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Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

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
Creator: Walter Bosse
Monkey Hook Wardrobe Hooks by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "monkey" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

3 Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
3 Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Swallow Birds Key Holder Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s The key is not included ( only for the photoshooting ).
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Wall Decoration "Horses" by Hertha Baller Vienna Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Wall decoration "horses" by hertha baller vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Four Asymmetric Modernist Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Four asymmetrical modernist brass wall hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s original state Price and sale per piece.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Monkey Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "monkey" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Herta Baller, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cock. Together they are the "town musicians of Bremen", from a fairy tale by the Grimm brothers. A very humoro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Rare "Bremen Town Musicians" Key Hanger by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful large key hook "Bremen Town Musicians" a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cock, made of ebonized brass, designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in t...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Rare Bear Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "bear" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.   
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying an elephant family. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying five elephants in different sizes. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Cow Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "cow" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition. Two pieces available.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying five elephants in different sizes. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Lion Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "lion" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition. Two pieces available.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Key Hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse key hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Five Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Five Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s Five are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Herta Baller, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cock. Together they are the "town musicians of Bremen", from a fairy tale by the Grimm brothers. A very humoro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Three Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s. 3 are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Rare Walter Bosse Hooks on Teak Wood
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse hooks on teak wood. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger of a Elephant Group Made by Hertha Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass key hanger of a elephant group made by Hertha Baller. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Key Hanger by Walter Bosse Herta Baller 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Very nice Key Hanger designed by Walter Bosse and executed by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s. The motif signs the figures of the "Town Musicians of Bremen" a donkey, a dog, a cat and ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

Two Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger of a Elephant Group Made by Hertha Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Two Walter Bosse brass key hanger of a elephant group made by Hertha Baller.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Sea God and Mermaid, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a sea god and a mermaid. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in good condition with nice patina. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Rare "Bremen Town Musicians" Key Hanger by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful large key hook "Bremen Town Musicians" a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cock, made of ebonized brass, designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in t...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Big Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Big Key holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Wall Hook Shows a Lion Rare Model
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse wall hook shows a lion rare model Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow Sculpture Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a funny looking cow. Very large. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Thermometer by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Thermometer by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Key holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer, 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Key Hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse key hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Woman in Biedermeier Dress Mural Brass Sculpture, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely midcentury mural, displaying a woman in a Biedermeier dress with umbrella in front of the Gloriette in Vienna, all made of brass. A beautif...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Key Hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse key hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Mermaid and Fish Wall Sculpture by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Mid-Century wall-mounted brass sculpture, displaying a mermaid and a fish on a frame, made of black-finished brass. Designed by Walter Bosse, manufactured in the 1950s by He...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Modernist Cart Wheel Brass Key Hanger, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century key holder/key board, in the shape of a cart wheel. A beautiful design by Walter Bosse, executed by Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern wall decorations 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 wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Curtis Jeré, Karl Blossfeldt, Herta Baller, and Josef Albers. 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 wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $16 and tops out at $406,322 while the average work can sell for $1,500.

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