Through his work as an architect and designer, Eero Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best-known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport in New York (opened 1962), Dulles International Airport in Virginia (1962) and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (1965).
Saarinen had a peerless modernist pedigree. His father, Eliel Saarinen, was an eminent Finnish architect who in 1932 became the first head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit. The school became synonymous with progressive design and decorative arts in the United States, and while studying there the younger Saarinen met and befriended several luminaries of mid-century modernism, among them Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames.
At Cranbrook, Saarinen also met Florence Schust Knoll, who, as director of her husband Hans Knoll's eponymous furniture company, would put Saarinen’s best designs into production. These include the Grasshopper chair, designed in 1946 and so named because its angled bentwood frame resembles the insect; the Tulip chair (1957), a flower-shaped fiberglass shell mounted on a cast-aluminum pedestal; and the lushly contoured Womb lounge chair and ottoman (1948). In his furniture as in his architecture, the keynotes of Eero Saarinen’s designs are simplicity, strength and grace.
Find vintage Eero Saarinen tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Unique Swedish Art Deco, Modern Neoclassical Cabinet, Carl Malmsten Signed, 1932
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important 'Swedish Grace' sideboard, cupboard or buffet by Swedish Master, Carl Malmsten delicately constructed of inlaid birch and elmwood depicting a scene of Saint Geor...
Birch, Ebony, Maple
French Mid-Century Modern "Croissilon" Sideboard / Credenza Attr. to Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical sideboard, credenza or cabinet circa 1940-1950 attributed to Andre Arbus. The sideboard is a masterpiece of form and materials. It combines modern simplicity and purity with neoclassical cross...
Rattan, Cherry
Rare Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboard/ Bar / Console by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant, Timeless and Enchanting Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical cabinet / bar / sideboard / credenza / console / sofa table by Paolo Buffa, circa 1950. The cabinet / cons...
Marble
French Mid-Century Modern Credenza /Console / Sofa Table by Jacques Quinet, 1970
By Jacques Quinet
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant French Mid-Century console /sofa table / credenza by Jacques Quinet in the Modern Neoclassical spirit with double drawers in patinated and laminated wood set on a ...
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Modern Console, Bar and Sideboard in style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
A Sober, Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Console in the style of Willy Rizzo that can function as a bar, sideboard, buffet, etagere, serving table, sofa table or small cupboard. The piece is composed of Chromed metal and black opaline glass and has a chic, narrow profile allowing it to easily fit anywhere including as a narrow hallway console...
Chrome
French Mid-Century Leather /Parchment Sideboard /Cabinet after Jean Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
A Rare French Art Deco style cabinet / Buffet in the style of Jean-Michel Frank. The piece was likely made as a commission by a small workshop as it is a 1 of a kind piece. It is uni...
Leather, Parchment Paper
Midcentury Extravagant Bar Cabinet by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Rome, IT
This fancy bar cabinet designed in Italy by Umberto Mascagni .This piece features a cream colored vinyl with anodized aluminium and centered by colorful Italian landscape prints. An ...
Wood
Vintage Edmond Spence Swedish Credenza or Long Dresser Mid Century Modern Style
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Edmond Spence Swedish Credenza or Long Dresser in Mid-Century Modern Style This Mid-Century Modern credenza or long dresser by Edmond Spence, crafted in Sweden during the 196...
Wood
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Credenza with Parquetry, Circa 1955, 56.25\
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American rounded rectangular credenza featuring a top storage compartment with shelf fittings followed by a 2-doored bottom cabinet featuring a shelf, decorative parquetr...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Credenza Sideboard
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Weesp, NL
Italian sideboard Mid-Century Modern Stylish 1950s bar cabinet designed by Umberto Mascagni for Mascagni Srl. Bologna. This line was imported into the UK by I.Barget Ltd., London an...
Mirror, Plywood
Swedish Modern Wooden Cabinet by Ulf Ekdahl (Attr.), Sweden mid 20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Swedish modern design remains popular today due to its clean lines, functionalism, and timeless aesthetic. Ultimately, it offers a combination of beauty and practicality that remains...
Wood
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinet / Bar Credenza with Drop-Down Door
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage cabinet, likely Italian and dating to the 1960s–1970s, features a clean Mid-Century Modern design with a functional, multi-purpose layout ideal for use as a bar cabinet,...
Glass, Formica, Wood
