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Mid-Century Modern Barware

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
Culver Fairway 22k Gold Decorated Glasses - 4 Rocks and 4 High Ball/Collins
Located in Kennett Square, PA
Mid century barware classics in pristine condition! Set of 8 - 4 rocks and 4 highballs. Wonderful Culver graphics - black and 22k gold decoration on frosted panels in whimsical golf ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid Century Danish Modern Screw Nut Cracker 1970s
By Quistgaard Tjorn, Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly cool and functional Danish modern screw nut cracker by Dana Plast. This piece is cool and brings a cool, minimal retro feel with its aesthetic. Utilitarian and chic. Mid...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Plastic

Georges Briard Gold Leaf Old Fashioned Frosted Cocktail Glasses Set of 4
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Georges Briard Gold Leaf Old Fashioned Frosted Cocktail Glasses. Set of 4 Mid Century Modern old fashioned glasses designed by Georges Briard and feature a gold leaf Japanese style t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Art Glass

French Cut Crystal Port Decanter With Handle, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This wine or Port decanter dates to the 1950s or 60s. Its many cut edges are beveled softly. It can contain around 0.7 liter. Very reminiscent in style to similar designs from Saint-...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Georges Briard Set of Six Rock Glasses Green and Gold
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Georges Briard Mid-Century Modern Glasses Barware - Set of 6 Elegant exquisite vintage set of six rock glasses designed by Georges Briard. They will create a dramatic display...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Silver Plate Cocktail Shaker as a Fire Extinguisher
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming large mid-century silver plated cocktail shaker in the form of a fire extinguisher. The Extinguisher has been extensively engraved, which only enhances the unique ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver Plated Ice Bucket With Brass Buckle Detail c.1960
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb mid-20th Century silver plated ice bucket. The bucket is adorned with a brass belt buckle detail and offers ample space to accommodate a bottle of champagne. It serves as an...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Ettore Sottsass Style Vintage Pear Shaped Brass Ice Cube Bucket or Holder, 1970s
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Vintage Mid-Century polished brass and. Plastic ice bucket, box or ice cube holder made circa 1970s. This piece would look fantastic displayed on a brass and chrome Romeo Rega or Maison Jansen bar cart...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener, Vienna, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Wood handle Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of Four Cobalt Blue Crystal "Stocklhom" Glasses with Ice Bucket by Block
Located in San Diego, CA
Great set of four cobalt blue crystal "Stocklhom" highball glasses with ice bucket by Block Crystal of Krosno, Poland, circa 1980s. These are very heavy and finely crafted pieces wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Set of Six MCM Lucite Coasters
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice set of six Lucite drink coasters and holder, circa 1970s. The coasters have a cork lining and are in very good vintage condition; the set measures 4.25"W x 4.75"D x 2"H. each....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Lucite, Cork

Vintage mid century modern Italian pink coasters and matching set
Located in Houston, TX
Italian marble coasters, in good condition. The coasters measure approximately 3" in diameter. The base is approximately 3.75" wide x almost 2" thick x slightly over 1.5" high
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Marble

Italian 1950's Ice Bucket
Located in London, GB
Elegant ice bucket for barware in Murano blown glass, brass and bamboo with matching spoon in brass with bamboo handle. Dimensions Spoon; 21 x 5.5 x 3 cm. Dimensions Glass container;...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Rare Russel Wright Spun Aluminum and Cork Tankards / Mugs Set '8'
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen set of 8 Spun Aluminum and Cork Tankards / Mugs designed by Russel Wright.. Beautiful original condition, All retain Impressed Russel Wright st...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Aluminum

Elegant Whiskey decanter in chrystal glass with silver mounting from 1944
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Whiskey decanter in chrystal glass signed by Strombergshyttan’s Glass factory, Smaland, Sweden with silver mounting from 1944=S8. The decanter is heavy and has a simple and ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver

Penguin Silver Plated Bottle Opener for Christofle 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Christofle Selection silver plated bottle opener modelled as a penguin with blue glass sapphire eyes.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Ice box holder with box by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini
Located in Lugo, IT
Icebox by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini. Never used Good conditions. Thank you
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Plastic

1970s Modern Square Glass Ice Bucket Style of Cristal de Sèvres
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Crystal Glass Ice Bucket Silver Plate Handle Square shape with curve around edges. Clean modern lines Unmarked. Attributed design style Cristal de Sèvres 10.25 to top, 7 h to glass ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Hand Crafted Serving Tray, Decanter and Eight Cups in Dark Walnut
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous hand crafted serving tray, decanter and eight cups in walnut signed "JR", circa 1980s. The set is in very good vintage condition and the specific dimensions are as follows: ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Walnut

1950s Mid-Century Modern Goatskin and Brass Thermos Carafe by Aldo Tura
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A thermos carafe designed by Aldo Tura, it has been manufactured in Milano in the Fifties by Macabo, it's in vintage conditions with signs of use and age visible on there photos. Thi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Green French Luminarc Cordial Glassware, Set of 5, 1970s, France
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of eight French cordial glasses with transparent bodies and green glass stems. Created in France in the 1970s by Luminarc. Dimensions: 6.5" Tall 2.75" Diameter
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

4 Vintage Gold Georges Briard "Seascape" Double Old Fashioned Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four double old fashioned glasses designed by Georges Briard with 22 karat gold and blue and white enamel seashells on clear glass. The glasses designed to show only gold and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Mid-20th Century Modern Scandinavian Dansk Teak Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard
Located in Beirut, LB
Dansk is one of the most celebrated makers of midcentury table and kitchenware. Their teaks and enamels are in designs that endure the decades make Dansk items highly sought after an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Wood, Teak

CULVER Mid 20th Century "Pisa" Crackled 22k Gold Highball Glasses - Set of 8
Located in Charlotte, NC
A set of eight mid 20th century highball glasses by Culver Glass, their "Pisa". Clear glass in the cocktail highball form with 22-karat gold decoration. The "Pisa" design is crackled...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Gold

Signed Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Signed Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1950s Original patina Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Nut Teak Bowls
Located in Munich, DE
Original 1950s bowl element made of solid teak wood and and two solid brass handles on the sides. This fantastic piece was designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s, and handcrafted in hi...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Valenti Silvered Nautical Rope Ice Bucket Wine Cooler 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
A stylish silver plated ice bucket of cylindrical design in the form of coiled rope with matching lid, by Spanish maker Valenti; circa 1975. The inside liner is insulated to help kee...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

1950s Mid-Century Modern Goatskin and Brass Shaker by Aldo Tura
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A cocktail shaker designed by Aldo Tura, it has been manufactured in Milano in the Fifties by Macabo, it's in vintage conditions with signs of use and age visible on there photos. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Soli E Lune Sun and Moon Pattern Ceramic Coasters by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Coasters, "Soli e Lune" Pattern 1970s-80s This set of eight ceramic coasters features the "Soli e Lune" (Suns and Moons) pattern by the renowned Italian d...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Ceramic

Modernist ice bucket of Marc Chagall style 1950s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Ice bucket shaped like a pineapple and made of semi-rigid material. Its greenish patina and worn finishes make it an ideal piece for jungle-themed decor, perfectly complementing its ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Resin

Vintage Lucite World Globe Ice Bucket by Alessandro Albrizzi 1970s Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful lucite ice bucket cube depicting the world captured in a sculpture that resembles an ice cube. The effect displays a frosted world map of continents and orbiting moon. This...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Lucite

Italian Bamboo Barrel Bar by Bonacina
Located in Hastings, GB
A fabulous 1960's Barrel Bar Cart by Italian designer Bonacina. Sitting on four brass wheels with an internal shelf and 7 bottle holders, the bambbo wi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Bamboo

1950s Aldo Tura Mid-Century Modern Brown Goatskin and Silver Plate Square Carafe
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A 1950s Mid-Century Modern silver plated and brown Goatskin Thermos Carafe designed by Aldo Tura and manufactured by Tura Creazioni Milano, it's in lovely conditions, brown goatskin ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Aldo Tura Cocktail Shaker and Pitcher Set in Black and White
Located in London, GB
Aldo Tura cocktail shaker and pitcher in a square shape have a rare chequer black white parchment pattern. They are marked with the Aldo Tura labels on the bottom. Height shaker is 2...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Nickel

Four MCM Culver LTD Double Old Fashioned Glasses with Blue and Gold Flower Motif
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four Culver LTD, double old fashioned glasses with a translucent blue enamel and 22 karat gold floral motif.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Gucci, Italy - Whimsical Hare Bottle Opener c.1970
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and highly collectable bottle opener by the iconic Italian designer, Gucci. Made from silver plate, this example is in the form of a Ha...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

MCM Fred Press Old Fashioned Glasses in an Atomic Period Starburst Pattern
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of four mid-century modern old fashioned glasses designed by Fred Press with panels of yellow enamel on clear glass with 22k gold starbursts randomly placed across the enameled a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of 12 Mid-Century Modern Crystal Wine Glasses - Val Saint Lambert
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A great set of 12 mid century modern crystal glasses. The glasses are not signed, most likely made by the Belgian brand Val Saint Lambert, based on the quality, colour and carvings....
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 10 Vintage Culver Highball Glasses with 22-Karat Gold Valencia Design
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant vintage mid-century Culver barware glasses with Valencia pattern in a gold leaf finish. Set includes 10 Culver highball glasses in Valencia Moorish style design. This fabulous vintage Culver...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Four MCM Culver LTD Double Old Fashioned Glasses with Blue and Gold Flower Motif
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four Culver LTD, double old fashioned glasses with a translucent blue enamel and 22 karat gold floral motif.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Imperial Glass Ice Bowl and 6 Rocks Glasses in the "Shoji" Pattern
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of six rocks glass and ice bowl by Imperial Glass Company in the "Shoji" pattern with a molded raised trellis pattern covered in 22k gold between a band at the top and bottom of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Meriden for International Sterling Silver Cocktail Shaker in Mid-Century Modern
Located in New York, NY
Meriden for International Sterling, silver plated cocktail shaker in Mid-Century Modern style in an elegant, geometric design. It measures 13 1/4'' in height with the lid (11 3/4'' w...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate

4 Vintage Gold Georges Briard "Seascape" Double Old Fashioned Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four double old fashioned glasses designed by Georges Briard with 22 karat gold and blue and white enamel seashells on clear glass. The glasses designed to show only gold and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Italian Brass Tray With Mirrored Glass
Located in London, London
Tray Brass frame Rope twist  Mirrored  Late 20th Century Italy
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Vintage Italian Alpaca Pineapple Ice Bucket, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-century vintage pineapple ice bucket by unknown artist, circa 1960. Manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. Made of Alpaca. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Alpaca

Rare Swedish Grace Cocktail Shaker - Tage Göthlin for Tesi, Gothenburg, Sweden
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent and rare silver plated cocktail shaker by Tage Göthlin for Tesi, Gothenburg, Sweden c.1940. Just back from our silversmith's workshop where...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

4 Mid-Century Modern "Fishing Lure" Double Old Fashioned Glasses Marked "Meth"
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of four mid-century modern double old fashioned glasses with fishing lures in colored enamels and 22 karat gold with raised textured designs on clear glass with white frosted int...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

American Sterling Silver Cocktail Shaker - Ensko of New York - Circa 1960
Located in London, London
Made circa 1960 by Ensko of New York, this very stylish, Sterling Silver Cocktail Shaker, is of tapering shape, with a pouring spout and removable lid. The cocktail shaker is engrav...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Midcentury Scandinavian Danish Modern Condiments Dish
Located in New York, NY
A wood and glass condiments dish with knob lid, Midcentury Danish Modern or Scandinavia Modern design period, circa mid-20th century, Denmark. Condiments glass dish is a light smoked...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Wood

Silver Dolphin Bottle Opener Midcentury Mad Barware
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Silver Plate Dolphin Bottle Opener Midcentury Mad Barware 2 h x 6.5 long x 2.38 w Original vintage condition unrestored Refer to images.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Fred Press Atomic Highball Glasses with Two-Tone Gold and Frosted White Columns
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of 6 mis-century modern highball glasses designed by Fred Press in the Atomic style with two-tone pinwheel pattern dots at the top of white frosted vertical columns with two-tone...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass

Modern Vintage Barware Decanter Carafe Four Glass Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Smoke Decanter and Four Glass Set Glass 4.5 h x 1.75 Decanter 10 h x 3.25 Preowned original vintage condition See images shown
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Art Glass

Midcentury Scandinavian Danish Modern Serving Dish
Located in New York, NY
A wood and glass serving dish with three compartments, Midcentury Danish Modern or Scandinavia Modern design period, circa mid-20th century, Denmark. Piece has a wood base with three...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Wood

1970s Mid-Century Modern Fake Tortoise Lucite Tray in the manner of Dior Home
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A fake tortoise lucite rectangular bar tray designed and manufactured in Italy in the Seventies, brass accents are in original patina, lucite it's in very good condition as visible o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Lucite

Paolo Tilche for Guzzini Iconic Ice Bucket, Italy 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Round ice bucket designed by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini in the 1970s. Plastic and metal.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Libbey Frosted Cocktail / Collins Glasses With Carousel Animals- Set of 8
Located in Ross, CA
Vintage set of blown glass Libbey glasses, each in a different color and with a different carousel animal. The animals are depicted in enamels on a fros...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Green Glass Decanter, Empoli, Italy
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Mid-Century Green Glass Decanter, Empoli, Italy. Tall, tapered glass decanter. Hand-blown glass in the distinctive green color used by Empoli.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass

Mid Century Decanter Set
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Decanter Set consisting of a decanter and 6 small roll poly glasses.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-century Modern barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern barware 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 barware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern barware made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original barware, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Culver Ltd., Georges Briard, and Aldo Tura. 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. Prices for barware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $495.

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