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Mid-Century Modern Furniture

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Mazzega Murano Italian Mid-Century Glass Globe Pendant Light
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fabulous Mazzega Murano globe pendant light. Milky colored glass with ombré effect to orange amber color. Globe shape with abstract blown glass effect. Wood detail. Full circle chain...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Set of Six Paul Evans Cantilevered Dining Chairs for Directional, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, PA
A Mid-Century Modern set of 6 Paul Evans cantilevered dining chairs for Directional. This set includes two armchairs and four side chairs. These ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970s MCM Russell Woodard Spun Fiberglass Outdoor Dining Set
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A 1970s MCM RUSSELL...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Fiberglass

Rare Oak and Blue Stitched Leather Drop-Leaf Table / Bar Cart by Jacques Adnet
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare oak and blue stitched leather folding bar cart by Jacques Adnet. With brass on legs The width is 22 inches when both leaves drop down.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Pierre Paulin French Ceiling Lamp White Silver Round Ufo Design Pop Art, 1960
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pierre Paulin French ceiling lamp white silver round Ufo design Pop Art, 1960.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Set of Eight Matteo Grassi Italian Black Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eight dining chairs by Matteo Grassi . Chairs are covered in saddle thick black leather over a steel frame . Marked Matteo Grassi on underside , incised stamp on rear cross stretcher...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Very Nice 1960s Large Italian Wicker Wall Mirror with a Wide Frame
Located in München, DE
Beautiful rare large wall mirror with a wide frame made of wicker from the 1960s. Frame on the back is made of two pieces wood. Minimalistic very elegant design. Made in Italy. Mi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Mirror

Large Flushmount Faceted Crystal Light Fixture by Kinkeldey, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning light fixture by Kinkeldey, Germany, manufactured in circa 1970-1979. A handmade and high quality piece. The fixture is made of gilded brass and with lots of facetted crys...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Chrome

Kai Kristiansen Set of Four Dining Chairs in Teak for K.S. Mobler Denmark, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic set of four dining chairs in teak with wool seats designed in the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Mobler of Denmark. The style of these Kai Kristiansen chairs is often mi...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Teak

Octagonal Wall Mirror in Rattan and Woven Wicker
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Octagonal mirror in Rattan and Wicker, Italy, 1960-1970. Elegant mid-20th century woven wicker, bamboo rattan frame with chamfered corners. It has reminiscences of the designs by Gabriella Crespi and Christian Dior Home collection. This beautiful mirror double framed...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wicker, Rattan, Cane

Midcentury Oval Rattan and Bamboo Dutch Coffee Table with Glass Top, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury oval rattan and bamboo coffee table with glass top. This fantastic item was designed in the Netherlands by Dirk Van Sliedrecht for Rohe Noordwolde during the 1950s...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass, Bamboo, Rattan

1 of 7 Wonderful Crystal Sconces by Kinkeldey, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning golden sconces with crystal glasses, made by Kinkeldey, Germany, circa 1970-1979. It’s composed of crystal glass pieces on a gilded brass frame. From the series: Classic ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Suite of Six Vintage Style Folding Steamer Dining Chairs Great Look and Feel
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six slatted folding steamer chairs A very good looking well made and decorative suite ...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Large Floral Crystal & Brass Flush Mount Chandelier by Emil Stejnar attr., 1950s
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant large flush mount with small glass flowers on a brass frame. Chandelier illuminates beautifully and offers a lot of light. Gem from the time. With this light you make a clear...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pendant Chandelier Gaetano Sciolari Glass Brass Midcentury Italian Design 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Elegant chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari with 6 E27 lights made with stems in chromed nickel finish and brushed brass colored panels, where each arm supports a transparent cylindrical ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rosewood & Laminate Sideboard, 1970s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Mid-Century Modern rosewood front sideboard that's the coolest thing to happen to your dining room since avocado toast. With a sleek black laminate frame and chrome details, it i...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Barovier & Toso Vintage Murano Glass Ceiling Light or Flush Mount
Located in Rome, IT
Fabulous Barovier & Toso Murano art glass ceiling lights whit a Brass frame ,made of precious hand blown ice color leaves glasses . A glass bowl as a bottom. This beauty has the look...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Chandelier in the Style of Stilnovo Five Arms Italian, 1960s
Located in Verviers, BE
Five arms chandelier style of Stilnovo. Photography fails to capture the simple elegant illumination provided by this lamp. Recently cleaned and polished so that it is in excelle...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Emanuele Rambaldi, 6 Dining Chairs Leggerissima Model, Figli Di Sanguineti, 1951
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A very rare set of six dining chairs ''Leggerissima'' (ultralight) model designed by Emanuele Rambaldi and manufactured by Figli di Sanguineti G.B. Made of beech painted in a ros...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Beech

Italian Mid-Century Sideboard dresser with Mirror by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian mid-century sideboard in rosewood produced by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. This sideboard has excellent manufacturing aspects, noticeable from the arched line, hard transpare...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Varnished Wood Executive Desk, in the style of Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Large Varnished wood executive desk, in the style of Florence Knoll.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Rattan "Chistera" Chairs, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chistera Rattan chairs on tripod legs, the design reminiscent of Motte famous version, not sure which came first but we've never seen those before.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Tuscany Bookcase in Solid Fir, Hand Painted, with Glass on Three Sides
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian bookcase in fir, with two doors, hand painted, with glass on three sides, internal shelves. Very sturdy and elegant. In my warehouse I have two of these bookcases as seen ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fir

Midcentury Oval Shaped Brass Console Table Italy, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Italian midcentury brass console table with a veneered marble top. Finely chiseled brass decoration.    
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of F551 'Big Tulip" Lounge Chairs by Pierre Paulin Artifort New Upholstery
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A stunning pair of F551 'Big Tulip" lounge chairs by French designer Pierre Paulin for Dutch manufacturer Artifort This is the second series of F551 chair to be recognized by the ...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Two Sided Wise Old Owl Pottery Garden Bench
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautifully glazed garden bench or stool with the face of an owl on either side.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Mid Century Highback Dining Chairs Attributed to Adrian Pearsall
Located in Baltimore, MD
An outstanding set of six mid century dining chairs attributed to Adrian Pearsall. This stunning set of six highback chairs features high arched backs with two sleek walnut rails cen...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Naugahyde, Walnut

Phillips Louis Kallf Midcentury Pendant Light Dutch
Located in Verviers, BE
This very stylish vintage Philips pendant lamp was designed in the 1950s by the lighting design department of the renowned Dutch Philips in Eindho...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Sheet Metal

Midcentury Table Clock by Kienzle
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction with a battery movement for one AAA-battery from the 1960s. (pictures shows the original movement before changing to battery one).
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

George Nelson Birch & Brass Wall Clock for Howard Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Birch & Brass wall clock for Howard Miller.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1940s.    
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Six Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Dining Chairs, 1960s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Six chairs mod. 110 by Ico Parisi. Italy, 1961. Produced by Sons of Amedeo Cassina, Meda. Mahogany wood. The chairs have been polished with shellac and have a new leather upholstery.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Vintage Mid-Century Wood Plank Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and simply exceptional pair of vintage bookends. Deriving on the uniqueness of the wood grain, these bookends are elegant and modernist. Simple lines contrast with organic pat...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Italian Designer, Organic Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic brass wall mirror produced in Italy, 1950s.  
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Beech Six Gio Ponti Style Dining Chairs, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage six dining chairs or chairs from beech in the style of Gio Ponti 1960s Italy. A wonderful set of six dining chairs in stained dark brown color with newly ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Multi Exotic Wood Credenza Buffet Dresser
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Multi Exotic Wood Credenza Buffet Dresser 2 Drawer Approx...
Category

1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pietro Costantini Dining Chairs Set of 4 Italy, circa 1970's
Located in Esperance, NY
Pietro Costantini dining chairs set of 4 Italy, Circa 1970's.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

1 'of 2' Large Kaiser Flush Mount Amber Murano Glass Ceiling Light, 1960s
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant large flush mount ceiling light executed in Murano glass with brass finals on a wooden frame. Manufactured by Kaiser Lighting, Germany in the 1960s. Materials: Murano glass,...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

1960 German Kaiser Kaiser Flush Mount Ceiling Light Murano Glass
Located in Almelo, NL
Gorgeous drum-shaped flush mount chandelier made of heavy textured clear iced glass on a grey metal frame with nickel finals. Manufactured by Kaiser Lighting, Germany in the 1960s. V...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Midcentury Walnut and Ceramic Tile and Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of mid-century bookends. Solid walnut with inlaid copper colored ceramic tile. Unsigned.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Spanish Elm Bed Full Size French, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Spanish bed circa 1960 for full-size bedding Massive elm The side boards will be made to have the full size (54/75 in.) Dimensions: Bed bars: Interior w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Elm

Library / Wardrobe in Teak, Walnut and Brass, Italy, 1960's
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Library / Wardrobe in teak, walnut and brass, Italy, 1960's We are very proud to add this large library / wardrobe to our collection. With the use of different kinds of wood a warm ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cognac Overman High Back Swivel Dining Chairs, set of 4
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Awesome set of 4 dining chairs by Overman. Made in Sweden. High ergonomic Contoured back rests supported by an aluminum 4 star swivel base. Cognac colored high quality vinyl. Ultra c...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Black Bast Chiavari Dining Chairs, Italy 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern black bast chiavari dining chairs, Italy 1960s. This set of 8 wooden dining chairs was designed and produced by Italian fu...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Pair of French Sconces by Arlus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of gold color hand sconces by Arlus with white glass shades coming from an apartment in Paris fully furnished with furniture and items designed by the most known ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Lucite Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six Mid-Century Modern lucite chairs having blue velvet upholstered seats bordered by burl wood skirts.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Lucite, Burl

1970s Mid-Century Modern Brass Italian Chandelier or Ceiling Light by Sciolari
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An iconic brass chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari in the Seventies. The chandelier it also can be used as a ceiling or wall light not using brass cili...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Round Textured Glass Flushmount by Limburg, Germany, 1970s
Located in Aachen, NRW
A wonderful flushmount by Limburg, Germany, 1970s. Special glass form on a black color metal base. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned, well-wired and ready to use. ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Massive Pair of Brass on Walnut Base Rams Head Bookends by Sarreid
Located in San Diego, CA
A massive pair of brass rams head bookends on walnut bases by Sarreid, circa 1970s. The bookends, which were made in Spain, are in very good condition and have a great look. They mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Pine

Imaculately Restored Three-Tier Ladder Sides BookShelf Console Table w/ Mahogany
Located in Van Nuys, CA
In the postwar era of the 1950s, a distinct three-tier console table emerged, boasting mahogany tops and wrapped stick rattan ladder sides. This fusion of materials exuded elegance a...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Signed Chaty Vallauris France Gold Finish Iron Sunburst Mirror Wall Mirror, 1970
Located in Miami, FL
French Mid-Century Modern sunburst mirror by Chaty Vallauris and made in the 1970s. Stunning handcrafted iron overlaid in brass finish with a 5.5 inches flat mirror in the center. ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Iron

Italian Crystal Glass Chandelier in the Style of Mazzega, 1 of 2
Located in Bochum, NRW
Rare ceiling lamp pendant chandelier made of large clear crystal petals mounted on a metal frame silver painted, Europe 1960s. Illuminated by six standard E27 bulbs functioning on 22...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Six Italian Mid Century Dining Room Mahogany Chairs by Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
A splendid Mid-Century Modern set of six dining room chairs by Vittorio Dassi, from the 1950s. Elegant line characterized by high backrests. Mahogany structure, beautiful bordeaux co...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

J.C. Mahey Cherry Red Lacquer and Brass Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous mid-century look of other classic Jean Cl...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Modernist Walnut and Upholstered Dining Chairs by Flair Furniture
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four modernist walnut and upholstered dining chairs by Flair Furniture the dimensions are of the armchairs height with armrest 25.75 in.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Saburo Inui for Tendo Mokko Square Coffee Table, Japan, 1960s
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Stunning Mid-Century Modern coffee table by Saburo Inui for Tendo Mokko from Japan 1960s. Laminated, curved and richly grained wood. This...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood, Laminate

Large Murano Glass White Petals Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing chandelier with 49 petals white hand blown glass by Murano. Measures: height with chain cm 80, (31.5 in.) without chain cm54 (21 in.) diameter cm 65 (25.6 in.) Five E27 l...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Interesting 1970s Italian Curved Bamboo Mirrors
Located in London, GB
A pair of interesting 1970s Italian curved bamboo mirrors which could be used for a variety of uses.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Mirror

Mid-century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Knoll, Fabio Ltd, and J.T. Kalmar. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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