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.
Danish Mid-Century Wall Mounted Teak Console or Entryway Table, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small wall unit for your entrance way area or beneath a mirror as a practical shelf with small two drawers and one center compartment. It is made from Teak, featuring two dove-tail d...
Teak
1950s Mid-Century Italian Brass Console Table with White Marble Top
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern in baroque neoclassical design wall console table. The beautiful gilt brass decorated structure and long legs with its white...
Marble, Brass
Argentine Designer, Console Table, Wood, Argentina, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted wood console table designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1970s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Patina and wear such as bu...
Wood
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Scattered scuffs and minor abrasions to the ...
Wood
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Italy, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1930s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Light surface scratches to the Wood, consist...
Wood
Mid Century Italian Fully Restored Ebonised Console Cabinet With Reeded Doors
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this console cabinet or credenza dates from the late 1940s / early 1950s. Set on four tapered legs, the cabinet has three hinged doors opening to storage. The middle ...
Hardwood, Mahogany
José Zanine Caldas Rare Console in Brazilian Hardwood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
José Zanine Caldas, hand-carved console, Brazilian hardwood, Brazil, 1980s This beautifully sculpted console was made during a time in which Caldas abandoned the rigid design aesthe...
Hardwood
Argentine Designer, Console Table, Metal, Brass, Marble, Argentina, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted black-lacquered metal, brass and marble console table designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1960s. Paint residue present Wear consistent with age and use. Overall D...
Marble, Metal, Brass
1950s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Marble Italian Console Table
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This exquisite 1950s Mid-Century Modern console table is a masterclass in Italian-inspired elegance and slender proportions. The piece features a beautifully figured marble top with ...
Marble
Antique Italian Carved Wood Wall Console Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian antique console side table. Standing on four beautifully carved wooden legs with beveled framed top and central drawer. This console has an extremely...
Wood
Argentine Designer, Console Table, Brass, Marble, Argentina, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted black-lacquered brass and marble console table designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.5"H x ...
Marble, Brass
Console Table with Two Drawers, Zebrawood, Black
Located in Miami, FL
Console Table with Two Drawers, solid Zebra wood and veneer. Front drawers and back are black lacquered. Ready for new home.
Formica, Zebra Wood, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)
Argentine Designer, Console Table, Iron, Marble, Argentina, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted and gold-painted iron and marble console table designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 36.5"H x...
Marble, Iron
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Light surface scratches to the Woo...
Brass
Walnut console table two drawers in mid-century modern style, entryway table
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Walnut console table in mid century style with two drawers, four tapered legs, brass handle and brass feets. Console made of solid American walnut wood and wood covered with natural ...
Brass
Display Console Sereno No59, Contemporary Wooden Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Display Console Sereno No59, Contemporary Wooden Design by Joel Escalona — Sereno Collection Design by Joel Escalona for NONO When practicality becomes art, the result is the Seren...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Mid-Century Italian Wood Inlay Glass Top Wall Console Desk Vanity Dressing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian Mid-Century Modern design console side table ideal as small desk as well as vanity dressing table coupled with a mirror. Standing on six typically sh...
Brass
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 35.8"H x 57.3"W x 14.5"D All items ship from High Poi...
Wood
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Marble, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted gilded wood and marble console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 17.0"H x 35.5"W x 15.0"...
Marble
Carlo Enrico Rava, Console Table, Walnut, Mahogany, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted walnut, mahogany brass and glass console table designed and produced by Carlo Enrico Rava, Italy, 1940s. Custom made for a client commission. Arredamenti di Rava, Gö...
Brass
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted black-lacquered wood console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s. Minor imperfections from normal use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.0"H x 55.25"W x 14....
Wood
Pierluigi Colli, Console Table, Metal, Marble, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A gold-painted metal and marble console table designed by Pierluigi Colli and produced by Colli, Italy, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29....
Marble, Metal
$4,092Sale Price|20% Off
Consolle Rettangolare in Noce e cristallo Paolo Buffa Design Mid-century
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elegant Console table made of Intrecciato walnut wood band with thick shelf made of Nile Green crystal , given the design and beauty we keep appropriate that it was designed by the f...
Crystal
Mastercraft Etched Bronze Burlwood Console or Writing Desk 6 Ft
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A stylish Mid-Century Modern bronze, brass and burl walnut console table or writing desk designed by Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The piece features a str...
Brass, Bronze
Bench Table Sereno No61, White Oak Piece by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Bench Table Sereno No61, Minimalist Wooden Piece by Joel Escalona — Sereno Collection Design by Joel Escalona for NONO When practicality becomes art, the result is the Sereno Colle...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lane "Rythym" Low Coffee/Console table
Located in Wilmington, DE
A handsome Mid-Century Modern low-profile walnut console featuring warm wood tones, clean architectural lines, and versatile storage. The long rectangular case is fitted with sliding...
Wood
French Designer, Console Table, Iron, Marble, France, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted wrought iron and marble console table designed and produced in France, c. 1940s. Dramatic patina to metal frame. Chip to marble edge as illustrated. Wear consisten...
Marble, Iron
Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Burgundy - M
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Julieta Collection. Console Table with High Gloss Top, Brass Tape Framed, Black Powder Coating Conical Legs with Brass End Introducing the stunning console table with black powder...
Brass
Wall Mounted Console attributed to Fontana Arte, 1955
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
A wall-mounted console attributed to Fontana Arte. The curved glass shelf and painted wooden shelf supported by a sculptural brass bracket. Fontana Arte’s post-war designs often e...
Brass
1950s Italian Ebonised Wood & Slate Console attrib. Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
An elegant and striking 1950s Italian ebonised wood and slate wall mounted console. The demi-lune top with crisply carved frieze, inset with slate, supported by distinctive lyre-for...
Slate
Brass Wall-Mounted Console Table with Pink Glass Top, Italy, 1940s
Located in Naples, IT
An elegant Italian wall-mounted console table from the 1940s, crafted from solid brass with a pink glass top, embodying the unique and luxurious style characteristic of Italian desig...
Brass
Small walnut console table in mid-century modern style, entryway table
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Walnut console table in mid century style with one drawer, four tapered legs, brass handle and brass feets. Console made of solid American walnut wood and wood covered with natural A...
Brass
Decorative Console Table, Sideboard Made of Solid Walnut Wood, Narrow Console
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Console made of solid walnut wood stained with a water-based dye and finished with matt polyurethane. —— NONO is a Mexican design brand with more than 10 years of experience dedicat...
Wood, Walnut
Late 20th-C. Organic Modern Exotic Kingwood Console Table - Pair Available
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a striking organic modern exotic kingwood console table with clean lines. There are two available. It has a nicely carved cross stretcher and sloping legs. They are unmarked ...
Kingwood
French Riviera Étagère or Console Table in Bamboo and Rattan, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning French Riviera style etagere or console table entirely made of bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This incredibly stylish and unique piece was designed by Vivai del Sud ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Roque Reymundo E Hijos, Console Table, Brass, Marble Argentina, 1971
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted brass and marble console table produced by Roque Reymundo e Hijos, Rosario, Argentina, dated 1971. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 36....
Marble, Brass
Large & Stylish Minimalist Coffee Table w. Stunning Black Slate Top & Iron Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Great looking. sleek design, long and practical, rectangular coffee table. This beautiful quality and lengthy coffee table is made of natural materials only and you could not wish f...
Slate, Wrought Iron
Giacometti Style, Console Table, Forged Metal, Glass, USA, 1970s
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Stamford, CT
Giacometti Style, American Mid-Century Modern, Console Table, Forged Metal, Glass, USA, 1970s A sculptural console table designed and produced in the United States during the 1970s....
Metal
Oak console table two drawers in mid-century modern style, entryway table
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Oak console table in mid century style with two drawers, four tapered legs, brass handle and brass feets. Console made of solid oak wood and wood covered with natural oak veneer. Per...
Brass
Charlotte Perriand Wood Forme Libre Console Doron Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
A functional and, at the same time, architectural object in true Charlotte Perriand style. A design console envisioned to fit in different areas of the home: from the entrance and ha...
Wood
Small oak console table in mid-century modern style, entryway table
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Oak console table in mid century style with one drawer, four tapered legs, brass handle and brass feets. Console made of solid oak wood and wood covered with natural oak veneer. Perf...
Brass
Library Table in the Style of Ico Parisi's Model AI 1009, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
Library table with a distinctive tapering base featuring characteristic sculptural supports, a rectangular top, and an inverted V-shaped cut-out in the center of the apron. The table...
Wood
$3,924Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Handcrafted Rattan Console Table with Brass Accents
Located in Oxford, GB
Handcrafted Organic Rattan Console Table with Intricate Leaf Motifs & Patinated Brass Accents Elevate your space with this exquisite, one-of-a-kind wall-mounted console table. M...
Brass
Brazilian Designer, Console Table, Rosewood, Brass, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood console table designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 34.75"H x 47.25"W x 12.25"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Brass
Rosewood Entry Table with Two Drawers Danish Mid-Century Modern 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This minimalist hallway console table features a long rectilinear top flanked by slightly raised side lip borders. Two smooth pull-out storage drawers extend horizontally across the ...
Rosewood
1950s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Marble Italian Console Table
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A 1950s mid-century modern with Neoclassical influences brass and onyx marble Italian console tables represents a unique and luxurious style characteristic of mid-20th century Italia...
Marble, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wall Console Table by Pier Luigi Colli, Circa 1940
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A single, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian wall console table made of hand crafted gilded metal designed by Pier Luigi Colli, in good condition. The detailed demi-lune table is mou...
Metal
Superstudio Console Table Wood and Glass Zanotta, Italy, circa 1980
By Zanotta, Superstudio
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Superstudio console table wood and glass Zanotta, Italy, circa 1980. Dimensions are 17.71" x 57.02" x 32.67" (H). Minimalistic and large 57" console table made from wood and ...
Steel
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted wood console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 37.25"H x 54.3"W x 17.25"D All items sh...
Wood
Charlotte Perriand Wood Forme Libre Table Basse by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Soft, enveloping shapes characterise the design low table authored by Charlotte Perriand in 1959. A low version of the ‘en forme libre’ dining table...
Wood
Italian Brass Mirror and Console, 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
Italian brass mirror and console from the 1940-1950s. Very intricate design with elaborate brass decorations on the rim of the mirror ...
Brass
French Designer, Console Table, Elm, France, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
An elm console table likely designed and produced in France, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 34.75"H x 65.15"W x 14.15"D All items ship fr...
Elm
Mid Century Rattan Modern Faux Split Reed & Bamboo Console Table or Sofa Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An usual vintage console table from the 1970's. Geometric design in split bamboo clad. In the style of Danny Ho Fong.
Wood, Laminate
Englander & Bonta, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Argentina, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted wood and brass console table with gilt details produced by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, c. 1950s. From an interior commissioned by Englander & Bonta, Buenos ...
Brass
4-drawer console table/sideboard made of carved wood by Paolo Buffa, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
A 4-drawer console table/sideboard made of carved wood by Paolo Buffa, from the 1940s. A true sculptural masterpiece of craftsmanship and form, this console table features an elegan...
Brass
Mid-Century Marble Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning marble console table exudes class. It's made up of strong yet subtle lines with a streamlined top. Please confirm location with vendor (NY or NJ)
Marble
Italian Mid-Century Walnut & Brass Console Table with Glass Top
Located in Troy, MI
This refined Italian console balances warmth and modernism with its dark walnut frame, precision brass corner hardware, and inset glass top. A lower shelf with glass inserts and a sl...
Brass
Utö Library Table by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Rare and authentic Utö library table designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932. Wear consistent with age and use, including surface scratches, m...
Pine
Angelo Mangiarotti Italian Inca Pietra Serena Marble Console for Skipper 1978
Located in Chicago, IL
Angelo Mangiarotti vintage Pietra Serena console table, Angelo Mangiarotti, Skipper Italy, 1978. A development on the previous "Ero...
Marble
Lawson-Fenning Indoor-Outdoor Montrose Console, Modern Marble Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Montrose Console Table features a powder coated steel base with a minimal stone top. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade ...
Marble, Steel