Pair of 2 Italian Opaline Sconces, 1980
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 2 Mid-Century Modern Wall sconces made with opaline glass.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Opaline Glass
Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
to
1,554
8,215
3,220
11,613
7,608
3,235
2,885
2,423
2,401
275
269
71
374
292
289
205
181
Pair of Mid-Century Wall Sconces by Arlus, 1950s
$1,567 / set
Pair of Mid-Century Wall Sconces by Arlus, 1950s
By Arlus
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
This exquisite pair of French mid-century modern wall sconces by Arlus showcases the brand’s signature combination of elegance and geometric design.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Two 1970s Mid-Century Modern Opalescent Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Mazzega
By Mazzega
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are two 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces crafted by Mazzega, a renowned Italian glassmaker known for its Murano glass designs.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
1 of 3 Mid Century Kalmar Murano Glass Sconce Wall Light, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
1 of 3 exceptional Mid-Century Modern wall sconces by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Glass
Two 1950s Mid-Century Modern Brass and Opaline Glass Italian Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Pair of 1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Sconces in Brass and Opaline Glass Add a bold splash of vintage Italian flair to your space with this striking pair of 1950s Mid-Centu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Two 1970s Barovier Style Mid-century Modern Blue Murano Glass Wall Sconces
By Barovier
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are two stunning Mid-Century Modern wall sconces from the 1970s, designed in the Barovier style.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Two 1950s Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Italian Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is an exquisite pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern wall sconces from the 1950s, embodying the sophisticated design principles of the era's masters like Stilnovo.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Two 1970s Mid-Century Modern Clear and Brown Petal Murano Glass Wall Sconces
By La Murrina
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These two 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces showcase a stunning petal-like design crafted from Murano glass in a blend of clear and warm brown tones.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Two 1970s Barovier Style Mid-century Modern Blue Murano Glass Wall Sconces
By Barovier
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are two stunning Mid-Century Modern wall sconces from the 1970s, designed in the Barovier style.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Mid-century modern Pink Sconces Murano Glass Wall Lights Barovier & Toso Style
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern wall sconces attributed to Barovier & Toso, crafted with pink Murano glass diffusers and a black metal structure.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Two 1950s Stilnovo Style Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are two Mid-Century Modern wall sconces from the 1950s, designed in the Stilnovo style, an Italian manufacturer known for its sleek, modern aesthetics and innovative use of mat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Maison Bagues Style Wall Sconces Arrow and Rams Head Design
By Maison Baguès
Located in Firenze, IT
Chic pair of gold and black French Mid-Century Modern wall sconces in the manner of Maison Bagues with a neoclassical style decoration having an arrow motif and rams heads.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Mid-Century pair of large brass sconces attributable to Stilnovo. Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in Catania, CT
This is a pair of mid-century modern wall sconces, attributed to the style of Stilnovo, Italy, circa 1950s–60s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Pair of Midcentury Woven Wicker Weave & Rattan Wall Sconces, Italy 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Italian Mid-century Modern Wall Sconces, Rattan, Wicker ____________________________________________________________________________ Pair of half cylinder wall lights with wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Rattan, Wicker
Mid-Century Modern Orange Wall Sconces, Czechoslovakia, 1960s – 48+ Available
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Orange Wall Sconces, Czechoslovakia, 1960s – 48+ Available.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Two 1950 Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Sconces by Oscar Torlasco for Lumi Milano
By Lumi, Oscar Torlasco
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This pair of 1950s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces represents a masterful collaboration between renowned designer Oscar Torlasco and the prestigious Italian lighting manufacturer Lum...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
A 1970s Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Leaf Wall Sconce by Franco Luce
By Franco Luce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces designed by Franco Luce.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Pair Brass and Lucite Glass Wall Light Sconces by Emil Stejnar, Austria, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Emil Stejnar
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Incredible pair of mid century modern wall sconces with brass metal plate and brass screws.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
J.T. Kalmar Murano Ice Glass Wall Sconce, Amber & Clear, Vienna, circa 1965–1970
$1,174Sale Price / set|25% Off
J.T. Kalmar Murano Ice Glass Wall Sconce, Amber & Clear, Vienna, circa 1965–1970
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in La xara, VC
A striking Mid-Century Modern wall sconce produced by the renowned Viennese lighting house J.T.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Chrome
A 1970s Mid-Century Modern Brown Murano Glass Leaf Wall Sconce by Franco Luce
By Franco Luce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces designed by Franco Luce.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
A 1970s Mid-Century Modern White Murano Glass Leaf Wall Sconce by Franco Luce
By Franco Luce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces designed by Franco Luce.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Two 1970s Mid-Century Modern Pink Murano Glass Leaf Wall Sconces by Franco Luce
By Franco Luce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces designed by Franco Luce.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Two 1970s Mid-Century Modern Light Pink Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Franco Luce
By Franco Luce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces designed by Franco Luce.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Arlus Rare Pair of Mid-Century Wall Sconces, 1950s
$10,000 / set
Arlus Rare Pair of Mid-Century Wall Sconces, 1950s
By Arlus
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Lighting. An exceptional pair of French Mid-Century Modern wall sconces by Arlus (Atelier de Recherches Lumineuses), circa 1950s.
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass and Crystal Glass Wall Sconces, Italy, 1960s / Set of 3
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful looking, easy to mount and finely handcrafted wall fixtures. Elevate your interior with this exquisite set of three Mid-Century Modern wall sconces, crafted in Italy circa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Crystal, Wire, Brass
Pair of Mid Century Modern Brass Sconces attr. to Arredoluce, Italy 1950s
By Arredoluce
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a refined pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern wall sconces crafted in polished brass, dating to the early 1960s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
UNO KRISTIANSSON Wall Lamps, Pine Luxus, 1970s, Scandinavian Modern, Signed Pair
By Uno Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Details: • Signed and marked by the designers • Original pine construction • Pair of wall lamps • Designed for Luxus, Sweden A beautiful example of high-quality 1970s Scandinavian l...
Category
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Pine
Pair of 1960s Czechoslovak Milk Glass and Bakelite Space Age Wall Sconces
$548Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of 1960s Czechoslovak Milk Glass and Bakelite Space Age Wall Sconces
Located in Praha, CZ
A striking pair of Mid-Century Modern wall sconces produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Milk Glass, Bakelite
1970s Mid-century Modern Light Grey and Brass Murano Glass Sconce by Franco Luce
By Franco Luce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are 1970s Mid-Century Modern wall sconces designed by Franco Luce.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights by Maison Lunel, Brass & Lucite, France
By Maison Lunel
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Elegant French mid-century modern wall sconces by Maison Lunel, Paris, dating from the 1950s.
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of 1950s Barovier & Toso Style Murano Glass and Satin Brass Wall Sconces
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern wall sconces from the 1950s, attributed to Barovier & Toso and crafted with satin brass structures and Murano glass diffusers.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of European Mid-Century Chrome Wall Sconces with Mirrored Globe Shades
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Sophisticated pair of European mid-century modern wall sconces executed in polished chrome, featuring distinctive mirrored (half-silvered) glass globe shades.
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Chrome
Midcentury Rattan & Wicker Conical Wall Light, 1950s
$1,574Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Rattan & Wicker Conical Wall Light, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Wall Sconce in Rattan and Woven Wicker.
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Rattan, Wicker
Set of Three Long Canale Amber Sconces by Barovier e Toso, Italy, 1960's.
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and rare set of three Italian Mid-Century Modern wall sconces or flush mounts by Barovier e Toso, made in Italy circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Murano Glass
Pair of Charlotte Perriand CP-1 Wall Lights for Galerie Steph Simon, Red, France
$2,414Sale Price|35% Off
Pair of Charlotte Perriand CP-1 Wall Lights for Galerie Steph Simon, Red, France
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
These iconic mid-century modern wall sconces are among Perriand’s most recognizable lighting designs, celebrated for their architectural simplicity, functional intelligence, and time...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Pair of glass and brass wall lamps, 1950s mid-century black and white
By Mid Century Antiques
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of wall sconces with glass shades and brass frame, 1950s. Provenance: Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Orrefors Wall Sconces by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden, circa 1950s
By Carl Fagerlund
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Set of three Mid-Century Modern wall sconces by swedish designer Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors.
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Rare Set of 2 Majora Wall Lights by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Peill & Putzler, 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Peill & Putzler
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
The rare and elegant large Mid-Century Modern wall sconce ‚Majora’ was designed by Bauhaus member Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Peill & Putzler in the 1950s.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass, Metal
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Sconce
Located in Rome, IT
This wall-mounted sconce exemplifies Italian design from the 1950s, featuring a minimalist yet functional aesthetic. The fixture is composed of a single opaline glass sphere that dif...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern French Wall Sconce, Geometric Metal & Glass, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-Century Modern Wall Sconce or Flush Mount. Geometric Design Wired for Your Country Circa 1950s.
Category
1970s French Art Deco Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Glashütte Limburg Wall Sconces, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Glashütte Limburg
Located in Almelo, NL
Glashütte Limburg Wall Sconces, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s Offered is a rare collection of original wall sconces by Glashütte Limburg, Germany, dating from the 1970s.
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Scandinavian mid-century modern solid brass wall sconce
$928Sale Price|20% Off
Scandinavian mid-century modern solid brass wall sconce
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Illuminate your space with the timeless elegance of our Scandinavian mid-century modern solid brass wall sconce. This meticulously crafted piece embodies the essence of Scandinavian ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Glass Wall Sconce, 1970s
Located in HAARLEM, NL
A striking sculptural glass wall sconce or ceiling light, Italy, circa 1970s. This impressive piece features a composition of hand-cut glass blocks arranged in a geometric relief pa...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Cut Glass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Sconces by Stilnovo
Located in Rome, IT
This pair of wall sconces exemplifies elegant and refined Italian design from the 1950s, attributed to Stilnovo. Crafted from high-quality materials, each sconce features a structure...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
1960s Arredoluce Style Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Sconces
By Arredoluce
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Arredoluce is known for its contributions to the Mid-Century Modern design movement, and their wall sconces from this era often exemplify the characteristics of that style.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Lightolier Wall Sconces Mid Century Modern
By Lightolier
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Pair of Lightolier wall scones in offwhite color. Tested and working with out any issues. Brass has original vintage patina. Dimensions: 10.5 h x 7.5 d x 7.5 diameter. Stamped "LIG...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Wall Sconce, Tiered Design, Italy
Located in Queens, NY
8 Italian Contemporary design clear glass wall sconces with 5 triangular form tiered "J" shaped glass pieces within a "U" shaped frame. (PRICED EACH)
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Wall Sconces by Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of hand blown wall sconces by Venini. In excellent condition with almost no wear. New wiring. Glass is sculptural like a frozen translucent ice form.
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Brass Wall Sconce, Prague 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Brass Wall Sconce, Prague 1960s This Mid-Century Modern Brutalist brass wall sconce from Prague dates back to the 1960s.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Grand Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tronchi Wall Sconces
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Pair of palace size Mid-Century Modern six tier Tronchi wall sconces.
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Glass
Hand-Crafted Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Lights, Sconces
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Glass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Angular Chrome Wall Sconces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful wall lighting for home, business, or office, the Mid-Century Modern style is perfect for a variety of settings.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Murano Wall Sconces by Mazzega, Italy
$4,458Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Murano Wall Sconces by Mazzega, Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A pair of large and heavy set wall sconces handmade in Murano glass as well as structures custom made for this particular glass. by Mazzega. Each sconce contains large pieces of clea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Brass
Pair Mid Century Modern Brass Sconces
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair mid century modern brass sconces. Excellent quality castings. Not meant to be wired. rare made framed large provenance not signed museum hand original lou...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Frosted Murano Glass Rectangular Wall Sconce
By Mazzega
Located in Aci Castello, IT
During the 1970s, Murano glass was popular for its ability to capture and manipulate light, creating beautiful and unique lighting fixtures. The sconce features a rectangular shape, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal
Swiss Mid-Century Modern double globe wall sconce 1960s
$473Sale Price / item|20% Off
Swiss Mid-Century Modern double globe wall sconce 1960s
Located in Debrecen, HU
A clean, functional and timeless example of Swiss modernist lighting design. This double globe wall light features thick hand-crafted crackle (ice) glass shades, creating a delicate...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Sconces by Stilnovo, Italy, 1955
By Stilnovo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern pair of Italian wall appliques, sconces made of hand crafted brass with an adjustable arm and white metal shade, each lamp has a single light socket.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce
Materials
Metal, Brass
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Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the vintage mid century modern wall sconce you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, glass and brass, every vintage mid century modern wall sconce was constructed with great care. There are 987 variations of the antique or vintage vintage mid century modern wall sconce you’re looking for, while we also have 10 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect vintage mid century modern wall sconce — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A vintage mid century modern wall sconce is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Modern styles are sought with frequency. Glashütte Limburg, Ifö Electric and J.T. Kalmar each produced at least one beautiful vintage mid century modern wall sconce that is worth considering.
How Much is a Vintage Mid Century Modern Wall Sconce?
The average selling price for a vintage mid century modern wall sconce at 1stDibs is $1,201, while they’re typically $50 on the low end and $56,090 for the highest priced.
A Close Look at Mid-century-modern Furniture
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
Finding the Right Sconces-wall-lights for You
From the kitchen to the bedroom and everywhere in between, there is one major part of home decor that you definitely want to master: lighting. Carefully selected vintage sconces and wall lights can do wonders in establishing mood and highlighting your distinctive personality.
We’re a long way from the candelabra-inspired chandeliers of the medieval era. Lighting is no longer merely practical, and lighting designers have been creating and reinventing lighting solutions for eons. Because of the advancements crafted by these venturesome makers, we now have the opportunity to bring unique, customizable lighting solutions into our homes.
It’s never been easier to create dramatic bedrooms, cozy kitchen areas and cheerful bars than it is today. Think of an elegant wall sconce as functional and as a work of art, adding both light and style to your hallways, whimsical kids’ rooms and elsewhere.
When choosing a lighting solution, first determine what your needs are: Will you opt for a moody or a bright feel? The room that will serve as your home office will need adequate lighting — think “the brighter, the better” for this particular setting.
For the bedroom, bedside wall lamps with warm-temperature bulbs instead of bedside table lamps could be the way to go to induce a sense of calm or intimacy. Try to match the style of the wall light or sconce that you’re installing to the overall design scheme of your room. It’s never “just a light.” You should approach the lighting of a room with a mindset that is one part practical and one part aesthetics-driven.
Let 1stDibs help you set the mood with the right antique and vintage wall lights and sconces for your home. Our collection includes every kind of fixture, from sculptural works by Austrian craftsman J.T. Kalmar to chic industrial-style wall sconces, from adjustable painted aluminum wall lamps designed by Artemide to a wide variety of minimalist mid-century modern masterpieces.
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Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
See How New York City Designers Experiment on Their Own Homes
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
New Orleans’ Lee Ledbetter Makes Design Magic by Mixing Past and Present
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
Desert Modern Designer Arthur Elrod Finally Gets His Day in the Sun
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
From the Hamptons to Palm Springs, FormArch’s Homes Embody Both Comfort and Cool
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
8 Mid-Century Lighting Makers
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.