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.
4 Rare Hertha Baller Wall Hooks around 1950
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
4 beautiful and rare Hertha Baller wall hooks partly black painted and brass excellent original condition.
Brass
Painting in the shape of butterfly wings, Brazil, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Butterfly wing wall composition, Brazil, 1970s, a unique decorative piece blending nature and art. This piece features a spiraling circular composition made from real butterfly wings...
Wood, Animal Skin, Glass
3x Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
3x Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Vintage Ekco 15-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set, Chrome & Wood, Wall Rack
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A remarkable vintage American Ekco kitchen collection comprising 15 hanging utensils accompanied by their wall-mounted storage rack. Fourteen of the utensils feature warm wooden hand...
Chrome
Pair of Mario Lopez Torres Style Woven Rattan Monkey Wall Bracket Shelves
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mario Lopez Torres Style Woven Rattan Monkey Wall Bracket Shelves A highly decorative pair of sculptural monkey wall brackets or display shelves in the style associated with...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
$341 / set
6 Wall Hooks, Italy, Around 1970s
Located in Wien, Au
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
Vintage School Dinner Bell, English, Brass, Playground Ringer, Mid Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage school dinner bell. An English, brass and mahogany mounted playground ringer, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Endearing schoolyard charm to this qualit...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Six Asymetric Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Six Asymetric Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s Original condition Price and selling per piece.
Brass
$70Sale Price / item|25% Off
10 Hooks by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
10 hooks by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s Original condition Price and sell per piece.
Brass
$350 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Brass, Nickel
Wall Hooks 'Bakelite and Brass', Vienna, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Wall hooks 'Bakelite and Brass', Vienna, circa 1950s Black and pink.
Brass
$400 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Brass
Fourteen Asymmetric Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Fourteen asymmetric brass wall hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
Ten Asymmetric Modernist Brass Hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Ten asymmetric modernist brass hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
$240 / item
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, 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
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 Los Angeles, 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
$380 / item
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Pair of Leather Camel Head Coat Hooks, Italy, 1960s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Rare pair of 1960s Italian camel head coat hooks. Handcrafted from rich brown leather with detailed stitching, expressive faces, curved necks, and lifelike features. Each mounts secu...
Leather
$350 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5261 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5261 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Pr...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4982 polished brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Brass
$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
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, Au
7 aluminum wall hooks black and gold lacquered vienna around 1960s Original condition.
Aluminum
Set of four Vintage Italy Design Coat Hooks in Red Metal and Brass, 1960s
Located in Lisse, NL
A decorative set of four vintage Italian wall coat hooks, circa 1960s–1970s, executed in bright red lacquered metal with gold-toned decorative accents. The set consists of three sho...
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Wall Hook Attributed to Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass chrome-plated coat, hat hooks, elegant shape and perfect quality made in Austria probably by Hagenauer in the early 1950s. Original condition.
Brass, Chrome
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
4x Austrian wall hooks by Herta Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
4x Austrian wall hooks by Herta Baller, 1950s Original condition
Brass
Brass Wall Hooks, circa 1950s by Hertha Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Original condition Priced and sold per piece.
Brass
Wardrobe, Vienna, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Wardrobe, Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
5x Austrian wall hooks by Hertha Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
5x Austrian wall hooks by Hertha Baller, 1950s Original condition
Brass
Brass Wall Coat Hooks Attributed to Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass coat, hat hooks, elegant shape and perfect quality. Designed probably by Oswald Haerdtl and made in Austria in the early 1950s. Original condition. Up to five available, pric...
Brass
$400 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4994 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4994 polished brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Brass
$565 / set
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Italian Designer, Coat Rack, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan coat rack designed and produced in Italy, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.25"H x 11.0"W x 7.0"D All items ship from ...
Bamboo, Rattan
9x Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass wall hooks 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
9x Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass wall hooks 1950s Original condition
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Gilt Metal Tole Rose Flower Key Hanger Wall Hook, Italy Vintage, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This charming Italian toleware wall hook features an elegant blooming rose surrounded by gilt leaves and winding branches, all finished in a warm, softly aged gold tone. Handcrafted ...
Metal
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
Three Wall Coat Hooks and Cloth Hanger Sets Lucite and Brass, 1970s German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Lot of three coat hooks and cloth hanger, 1970s German. Nice addition to your room, entry hall or just for your collection of design items. Made of brass and Lucite. They are in used...
Brass
8 hooks by herta baller vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
8 hooks by herta baller vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Wall Hook in Nickel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Wall Hook in Nickel Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austri...
Nickel
$565 / set
Elegant Brass wall hooks around 1950s
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
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
4 Wall Hooks Vienna, 1970s ( priced and sold per piece )
Located in Wien, Au
4 Wall Hooks Vienna, 1970s ( priced and sold per piece ) Original condition
Metal
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4330 Hook in Nickel
Located in Los Angeles, 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
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
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
$282 / set
3x Brass Wall Hooks around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
3x Brass Wall Hooks around 1950s 3 are available Original condition.
Brass
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
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$70Sale Price / item|25% Off
Six Austrian Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Six Austrian brass wall hooks by Hertha Baller Original condition Priced and sold per piece.
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass wall hooks 1950s (priced and sold per piece)
Located in Wien, Au
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass wall hooks around 1950s Original condition (priced and sold per piece) (per one hook) We have also the small carl auböck hooks
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
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5261 Hook in Nickel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #5261 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
Wood Panel Hand Carved, Wall Decoration, France 1960 Signed Bérthelémé
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wood Panel Hand Carved, Wall Decoration, France 1960 Signed Bérthelémé
Wood
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
$188Sale Price / item|27% Off
Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Three Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s. 3 are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
$1,056Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Very Heavy Textured Glass & Metal Cow Horn Mid-Century Modern Wall Hooks
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Lot of two 1970s wall hooks made of very heavy textured glass, with metal Cow Horn style attachments. Nice addition to your room, entry hall or man cav...
Metal