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.
Sculptural Dining Side Chairs in the Style of Gio Ponti, Solid Walnut
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural Dining Side Chairs. Solid walnut frames, upholstered backs and seats. Made in the USA. Customer provides Fabric. Price is per chair. Shipping in the US will be $250 for t...
Walnut
$7,500
The Showcase Dresser
By Pete Deeble
Located in Long Beach, CA
The Showcase Dresser is a celebration of the incredible, wonderous, endless beauty found in nature. We believe that each piece of lumber has a story it wants to tell, and a perfect ...
Hardwood
LG. Dansk Flamestone Casserole Paella Dish w/ Cover by Jens Quistgaard Denmark
By Dansk
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A two piece large casserole or paella serving dish made of Flamestone pottery which is good for low heat and can be used on the table for serving with proper padding so it would not ...
Pottery
Mid-Century Brass Table Lamp with Adjustable Dome Shade, Norway c. 1950s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A solid brass table lamp with a wide domed shade on a cylindrical stem and circular base. The shade rotates freely, allowing the light to be directed as needed. Designer unknown, but...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit in Maple and Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Gustavo & Vito Latis, highboard or showcase library, maple, walnut, glass, brass, Italy, circa 1960 Beautiful showcase made in Italy in the 1960s. Executed in mapl...
Brass
Large White Chandelier by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1960s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking chandelier was designed by Emil Stejnar for the renowned Vienna-based lighting manufacturer Rupert Nikoll in the 1960s. Stejnar is celebrated for his poetic and celesti...
Metal
Amber Bubble Glas Pendant by Helena Tynell for Limburg, 1960s
By Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell and Heinrich Gantenbrink
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This Mid-Century Modern Space Age pendant light was designed during the 1960s by Helena Tynell and Heinrich Gantenbrink and was produced by Glashütte Limburg in Germany. It is made o...
Brass
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena Italian Lounge Chairs Grey Leather and Steel
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, lounge chairs, leather, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1963 These cubist lounge chairs in grey leather were designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for ...
Steel, Chrome
$676Sale Price / set|41% Off
Mazzega wall lighting Glass Murano gold incrustation pair , Italy, 1970
By Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Superb Mazzega wall lighting glass Murano with structure. The Design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best of the Italian Design. Mazzega is an Italian company that ...
Murano Glass
Expertly Restored-John Van Koert “Profile” Travertine Top Side Tables for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Original Travertine Tops, Walnut Wood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life,...
Travertine
$2,600 / set
Pair of 1950s Italian Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Rome, IT
A distinctive and subtly playful pair of Italian wall sconces from the 1950s, defined by a sculptural composition in brass with contrasting material details. Each sconce features tw...
Metal, Brass
Paolo Piva Style Coffee Table, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural coffee table reminiscent of the famed "Alanda" coffee table by Paolo Piva. Each unit is L-shaped, with a clear plate glass top carried by a black enameled metal wire fr...
Metal
Mid Century Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser Chest by Dixie Furniture
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A walnut nine drawer Mid Century dresser chest with elegant blended pulls giving the piece a clean look and feel for its size and proportions. Having plenty of functional storage wit...
Walnut
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
French Designer, Wall Lights, Wood, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood wall lights likely designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 16.0"H x 6.75"W x 5.65"D Back Plate Dim...
Wood
Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb Credenza with Brass base for Calvin Group
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Dark brown Mahogany with folding front doors sideboard or credenza. Behind the folding doors are 2 Drawers and 2 adjustable shelves in a dark brown finish. Sits on...
Brass
Large Three-Tier Murano Glass Tube Chandelier, Pink Albaster
By Mazzega
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Italian vintage chandelier in Murano glass and nickel-plated metal structure. The armor polished nickel supports 48 large glass tubes in a star shape. The alabaster technique create...
Blown Glass
Beautiful small 1960s Cocoon pendant lamp in very good vintage condition
Located in München, BY
Beautiful small 1960s Cocoon pendant lamp in very good original vintage condition. Great minimalist design. Creates a very pleasant warm light. The shade is undamaged. No holes or ...
Metal
Pierre Jeanneret Scissor Lounge Chairs, Knoll, 1965, Original Cushions Included
Located in Culver City, CA
One look at these chairs and you'll be OBSESSED. These original 1960s Model 92 Pierre Jeanneret scissor chairs are a lot like George Clooney ~ they're both hot in their 60s and somehow have managed to look better with age than the rest of the world. Pierre Jeanneret was Le Corbusier's cousin and right-hand man for two decades, doing a wild amount of the actual genius-level design work while Corbusier got the magazine covers. (You probably know him from Chandigarh, the Indian city he basically single-handedly furnished, teak chairs, cane seats, the works.) But this chair actually predates all of that. Back in 1948, while Hans and Florence Knoll were touring Europe scouting new design talent, they came across this scissor base chair, a design that was entirely Jeanneret's own. They were so taken with it they licensed it on the spot and brought it to America as the Model 92 Scissors Chair. Knoll made this chair from 1948 to 1966. That's it. Eighteen years, then done forever. This particular pair is from right near the very end of that run, circa 1965 -- which we know because of the Scovill zipper on the original cushions, a little hardware detail Knoll (and Herman Miller, and Thayer Coggin) used from the mid-60s through the 70s. It's basically a built-in birth certificate. So not only are these legit Jeanneret-for-Knoll chairs, they're some of the last ones that ever rolled off the line before this design got retired. Incredibly rare, even by rare-chair standards. What's actually going on with these chairs: We had the birch wooden frames professionally refinished but left the aluminum hardware completely alone; that soft worn patina is six decades in the making and we weren't about to buff out the only proof these chairs have actually lived a life. The original webbed straps are still on there too, original, unreplaced, with this gorgeous gentle fade that you genuinely cannot fake. And here's the fun part ~~ you're getting TWO sets of cushions. The originals are this incredible avocado, tan, and forest green stripe that is so 1965 it should come with its own rotary phone and a pack of Pall Malls. They're still totally usable (the foam has gotten a little more dense over 60 years, because foam isn't immortal, but they're not falling apart, they're just... a little more firm). If you're a purist, these are indeed your grail. That said, maybe avocado/tan/forest green isn't your design combo, and we totally get that. So we had a second set of cushions custom-made to spec in a soft oatmeal nubby cotton that'll effortlessly flex into any color scheme. The original cushions have the same kind of webbing / straps that fold over the frame and button down to secure them to the frames of the chair (so they don't slide around). We carefully, expertly removed them from the original cushions and installed them on the new oatmeal colored cushions. Should you want full 1965 energy instead, we're happy to move them back to the originals. We don't believe in scrubbing the character out of a piece just to make it "showroom ready." These chairs have a zipper that tells you their birthday, a patina that tells you they were used, and straps that tell you they were loved. We fixed what needed fixing and left the rest exactly as time intended. This is the chair that Hans and Florence stopped for in the middle of a road trip, and almost 80 years later it'll do the same thing to anyone who walks into your living room. We've currently got ours in the gallery alongside a Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa, a Gabriella Crespi coffee table...
Aluminum
French White Mat Opaline Glass Brass Sconces Wall Lamps
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French brass wall lamp White mat opaline glass. Brass wall piece and arm diameter brass wall mount: 10 cm / 3.93” 3 holes to secure E14 Weight: 0.70 kg / 1.5 lb E14 bulb holder....
Brass
Pair of 1950s Italian Black Lacquered Metal, Brass and Opaline Glass Wall Lights
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant and well-balanced pair of Italian wall lights from the 1950s, defined by a refined contrast between black lacquered metal, brass, and opaline glass. Each sconce features a v...
Brass
High stool by Bruno Rey, circa 1971
By Bruno Rey
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of high stools with backrest, model Rey Chair by Bruno Rey for Dietiker. The solid beech structure is lacquered white, and the seat covered with white imitation leather. The se...
Beech
Rare and Large Martin Eisler Sideboard for Forma in Brazilian Walnut and Cane
By Martin Eisler, Benno M. Forman
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Martin Eisler for Forma, sideboard, Brazilian walnut, glass, brass, cane, leather, Brazil, 1950s Rare Brazilian sideboard by Martin Eisler for Forma. This refined piece is composed ...
Brass
Barovier Murano Rostrato Glass and Brass Table Lamp, Italy 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and very rare Murano glass table lamp entirely crafted in rostrato mouth-blown Murano glass. This incredibly elegant piece was designed by Barovier and produced in Murano...
Brass
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating bookcase desi...
Teak
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Arc Adjustable Chrome Floor Lamp With Large Shade Goffredo Reggiani
Located in Toronto, ON
Spectacular arc floor lamp, made in Italy by Reggiani. It has a chrome frame which is fully adjustable, featuring a large acrylic shade with brass accent on the edges. This lamp is a...
Chrome
Mid Century Kemp And Lauritzen Table Lamp
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage Kemp & Lauritzen Table Lamp, 1965 A true icon of Danish 1960s design. This original Kemp & Lauritzen table lamp pairs space-age styling with warm, functional light. Desi...
Chrome
Set of 3 Copper Cylinder Pendant Lights Attributed to Hoogervorst
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three copper cylinder pendant lights hang from cream cords. Each shade is made from three connected copper tubes, with a black enameled metal band around the center featuring a repea...
Metal, Copper, Enamel
Aldo Tura Serving Bar Cart in Cherry-Red Goatskin, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in München, BY
Rare 1960s Aldo Tura serving bar cart crafted from wood, clad in cherry-red goatskin and finished with a thick, clear lacquer coating. The high-quality frame is made of brass. A hig...
Brass
Thonet, Settee, Wood, Fabric, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and wood settee or bench produced by Thonet, Vienna, Austria, c. 1900s. From a group along with two chairs, one carrying Thonet paper label. Minimal signs of use. Re...
Fabric, Wood
$360Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Mid-Century Blue Vase by Ind. Vetraria Valdarnese. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Vintage spherical vase manufactured in Italy by the prestigious IVV (Industria Vetraria Valdarnese). Expertly blown from high-quality glass, this piece features an exceptionall...
Blown Glass
beautiful Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant 1970s Murano glass flush mount handcrafted in Italy. The fixture features beautifully textured, hand-blown Murano glass resting on a white lacquered metal base, creating a...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Modern Teak Extendable Dining Table
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century modern teak extendable dining table with built-in leaf. This piece is in excellent condition with very few signs of age-related wear (see photos). If ...
Teak
Pair of articulated "Cocoon" wall lights, resin and pine, Italy, Circa 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful pair of articulated "cocoon" wall lights, Italy, 1970s. Each sconce showcases masterful hand-applied resin threads over a metal frame, creating the iconic cocoon effect — a...
Pine, Resin
Sculptural Bronze Paperweight by Monique Gerber, France, Circa 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A refined and sculptural bronze paperweight or ashtray by the French artist Monique Gerber, dating from circa 1970. Elegantly modeled in the form of a single marguerite (daisy) petal...
Bronze
RESERVED: Vintage Palmette Wall Light, Amber Glasses
By Mazzega
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Luxury and GENUINE Murano Glass applique. 100% HAND MADE IN MURANO. The applique are made by 9 Murano handmade amber palmette glass, for each one, in a Solid metal frame gold painted...
Art Glass
$117Sale Price|35% Off
California Pottery White Pink Figurative Female Hand Ring Holder
Located in Van Nuys, CA
California Pottery salmon pink figurative female hand business card holder. The sculpture features an open hand with a small lip in the center palm for holding business cards. The ha...
Ceramic
Maison Regain Daybed in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, daybed, solid elm, fabric, France, 1980s. A Maison Regain daybed, whose structure is composed primarily of solid elm, imparts a sense of warmth and organic texture to...
Fabric, Elm
Rare Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce '12607' Chandelier
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, chandelier, model '12607', polished brass, coated aluminum, coated brass, duplex white opal glass, Italy, 1957 Angelo Lelii designed this beautiful and...
Aluminum, Brass
Large Warrier Rubbing on rice Paper - Cambodian Angkor Wat Temple, Asia
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This piece is a striking graphite rubbing on rice paper depicting a royal procession from Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s 12th‑century temple complex. The composition captures the grandeur of...
Paper
$385Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century Walnut Floral Rose Tea Side Table w Pull Out Tray 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Regency and Hepplewhite style tea side table. Made of walnut featuring an inset gallery top with floral rose design, a scalloped apron, pullout tray, and tapered fluted ...
Walnut
Alessandro Mendini "Cubosfera" Glass Table Lamo for Fidenza Vetraria, Italy 1960
By Alessandro Mendini, Fidenza Vetraria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design table lamp, Cubosfera model, designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Fidenza Vetraria, made of 2 interlocking elements screwed together in thi...
Metal
A Stylish & Rare Pair of Mid-Century Leather Lounge Chairs, France Circa 1950’s
Located in Hastings, GB
A Stylish & Rare Pair of Mid-Century Leather Lounge Chairs, France Circa 1950’s This charming pair of chairs is very lovely. Stylish, sculptural, and versatile, these lounge cha...
Leather
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Armchair with Wood Legs - All Original - Blue
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Decatur, GA
All-Original Eero Saarinen Executive Armchair in Blue Upholstery with Wood Legs, for Knoll circa 1960s A timeless mid-century modern executive armchair designed by Eero Saarinen for...
Fabric, Bentwood
Giant Italian Tole Hot Air Balloon Chandelier, circa 1950s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
An amazing, giant, Italian hand - painted hot air balloon chandelier, circa 1950s. Socket: 6 x e14 (Edison) for standard screw bulbs. Diameter: 31.49 inches Height: 61.02 inches Tot...
Metal
Cassina LC1 “Fauteuil Dossier Basculant, 60” Red Limited Edition Chair
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Cassina LC1 “Fauteuil Dossier Basculant, 60” Limited Edition Chair Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Cassina’s production of the Le Corbusier®, Pierre Jeanneret® and Char...
Metal
George Nakashima 'Slab' Coffee Table in English Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Slab' coffee table, English walnut, United States, 1964 American woodworker and designer George Nakashima demonstrates his mastery of ...
Walnut
Thalia Rattan Floor Lamp - Double Head Handcrafted Woven Rattan Standing Lamp
Located in Oxford, GB
Thalia — Floor Lamp Designed by Bill Parry for Rattanology There is a moment, just after dusk, when a room needs only one thing. The Thalia knows what it is. Drawing from the lang...
Brass
Designed by Le Corbusier for Lumax Glass Desk Tidy, Vide Poche, Catchall
By Lumax, Le Corbusier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Industrial thick molded glass desktop accessory (desk tidy, ashtray, or catchall) manufactured by Lumax, France. Original design by Le Corbusier. The vide-poche is in excellent cond...
Glass
Danish mid-century Teak Bedside Table nightstand, 1960s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This small teak bedside table has a simple design and a single drawer. It’s a good size for rooms with low beds or floor-level setups. The drawer works well and provides convenient s...
Teak
Green and Yellow Le Sirenuse Ashtray Vide-Poche
Located in New York, NY
Green and Yellow Le Sirenuse Ashtray Vide-Poche. Hand-painted vide-poche ashtray dish with two stylized sirens / mermaids holding a small yellow house inscribed Le Sirenuse, Positano...
Ceramic
Italian Midcentury Amber Murano Leaf Wall Sconce by Mazzega, 1970s
By Mazzega, AVMazzega, Mazzega 1946
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Marvelous, stunning and unique Italian amber Murano glass wall sconces from 1970s. This fixture was made during the 1970s in Italy for the Venice Company “Mazzega”. This wall sconce ...
Metal
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Tratten' Wall Lights in Patinated Copper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB in Markaryd, wall lights ‘Tratten’, copper, Sweden, 1950s Hans-Agne Jakobsson designed this wall light 'Tratten', which is crafted fro...
Copper
Cister Wood Hanging Lamp by José Antonio Coderch, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Interior lamp designed by Coderech in 1970. A structure of semi-gloss aluminum covered with screens of treated wood. Assembled using transparent plastic coated magnets. The Cister...
Wood
1950s Italian Brass and Red Lacquered Chandelier with Opaline Glass
Located in Rome, IT
Italian mid-century pendant chandelier from the 1950s, characterized by a light and geometric structure that combines slender brass rods with red lacquered metal elements. The fixtur...
Metal, Brass
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi Set of Four 'Sapporo' Dining Chairs in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi, set of four dining chairs model ‘Sapporo’, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s A stunning set of dining chairs designed by Mario Marenco in the 1970s, craft...
Leather, Walnut
Englander & Bonta, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Argentina, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted wood and brass console table with gilt details produced by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, c. 1950s. From an interior commissioned by Englander & Bonta, Buenos ...
Brass
$6,299 / item
"Californian" armchair FRANCE - 1960s
Located in Forest, BE
Designed by Jacques Charpentier , a French decorator and editor trained at the École Boulle, this armchair reflects his work of the 1960s. It rests on a stainless steel base, a signa...
Metal
Englander & Bonta, Console Table, Wood, Formica, Argentina, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted wood and wood-colored formica console table with gilt details produced by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, c. 1950s. From an interior commissioned by Englander &...
Formica, Wood
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