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.
Pink Cabbage Glazed Ceramic Small Tureen or Bowl, Portugal, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
A lovely hand painted Majolica ceramic pink cabbage small tureen, sugar bowl or sauceboat with lid. Manufactured by Bordallo Pinheiro. Portugal, 1960s This eye-catching small cabbage tureen...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Italian Vintage Red Tomato Tureen in Majolica Ceramic, 70s
Located in Roma, IT
I offer for sale an extremely decorative and fun element to set your table. Produced in Italy between the 1970s and 1980s, this soup tureen is attributable to a successful series tha...
Ceramic, Majolica
Large Ceramic Cream Painted Covered Duck Tureen with Feather Ladle
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Your next dinner party just got interesting. This large ceramic duck tureen is just what your table has been asking for. Created from ceramic, this piece is shaped like a duck. The top consists of the top of the bird's body which is removable to cover the food kept inside. The base is oval and large enough to hold nearly any kind of dish your heart desires. A ceramic ladle...
Ceramic, Paint
Rosenthal Porcelain Tureen Serving Dish Cobalt and Gold
By Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice vintage Rosenthal tureen.
Majolica Ceramic Cabbage with Crab Tureen Centerpiece, Italy 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-20th Century Italian Basket Tureen with Cabbage and Crab Lid ___________________________________________________________________________ Eye-catching hand painted glazed ceramic ...
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
$2,786 / set
Glazed Ceramic Melon Server Set, Italy 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Desserts serving set melon design: 6 plates + 1 tureen, Italy, 1960s. One of a kind set of 6 Majolica ceramic melon slice shaped dishes and a large melon tureen, The melon shaped cer...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
$712Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-Century French Decorative Earthenware Crockery Pot by Albert Thiry
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
French vintage decorative earthenware crockery pot by Albert Thiry (circa 1960s). Delightfully pear-shaped body with incised floral motif decoration. A creamy white enamel covers the...
Ceramic
$1,277Sale Price|20% Off
Majolica Cauliflower Tureen Centerpiece in Glazed Ceramic, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cauliflower Tureen Centerpice with Ladle, Majolica, Glazed Ceramic. Spain, 1960s Eye-catching hand painted Manises ceramic cauliflower with leaves l...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
$1,064Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Soup Tureen Service, Portuguese, Ceramic Serving Set, Table Centrepiece
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a charming vintage soup tureen service. A Portuguese, ceramic serving dish set with platter and ladle, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Displaying delightful flowerhead decor and vibrant detailing, this set makes for an attractive centrepiece at the dining table. Appealing vintage ceramic serveware, perfect for family gatherings or dinner parties Generously sized tureen with tapering lid, topped with a bold central finial Accompanied by a serpentine serving ladle, nestled within a dedicated lid recess Set upon a coordinating platter, ideal for practical presentation and protection Decorated with an alternating pink and blue flowerhead pattern, full of cheerful character Stylised red stripe handles add an eye-catching flourish to either side With its vibrant palette and inviting form, this vintage soup tureen set offers both practical service and decorative appeal — an excellent example of Portuguese mid...
Ceramic
$1,852Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury XL Pineapple Tureen Centerpiece in Glazed Ceramic, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pineapple Tureen centerpiece with plate and ladle; Majolica, Glazed Ceramic. Portugal, 1960s This huge tureen has a very realistic pineapple design. A serving plate with leaves desig...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Boch La Louviere Kimono Soup Tureen, Hand-Painted Faience, Belgium
Located in London, England
This earthenware soup bowl from Boch La Louvière, Kimono model, is a real treasure for earthenware lovers. Rare to find, it stands out for its elegance and artisanal charm, being ent...
Faience
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Ceramic Covered Pumpkin Tureens
Located in New York, NY
This delightful pair of mid-century modernist ceramic covered pumpkin tureens , crafted in 1981, epitomizes the playful yet sophisticated design aesthetic of the period. Each piece ...
Ceramic
Ceramic fish-shaped trinket dish, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This fish-shaped trinket tray was made in France in the 1970s. It is made of glazed ceramic in beautiful shades of beige-brown. The lid opens to reveal a large space in which all sor...
Ceramic
Green cast iron casserole dish, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vintage green enameled cast iron casserole dish, typical of the robust and durable cookware of the 1970s. Featuring a matching lid with a central knob and two side handles, it's idea...
Metal
$522 / set
Ceramic soup tureen set, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vintage ceramic soup set decorated with a marine motif depicting various fish and aquatic elements. This set, typical of the 1970s, includes a tureen with a lid, several matching soup plates, and a small bowl for rouille. The colorful illustrations in shades of red, yellow, and green bring a graphic and warm touch inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, particularly bouillabaisse. Functional and decorative, this set is ideal for serving soups or fish dishes while adding a retro touch to the table. There are 6 plates. Features Period: 1970s Origin: France Material: Glazed ceramic Colors: White, red, yellow, and green Contents: Tureen with lid, matching soup plates, rust bowl Pattern: Fish and marine decor Use: Soup/bouillabaisse/table decoration Condition: Good vintage condition with slight signs of wear Style Vintage 1970s design Marine decor Retro tableware Keywords vintage soup set ceramic soup tureen set fish motif dinnerware vintage french soup tureen bouillabaisse set fish vintage tableware bouillabaisse service france 1970 vintage tableware fish design plates...
Ceramic
$597Sale Price|37% Off
Vintage French Ceramic Tureen by Roger Capron, 'circa 1960s'
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
Vintage French ceramic tureen by Roger Capron (circa 1960s). A luscious creamy white base with subtle grey-blue hues in the repeating décor patte...
Ceramic
$380Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage French Decorative Soup Tureen by Albert Thiry 'circa 1960s', Small
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative soup tureen / dish by Albert Thiry (circa 1960s). A creamy white glaze forms the backdrop for Thiry's trademark blue thistle and foliage decoration. Both visua...
Ceramic
Massive Red Tomato Glazed Ceramic Tureen Centerpiece, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching red Majolica ceramic tomato shaped tureen, Spain, 1960s. This huge tureen has a very realistic design with green leaves on the lid. The vib...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Italian Majolica Duck or Goose Cabbage and Cauliflower Tureen with Lid and Ladle
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A hand-painted Italian majolica cabbageware or lettuceware bird and cauliflower tureen with lid and ladle. This petite ceramic serving dish will be ...
Ceramic, Paint
Set of Aubergine Eggplant Majolica Ceramic Tureen Centerpiece, 6 Bowls & Shakers
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Tableware serving set eggplant design. Italy, 1960s. One of a kind majolica ceramic tableware set of pieces. The set is comprised by: 1 large eggplant tureen...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
1960s Stoneware Soup Tureen
Located in Denton, TX
Stoneware soup tureen with lid and ladle. The ladle is a combination of stoneware with a wood stem.
Stoneware, Wood
$464Sale Price|68% Off
De Valence Soup Bowl by La Grange Aux Potiers, French Ceramic, 1950s
Located in London, England
This soup bowl, created by the talented Madeleine and René de Valence in the 1950s, is much more than just a kitchen utensil: it is a reflection of exceptional know-how and an unwave...
Ceramic
1960s Roger Capron Ceramic Tureen
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
Ceramic tureen with handle and lid from the 1960s designed by Roger Capron decorated with a white enamel pattern on a blue-gray background. 33cm Diameter with handle Container diame...
Ceramic
Vintage Donald Drumm Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Covered Casserole Dish / Tureen
By Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An aluminum Mid-Century Modern casserole or covered serving dish. By Donald Drumm. In the shape of a roasting dish with a conforming lid. Simply a wild and amazing piece! ...
Aluminum
$557Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Service Oil and Vinegarin style of Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful glass oil and vinegar service designed in style of Gio Ponti in the 1950s, Italian made. The set is made entirely of glass and the supporting...
Metal
Gold Plate over Nickel Tomato Shape Insulated Ice Bucket, France, 1950
By Thermid Paris
Located in Miami, FL
Thermid Paris Mid-Century Modern gold plate, metal & plastic tomato shaped insulated ice bucket France, 1950.
Brass, Nickel
$185Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Soup Tureen in Silver Metal with Lid
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid silver metal tureen made in the 30's of fine Italian manufacture. The tureen has very sinuous and soft shapes and it is entirely made of silver plated metal. The vintage tureen...
Metal
$3,500 / set
Robert Picault Soup Tureen Complete Set
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Picault complete matching set Soup Tureen with 6 matching covered Bowls
Ceramic
$550
H 6.5 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in
Italian Majolica Duck or Goose Cabbage and Cauliflower Tureen with Lid and Ladle
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A hand-painted Italian majolica cabbageware or lettuceware bird and cauliflower tureen with lid and ladle. This petite ceramic serving dish will be ...
Ceramic, Paint
Majolica French Ceramic Cow Tureen Caugant
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica cow tureen circa 1940 signed Caugant.
Ceramic, Faience
Italian Oggetti Porcelain Pheasant Soup Tureen with Ladle
By Oggetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian hand painted Porcelain pheasant soup gravy tureen with ladle by Oggetti. A cleaver soup or gravy tureen covered by a hand painted bird like form. A wonderful piece for sharin...
Ceramic, Porcelain
English Creamware Covered Soup Tureen and Stand, Wedgwood, circa 1790
Located in New York, NY
English creamware covered soup tureen and stand, Wedgwood, circa 1790. Impressed Wedgwood.
Vintage Coastal Glazed Ceramic Crab Tureen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of coastal elegance to your dining experience with this vintage glazed ceramic tureen. Its beautifully crafted ocean-inspired design and vibrant glaze make it a standout ...
Ceramic
Chinese Export Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in Essex, MA
With domed cover with gilt lemon finial on a conforming base with two handles.
Porcelain
Majolica Cabbage Leaf Soup Tureen With Lid and Underplate
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th Century Faiancas Belo Portuguese Majolica Cabbage Leaf Soup Tureen with Lid and Underplate. Features a charming and sculptural cabbage-form ceramic soup tureen with matching lid...
Majolica
French Green Majolica Tureen with Stand Sarreguemines, circa 1870
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century green Majolica tureen with stand signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870 With grapes leaves. Height / 7.5", diameter / 8 inches.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Pair of French Majolica Cabbage Tureen
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Pair of French Majolica Cabbage Tureen.
Ceramic
Small Portuguese Majolica Cabbage Tureen Caldas Da Rainha Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Small Portuguese Majolica Cabbage Tureen Aires C. Leal Caldas da Rainha circa 1950.
Ceramic
Saint-jean-du-desert French Fish or Shellfish Tureen, Late 1940s
By Vallauris
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Ceramic “Bouillabaisse” Fish or Shellfish Tureen by Paulette Bailet, Saint-Jean-du-Désert, Marseille, Late 1940s A rare and beautifully crafted French ceramic tureen titled “...
Ceramic
19th Century Limoges Porcelain Pink and Gold Tureen Set
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite hand-painted porcelain set, crafted in Limoges, France, dates back to the 19th century, showcasing the elegance and artistry of this historical period. The set include...
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-Century Pucci Umbertide Hand Glazed Ceramic Tureen 1950s Italy
By Ceramica Umbertide di Pucci
Located in Palermo, IT
Very stylish ceramic soup tureen with a light green and white glaze. The lid handle features a stylized, airbrushed animal in black. The bottom bears the signature of the prestigious...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8 in W 12 in D 8.5 in
Italian Cabbage Ware Soup Tureen with Vegetable Motif Lid and Serving Ladle
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An unusual Ceramic cabbage ware or lettuce ware soup tureen with matching lid and ladle. This oval serving dish is glazed in a creamy white and features a texture that resembles the ...
Ceramic, Paint
Sold
H 5.52 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in
A set of 4 Mid Century Gio Ponti 140 CL deep tureens, VI Triennale, Krupp Milano
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A rare set of 4 Mid-Century Gio Ponti silver plated deep / high 140CL. serving tureens for Arthur Krupp. These were designed for the VI Triennale in the...
Metal
French Soup Tureen by Yvon Roy Montgolfier Workshop
By Yvon Roy
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Ceramic soup tureen by Yvon Roy, Montgolfier workshop in the 1950s, decorated with birds. Two cone-shaped handles and lid. Perfect condition, signed on the bottom. Height : 20cm (7,8...
Ceramic
Vintage Limoges Porcelain Soup Tureen and Large Serving Plate, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Limoges Porcelain soup tureen with serving dish in excellent condition. Made in France. In excellent condition, no chips, cracks or crazing. Yellow and blue ornaments...
Porcelain
Villeroy & Boch Large Soup Tureen, Red Fasan Series, Germany
Located in Bastogne, BE
Villeroy & Boch Soup Tureen. Red Fasan Pattern. Long since discontinued. Porcelain. Large Tureen. Germany. An interesting, worthy thing for serving a festive tabl...
Porcelain
Sold
H 9.85 in W 14.57 in D 11.82 in
A large Gio Ponti silver plated deep vegetables or soup tureen for Broggi
By Fratelli Broggi, Milano, Gio Ponti
Located in London, Fitzrovia
This is an unusually large Gio Ponti Tureen for Broggi, Milano. It is very stylish and in good condition. Please note that our prices are updated frequ...
Metal
Sold
H 5.5 in W 12 in D 6.5 in
Ceramic Corn Husk Covered Soup Serving Tureen in Yellow and Green, 1973
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A wide corn motif ceramic serving tureen. Hand-painted in yellows and greens, this lovely dish is wide and oval in shape. Along the sides, textured yellow co...
Ceramic, Paint
Raymor / Roseville Frog Skin Pottery Tureen by Ben Seibel
Sold
H 14.18 in W 13 in D 9.85 in
French Decorative Vintage Ceramic Pot by Fernande Kohler 'circa 1960s'
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century decorative French ceramic pot by Fernande Kohler (c. 1960s). Fired Chamotte clay forms the structure of this uniquely shaped pot with circl...
Ceramic
Arthur Court, Duck and Duckling Tureen, 1978
By Arthur Court
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Shiny pewter duck and duckling tureen by Arthur Court, 1978.
Pewter
Ceramic tureen by Gustave Reynaud for Atelier le Mûrier, 1960s Vallauris
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Ceramic from the 60's by the French artist Gustave Reynaud from the Atelier Le Mûrier. Very nice tureen glazed in beige and red tones with points of green, motifs representing the na...
Ceramic