1950s Round Swedish Modern Brass Mirror tray
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
Round 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Mirror tray in brass and glass with an oval filigree design. In good vintage condition with a nice shine to the brass and age appropriate wear to the ...
Brass
Sterling Silver Creamer, Sugar and Under-tray
By Manchester Silver Co. & S. S.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver cream and sugar set with matching underplate is a quietly confident piece of table silver—clean-lined, purposeful, and beautifully made, the way good silver has ...
Sterling Silver
Murano Glass Rope and Brass Mirrored Tray, Italy, 1950s
Located in Montréal, CA
A striking Italian mirrored tray composed of hand-blown Murano glass in a twisted rope form, encircling a rectangular mirror plate. The clear glass is animated by vivid red “X” filam...
Brass
Archimede Seguso Murano Pink Fuchsia Sommerso Art Glass Bowl / Ashtray
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand blown Murano glass Sommerso bowl / ashtray in pink color. Manufactured by Archimede Seguso for Seguso Factory, Italy, 1960s. Eye-catching pink fuchsia color. A highly decorative...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$1,438Sale Price / set|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Italian Rattan and Brass Trays, Hand-Crafted, 1970s
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of Italian Natural Fiber and Brass Trays, 1970s Large vintage trays handmade in Italy, circa 1970s. Woven natural fiber with brass trim. Well-suited as matching centerpieces ...
Brass
Brass Bar Cart with Big Wheels Glass Mirror Tray, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass bar cart with big wheels glass mirror tray, circa 1970 Elegant midcentury liquor or bar cart table from France in the tradition of Maison Bagues. It's in very good overall c...
Brass
Midcentury Cubic Chromed Steel, Wood and Glass Dry Bar, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Unique midcentury cubic dry bar in lacquered ash wood, mirrored steel and glass dry bar with hidden wheels. This gorgeous Willy Rizzo style dry bar was produced in Italy during the 1...
Steel, Metal, Chrome
1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Dry Bar Cabinet Liquor Cart Tray
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
The top is a removable tray. The Art Deco style, that preceded Hollywood Regency and thereafter Mid-Century Modern, is all about making a big statement and was considered very glam...
Brass
1950s Aldo Tura Lacquered Goatskin Brass Barware Set
By Aldo Tura, Macabo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Aldo Tura Lacquered Goatskin and Brass Barware Set Included four pieces of Macabo Cusano Aldo Tura Aldo Tura for Macabo Carafe Pitcher Thermos Aldo Tura Macabo Covered Dish Ald...
Brass
Vassoio Ovale in Ottone e Specchio Molato, Italia 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
Rare Centerpiece/Tray with beveled mirror and brass finish, Italy 1950s
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Tugas Dry Bar on Wheels in Mahogany, Pivoting Door - France
By Bar Tugas
Located in Girona, Girona
Dry bar "Tugas" on wheels, solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, french polish. Pivoting door with an ivory stained space with glass and mirror shelves. Removable tray on top, two smal...
Metal, Chrome
Small Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart & Magazine Rack by Cesare Lacca - Italy
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Girona, Girona
Small bar cart and magazine rack, stained solid mahogany, French polish. Removable tray, polished brass hardware and wheels. Design: Cesare Lacca Italy c. 1950.
Brass
Small Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart and Magazine Rack by Cesare Lacca - Italy
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Girona, Girona
Small bar cart and magazine rack, stained solid mahogany, French polish, original glasses and mirror. Removable tray, polished brass hardware and wheels. Design: Cesare Lacca Italy...
Brass
$30,400Sale Price|20% Off
Aldo Tura Dry Bar, Hand Painted Wood, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Aldo Tura
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Bar made of wood lined with parchment, hand painted and lacquered. Inside it has a mirror decoration, glass shelves and lighting. The top tray is glass with bronze details. Designs b...
Glass, Wood, Parchment Paper
French Brass Pendant with Octagonal Mirror + Opaline Glass Globe, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A French brass pendant sourced in Paris, dating to the late 1950s–early 1960s. An octagonal mirrored tray forms the centerpiece, holding a suspended opaline glass globe that diffuses...
Brass
Mid-Century Borraz Dry Bar in Solid Oak and Oak Veneer - France
By Borraz
Located in Girona, Girona
Borraz dry bar on wheels, solid oak and oak veneer, open pore finish. Pivoting door with an ivory stained space with glass and mirror shelves. Removable tray on top, two small ashtra...
Glass, Mirror, Oak
Max Ingrand Crystal Turquoise Bowl or Vanity Tray by Fontana Arte, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roma, IT
The perfect piece to enhance a Mid-Century Modern living room, an entryway, or a contemporary bedroom with a touch of luxury.
Crystal
Archimede Seguso Murano Blue Sommerso Glass Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand blown Murano glass Sommerso bowl / ashtray in blue color with a cased rim in dark blue glass. Design attributed to Archimede Seguso for Seguso Factory, Italy, 1960s. A highly de...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$773Sale Price|24% Off
Archimede Seguso Murano Purple Sommerso Art Glass Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand blown Murano glass Sommerso bowl / ashtray in purple color with a cased rim in pink/ blue glass. Design attributed to Archimede Seguso for Seguso Factory, Italy, 1960s. A highly...
Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
$1,450 / set
Five-Piece Custom Mirrored Lucite Planter Set
Located in Riverdale, NY
Interesting textured and mirrored Lucite suite composed of two table plant boxes, a pair of wall mounted planters, and a half table surround in the same material. These were custom ...
Brass
$781Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Fratelli Toso Murano Multi Color Murrine Millefiori Art Glass Bowl
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching midcentury millefiori flower mosaic hand blown Murano art glass round bowl by Fratelli Toso, Italy, 1950s. This lovely colorful bowl is made with the murrine glass techn...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Iluminated Make-up console - dressing table, Italy 1950s
By Luigi Brusotti
Located in Wolfurt, AT
1950s dressing table, attributed to Luigi Brusotti. Features a tilting mirror, main transparent glass tray, and lower frosted glass tray with dots patterns. E14 bulb to illuminate th...
Brass
Vintage Scandinavian ‘Bacchus’ Drinks Cabinet by Torbjorn Afdal
By Mellemstrands Trevareindustri, Torbjørn Afdal
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage Scandinavian ‘Bacchus’ drinks cabinet by Torbjorn Afdal. It was made in Norway by Mellemstrands Trevareindustri, it dates from around the 19...
Metal
c. 1956 Rare Handcrafted Brazilian Rosewood Bar Cabinet by Borge Mogensen
By P. Lauritsen & Son 1, Børge Mogensen
Located in Oakland, CA
Exquisite Scandinavian rosewood bar cabinet designed by Børge Mogensen and handcrafted by master cabinetmakers P. Lauritsen & Søn, Denmark c 1956. This rare, handcrafted cabinet show...
Glass, Mirror, Rosewood
$23,200Sale Price|20% Off
Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet, Iconic Italian Designer Goatskin Dry Bar Cabinet
By Aldo Tura
Located in Miami, FL
Own a piece of mid-century iconic Italian designed bar cabinet. Historical style and stunning this Aldo Tura dry bar cabinet, crafted in the 1950s is a great choice. Considered one ...
Brass
1960s French Brass Drinks Trolley or Bar Cart
Located in London, London
A stylish French brass drinks trolley dating from the 1960s, featuring two removable glass trays framed by finely pierced gallery edges. The slender brass structure is raised on cas...
Brass
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leatherette, mirrored glass, plastic, brass, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designe...
Metal, Brass
Aldo Tura Rolling Bar Cabinet
By Aldo Tura
Located in Hanover, MA
1960 Aldo Tura "Organetto" cocktail bar cabinet trolley in beautifully grained pallisander and lacquered goatskin parchment with gilt brass hardware, key and wheels. This whimsical d...
Brass
$5,393Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Burl Walnut, Guglielmo Urlich Attributed, circa 1930
By Meroni & Fossati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco bar cabinet in burl walnut, Guglielmo Urlich attributed for Meroni & Fossati , Lissone-Milano . All original cabinet restored, with functioning internal lighting. The intern...
Mirror, Burl, Walnut
Jacques Adnet Cart Bar Trolley Tea Table
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
This magnificent Jacques Adnet bar cart comes from a Chateau in the Medoc near Bordeaux in the South West of France where it has been since the 1950s The glass of the tray sti...
Metal, Aluminum
Traditional French Napoleon III Liquor Cellar
Located in San Francisco, CA
In 1869, Napoleon III officially named Courvoisier the "Official Supplier to the Imperial Court." The modern blends, Courvoisier XO or Courvoisier Napoleon, deliver rich notes of exo...
Brass
Contemporary Lamps Atomic Gold Leaf by Antonio Cagianelli, Italy
By Antonio Cagianelli
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Tall table lamps by the artist designer Antonio Cagianelli. Production edition Stanislas Reboul Gallery, limited edition 10 exemplary. Artisanal handmade Atomic work, gold leaf fini...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
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.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Prehistoric motifs give the mid-century Italian fireplace an elemental feel.
Their charming solid-oak pieces offer homes utility and comfort.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Designer Susan Yeley turned to 1stDibs to outfit an Indiana home with standout pieces that complement its modernist style.