italy 1970's
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Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
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Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
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H 26.78 in W 27.56 in D 17.33 in
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French Hollywood Regency Brass Bar Cart with Star Motif c. 1960s
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Mid-Century Modern French Maison Baguès Gilt Metal Faux Bamboo Bar Cart, 1960s
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Italian Mid-Century Modern Brass Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
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Hollywood Regency Wood Inlaid Bar Cart
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Hollywood Regency Wood Inlaid Bar Cart
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H 21.5 in W 31.5 in D 19 in
Willy Rizzo Coffee Table for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist 1970's white coffee table with chrome corners design by famed Italian designer Willy Rizzo. Made for the Mario Sabot label. Pure and clean example of Italian minimalistic d...
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Midcentury Bar Cart Tiles and Wrought Iron, Vallauris France, 1950s
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Midcentury bar cart tiles and wrought iron. Vallauris France, 1950s. Hand-painted tiles! Signed. Perfect vintage condition.  
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Willy Rizzo “Checkerboard” Table, Italy, 1970
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare “checkerboard” coffee table designed by Willy Rizzo, manufactured in Italy around 1970. This wonderful piece is made of high quality black laminated wood with bright alumin...
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Previously Available Items
Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo Bar Cart with White Lacquered Levels, 1970s
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Italian Mid-Century Modern White Serving Cart in Enameled Metal, 1960s
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Midcentury White Formica and Aluminium Italian Serving Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Marvellous anodized aluminium serving bar cart with two removable trays. This wonderful item was produced in Italy during the 1950s. An amazing midcentury piece that features ...
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Mid-Century French Brass Faux Bamboo Maison Baguès Bar Cart
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Mid Century Modern Two-Tiered Brass & Glass Oval Bar/ Serving Cart/ Trolley
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Hollywood Regency Brass and Glass Service Bar Cart
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Mid-century Modern carts and bar carts for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern carts and bar carts 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 carts and bar carts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern carts and bar carts 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 carts and bar carts, popular names associated with this style include Cesare Lacca, Aldo Tura, Cassina, and Sergio Rodrigues. 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. Prices for carts and bar carts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $110 and tops out at $50,000 while the average work can sell for $1,948.

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