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.
Martini Rossi advertising sculpture or bust, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Cool advertising sculpture or bust for Martini & Rossi to display a bottle in shops. Great to use in our bar or as a decorative piece in your ho...
Plaster
$2,900Sale Price|50% Off
Alexandre Noll 1930s Turned Wood Bowl
Located in New York, NY
An original 1930s turned wood sculptural wood bowl by famed French craftsman, Alexandre Noll. Signed
Hardwood
Anatomical Skeletal Cast, Italy 80s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figure’s head is slightly tilted, giving it an expressive look, and the torso is sculpted to reveal muscles and tendons, giving insight into the human body’s structure beneath th...
Plaster
Doug Ayers Signed California Artist Organic Natural Wood Turned Weed Vase Vessel
By Doug Ayers
Located in Studio City, CA
A very beautifully made and sculpted wood-turned weed pot vase by famed American/California (Mendocino, CA) artist/ sculptor Doug Ayers. The organic wood grain and shifting colors ar...
Wood, Walnut
Vintage Watermelon Hand Carved Sculpture Set, Decoy Decor, Trompe L’Oeil
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage watermelon hand carved sculpture set, decoy decor, Trompe L’Oeil, hand painted melon sculptural set. Gorgeous. Signed by artist. Largest pie...
Composition
Modernist Bespoke Cerused Oak Coffee/Cocktail Table Designed by John Tracey
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist bespoke Cerused oak and brass coffee /cocktail table designed and bench made by John Tracey, Rochester NY artist, amazing architectural Bauhaus d...
Brass
Albert Chubac, TOTEM Sculpture, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1920-2008), TOTEM sculpture, Unique piece, Iron and plexiglass, circa 1980, France Measures: Height 110 cm, width 21 cm, depth 32 cm. Albert Chubac was born in Gene...
Iron
Italian Giant Clamshell Swan by Gabriella Binazzi
Located in Voorburg, NL
This beautiful large clamshell swan is designed and handmade by Gabriella Binazzi. She creates original and unique objects using strange materials such...
Silver Plate
Abstract Metal and Glass Sculpture by Gertrude Schreiber, Cranbrook School
By Gertrude Schreiber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist abstract metal and glass sculpture by Gertrude Schreiber ,Cranbrook student. Amazing visual, intricate execution, wonderful use of color form and space.
Metal
Anatomical Skeletal Cast, Italy 80s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The figure’s head is slightly tilted, giving it an expressive look, and the torso is sculpted to reveal muscles and tendons, giving insight into the human body’s structure beneath th...
Plaster
Circa 2000s Remy Martin Louis XIII Display Case and Bottle (Dummy)
Located in Brussels, BE
Circa 2000s Remy Martin Louis XIII Display Case and Bottle (Dummy) Rare Remy Martin Louis XIII advertising display case dating from the 2000s, complete with its original dummy prese...
Glass, Acrylic
Vintage Christmas Big Blue Nutcracker, Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been their ho...
Wood
Cast Iron Rose Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast iron rose sculpture. Dimensions 9" width x 4.75" depth x 2" height. Condition Good vintage condition.
Iron
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Big wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been thei...
Wood
Midcentury Brutalist Bronze Abstract Sculpture Signed Robert Cook
By Robert Cook
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exceptional midcentury bronze abstract sculpture. Signed Robert Cook with additional hand written marks on the bottom of the plin...
Bronze
Bob Stocksdale Signed Mid-Century Modern Turned Exotic Wood Charger Platter
Located in Studio City, CA
An exquisitely crafted, rich wood charger by American master Woodturner Bob Stocksdale. Signed and marked ("Bubinga from Africa") by the artist on th...
Wood
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Angel Unique Hand Painted Sculpture by Master Designer Eva Fritz-Lindner
Located in South Burlington, VT
A one -of-a-kind monumental 28" Monumental Floating Angel -Flatterspas- tall sculpture created, handmade, and hand-painted by master designer Eva Fritz-Lindner (1933-2017) in 1992. Handcrafted and hand-painted in beautiful colors by this artist. Designer/maker: Eva Fritz-Lindner (1933-2017) Signed with her stamp i3D. Glaze: The matte colors are bright and vivid and the hand painting is superb Estimated Rarity: unique Additional comments: This is the only example we have seen in collections. Substantial dimensions: 28 inches tall Handmade / handarbeit and hand glazed About the artist: The bold Folk Art sculptress and ceramist Eva Fritz-Lindner (1933-2017) studied at the Werkkunstschule Wiesbaden and Darmstadt and was a master student in the sculptor class by Erich Kuhn. From 1955 she worked as a master designer at the Staatliche Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe where she created and designed several hundred highly regarded ceramic folk art animal sculptures...
Ceramic, Pottery
Large Modernist Free Standing Kinetic Stabile/Mobile by Graham Sears
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing Kinetic/stabile motion sculpture hand built and designed by Graham Sears. Stunning!! Acclaimed artist Sears, born in Buffalo, NY in 1953, is an alumnus of both The Nichols Sc...
Metal, Steel, Iron
Italian 1970s Florentine 925 Silver-Plated Bas-Relief, Christ in a Giltwood Frame
By Florentine
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Exquisite Italian devotional wall art dating from around the 1970s, depicting Christ wearing the Crown of Thorns. The sacred image is rendered in pronounced bas-relief, with finely m...
Silver
Folk Art Sermel Tonala Signed Paper Mache Duck With Glass Base
Located in Bridgeport, CT
folk art life size colorful paper mache duck figure surmounted on a custom glass base. The duck hand-painted in bright orange and gold tones. Signed as shown. Dimensions: 17 1/2" L,...
Glass, Paper
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Erzgebirge Christmas Nutcracker Decoration Piece Germany Vintage 1970s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage nutcracker from the Erzgebirge region, in shape of a robber or nobleman made of turned wood and painted in vibrant colors, dating back to the 1970s. This nutcracker feature...
Fur, Wood, Paint
Mid Century Life Size Articulated Wood Folk Art Figure
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fantastic stained Pine articulated Folk Art figure. The limbs are cut and fitted with heavy gage industrial bolts and the figure can be posed in myriad positions. With good weight ...
Wood
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Shoehorn Made from Horn
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful Mid-Century Modern shoehorn. It was manufactured in Vienna in the renowned Austrian workshops of Bauhaus-influenced designer Carl Auböck. This horn shoehorn w...
Horn
Toucan Sculpture by Sergio Bustamante
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Copper and Brass Toucan on a hoop hanging stand by Sergio Bustamante, circa 1960. Great vintage conditions. Sergio Bustamante is a Mexican Artist and sculptor. He began with paintin...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Oak Table Puzzle, Carved Folk Art, USA, 20th C.
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well crafted and thick solid Oak Table Puzzle with anthropomorphic fitted elements housed in a stylized Barn style tray. Blocky Animal forms interlock creating a sculptural and dec...
Oak
Vintage Christmas Medium Nutcracker, Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been their ho...
Wood
Large Bertoia Studios 32-Rod 'Sounding Chess / B-2466' Copper & Brass Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 32-Rod 'Sounding Chess / B-2466' copper & brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son of the original designer, Harry Bertoia. Hand made at the original Bertoia...
Silver, Brass, Copper
1970s Handcrafted Exotic Rosewood Link Belt Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Exotic Rich Grain Rosewood Square Link Belt with circular Center Buckle. Handmade Natural Organic Vintage Size: 38.5 x 1.5 x .25 Preowned Original Vintage Condition. Please ...
Rosewood
wooden Gingerbread Cookie Speculaas Springerle Rolling Pin Antique German 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An exceptional early 20th century wooden rolling pin featuring beautifully hand-carved cookie Springerle molds along its surface. This charming folk...
Wood
$384Sale Price|74% Off
Blue Lady Ema with Handbag Eva Fritz-Lindner, 1970
Located in South Burlington, VT
Blue lady with her handbag- mastertwork from Eva Fritz-Lindner. A serene tall handmade and hand painted sculpture of a lady carrying her handbag named EMA - a friend of the artist- e handcrafted and hand painted in beautiful blue colors. On bottom atelier mark i 3 D and with tree (black brush mark). Ema was the late Eva Fritz-Lindner's (1933-2017) good friend. Designer/maker: Eva Fritz-Lindner with stamp i3D, circa 1960-1970. Glaze: Light and dark blue matte colors are bright and vivid and the hand painting only adds to the charm; light original glaze crazing appropriate for age. Additional comments: Most of her larger sculptures were likely produced in less than 100 copies based upon research and all were hand painted individually by this artist ensuring each work of art was indeed unique. Dimensions: 12.5 inches high. Handmade / handarbeit and hand glazed, few survive. Provenance: Old German collection. About the artist: The bold folk art sculptress and ceramist Eva Fritz-Lindner (1933-2017) studied at the Werkkunstschule Wiesbaden and Darmstadt and was a master student in the sculptor class by Erich Kuhn. From 1955 she worked as a master designer at the Staatliche Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe where she created and designed several hundred highly regarded ceramic folk art animal sculptures and unique wall and garden works of art inspired by nature and possibly the local zoo at Karlsruhe. Owls and family concepts were a particular specialty. During this time she created designs for building and garden ceramics, vessels and small sculptures. Since 1964, the sculptress worked as a freelance artist in her own studio in Karlsruhe-Durlach. The artist designed important works in the field of building ceramics, including wall designs in mosaic, in Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, Schwäbisch Gmünd and Göppingen. Of particular note, she created enormous scale owl sculptures for the palace gardens in Karlsruhe in 1967 (see photo). In 1962, Eva Fritz-Lindner was awarded the silver medal at the Prague International Ceramic Exhibition. The artists' ceramics are owned and located in the Hetjens-Museum Düsseldorf, in the Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Eagle Statue, Wood figure, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage wooden figurine original condition eagle statue
Wood
Hawaiian Artist Hand Carved Turned Wood Vessel Garniture Sculpture Vase Chalice
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and unusually shaped wood-turned vessel / sculpture / chalice. Very well crafted. Noted: "Norfolk Pine. Carved in Hawaii" by the artist on the base. From a collection of...
Wood, Pine
Emil Milan Free Standing Sculpture Organic Hand Carved Walnut
By Emil Milan
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Large scale free standing sculpture hand carved by Emil Milan. Executed in walnut, the flowing sculpture makes way to voids which gives it a light and moving appearance. Chiseled rec...
Walnut
1970s Handmade Decorative Wood Paddles South American Amazon
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Handmade Decorative Wood Paddles South American Amazon 53 tall x 10 w x 1 thick Short 51 tall X 11 w Preowned original vintage condition See all images please.
Wood
Los Castillo Mexican Multi Metal Leaf Pitcher
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Multiple metal philodendron leaf handle pitcher by Mexican Designer Los Castillo - the pitcher is made of four metals that appear to be, Copper, Silver, Brass and Nickel. The Pitcher...
Silver, Brass, Copper
Bob Stocksdale Signed Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Wood Turned Bowls
Located in Studio City, CA
A very handsome, darkly colored set of six bowl by American master wood turner Bob Stocksdale. All are signed and marked ("Mahogany of Guatemala") by Stocksdale. Stunning in any sett...
Wood
Modernist Carved Wood "HORSE' Sculpture signed Don Parrino, 1978
By Don Parrino
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Carved Wood "HORSE' Sculpture signed Don Parrino, 1978. Donald R. Parrino (June 19, 1935 – June 8, 2024) was a respected Buffalo, NY-based artist and designer known for l...
Wood
Parrot Sculpture by Sergio Bustamante
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Copper, brass and aluminium Parrot on a hoop hanging stand by Sergio Bustamante, circa 1960. Sergio Bustamante is a Mexican Artist and sculptor. He began with paintings and papier m...
Metal
Large Bertoia Studios 24-Rod 'Star of Sound / B-2482' Copper & Brass Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 24-rod 'Star of Sound B-2482' copper & brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son of the original designer, Harry Bertoia. Hand made at the original Bertoia...
Silver, Brass, Copper
20th Century, Corrado Corradi dell'Acqua for Azucena Photo Frame Structure
By Azucena, Corrado Corradi Dell'acqua
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Founded in 1947 by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Ignazio Gardella, and Corrado Corradi Dell'Acqua, the Italian brand Azucena has always stood out for its collections that combine formal el...
Brass
Vintage Leo Jensen Bronze Guitar Player Figural Sculpture
By Leo Sewell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed vintage wood & bronze figural sculpture. By Leo Jensen. In the form of a man wearing a suit & bowler hat and playing a guitar or ukelele. Signed to the base of the p...
Bronze
Hanne Dreutler for Studio Arhus, Glass Art Object, Sweden
Located in Den Haag, NL
Hanne Dreutler for Studio Arhus, glass object, Sweden.
Art Glass
Arthur Court Aluminum Torso Bust
By Arthur Court
Located in Westport, CT
Arthur court aluminum men's torso bust.
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Table or Floor Sculpture by Harold Kimmelman in Stainless
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An impressive original work by Harold Kimmelman, an award winning Sculptor, based in Philadelphia, and well known for his public works. He preferred w...
Stainless Steel
Modern Carved Burl Wood Sculpture by Sig de Tonancour
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Striking and sensuous Carved Burl Wood Sculpture of a Female Bust signed and dated '92 on the right back side, Asian style carved and polished femal...
Burl
Doug Ayers Signed California Artist Midcentury Organic Wood Turned Vase Sculpure
By Doug Ayers
Located in Studio City, CA
A very beautifully made, organic natural wood-turned weed vase by famed American / California (Mendocino, CA) artist/ sculptor Doug Ayers. This work has such a great heft and textur...
Wood
Mid Century Copper and Metal “Autumn Leaves” Sculpture by Curtis Jere, 1970s
By Curtis Jeré
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Curtis Jere wall sculpture designed and manufactured in the United States, circa 1970s. This exceptional mixed-metal composition exemplifies the artistic vision and sculptural innova...
Metal, Copper
R M Evans Signed Limited Edition Bronze Wall Relief Plaque Sculpture Lone Buck
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully crafted and intricately detailed relatively large bronze wall relief plaque sculpture by American artist R. M. Evans. The work titled "Lone Buck" features a solitary de...
Bronze
Monumental Mid-Century Modern Wall Sculpture Attributed to John Reisetter
Located in Redding, CT
Monumental Mid-Century Modern Abstract Wall sculpture attributed to John Reisetter . Reisetter was one of the known sculptors who worked for The famous ...
Brass, Iron
1960s Emil Milan 21" Modernist Crane Sculpture in Walnut Modern New Hope Era
By Emil Milan
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare form and size. Nice example of Emil Milan's sculpture work. Signed
Walnut
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Emil Milan Modernist Bird Sculpture Sumac Cabin Modern New Hope Era
By Emil Milan
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well planned active sumac grain really enhances this sculpture.
Wood
Joseph Abraham Bolinsky (American, b. 1917) Untitled Bronze
By Lynn Chadwick
Located in Buffalo, NY
Joseph Abraham Bolinsky (American, b. 1917) Untitled Bronze,, manner of Lynn Chadwick,, Classic modernist form,, Wonderful patina,, Profession: Sculptor, educator Studied: Columbia...
Bronze
$460Sale Price|42% Off
Hand Carved Wooden Mother and Child Statue
Located in Redding, CT
Hand carved wooden mother and child statue. Or Madonna and child. Mid Century modernist in style. Nice rich wood patina with intricate craftsme...
Walnut
Life-Size Fiberglass Sculpture, in the style of Giacometti. France, 1970s
Located in HAARLEM, NL
A striking life-size sculpture of a woman, created in France during the 1970s. Executed in fiberglass with a richly textured, hand-worked plaster like surface, this piece evokes the...
Fiberglass
Signed Wooden Folk Art Figurine by S. Wodynski, Central Europe, ca. 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
This charming vintage wooden figurine, signed "S. Wodynski" on the underside, portrays a bearded man in a long coat and wide-brimmed hat, hold...
Wood
Mid-Century Sculpture by Cleo Hartwig titled "Peace Dove"
By Cleo Hartwig
Located in Chicago, IL
A lovely example of the 1960's sculpture by celebrated artist Cleo Hartwig. This is her iconic peace dove that was reproduced by Sculptor Collectors. This piece was signed "in mo...
Stone
Sergio Bustamante (Mexican, B. 1949) Signed Limited Edition Paper Mache Duck
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large, colorful and striking paper mache duck figure by Sergio Bustamante. The rotund sculpture depicting a hand painted duck in blue tonal shades with wings in pastel colors of ro...
Paper
Monumental Iron Railroad Tie Man Sculpture by Bruce Gray
By Bruce Gray
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Topping out at nearly 8' tall this monumental work by California sculptor Bruce Gray is truly incredible in person! It is executed in patinated iron railroad nails and looks great fr...
Iron
Modern Creative Kokeshi Doll by Hideo Ishihara, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Rare Modern creative Kokeshi doll by Hideo Ishihara, Japan This rare whimsical sosaku kokeshi was created and signed by the award winning master, Hid...
Wood
$1,396Sale Price|30% Off
1950s Norwegian Teak Sitting Bear Figure Sculpture Midcentury in Tjomsland Style
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A vintage 1950s solid hand carved teak sitting bear cub figure. Burnished markings; Genuine teak, made in Norway. Designer is unknown, but in the manner of Arne Tjomsland, and from t...
Teak