Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used 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 influence 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.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture 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
Modernist West German Ceramic Wall Plate Object by Helmut Schäffenacker, 1960s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Ceramic wall plate
Decade:
1960s
Producer:
Atelier Schäffenacker, Ulm Germany
Design:
Helmut Schäffenacker
This original vintage ceramic wal...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Salvador Teran Glass and Brass Mosaic Tray from Los Castillo, Taxco
By Taxco, Salvador Teran
Located in New York, NY
A splendid Salvador Teran (1920-1974) glass and brass mosaic tray from Los Castillo, Taxco, Mexico. The tray may be wall mounted and has a ring on the underside. The tray is special ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Wang Yuan Chinese Bamboo Framed Art
Located in Countryside, IL
Wang Yuan Chinese bamboo framed art - Set of 2
Each piece measures: 10 wide x 1 deep x 31 inches high
Excellent vintage condition
We take our photos in a controlled lighting...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Bamboo, Paper
Diaz Costa Ceramic Hand Painted Artwork, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceramic Hand Painted Artwork of a fish by Catalan artist Diaz Costa, circa 1960.
Framed.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiul p...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Mid-Century Judith Daner Style Enamel on Copper Tiles Horses & Warriors
By Judith Daner
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of mid-century enamel on copper tiles, depicting Picasso or African style tribal warriors with horses and shields. The three tiles per plaque, float on a white background framed...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Bas Relief by Patrick Dacla Séailles, from "Leda" Work 1925, Wall Sculptures
Located in Lyon, FR
Amazing and rare bas relief by Patrick Dacla Seailles from Spéranza Calo-Sailles / Alfred Janniot "Leda" work.
Signed and dated.
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Concrete
Slouching Toward Truro by Jacqueline Cotter
Located in Chicago, IL
A vibrant oil on canvas work by artist Jacqueline Cotter (1921 -2018) titled' ‘Slouching Toward Truro'.’ In this piece we observe mixed media applied to the canvas, swaths of yellow,...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Sailing Clipper Oil on Canvas Painting Signed Ronald Davies
Located in Montreal, QC
Oil on canvas painting depicting a four mast sailing clipper; signed lower right: R DAVIES. Marked on reverse: Copy Right Reserved # 01211 RONALD DAVIES 4908 Sherbrooke St West Montr...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Wall rug
Decade:
1970s
Origin:
Germany
Producer:
Schloss Hackhausen, Germany
Design:
Ewald Kröner
This rug is a great example of 1970...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Cotton
World Relief Map
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large world relief map.
Measures: Width 232 cm.
Height 158 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Wall rug
Decade:
1970s
Origin:
Germany
Producer:
Schloss Hackhausen, Germany
Design:
Ewald Kröner
This rug is a great example of 1970...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Cotton
French Green Majolica Oyster Plate Proceram, circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French green Majolica oyster plate signed Proceram, circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Colorful Chalk Pastel Abstract by Oscar Murillo '1940-2017'
Located in Chicago, IL
A colorful chalk pastel abstract work by Mexican American artist, Oscar Murillo featuring poetic movement in an attractive red, periwinkle and colonial blue.
Artists stamp to ver...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Original Peter Keil Framed Acrylic and Pen on Paper
By Peter Keil
Located in Wichita, KS
This painting is from signed artist Peter Keil and come framed in a black wood frame and new matte. These pieces are unusual and rare. I have another the same size that has pink and ...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint, Paper
Vintage Bull and Matador Wall Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unusual material wall art featuring a bull and matador.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Panel in Precious Wood Inlays 1950 Luigi Scremin
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Panel in precious wood inlays 1950 Luigi Scremin. Rare piece. Signed.
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Orange Ceramic Profile Portrait
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century modern orange glass ceramic profile portrait of a young Dutch woman.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Erte Art Deco Giclée Print
Located in Countryside, IL
Erte Art Deco Giclée print
This print measures: 31.5 wide x 1.5 deep x 38.75 high
We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detail as possible. We do n...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paper
Diaz Costa Ceramic Hand Painted Artwork, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceramic hand painted artwork of a fish by Catalan artist Diaz Costa, circa 1960.
Framed. Signed.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a be...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Gorgeous Pair of Curtis Jere Wall Art
By Curtis Jere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Curtis Jere metal sculpted wall art, these abstract items would make a great addition to any home or office. Featured with the pair is a certification of authenticity.
Ple...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Diaz Costa Ceramic Hand Painted Artwork, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceramic hand painted artwork of a fish design by Catalan artist Diaz Costa, circa 1960.
Framed. Signed.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preservi...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Angelo Brotto Untitled, 1972
Located in New York, NY
This dynamic and sophisticated wall sculpture was designed and hand blown in Murano, Italy by the esteemed atelier of Angelo Brotto in 1972. It features an abundance of protuberant c...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ceramic Tile Multicolored Sail Ship with Flowers 1960
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage ceramic tile motif multicolored sail ship framed with flowers 1960s, Spain.
A stunning ceramic tile with a multicolored motif sail ship framed with flower...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Pottery
Laverne Etched Bronze Wall Plaque "Tower of Babel"
Located in North Hollywood, CA
LaVerne etched bronze wall plaque "Tower of Babel"
There is a dent on the bottom of left side which is not very noticeable when on the wall.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
Mid Century Impressionist Style Landscape Painting
Located in Winter Park, FL
Impressionist style landscape by John Dana Bashian (American 1897-1975). Oil on canvas. Nice composition and vivid color with thick impasto technique. Signed and dated 1947 verso.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Salvador Dali Midcentury Art Exhibition Poster, 1975
Located in Miami, FL
Original midcentury art exhibition poster of Salvador Dali’s work. This poster shows the master's interesting depiction of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers.
Exhibit was held in...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Large "Adam and Eve" Wall Sculpture by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Unique "Adam and Eve" wall sculpture in patinated bronze and pewter with hand-applied enamel by Philip and Kelvin Laverne, American 1960's (signed “Philip and Kelvin LaVerne” on fron...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Mid Century Design Ceramic Wall Tile Decoration, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1960s
- Good original condition
- Marked
jr.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Engraving by the French Painter André Derain, Dated 1951
By André Derain
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving by the French painter André Derain (1880-1954).
Engraved by Derain at the request of Ambroise Vollard.
Circa 1950.
Image dimensions : 29,5 x 24,5 cm
Frame dimensions ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Italian Decorative Mirror with Gold Brass and Shaped Mirror
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century Ialiano decorative mirror with gold brass and shaped mirror.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Large Mid Century Painting Portrait of a Young Woman c1960 Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Trensacq, FR
Large mid century painting Portrait of a Young Woman c1960 Acrylic on canvas.
Thought to be modelled on the Iconic French singer-songwriter Françoise Hardy, contemporary of Serge ...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
1950s Ray Eames Sea Things Schiffer Pattern Gold Aqua Melamine Waverly Tray
By Ray Eames
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Large plastic cocktail tray. Gold pattern faded and worn. No cracks.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Plastic
Ceramic Wall Relief by Clyde Burt
By Clyde Burt
Located in Highland, IN
A terrific wall piece by ceramic artist Clyde Burt (1922-1981). This work was inspired by Jeanne-Paule Marie, better known as Sœur Sourire, "The Singing Nun" who was internationally ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
American Mid-Century Gold World Map Plaque
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century oval shaped metal wall plaque map of the world with gold continents in relief against a black grid.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal, Gold
Elegant Wall Vase by Barovier & Toso, 1950, Italy
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stylish wall vase made of Barovier & Toso glass from Italy. Beautiful Italian design with processed gold leaf in the glass.
In very good vintage condition.
Dimensions: Depth: 3...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Advertising Wood Carved Relief Beefeater Advertising
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage advertising wood carved relief beefeater advertising.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Majolica Palissy Crab Wall Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica wall platter attributed to Vallauris, circa 1950.
A large crab in high relief on the center surrounded by seaweeds, one fish, shells and a slice of lemon.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Ben Abril, Impressionist Portrait Painting of Nixon's Poodle Vicky, 1960s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very fetching untitled 1960s oil on canvas Impressionist portrait painting of what we believe might be former President Richard Nixon’s French poodle, Vicky, by important mid-centu...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Linen, Paint, Wood
Round Gio Ponti Franco Pozzi Gallarate Decorative Plate Blue Orange, 1960
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Gio Ponti Franco Pozzi Gallarate decorative plate blue orange, 1960.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Signed and Numbered Watercoloured Etching by Salvador Dalì
Located in Roma, IT
Salvador Dali (1904-1969)
Original watercoloured etching
Signed in pencil
Numbered /1000
La Divina Commedia 15 - Hell Song 29 nr 1067
I falsari, 1960
Every item of our Gallery, up...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Set of Three Majolica Trompe L'oeil Seafood Decorative Plates / Wall Decoration
Located in Barcelona, ES
Trompe L'Oeil wall decoration / decorative wall plates, majolica, ceramic, Portugal, 1940s-1950s
A colorful wall composition comprised by three Majolica glazed ceramic wall plates w...
Category
20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Original Peter Keil Framed Acrylic and Pen on Paper
By Peter Keil
Located in Wichita, KS
This painting is from signed artist Peter Keil and come framed in a black wood frame and new matte. These pieces are unusual and rare. I have another the same size that has green and...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint, Paper
Elie Grekoff Tapestry’s Zodiac Lion Proof of Authenticity by d' AUBUSSON Paris
By Elie Grekoff
Located in Miami, FL
Superb tapestry from the Zodiacal series of Elie Grekoff.
This one is figuring the lion.
Proof of Authenticity on reverse, manufactured by d' AUBUSSON.
Exemplar 19 / 100 Robert FOUR...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Cotton, Wool
White Resin and Plaster Face Wall Sculpture, 60's
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage 1960s newly white painted resin and plaster of Paris face wall sculpture is from a company in Chicago. It is marked on the back. It makes an interesting decorative art w...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Resin, Plaster, Lacquer
Cocteau Jean Limoges Porcelain Plate, Signed
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cocteau Jean (1889-1963) Limoges Porcelain plate, signed and numbered 54/250.
the background color is slightly pinkish.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
5-Foot Oleski Mid-Century Copper Enamel Tile Cityscape Teak Framed Wall Art
By Judith Daner
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Hands-down, the most impressive Mid-Century Modern enameled tile art we’ve seen. Brilliant orange, red, and yellow buildings contrast against the white background. The image is an as...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Enamel
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
Wall rug
Decade:
1970s
Origin:
Germany
Producer:
Schloss Hackhausen, Germany
Design:
Ewald Kröner
Description:
This rug is a gre...
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Cotton
20th Century Gold Italian Vintage Metal Oval Glass Wall Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage Mid-Century modern Italian gold full size oval mirror with a metal frame decorated with alluring details, original mirror glass in good condition. Wear consistent wit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Czech Vintage School Abacus, 1950s, Restored
Located in Wien, AT
Made in the 1950s in the Czech Republic. The piece has been completely restored.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Grappe Et Ficelle by Robert Antoine, Paris 1975
Located in Chicago, IL
An oil painting on canvas by French artist Robert Antoine (1932-2006) featuring grapes suspended with rope against a vibrant blue background. This piece is framed in a gold wood fram...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint, Canvas, Velvet
M. Staar “Saint-Tropez Vu de la Citadelle”, Impressionist Oil Painting, 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely 1970s untitled impressionist oil painting on canvas of Saint-Tropez, France, as seen from the town’s historic Citadel, a hilltop fortress built in 1602 that affords one pano...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Canvas, Paint
Abstract Framed Artwork by Attilio Ferracin, Italy 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid century painting on canvas by Italian artist Attilio Ferracin (1912-1999) featuring deep hues of green, blue and red in an abstract design. This piece is presented in a white w...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Amphora Ceramic Mother and Child Wall Plaque, Belgium, Elie Van Damme, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful creation in ceramic of Madonna and Child by Elie Van Damme for Amphora Ceramics situated in Sint-Andreis outside Bruges, Belgium. Rogier Vandeweghe,b. 1923 Bruges, Belgium,...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Clay, Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Modern African Tapestry
By Marguerite Stephens, Betty Cilliers-Barnard
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century tapestry designed by Betty Cilliers-Barnard (1914-2010) and handwoven by Marquerite Stephens in Johannesburg, South Africa. Entitled "African Multiplication" and woven i...
Category
20th Century South African Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Tapestry, Wool
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Abstract Wall Panel in Aluminum and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro, wall panel, wood, aluminum, Italy, 1970s
Abstract wall panel in aluminum by Italian designer Lorenzo Burchiellaro. Burchiellaro is known for his metal designs ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
D Puertas Abstract Expressionist Painting in Red Blue and Yellow
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Masterfully rich abstract expressionist painting by D. Puertas, 2006. Bold strokes create a heavily layered and dynamic composition. The gestural strokes capture an explosive energy ...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Glass and Stone Mosaic Abstract Wall Art Sculpture, by Han van Hattem 1964
Located in Den Haag, NL
Glass and Stone Mosaic abstract wall art sculpture, The Netherlands 1964, The Hague, By Han van Hattem
Dated and Signed 1964.
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stone
Danish Abstract Composition in Enamel on Metal by Knud Horup, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish abstract composition in enamel on metal by Knud Horup 1950s
Large and expressive composition by Danish artist Knud Ejnar Horup (1926-1973). Superb texture and color.
Black ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Enamel
