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.
Six Asymetric Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Six Asymetric Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s Original condition Price and selling per piece.
Brass
$345 / set
6 Wall Hooks, Italy, Around 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
6 Wall hooks Italy around 1970s Original condition the bigger one´s : Hight: 15cm Wide: 9cm Depth: 9cm smaller one´s: Hight: 6cm Wide: 9cm Depth: 5cm.
Metal
3x Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
3x Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Fourteen Asymmetric Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Fourteen asymmetric brass wall hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
10 Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
10 Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s Orignal condition
Brass
Ten Asymmetric Modernist Brass Hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Ten asymmetric modernist brass hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
$380 / item
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by We...
Brass
$300 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or p...
Brass
Set of 5 Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, Polished
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of five #4994 wall hooks by Carl Auböck.
Brass
7 Aluminum Wall Hooks Black and Gold Lacquered Vienna Around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
7 aluminum wall hooks black and gold lacquered vienna around 1960s Original condition.
Aluminum
Austrian Midcentury Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass coat, hat hooks, elegant shape and perfect quality by Hertha Baller from the 1950s.
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4330 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330 Hook in Nickel Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Nickel
$240 / item
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Produc...
Brass
$107 / item
9 Asymetric Wall Hooks Vienna Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
9 asymetric wall hooks vienna around 1950s Price and sold per piece.
Brass
$440 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Nickel-Plated Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Nickel-Plated Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in nickel-plated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, A...
Brass, Nickel
$12,826 / item
Leather Saddle Wine Rack Wall Display by Amuneal
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This Leather Saddle Wine Rack Wall Display by Amuneal is the perfect solution for displaying a wine collection in a Modern style with a small footprint. A series of custom bronze machined hardware components make spacing and overall height flexible. Each machined mount holds a leather-wrapped bronze saddle...
Brass, Steel
4 Wall Hooks Vienna, 1970s ( priced and sold per piece )
Located in Wien, AT
4 Wall Hooks Vienna, 1970s ( priced and sold per piece ) Original condition
Metal
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Giltwood Brackets Shelves
Located in Pearland, TX
A stylish pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian giltwood brackets or shelves. Faintly impressed "Made In Italy" mark on reverse. Sleek Art Deco style geometric design in a lovel...
Giltwood
Pair of Austrian Midcentury Wall Hooks by Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass with hardwood ball coat, hat hooks, elegant shape and perfect quality made in Austria by Hagenauer in the early 1950s. Original condition.
Brass
Arthur Umanoff for Raymor Red Wrought Iron Wall Sconce Candelabra 30"
By Arthur Umanoff, Raymor
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern red enameled wrought iron wall sconce / candelabrum designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor circa 1950. It features five arms, each adorned with a candle holder and...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$360 / item
Rare Walnut Wall Hook by Hagenauer Wien
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare handmade walnut wood hook, made by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien in the 1950s Excellent original condition.
Walnut
5 Asymetric Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s ( price per piece )
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
5 Asymetric Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s ( price per piece ) Original condition
Brass
$238Sale Price / set|37% Off
Four Hooks, Vienna around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Four Hooks Vienna around 1960s original condition
Aluminum
Vintage Wardrobe Vienna, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Vintage wardrobe Vienna, circa 1960s Brass and plastic Original condition.
Brass
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.
Brass
$71Sale Price / item|25% Off
Six Austrian Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Six Austrian brass wall hooks by Hertha Baller Original condition Priced and sold per piece.
Brass
Set of Three Wall Coat Hooks, Lucite and Brass, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of three wall hooks, made in the 1960s. They are made of Brass and lucite. Wear of use, lovely patina, some use-lanes but this is old-age. Found at an Estate Sale in Modena, It...
Metal
$595 / set
5 Hooks by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
5 Hooks by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s Original condition
Brass
4 Wall Hooks Vienna, 1970s ( priced and sold per piece )
Located in Wien, AT
4 Wall Hooks Vienna, 1970s ( priced and sold per piece ) Original condition
Metal
$1,132 / set
Charming Auböck Wall Hooks, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Original condition Price is for all together.
Brass, Nickel
3x aluminium and lucite wall hooks vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
3x aluminium and lucite wall hooks vienna around 1950s Original condition
Aluminum
$190Sale Price / item|27% Off
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.
Brass
Wicker Rattan & Wrought Iron Coatrack Shelf, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
A combination shelf and coat rack, wicker wrapped wrought iron.
Wrought Iron
3x small brass hooks vienna around 1950s ( attr. Hagenauer )
Located in Wien, AT
3x small brass hooks vienna around 1950s ( attr. Hagenauer ) Original condition
Brass
$360Sale Price / set|37% Off
Sunburst Brutalist Mid-Century Modern Lot Four Wall Hook Vereinigte Werkstätten
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Lot of four 1970s wall coat or clothes hooks in Sunburst motif by Vereinigte Werkstätten. Nice addition to your room, entry hall or just for your collection of design items. Made of ...
Brass
Italian Designer, Coat Hangers, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of coat hangers with shelves designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 8.0"H x 12.7...
Brass
Italian Pair of Feather Giltwood Wall Brackets, Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Pair of wall brackets. Made in Italy as indicated on the back of the top shelf. Giltwood with carved feather plume motif and a sculpted bow at the bottom, in the Style of Maison Jansen. These 3 feather wall brackets inspired by the Prince of Wales Feathers. Stéphane Boudin...
Giltwood, Plaster
$238 / set
2 hooks around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
2 hooks around 1950s Original condition
Brass
$572 / set
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Italian Designer, Coat Rack, Brass, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and black-lacquered metal coat rack designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass and metal Loss of black paint present to metal Wear consistent wit...
Metal, Brass
8 Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
8 Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s Original condition
Brass
6x Austrian wall hooks by Hertha Baller, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
6x Austrian wall hooks by Hertha Baller, 1950s Original condition
Brass
4x Austrian wall hooks by Hertha Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
4x Austrian wall hooks by Hertha Baller, 1950s Original condition
Brass
$572 / set
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Metal Tole Rose Flower Key Hanger Wall Decoration, Italy Vintage, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful metal key hanger wall decoration in florentine style. Made in Italy, about 1980s. Made of metal. In very good used condition. Very charming piece. Nice addition to your r...
Metal
8 hooks by herta baller vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
8 hooks by herta baller vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austri...
Brass
Pair of Austrian Midcentury Aluminum Wall Hooks
Located in Vienna, AT
Aluminum coat, hat hooks, elegant shape and perfect quality made in Austria in the early 1950s. Original condition.
Brass, Chrome
5 Aluminium Wall Hooks Vienna Around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
5 aluminium wall hooks vienna around 1960s Original condition.
Aluminum
Italian Designer, Coat Hangers, Aluminum, Italy, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of aluminum coat hangers designed and produced in Italy, c. 1930s. Oxidation present to aluminum Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 4.0"H x 5.5"W...
Aluminum
$1,195 / set
13 Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
13 Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Aluminium Wardrobe Vienna Around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Aluminum wardrobe vienna around 1960s Original condition.
Aluminum
$380 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. P...
Brass
$798 / set
6x wall hooks vienna around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
6x wall hooks vienna around 1960s Original condition
Brass
Hooks by herta baller vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bigger hooks: H: 15cm W: 2cm D: 10cm Smaler Hooks: H: 7,5cm W: 1,5cm D: 5,5cm Original condition The price is for all together.
Brass
Italian Designer, Coat Hanger, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered metal and brass coat hanger designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass and metal Loss of black paint present to metal Wear consistent w...
Brass
5 Wall hooks on wood vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
5 Wall hooks on wood vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass