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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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
Guillerme et Chambron rare oak Bar Cart, Votre Maison circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron rare oak Bar Cart, Votre Maison circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Smoked Glass, Oak

Mastercraft 1960s Rolling Bar Cart with Mirrored Glass Bottle Holder
Located in Westport, CT
Mastercraft all original mirrored brass and glass bar rolling cart, mirrored glass gilt trim, with bottle compartment.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

Design Institute of America Style Two Level Bar Cart
Located in New York, NY
A great two level bar cart in brass and glass in the style of the Design Institute of America. Easy rolling on sealed ball bearing wheels.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Serving Trolley by Poul Hundevad for Bernstorffsminde Møbelfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Serving Trolley by Poul Hundevad for Bernstorffsminde Møbelfabrik from the 1960s. Solid teak frame with two shelves in teak veneer and metal castors. The upper shelf can be used as a...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Teak

Elegant French Bar Cart with Mesh Framework in Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cart, white lacquered iron, France, 1970s This delicate bar trolley shows similarities with the designs by Mathieu Matégot for Artimeta. The open framework, in combination with ...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Cart with Still Life - Italy
Located in Girona, Girona
Original bar cart, stained walnut with French polish, removable tray on top with an original still life covered with a thick glass, Italy, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Italian Magazine Rack by Cesare Lacca
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful Italian magazine cart features the unique sculptural Italian design of Cesare Lacca and makes a stunning addition to any interior. Perfect rolling side table with glas...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Elegant Vintage Modern Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique Mid-Century Modern coffee table features a brass coated base, triangle glass with rounded edges. Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Iron

Elegant Vintage Modern Coffee Table
Elegant Vintage Modern Coffee Table
$1,610 Sale Price
30% Off
Italian Mid-Century Modern Pair of Black and Brown-Olive Green Bar Tables, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of black and brown-olive green bar tables, 1950s. Pair of bar tables with round brown-olive green painted metal top...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Modern Pair of Black and Acid Green Metal Bar Tables, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of black and acid green metal bar tables, 1950s. Pair of bar tables with round acid green painted metal top and bla...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Bar 1950
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Amaizing bar Materials: wood and glass Style: Art Deco If you want to live in the golden years, this is the bar that your project needs. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Glass

Bar 1950
Bar 1950
$8,000
Vintage French Lucite and Gold Plated Drinks Trolley
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage French Lucite and gold plated drinks trolley, dating from the 1970’s. The design is very similar to models by Pierre Vandel that we have ha...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Plate, Steel

Perforated Metal Bar Cart, Mathieu Mategot Style, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Perforated metal bar cart, Mathieu Mathegot style, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

French Gilt-Bronze Bar Cart with Gold Églomisé Tops attr. to Bagues
Located in Pembroke, MA
A highly-decorative and very rare French gilt-bronze bar cart with a gold églomisé tops. The bronze frame is in the form of palm leaves, and sun flowers adorn the sides where the sup...
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Mid-Century Cart by Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rolling bar cart with two drawers and bottom liquor shelf. Laminate top used for liquids. Location: Brooklyn NY.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Cart by Martinsville
Mid-Century Cart by Martinsville
$1,050 Sale Price
30% Off
Italian Mid-Century Modern Pair of Black and Purple Plum Metal Bar Tables, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of black and purple plum metal bar tables, 1950s. Pair of bar tables with round purple plum painted metal top and bl...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Modern Set of Three Black and Grey-Blue Bar Tables, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern set of three black and grey-blue bar tables, 1950s Set of three bar tables with round blue painted metal top and black meta...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Harvey Probber Dry Bar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rolling cart for entertaining designed by Harvey Probber. Mahogany wood frame with milk glass top. Please confirm location.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Mid-Century Modern Pair of Coffee Tables by Alias, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern pair of ??coffee tables by Alias, 1980s. Pair of coffee tables with two tops in white painted wood and metal structure painted in red and blue. Can be use...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

Maison Baguès, Gilded Metal and walnut Troley with Bamboo Decor, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Maison Baguès, gilded metal and walnut Troley with Bamboo Decor, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Serving Table That Can Serve as a Multimedia Table 'TV, Hi-Fi' in Bamboo, 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Serving table that can serve as a multimedia table (tv, hi-fi) in bamboo, circa 1960.
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Bamboo

Trolley Bar in Bamboo and Rattan, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Trolley bar in bamboo and rattan, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Rattan

Round Chrome Mid-Century Modern Bauhaus Glass Top Serving Cart on Wheels Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round Chrome Mid-Century Modern Bauhaus Glass Top Serving Expanding Convertible Cart on Wheels MINT!
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Chrome

Trolley Bar in bamboo and Rattan, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Trolley Bar in bamboo and rattan , circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Rattan

Trolley or Bar Cart in Lacquered Wrought Iron, Trays in Black Opaline 'Marbrite'
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Trolley or rolling bar cart in lacquered wrought iron, trays in black opaline (marbrite) circa 1950 small chip on the edge of the lower plate, not visible when the plate is placed.
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Trolley by Cesare Lacca for Cassina, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Trolley by Cesare Lacca for Cassina, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Trolley, Glass and Metal, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Trolley, glass and metal, 1970s.  
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Folding Hardwood Brass 1950s Drinks Trolley with Removable Trays
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this Mid-Century Modern brass and Rosewood finish drinks trolley circa 1950s with twin removable tray tops and folding body A good looking well ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rosewood, Brass and Lacquered Metal Trolley, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rosewood, brass and lacquered metal trolley, circa 1960.
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Glass and Polished Brass circa 1950's Drinks Trolley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this Mid-Century Modern brass and smoked glass drinks trolley circa 1950's. A good looking well made ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gubi Beetle Bar Chair by GamFratesi Upholstered by Kvadrat
Located in Basildon, London
The Gubi Beetle Bar Chair by GamFratesi, upholstered by Kvadrat, is a sophisticated blend of Scandinavian elegance and contemporary design. The chair's sle...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

Geraldo De Barrors Rolling Cart, Unilabor, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rolling cart designed by Geraldo de Barros (1933-1998) and produced by Unilabor (1954-1961) in São Paulo (Brazil). The cart is made of solid “caviuna” wood and white Formica. Really ...
Category

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

Materials

Formica, Hardwood

Vintage Mid Century Modern Chinese Ebonised Drinks Serving Trolley Bamboo Frame
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very fine, circa 1950’s Mid Century Modern Bamboo and glass Chinese drinks trolley A good looking well made and decorat...
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Glass

Vintage italian serving trolley by Cesare Lacca, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Fifties serving trolley or bar cart by Cesare Lacca. Fantastically crafted organic and elegant italian design. Removable serving tray. Good condition. 1950s - Italy Di...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bar Cart with Bamboo Newspaper Stand and Bottle Holder, 1950s
Located in Budapest, Budapest
This serving trolley from the 1950s made of metal coated in brass, with a unique design that includes bamboo cane braces. The trolley features two shelves made of black glass and is ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Osvaldo Borsani Rectangular C7 Cart in Steel for Tecno Varedo Italy 1960s
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Rectangular cart model C7 with a black painted steel rod frame, removable shelves in a light brown steel sheet designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Varedo, 1960s Literature: P. Bosoni, Osvaldo Borsani. Architect, designer, entrepreneur, Skira, Milan 2018, p. 596 In 1953, he founded the Tecno company, specialized in technology and innovation which was the best way to him to produce his own creations. The D70 sofa bed...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Steel, Sheet Metal

Trolley by Martin Eisler
Located in London, England
Trolley by Martin Eisler
Category

20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Hardwood

Trolley by Martin Eisler
Trolley by Martin Eisler
Price Upon Request
Trolley by Tapeçaria Schulz
Located in London, England
Trolley by Tapeçaria Schulz
Category

20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Hardwood

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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