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Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

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
Mid-Century Modern Standing Desk Serving Table Bar Cart by Ico Parisi
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous serving table with shelf below (20 x 9.75) which can be now used as a standing desk. Great design with brass inlay and sleek styling on wheels. Very well crafted. In origina...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Foldable Teak Bar Trolley
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish 1960 teak foldable bar trolley made in Germany. The two round trays can be used as serving trays. The trolley is in great vintage condition. ...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Iron

Pair of Tray Tables Designed by Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of tray tables designed by Jens Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s. Solid teak. Measurements: W: 62 cm / 2' 3/4" L: 62 cm / 2' 3/4" H: 46 cm / 1' 6 1/2"
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Foldable Teak & Oak Tray Table by Bendt Winge for Aase, Norway, 1960
By AASE Dreieri Ganddal
Located in Esbjerg, DK
'Tixi' - rare foldable teak, oak and brass tray designed by Bendt Winge in the 1950s and manufactured from circa 1960 by Aase Dreieri in Norway. The features foldable legs that via a...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Morex Midcentury Three Levels Brass and Smoked Glass Italian Bar Cart, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Exceptional midcentury brass and smoked glass bar cart on three levels. This three-level service cart was produced by Morex in Italy during 1970s. The elegance of this wonderful p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Jansen Style Brass Tray Table
Located in East Hampton, NY
This all brass tray table and folding base in the style of Jansen from the 1970s was found in Italy. Great entertaining table or as a side table, easy to store if not needed. This it...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Ico Parisi, De Baggis, Magazine Rack, 1956, Italy
Located in Munich, DE
Ico & Luisa Parisi (1916 - 1996) Very nice side table / magazine rack made out of solid birch wood , glas and brass details. The top is a removable Tray. Produced by De Baggis in...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Tray Table
Located in Søborg, DK
Elegant and beautiful vintage teak folding tray table from the 1960s.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Hand Carved Alabaster Leaf Tray
Located in Miami, FL
Hand carved leaf tray made of Alabaster, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Alabaster

Solid Brass Tray with Engraved Decorations of Flowers Plants and Birds Italian
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Solid brass tray with engraved decorations of flowers plants and birds Italian, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Two Trays Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca, Italy 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Two trays bar cart by Cesare Lacca, Italy 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Italian Faux Bamboo Folding Coffee Table with Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Folding coffee table and stand in faux brass bamboo manufactured in the 1960s. This fantastic table is like we have never seen before.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Danish Lunch Board in Solid Teak by Johannes Aasbjerg
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual solid teak, sculptural lunch board by Johannes Aasbjerg, for Excellent Furniture, Denmark. Versatile design with hairpin style legs this version is 36.5" long.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

Fornasetti Tray Table
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Piero Fornasetti butlers tray and supporting metal base. Tray depicts the scene in a large theatre as viewed from the back of the stage, underside of tray with designers label applie...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Elegant Venetian Tray Midcentury Italian Design Gold Brass Crystal Engraved
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elegant Venetian tray midcentury Italian design gold brass crystal engraved, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass

Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Serving bar cart in wood and brass details composed of two removable glass trays by the Italian designer Cesare Lacca, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass, Metal

Set of Four Acrylic and Brass Serving Trays and Stand by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of four serving trays and stand designed by Charles Hollis Jones. The trays are executed in white acrylic and solid brass, these trays are one of the 20 pieces specifi...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Nesting Table Set Attributed to Design Pierre Cardin, Brass Smoked Glass, France
Located in Vienna, AT
An obvious example of French 1970s glamour period providing elegance and style. Practical at first sight, quite sophisticated at second glance it offers fine detailing paired with a ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Side Table by George Tanier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic raised edge table by George Tanier, imported from Denmark. Featuring a floating top, lower shelf, sculpted oak legs.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

Trolley Table Made In Mahogany, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This Danish-designed trolley table from the 1960s combines sleek design with practical functionality. Crafted from rich mahogany, it exudes warmth and sophistication, adding a touch ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Italian Willy Rizzo Faux Tortoisshell Cross Leg Tray Table
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Beautiful midcentury tortoiseshell tray table produced in Italy during the 1970s. The design for this Italian piece of serveware is attributed to Wi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Italian Trolley, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Trolley, 1950s
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

1970s Modern Italian Chrome, Brass and Glass Tray Table
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and clean in design, this 1970s Italian rectangle table has a removable tray top. The frame is chrome with brass accent. The bottom shelf is fixed with a glass insert. The to...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Contemporary Side table in Wood and Brass Side Table
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This side table, made of wood and brass, uses Brazilian contemporary style and is a delicate piece of art work. The base is brass and the table itself has a Brazilian Imbuia wooden v...
Category

2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Catch All Tray Table Rattan
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A large and unusual midcentury, circa 1950s catch all table. The rattan top, painted white, is removable.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Rattan

Large Antique Italian Silver Square Tray, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful large square tray in silver and glass made in Italy in the first half of the 1950s. The tray has a glass base that rests on the silver base, the structure is very particul...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Silver

Italian Trolley, circa 1950
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian trolley, circa 1950 in teak, brass and iron.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Midcentury Solid Brass Tray Carved in the Shape of Leaf Italy 1950 Signed RANA
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury solid brass tray carved in the shape of leaf Italy 1950 signed RANA.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Tray Table "Tempo Group" by Tony Paul
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare and unusual Mid-Century Modern double cocktail tray table "Tempo Group" by Tony Paul, have never seen one of these in person, only in catalogu...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Iron

Campaign Style Foldable Bar or Tray
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic Campaign style portable folding bar with a hip acid washed finish. Featuring Industrial style rivets around the top, polished nickel leg supports and brown leather straps.  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

1960s Bar Cart, MB Italia , Tray Double Face Mahogany Attributed to Ico Parisi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant exceptional 1960s trolley bar cart, by MB Italia, in gilt brass encapsulated with black resin, with two removable trays in golden metal and double fa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

Folding Tray Fratelli Reguitti Bed Rectangular Laminated Wood, 1950s , Italian
Located in Rome, IT
Folding midcentury tray table Fratelli Reguitti bed rectangular laminated wood, 1950, Italian design.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Plastic, Laminate, Wood, Beech

Poul Hundevad Trolley in Rosewood by Poul Hundevad & Co in Denmark
Located in Grenoble, FR
Rare rosewood trolley designed by Poul Hundevad. Produced by Poul Hundevad & Co Vamdrup in Denmark.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Tray Solid Brass Hammered Italian Design with Handles, 1970 Gold Italian Design
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Tray solid brass hammered Italian design with handles 1970 gold Italian design. Signed.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Wood and Brass Midcentury Side Table, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Italian wood and brass midcentury side table, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Walnut & Teak Sputnik Tripod Tray, Side Table by Severin Hansen, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Very rare side or tray table designed by the Danish Architect Severin Hansen in 1956. It features a walnut construction with the characteristic brass rings and is loosely fitted with...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Mogens Lassen 'Egyptian' Table
Located in Pawtucket, RI
"The Egyptian Table" designed by Mogens Lassen and manufactured by A. J. Iversen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s. Circular tray table top mounted with b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

Folding and Adjustable Bed Tray, Laminated Wood, Fratelli Reguitti, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Folding and adjustable bed tray. In laminated wood of the Reguitti Brothers. This tray is like new. Made in Italy in the 1950s Maximum open height 46 cm, height when closed 6.5 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Fredrik A. Kayser Teak Vatne Lenestolfrabikk Side Tray Table, Norway, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Solid teak side table with removable tray, Norway, 1950s circa. Made and marked by VATNE Lenestolfabrikk Norway, by the designer Fredrik A. Kays...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Wood, Teak

Rare Hand and Sandaled-Foot Butler's Stand Attributed to Maison Baguès
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unusual tray table, having a rectangular top of Lucite, on X-frame stand of steel and brass, joined by stretcher, four-cast hands hold the acrylic table ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Steel

Round Gold Tray Bar Solid Brass Engraved Cane Motif Italian Design Plate
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round gold tray bar solid brass engraved cane motif Italian design plate.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Hexagonal Plate in Solid Brass Gold Italian Design 1970 Tray
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Hexagonal plate in solid brass gold Italian design 1970 tray, elegant piece.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Bamboo Tray Table
Located in Antwerp, BE
Bamboo tray table. The dimensions of the tray are 23.22 inch (59 cm) - 13.77 inch (35 cm) The dimensions of the top are 29.1 inch (74 cm) - 15.7 inch (40 cm).
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Curved Bamboo Portable Bar Italian Design 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury curved bamboo portable bar Italian Design 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Bamboo

Renato Forti Bar Cart / Work Unit, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Rare designer Renato Forti bar cart/work unit, Italy, 1950s Renato Forti is most known for his Lighting design collaborations with Giuseppe Ostuni for Oluce...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Solid Brass Sculptural Italian Design Gold Flowers Engraved 1970 Minimal Design
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Solid brass sculptural Italian design gold flowers engraved 1970 minimal design.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful folding rolling bar cart by Drexel, designed by John van Koert circa 1957. This piece is made of Italian walnut and retains its original finish. I love the removable solid...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Walnut

Lacquered Wooden Tray Courrèges Style, circa 1970
By Courrèges
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
lacquered wooden tray Courrèges style, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Charles Hollis Jones Clear Lucite and Brass Serving Trays
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing set of folding trays and stand designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1960s and also manufactured in the 1960s. This fantastic set of trays is like we have never seen befor...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Modern Rosewood Nesting Tables by Bramin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of three elegant vintage nesting tables features rich Mid-Century rosewood finish, tall tapered legs, and stylish lines. Manufactured by Bramin in Denmark, circa 1960s, this...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Set of Four Acrylic and Brass Serving Trays with Stand by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of four serving trays and stand designed by Charles Hollis Jones. The trays are executed in white Acrylic and solid brass, these trays are one of the 20 pieces specific...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Great Side Tray Table, USA, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
The table was not build to carry a heavy item such as a lamp, cup of coffee and a book is a better idea.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Set of Four Lucite & Polished Nickel Serving Trays & Stand, Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of four clear Lucite serving trays and stand designed by Charles Hollis Jones for Lucille Ball and part of the "Ball" Line. The tables and stand are in very good origi...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Nickel

1940s Large Mirror and Nickel Bronze Table Centre-Tray
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Unusually large mirror and nickel bronze table centre-tray, 1940s. France.  
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Mirror

1970s Modern Italian Chrome, Brass and Glass Tray Table
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and clean in design, this 1970s Italian rectangle table has a removable tray top. The frame is chrome with brass accent. The bottom shelf is fixed with a glass insert. The to...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

In the Style of Mathieu Mategot Serving Cart with Removable Tray
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Original three wheels trolley with two levels including a removable tray with brass setting. Three dedicated spots for bottles. In the style of Mathieu Mategot in white perforated e...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Svend Langkilde Tray Table in Rosewood by Illums Bolighus in Denmark
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Svend Langkilde butlers tray table in rosewood and brass produced by Illums Bolighus in Denmark. The tray is removable from the base.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Attributed to Ico Parisi, Wood and Blue-Toned Glass Trolley, Italy, 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ico Parisi (attributed to), wood and blue-toned glass trolley, Italy, 1950. Removable tray on the top.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid-century Modern tray tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern tray tables 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 tray tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern tray tables 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 tray tables, popular names associated with this style include Charles Hollis Jones, Piero Fornasetti, Aldo Tura, and Jens Quistgaard. 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 tray tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $160 and tops out at $12,500 while the average work can sell for $1,450.

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