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.
$696Sale Price|52% Off
Suspension chandelier signed De Majo in Murano glass.
By De Majo
Located in Palermo, IT
Oval chandelier by De Majo Italian Glass Design aspiral, a chandelier pendant in great condition for a chic environment. Ready to match it to a room of your liking.
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Large "Fungo" Table Lamp, Brass, Acrylic, Italy 1970s SIGNED 2x
Located in Basel, BS
Up for offer here is an Exceptionally rare, groundbreaking Original Vintage Early edition “Fungo” table lamp by Gabriella Crespi (ca. 1970, Italy), crafted in brass and white acrylic...
Brass
Amber Bubble Flush mount light in style of Helena Tynell, , Germany
Located in Aachen, NRW
Amber bubble glass Flushmount light in the style of Helena Tynell, Germany. Good quality and in very good condition. Cleaned, well-wired, and ready to use. The Bubble Glass Flush ...
Smoked Glass
Marta Laudani & MarCo Romanelli Suspension Lamp 'Fiore' 423 by Oluce
By Marco Romanelli, Oluce, Marta Laudani
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Suspension lamp 'Fiore' 423 designed by Marta Laudani & Marco Romanelli in 2007. Suspension lamp in transparent blown glass giving direct and diffused light. Chromium-plated metal s...
Metal
Stunning Florian Schulz Double DUOS Brass Pendant Lamp with Side Counter Weights
Located in Berlin, DE
Really beautiful Florian Schulz double posa pendant lamp with one E 27 / model a bulb in polished brass. Each lamp and newly wired.
Brass
Murano hanging lamp by Carlo Nason "Artichoke"
By Carlo Nason, AVMazzega
Located in Hannover, DE
A masterpiece by Carlo Nason, Murano Artichoke. Very heavy mid-century Murano glass pendant lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. A multiply adjustable structure with intertwined glass a...
Metal
1 of 10 Pairs of Dark Toned Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Kaiser, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Pair of thick blown and textured Murano glass wall sconces made by Kaiser Leuchten, Germany, circa 1970-1979. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned, well-wired, and ready...
Brass
Bubbled Glass Brass Base Flush Mouth by Hillebrand, 1960s, Germany
By Hillebrand
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Bubbled Glass Brass Base Flush Mouth by Hillebrand, 1960s, Germany Elegant and minimal design ceiling lamp Lampshade is in good condition and very clean. This lamp works with E27 s...
Brass
Huge J.L. Lobmeyr Metropolitan Opera Sputnik Crystal Brass Met Chandelier Vienna
By J. & L. Lobmeyr Company, J.L Lobmeyr, Hans Harald Rath
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic large mid-century Met Auditorium exploding star / starburst Sputnik chandelier, designed by Hans Harald Rath in 1966 and executed by J. & L. Lobmeyr, Austria. This chandeli...
Crystal, Brass
Diabolo Style Design Hand-crafted Pair of Sconces, 1970s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Diabolo Style Design Hand-crafted Pair of Sconces, 1970s, Germany Very nice high quality wall lamps Lamps are in very good vintage condition. Note: 2 pair available. These lamps ...
Metal
Austrian Mid-Century Pair of "Citrus" Two Murano Wall Sconces by Kalmar, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and stunning Austrian Mid-Century Pair of "Kalmar" Double Clear Murano Glass Wall Sconces, model "Citrus" 4664/2. These Sconces were designed and manufactured during the 1970s...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Green Murano Glass Chandelier, Barovier&Toso Style, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern Murano glass chandelier, Barovier and Toso style, Italy 1980s. The large chandelier is handmade in a light olive green color Murano glass, with gold plated mounts....
Murano Glass
$2,275Sale Price / set|30% Off
Stilnovo Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass and Murano Glass Sconces, 1950s, Pair
By Stilnovo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of wall lamps in polished brass and black lacquer with white Murano glass cased. Produced by Stilnovo in Italy in the 1950s. The wall lamps have been completely restored, polish...
Brass
Scandinavian Mid-Century Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful and decorative flush mount ceiling fixture from the early 1950s. Designed and made in Sweden from cirka 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in good vintage co...
Chrome
$1,450 / item
Magari Wall Lamp
Located in Westport, CT
The Magari wall lamp or reading light is handmade to order. Magari is adjustable to suit your needs: there are two articulating joints, and the shade ...
Brass, Enamel
Vintage Large Double Gourd Celadon Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage large, sculptural table lamp features timeless double gourd shaped body, decorated with striking celadon glaze. The monochromatic glaze with medium gloss finish harmonizes w...
Chrome
$500Sale Price|50% Off
Rare Vintage Spot Light by Sciolari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spot light which can be used as a wall light or flush mount, with a single clear cubic Murano glass shade hand blown with bubbles inside the glass using bollicine tec...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Large Raul Reyes 'Rey 30' Perforated Dome Chandelier in Black
By Florian Schulz, Lisa Johansson-Pape, Paavo Tynell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Raul Reyes 'Rey 30' Perforated Dome Chandelier in Black. Hand-fabricated in Los Angeles, these highly refined chandeliers are reminiscent of the iconic mid-century Finnish des...
Brass
$2,500 / set
Solana Wall Sconces
Located in Westport, CT
The "Solana" wall mount sconce or reading light is strongly influenced by Scandinavian, Danish, French, and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. The walnut back plate (available in natural...
Enamel, Brass
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Metal Pendant Lamp in White for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Colombo 'Triedro' Metal Pendant Lamp in White for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mid-century e...
Metal
Italian White Triennale 3-Light Brass Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Italian ivory white Triennale three light chandelier fashioned of brass with three adjustable arms, conical shaped diffusers and reinforced by counterweights.
Brass
Rare Counterweight Suspension by Gino Sarfatti / Arteluce, 1938 Mod. No. 2007
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Early and very rare extandable counterweight suspension designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1938, Mod. No. 2007. Manufactured by Arteluce in the 1930...
Gold Plate, Brass, Aluminum
Italian Long Midcentury Interlocking Murano Chandelier by Carlo Nason, 1970s
By AVMazzega, Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and stunning Interlocking Murano glass Chandelier by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. This Chandelier was designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Italy. This chandelier is composed by 200 units of clear hexagon Murano glasses...
Metal
Large Mid Century Modern beige glass Sputnik chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Very large Mid-Century Modern Beige Murano globes Sputnik chandelier, Italy circa 1990s. The huge chandelier is made of brass mounts and 30 Murano glass globes, each nesting one ligh...
Brass
Vittoriano Viganò 'VV Cinquanta' suspension Lamp in Black and White
By Gino Sarfatti, Astep, Vittoriano Vigano
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vittoriano Viganò 'VV Cinquanta' suspension lamp in black and white for Astep. Viganò was the art director of Arteluce, the company founded by his creative partner Gino Sarfatti, a...
Aluminum, Steel
Quinta lighting element designed by Silvio Coppola for Studio Artemide, 1970s.
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Raro elemento illuminante modello Quinta disegnato da Silvio Coppola per Studio Artemide, anni 70. Struttura in metallo verniciato, tessuto, altezza regolabile fino a 4 metri. Elemen...
Metal
1 of 3 Petite Gilt Brass Chandelier, Sciolari Style by Palwa, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
A wonderful and high-quality gilded chandelier or pendant light fixture by Palwa -Design in style of Sciolari, Germany, 1970s. It is made of a 24-carat gold-plated brass frame decor...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
Castiglioni & Menghi 'Canna Nuda' Metal Ceiling Lamp in Chrome for Nemo Lighting
By Roberto Menghi, Nemo Lighting 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Castiglioni & Menghi 'Canna Nuda' metal ceiling lamp in chrome for Nemo lighting This beautifully designed minimalistic ceiling lamp is adju...
Metal, Chrome
Jacqueline and Tim Orr abstract brown ceramic table lamp circa 1970 27 cm
By Tim Orr
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jacqueline and Tim Orr 20th century design brown ceramic porcelain table lamp Abstract ceramic form original perfect condition signed under the base Total height with electrica...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Large Contemporary Pair of Brass Salmon Gold Leaf Murano Glass Sconces, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Large tall Pair of Contemporary salmon Murano glass with gold leaf and brass wall lights lighting lamps sconces. Contemporary work from a small artisanal italian design workshop. In...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mint Condition Florian Schulz Onos Polished Brass with Side Counterweight
Located in Berlin, DE
This lamp is in perfect condition. The height is adjustable with the counter weight to any needs. To be on the safe side, the lamp should be checked locally by a specialist concer...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Space Age Toy Table Lamp by Gaetano Sciolari, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare Space Age table lamp by the Italian manufacturer Ecolight/Valenti after a design by Gaetano Sciolari from the 60s. The small table lamp consists of two parts, the spherical ref...
Metal
$511Sale Price|20% Off
Tole Brass Gold Tone Mid Century Floor Lamp with two Shades
Located in Lomita, CA
This vintage tole lamp is true to form with extras, like the original glass shade diffuser in perfect condition under the metal top shade. But the b...
Brass
Italian Midcedntury Brass Opaline Glass Pendant, 1950s, Three Pendants Available
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A very elegante Mid-Century hand-blown opaline glass pendant light with brass gallery Italy, circa 1950s. Large opaline glass ball with brass shade holder with pierced details for light projection, beautiful brass chain and canopy...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Red Noce Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Space Age Model Noce Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1970s Wall lamp by Italian manufacturer Flos, based on a design by Achille Castiglioni fro...
Metal
Large 3-Light Midcentury Modern Honeycomb Structure Glass Flush Mount w Teakwood
Located in Lisse, NL
Great Mid-Century Modern ceiling light with a teakwood finial & brass canopy and a honeycomb pattern on the glass shade. This vintage, flat, three-light flush mount has a beautiful ...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
$1,068Sale Price / item|20% Off
Charming Glass Tube Chandelier, 30 Albaster Pink Glasses
Located in Budapest, HU
Italian vintage glass chandelier with albaster pink glass tubes. The armor polished nickel supports 36 large glass tubes in a star shape. The alabaster technique created in Venetian ...
Metal
$6,900
Angelo Shade Flush Mount
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian midcentury asymmetrical flush mount with 6 matte white Murano glass shades mounted on solid brass frame in satin brass finish / Made in Italy Length: 60 inches / Width: 35.5 ...
Brass
EAE, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By EAE
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and yellow fabric wall light produced by EAE, Sweden, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Variable position; measured as shown. Overall Dimensions (Inc...
Brass
Rare Mid Century Modern Table Lamp or Desk Light by Andre Ricard for Metalarte
By Metalarte Spain, André Ricard
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare and elegant table lamp or desk light. Designed by André Ricard in 1973. Manufactured by Metalarte, Spain. With engraved makers mark. Executed in metal, the table lam...
Steel, Metal
Erse table lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide Anni 70
Located in Milano, IT
Table lamp, metal and milky white glass, E27 lamp holder. Good Condition
Metal
Flower Flush Mount, Brass and Glass by Sische, 1970s
By Sische
Located in Rijssen, NL
A wonderful flower flush mount by Sische Lighting, circa 1970s, Germany. The flush mount is composed of six glass flower shades attached to a round brass base. High end piece from th...
Brass
Alberto Donà Mid-Century Modern Amber Pair of Murano Glass Table Lamps, 1995
By Alberto Donà
Located in Murano, Venezia
This table lamp is part of the collection of the glass master Alberto Donà which includes three lamps of different sizes called "Briolette". Their name derives from their faceted c...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Swedish Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Teak, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass, teak and glass wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 7.25” H x 3.25 ” W x 5.25“D Back Plate Dimensions (Inches): 7”...
Brass
Small Vintage Table Lamp of Brass with Punched-paper Shade Denmark 1940s
By Bent Karlby, Paavo Tynell, Hans Bergström
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Small vintage table lamp made in Denmark in the 1940s. in the style of Paavo Tynell The lamp base is made of brass with lacquer mounted with the original light brown paper shade wit...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Cocoon Wall Lamp Sconce Friedel Wauer Goldkant Leuchten
By Goldkant Leuchten, Friedel Wauer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-century modern Cocoon wall lamp by German manufacturer Goldkant, based on a design by Friedel Wauer from the 1960s. The lamp has a simple spindle shape. In this case, of course,...
Metal
$2,250 / item
Italian Mid-Century 3 Armed Tole Flower Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
4 Italian Mid-Century tole wall sconce with a intricate three armed floral design (PRICED EACH) Good condition consistent with age and use
Paavo Tynell '9464' Perforated Brass and Glass Wall Light for GUBI
By Gubi, Paavo Tynell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paavo Tynell '9464' Perforated Brass and Glass Wall Light for GUBI Originally designed by Paavo Tynell in 1947, this authorized GUBI re-edition is executed in a perforated brass met...
Metal, Brass
Brass and Clear Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Lamp, Mid-20th Century, UK
Located in Amsterdam, NL
British clear glass flush mount. Metal bulb holder with brass glass holder. Clear glass Brass ceiling plate / wall plate : diameter 10 cm / 3.94 inches Weight: 0.90 kg / 2 lb Pric...
Brass
1 of 2 Pairs of Kalmar Brass & Murano Glass Sconces Wall Lights, Austria, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Wonderful mid-century wall sconce with Murano glass, made by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured, circa 1960-1969. The frame is gilt brass. High quality and in very good condition. Clean...
Brass
$3,017Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Midcentury Modern Kalmar Mazzega Murano Glass Wall Lights Sconces 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting, Carlo Nason, Mazzega, AVMazzega
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern rare, organic brass, white and clear Murano glass double socketed wall lamps, lights or sconces by Austrian lighting manufacturer Kalmar, circa 197...
Metal, Brass
Murano Glass Lamp Mid Century Modern 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Murano glass lamp on lucite base, Italy, circa 1950s. Attributed to Archimede Seguso, unsigned. The lamp is pictured with a shade measuring 18"H x 17"W. The overall height with the s...
Glass, Lucite
Pair of French Modernist Wall Lights, circa 1960, Satin Glass and Brass
Rare pair of French two-arm wall lights from the 1950-1960s. A Minimalist brass and lacquered structure with two satin glass diffusers and polished brass shades. Brass and ceramic E1...
Brass, Steel
'Patroclo' Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide
By Gae Aulenti, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 'Patroclo' table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, originally designed in 1975, stands as a sculptural exploration of light, material, and structure within late-Modern Italian d...
Metal
Set of 3 Ifö Sweden Green Wall Lamp Sconces + Shelf, Modern Bathroom Light 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Ifö Electric, Stig Carlsson, Lindner, Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of two original vintage wall sconces and a matching shelf from Ifö, Sweden, made circa 1950s to 1960s. They come in the more rare to find pale green color version. The glass scre...
Ceramic, Glass
Warm Gold Murano Glass Flower Scalloped Pendant Chandelier, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke Warm Gold Murano Glass Scalloped Floral Pendant Chandelier. Handmade in Venice, Italy, this unique chandelier features individually hand-cast Murano glass scalloped elements ...
Brass
Murano Glass Ceiling Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
By Max Ingrand, Carlo Nason, J.T. Kalmar, Paolo Venini, Mazzega
Located in München, DE
Unique Murano glass ceiling lamp from the 1960s. The lamp is very impressive. The textured glass creates a sparkling light. Fantastic design and a beautiful addition to any home. Ma...
Metal
20th Century Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Chandelier mod. Vela, 50s
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Angelo Lelii became an influential designer in postwar Italy, especially in the field of modern lighting design. In the 1947 He founded Arredoluce, a premier manufacturer of fornitu...
Aluminum, Brass
Murano Art Glass and Brass Green Color Wall Light and Sconces, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
This charming wall lamp is entirely handmade in Murano. Each leaf is handcrafted from high-quality Murano blown glass, giving each leaf a slightly different look. The color is a vibr...
Brass
French Designer, Table Lamp, Rope, Fabric, France, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown rope and white fabric table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions of Lamp with Shade (inches): 11.35"H x 7.75"W x 5.2...
Fabric, Rope
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
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.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.