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.
Mid Century Style Italian Lounge Chair in Velvet Rose Pink
Located in London, GB
Sophia was inspired by stylish Italian design from the 1950s and is now created by English craftsman for the 21st century. We developed a lounge chair with the option of producing an...
Velvet, Wood
Mid Century Modern Hand Made Prototype Chair, One of a Kind
Located in Lutz, FL
An unusual and interesting one of a kind functional piece of art c.1970’s. This hand crafted prototype lounge chair is made of solid oak and cleverly designed and assembled with oak ...
Fabric, Oak
Edra “Corbeille” Armchair by Francesco Binfaré in Original White Leather, Italy
Located in amstelveen, NL
Sculptural white leather Corbeille armchair by Francesco Binfaré for Edra, Italy. This exceptional lounge chair features generously padded, overstuffed upholstery in its original wh...
Steel
Vintage Coastal Woven Rattan Lounge Chair With Extending Foot Rest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace relaxed elegance with this exquisite vintage rattan lounge chair, a perfect fusion of coastal charm and bohemian artistry. Expertly handcrafted from natural woven rattan, thi...
Rattan
Chistera easy chair by Joseph André Motte
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare fauteuil Chistera par Joseph André Motte pour les éditions Rougier.
Metal
Brazilian Designer, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.25"H x 27.25"W x 32.0"D Seat Heig...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Design Classic Elda Lounge Chair by Joe Colombo, 1970s Italy
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Renens, CH
The Elda Chair by Joe Colombo (1963) is a post-war design masterpiece: The design is still today considered futuristic, with its moulded fiberglass shell and swivelling base, offer...
Leather, Fiberglass
$2,100Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set Of 2 Lounge Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Munich, DE
Attributed to Paolo Buffa. Cane and cherrywood in good and all original condition. located in hamburg.
Wood
Sculptural Danish Modern Lounge Chair & Ottoman by H.W. Klein Reupholstered
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Danish Modern Lounge Chair and Ottoman, designed by H.W. Klein for Bramin Mobler, Denmark, circa 1960s. This chair is currently being reupholstered and can be completed in...
Metal
20th Century Vintage Pink and Blue Atlantis Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Atlantis armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, th...
Velvet
Alvar Aalto Zebra Hide Lounge Chairs Danish Modern Midcentury Design for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall back cantilevered lounge chairs in zebra hide, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, originally designed circa 1930s, these examples are circa 1950s. They are a near pair ...
Zebra Hide, Wood, Birch
Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut & Holly Hunt Geo Mohair Club Chairs by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modernist club chairs, designed by the renowned American designer James Mont circa 1950, epitomizes sophistication and luxurious craftsmanship. T...
Mohair, Walnut
Hans Wegner, Folding Lounge Chair model JH-512, circa 1960, by Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Hans J Wegner (1914-2007), Folding Lounge Chair, model JH-512, original design 1949, this example possibly produced circa 1960. Produced by Johannes Hansen, Copenhagen Denmark, an...
Brass
Danish 1950's Pair of Easy Chairs Original Two-Tone Fabric
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very cool Danish pair of midcentury lounge chairs with beech legs and beech accents on the armrests. Epitomizes the style from around 1950. We were starting to see lower profiles of...
Wool, Beech
20th Century Single Swedish Armchair - Vintage Side Chair by Carl Malmsten
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish anonymous armchair with two pillows, designed by Carl Malmsten, in good condition. The seat backrest of single Scandinavian Little Fu...
Fabric, Upholstery, Birch
Vintage Coastal La Jolla Bent Rattan Lounge Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace relaxed coastal charm with this vintage bent rattan lounge chair, a true statement piece for any space. Its flowing, sculptural design highlights expert craftsmanship, with g...
Rattan
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century, Kangaroo Chairs, Teak, Cane, India, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century, Kangaroo Chairs, Teak, Cane, India, 1960s Pierre Jeanneret 'Kangourou' chairs, Model PJ-SI-59-A. Chic and stylish lounge or slipper chair by Pi...
Cane, Teak
Vintage Adrian Pearsall Style Chair With Ottoman Mid Century Modern Seating
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Experience the pinnacle of lounge luxury with this striking Adrian Pearsall style chair and matching ottoman, a definitive example of Mid-Century Modern comfort. Featuring a bold arc...
Wood
Italian Designer, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Mohair, Walnut, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white fabric, green mohair and walnut lounge chairs designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Seat Height (inches): 14” Arm Height (in...
Fabric, Mohair, Walnut
1970 Italian Lounge Chairs Set by Lev & Lev, Olive Green & Taupe
By Lev & Lev
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Italian 1970's lounge chairs, beautifully proportioned with olive green upholstered bases and backs, with seat and front back support upholstered in a taupe colored cotto...
Leather, Cotton
Eames Herman Miller Soft Pad Leather Lounge Chair EA216 Aluminium Armchair 1975
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Alexander Girard
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous, iconic and rare 1970s tall back Eames ‘Soft Pad’ swivel lounge chair in fair-to-good vintage condition. Designed by American Mid Century Modern supremos Ray and Charles E...
Aluminum
$5,950Sale Price|21% Off
Soriana Lounge Chair in Grey Leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Signed
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Atelier International, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian designed 'Soriana' lounge chair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina and distributed in the United States under license in the 1960s and 1970s by Atelier Internati...
Chrome
Mid-Century lounge chair by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, Norway 1970s Set of 2
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid-Century lounge chair by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, Norway 1970s Set of 2 Design year: 1970s Made in Norway Style: vintage, Danish modern Designed by: Ingmar Relling for ...
Leather, Wood
Jangada Chair & Ottoman by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Rare example of Brazilian modernism at its finest: the iconic “Jangada” lounge chair and ottoman, designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma Wood Art...
Leather, Rope, Rosewood
Pair of Milo Baughman Style Brass Lounge Chairs by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of mid-century modern design lounge chairs featuring brass frames. The iconic design by Milo Baughman is elevated by the highly polished brass finish. The frames are uph...
Brass
Giancarlo Piretti "Alky" Lounge Chair for Anonima Castelli, Black Leather, 1970
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giancarlo Piretti "Alky" Lounge Chair for Anonima Castelli, Black Leather, Italy, 1972 Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli in 1972, the "Alky" lounge chair is one of the more quietly resolved seating designs of the Italian rational...
Metal
$9,728Sale Price / set|24% Off
Lounge Chairs with Ottomans by Giuseppe Pagano for Bocconi University, c 1940s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare four-piece (4) living room suite by Giuseppi Pagano, designed in 1939 for Bocconi University in Milan, is comprised of two oak bentwood upholstered open armchairs with otto...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Chrome Scoop Lounge Chairs After Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Striking and effortlessly architectural, this pair of chrome scoop lounge chairs captures the essence of 1970s modern design inspired by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. The sculptur...
Chrome
Set of Four Garden, Patio, Poolside Chairs by Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard
Located in New York, NY
Quintessential mid-century garden, patio, poolside lounge chairs by Russell Woodard. These chairs feature the signature woven mesh metal work seat and backs,...
Wrought Iron
Mario Bellini Bambole lounge chair B&B Italia 1972
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic Bambole lounge chair and poof designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The Le Bambole collection marked a breakthrough i...
Bouclé
Pair of Vanilla Creme Sheepskin Lounge Chairs with Bentwood Arms by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Get cozy in this luxurious pair of Mid-Century Modern bentwood lounge chairs by Thonet circa 1950 freshly reupholstered in vanilla creme sheepskins. Lounge on clouds of soft vanilla creme sheepskins that beckon you to stay awhile...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Bentwood
Nanna Ditzel Armchair Model 83 by Mobelfabric Soren Willadsen Denmark 1960s
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel
Located in Paris, IDF
Nanna Ditzel armchair Model 83 by Mobelfabric Soren Willadsen Denmark. Oak wood. 2 armchairs available. Price for 1 armchair. Born in 1923 in Copenhagen, the modern designer Nanna D...
Oak
$2,400Sale Price / set|63% Off
Casina Lounge Chairs in Style of Ray Wilkes
By Ray Wilkes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Casina lounge chairs, original condition very comfortable in style of Ray Wilkes. Chairs are original and sign.
Upholstery
Heavy Gage Polished Stainless Steel Swivel Base Suede Upholstery Lounge Chair
By Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern suede upholstery very heavy and thick gage stainless steel base lounge chair.
Stainless Steel
Hans Wegner Style "Peacock Solid Ash Arm Chair, 1970's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Iconic Ash Wishbone arm lounge chair in the style of Hans Wegner, 1970's. Featuring professionally refinished solid framework, smooth plume back, wide solid seat and arms. Classic. C...
Ash
Swivel Lounge Chair, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Almost White, Expertly Restored
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar swivel lounge chair. Expertly restored and reupholstered. Deep, comfortable chair on a beautiful mahogany base. No expense was spared in both the original m...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Boborelax Chair Cini Boeri For Arflex Red Velvet, Italy, circa 1955
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Vienna, AT
Boborelax lounge chair, designed by Cini Boeri, Italy circa 1965 Measures: 33.85" x 21.5" x 28.74" - seat height is circa 16.5". Very stylish chaise-lounge Boborelax upholstered in alcantara faux leather fabric, which resembles suede leather but is more durable and resilient. It has been designed by Cini Boeri and is a modern take on traditional seating...
Steel
Sculptural Billy Haines Style Barrel Back Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Modern, Pair
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of sculptural Billy Haines style barrel back lounge chairs. Upholstery is clean but is dated-reupholstery is recommended.
Brass
Brazilian Designer, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige fabric and dark-stained wood lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.25"H x 30.25"W x 32.75"D Seat Height (inches): 18.25" ...
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Vintage Pink Blush Boucle Atlantis Big Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Atlantis armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Velvet
Vintage Rattan Lounge Chairs In Alan Campbell “Zigzag” For Quadrille - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking pair of vintage rattan lounge chairs exemplifies the relaxed sophistication of mid-century tropical design, elevated by iconic upholstery. Crafted in classic rattan wit...
Fabric, Rattan, Upholstery
Pair of “Pele” Lounge Chairs by Esko Pajamies for Lepokalusto, Finland 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare pair of “Pele” lounge chairs by Finnish designer Esko Pajamies is, without a doubt, his most stunning chair design. It is seldom we see a chair model and immediately recogn...
Fabric, Wood
Vladimir Kagan VK Armchair, Gray Blue Leather Lounge Chair, Polished Base.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vladimir Kagan VK Armchair, Made in Italy. Gray Blue leather. Polished aluminum base. Originally designed as the Contour Collection (Trisymmetric Chaise Longue and Armchair Lounge) in the late 1950’s as a metal version of his tri-symmetric wood forms of the 1940’s for Kagan-Dreyfus. Produced under Vladimir Kagan New York...
Aluminum
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
Børge Mogensen Spanish Chair, Leather & Oak, Mid-Century, 1958
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 1950 Børge Mogensen Spanish Chair by Fredericia, Denmark. Børge Mogensen designed the Spanish Chair in 1958 for Fredericia Furniture, and it has since become a definitive...
Brass
FD144 Easy Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard, Peter Hvidt
Located in Ranst, VAN
Beautiful set of two FD144 armchairs in designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France & Daverkosen in 1953. The frame of the armchairs is in oak and teak with the orig...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
$2,400Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Manner of Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Lounge Chairs
Located in Wayne, NJ
Mid Century Modern Sculpted Lounge Chairs . We have been unable to find the designer but has the style of Andrian Pearsall , Harvey Probber and other Famous Designers, some that we c...
Fabric
Pair of Milo Baughman Style Tufted Chrome Barrel Tub Chairs Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Milo Baughman style tufted chrome barrel back lounge chairs. The fabric is the original crushed orange velvet and actually has great vintage appeal as is. Yes they are...
Chrome
Pair of Walnut Slipper Chairs by John Lubberts Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of cane and walnut slipper chairs from the Sophisticate line by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson. The chairs have a bullhorn shaped barrel back. Each chair measu...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Western Folk Art Wagon Wheel Table and Chairs Set, 1960
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Antique wagon wheel lounge chairs with matching glass top side table. Heavy solid wood from an antique wood made sometime in the 1960s. The chairs ...
Reclaimed Wood
Paul McCobb, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul McCobb, American Mid-Century Modern, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s A pair of model 1322 lounge chairs designed by Paul MCobb for Directional Furniture in the...
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini Cab Lounge Chair by Cassina, Leather & Steel, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina c.1970s, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The seat has a rounded...
Steel
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
Easy Chair by Eric Merthen model "Cadett", Sweden, 1960s
By Eric Merthen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant and comfortable lounge chair designed by Eric Merthen and produced by Ire Möbel AB in Sweden during the 1960s. Crafted in rosewood with black leather upholstery, the chair fe...
Leather, Rosewood
$4,640Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of MR Lounge Armchairs by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic pair of MR Lounge armchairs designed by Mies Van der Rohe for Knoll. With a canted back and cantilevered bounce, the MR Lounge Chair invites relaxation. Its channel-tufted ...
Steel, Chrome
Hans J. Wegner, Lounge Chair, Model 290, oiled Oak, 1970s Denmark
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner lounge chair made of solid oiled oak. New upholstered with Lillehammer wool from Nevotex. Model 290, made by GETAMA.
Wool, Oak
Charles and Ray Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair Metal Base (LCM) for Herman Mi
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Sacramento, CA
Iconic Charles and Ray Eames LCM (Lounge Chair Metal) lounge chair. Originally released in 1946 by the Evans Plywood Company, the design was taken over by Herman Miller in 1949 and h...
Steel
$15,000 / set
Wingback Lounge Chairs by Adrian Pearsall, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
Set of vintage wingback lounge chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950–1959. These iconic chairs feature sculpted walnut bases and dramatic arm details, refinished...
Linen, Walnut
$1,987Sale Price|50% Off
Kofod Larsen High Back Lounge Chair Danish, 1960s
By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully crafted 1960s Danish chair in bent teal with a sled base and reupholstered cushions in a luxurious cut Donghia velvet.
Velvet, Teak
Fabricius and Kastholm FK87 "Grasshopper" for Alfred Kill, Denmark, 1960's
By Kill International, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Fabricius and Kastholm FK87 "Grasshopper" for Alfred Kill, Denmark, 1960's This is a classic “Grasshopper” lounge chair, model FK87, designed by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm...
Steel, Chrome
GUBI Pacha Lounge Chair Armrest Karakorum 001 Gold Swivel Base by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
Legendary French designer Pierre Paulin originally designed the Pacha Lounge Chair in 1975. Paulin designed the chair in harmony with the changing design style of its period, replaci...
Brass