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.
1960s Rune Strand for Nybro Swedish Art Glass Votive Candle Holder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Swedish Art Glass Votive Volcano Candle Holder 1960s Rune Strand for Nybro Swedish Art Glass Votive Candle Holder Nybro Glasbruk Sweden. Heavyweight Sculpt...
Art Glass
Mid Century Italian Lacquered Brass, Lucite And Marble Candleholder Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Mid Century Italian Lacquered Brass, Lucite And Marble Candleholder In excellent condition commensurate with age
Marble, Brass
$390Sale Price / set|40% Off
MCM "Lily" Brass Candlestick Holders By Ivar Ålenius Björk for Ystad-Metall
By Ystad-Metall
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This set of Classic, Mid-Century "Lily" candle holders in brass was designed by Ivar Alenius Bjork for Ystad Metal in Sweden. Premiering in 1939 for the Scandinavian Pavilion of the ...
Brass
Set of Three Candle Holders by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn-Silversmiths
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of three candle holders with a circular saucer base and side handle. All refinished in antique bronze. Designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn-S...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak and Cast Iron Candleholder from Digsmed, 1960s
By Digsmed
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak and Cast Iron Candleholder from Digsmed, 1960s
Iron
MCM Teak Hurricane Candle Holder by Selandia Designs
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid century hurricane candle holder by Selandia Designs. Features a glass top that sits within a teak base. The base includes s sizes of recess...
Glass, Teak
Candle Table Light in Blister Glass by Nanny Still, 1970s
By Nanny Still
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Spacey looking candle table lamp for tea light, bloc or ball candles. It has a base of clear hand blown glass and a shade of clear blister glass. Designed by Nanny Still during the l...
Blown Glass
Pair of Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Hurricane Candle Sconces
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of c1950 brass candle sconces by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths. These candle sconces exhibit Parzinger's unique talent of mixing classical with the modern. Parzing...
Brass
Playful Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron
Located in Tilburg, NL
This is a playfully sculpted brutalist candle holder in wrought iron. Most probably mid 20th century. Great details like the playful curled feet, the leaf like top and the very nic...
Wrought Iron
Flower Floater Candleholder by Pipsan Swanson Saarinen, 1948
By Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in San Diego, CA
Flower Floater candleholder designed by Eva Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson and manufactured by U.S. Glass Company in 1948. Eva Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson is part of an influent...
Glass
Metal and Brass Pair of Floor Candleholders, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
60s metal and brass pair of floor candleholder - Mid-Century Modern large candlesticks Measurements: Height: 55 cm Diameter of the Top: 15 cm Diameter of the Bottom: 15 cm Please d...
Brass, Metal
Hans Jensen Danish Modern Calla Lily Silverplate Candlesticks, Pair
By Hans Jensen
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Danish Modern silverplate candlesticks By Hans Jensen Denmark, 1960s Each measures: 2.5"W x 2.5"D x 4.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Silver Plate
Pair of Silver Plate Coil Snake Candle Holders by Bertil Vallien for Dansk
By Bertil Vallien, Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Silver Plate
Silver Plate
Vintage 1960s Wedgwood Jasperware Cream on Blue Ceramic Collection
By Wedgwood
Located in Bochum, NRW
Midcentury small collection of four pieces Wedgwood Jasperware diamond cream on blue. Comprising 2 lidded boxes, a cachepot, an ashtray and a pair of candleholders. Vintage, 1960s. A...
Porcelain
Black Orchid Candlestick Holders by Michael Aram
By Michael Aram
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the exquisite "Black Orchid" Candlestick Holders by Michael Aram, a captivating addition to your home décor collection. Crafted with meticulou...
Nickel
Pair of Large vintage ikea floor candle sticks by Ria Falk ‘Snygg’ , 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Pair of Large vintage ikea floor candle sticks by Ria Falk ‘Snygg’ , 1990s Dimensions: 95cm Height, 11,5cm Diameter Condition: Good has some small damages on paint see photos Materi...
Metal
Flower Floater Candleholder by Pipsan Swanson Saarinen, 1948 Mid century Modern
By Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in San Diego, CA
Flower Floater candleholder designed by Eva Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson and manufactured by U.S. Glass Company in 1948. Eva Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson is part of an influent...
Glass
Four Mid Century Sterling Silver Double Branch Candlesticks by J. Tostrup Norway
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four double branch sterling candlesticks were made in the period and style of Mid-Century Modern and are signed by J. Tostrup of Norway. Each candlestick has a black enameled 'bulls eye' style medallion between the two branches. The branches of either side each candlestick are different in height by approximately one half an inch. Each base is clearly hallmarked and signed "NORWAY" "J TOSTRUP...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Wall Candlesticks in Wrought Iron, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Wall Candlesticks in Wrought Iron, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Wrought Iron Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 8.5 x 15....
Wrought Iron
Feldman Brass Lotus Flower Candle Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful brass candle stick by Feldman - the leaves from the base up reveal a lotus pattern. We have left the piece patinated, but could be polished to a high sheen. A handsome ...
Brass
Rare Three-Light Brass Candelabra by Klaus Ullrich, Germany 1950s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Sculptural and highly distinctive, this rare three-arm candelabra—designed by Klaus Ullrich for Faber & Schumacher—captures the refined elegance and expressive fluidity of mid-ce...
Brass
Large Green Glass Candlestick by Vetri Taddei di Empoli, Italy, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Large Green Glass Candle Stick by Vetri Taddei di Empoli
Glass
Pair of vintage Orion candlesticks by Nagel & Stoffi for Bmf , Germany 1960s
By Bmf Nagel
Located in Delft, NL
Pair of vintage Orion candlesticks by Nagel & Stoffi for Bmf , Germany 1960s Dimensions: 24cm Height, 14cm Depth, 14cm Depth Conditon: Good Material: Metal
Metal
$250 / set
Brass Poinsettia Candle Holders, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of brass poinsettia candlestick holders. Perfect for setting a holiday table. Dimensions: 5" Diameter 2" Tall.
Brass
Candelabre 1960s Made În Austria
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage modernist candelabra, 1960s. Geometric iron and metal work. Holds 4 candles. Dimensions: 26W x 23H x 6D cm.Labeled Made in Austria.
Wrought Iron
20th Century Silver Swedish Svenskt Tenn Candle Holder by Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A silver, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish " Vänskapsknuten " candle holder made of handcrafted silvered metal, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good conditi...
Metal
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Candlesticks Mid-Century Modern
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver candlesticks in Mid-Century Modern style, with an elegant, geometric design, standing on a stepped octagonal base. They measure 9 2/3'' in heigh...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$3,368Sale Price / set|24% Off
Set of Nine Candle Holders by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
By Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of nine candle holders by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, Denmark.
Metal
David Marshall Pair of Cast Aluminum and Brass Candlesticks, circa 1970, Spain
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice pair of David Marshall candlesticks, circa 1970, Spain. Cast brass and aluminum. Dimensions: 25 cm H, 11 cm W, 7 cm D. We ship worldwide All purchases are covered by our Buyer P...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Bronze Tripod Candleholder - Brutalist Candelabra - Germany 1960s
By Walter Bosse
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Mid-Century Bronze Tripod Candleholder - Brutalist Candelabra - Germany 1960s Modernist two-arm candleholder in green-patinated bronze with brass details. Tripod base, beautiful pa...
Brass, Bronze, Wrought Iron
Timo Sarpaneva Signed Iittala Festivo Art Glass Candle Holders
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of icy crystal candlesticks with 6 defining rings and signed TS on verso. Designed for taper candles and made in Finland. Dimensions: 9 1/2" H x 3 1/2" W Condition: good. no c...
Art Glass
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Daum Modernist Crystal Candlestick, France, 1970's
By Daum
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Daum Modernist Crystal Candlestick, France, 1970's.
Crystal
Pair of Vintage Brass Candelabra by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of large solid brass sculptural candelabra by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths (ca. 1950s, USA). Majestic forms with dramatically arching arms accommodating three sticks ...
Brass
1940s Set of Two Danish Just Andersen Pewter Candlesticks
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Danish Just Andersen mid century candle holders produced by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 1950´s. The candle holders are in good vintage condition and marked with Jus...
Metal, Pewter
Mid Century Teak Handelholder in form of Elephant, Denmark 60s
Located in Lucija, SI
very nice candelholder in form of Elehant teak Made in Denmark in the 60s
Teak
Danish Designer, Candelabra, Brass, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small brass candelabra likely designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 2.75"H x 4.375"W x 3.0"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Handmade Massive Brass Candle Holder by Michael Harjes 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
It was designed by Michael Harjes (1926-2006) and manufactured by Harjes Metalkunst (1912), the family business in Germany. The candlestick is in excellent condition and has a deep g...
Brass
$102Sale Price|65% Off
Vintage Resin Candle Holder, Czechoslovakia 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage candle holder for one candle. Made of hard resin in beautiful amber colors. The top part which holds the candle is made of brass. Excellent condition, ready to be u...
Brass
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
24 Modern Chrome Candleholders + Ashtray Bowl, Werner Stoff Nagel Germany 1960s
By Stoff Nagel, Caesar Stoffi, Nagel AG, Bmf Nagel
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 24 S-22 model stackable 3-legged chrome modular candleholders plus an S-44 Ashtray/Bowl by two German artists, Hans Nagel (1926-1978) and Werner St...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$419Sale Price|20% Off
French Wrought Iron Candle Holder, French, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French wought iron double candle holder. The candles will be delivered with the candleholder Good condition. Shipping: 16 x 33.5 x 48 cm 2.7 kg.
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century "Sunflower" Candle Holder by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden 1974
Located in London, GB
For sale is an original Mid-Century crystal glass "Sunflower" Candle/tealight Holder designed by Göran Wärff, for Kosta Boda, Sweden, in 1974. This beautifully organic, sculptural p...
Crystal
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Dansk Danish Modern Sterling Silver Plate Candelabra Made in France
By Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A Midcentury Modern or Danish/Scandinavian Modern Dansk Designs sterling silver plate twelve (12) candle holder/candelabra, circa mid-20th century, made in France. Piece also makes a...
Metal, Silver Plate
Mid-Century Danish Metal and Glass Wall Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Metal and Glass Wall Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Glass, Metal Style: Mid-Century Moder...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder with Handle from Søholm
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder with Handle from Søholm, 1960s
Stoneware
Pair of Carl Auböck Patinated Brass Candle Holders
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of patinated candle holders designed by Carl Aubock in 1948. This signature piece from the Auböck collection is hand made manufactured in Vienna Austria workshop ever since 1948...
Brass
Longchamp France Elegant Green Candle Holder 1950s
By Longchamp
Located in Meer, VAN
Elegant Green French Candle Holder, Longchamp, 1950s, France. This green candle holder - or lamp base - by Longchamp France is a very stylish and ...
Ceramic
Mid Century Modernist Iron Candelabras by Richard Galef for Ravenware 1950s
Located in Troy, MI
Richard Galef Ravenware Iron Candelabras 1950s Two available Hard to find Richard Galef for Ravenware model D35 Candelabra circa 1950s Black iron minimalist...
Iron
Pair of circle candlesticks by Matthew Hilton, England, 1980
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Pair of circle candlesticks designed and produced by matthew hilton in england in the 1980s. Set of two aluminum candlesticks in brutalist style. Magnificent decorative objects that ...
Metal
$307Sale Price|41% Off
Mid-Century Empoli Green Glass Hurricane Lamp, Handblown Italian Vetro Verde
By Empoli
Located in Glasgow, GB
This mid-century Empoli green glass hurricane lamp, handblown in Italy during the 1960s, reflects the clarity of form and material associated with Italian vetro verde production. Com...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Pair of Two Travertine Candlesticks by Fratelli Mannelli, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Two Travertine Candlesticks by Fratelli Mannelli, 1970s
Travertine
$345Sale Price|31% Off
Brutalistic Candle Stand From Brass And Wrought Iron , 1970s. France.
Located in Hannover, DE
This is a candle holder which holds three big candles, this holder is pecifically for big and large candles. This candle holder is of good quality because it is made of wrought iron...
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Seven Mid-Century Modernist Danish Black String Iron Candleholders "Dance Party"
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
"Dancing Party" Seven Mid-Century Modernist Danish Black String Iron Candleholders by Laurids Lonborg for Lonborg, 1960s. Tallest 11" inches, (30.5cm.) Assorted Heights and Width's.
Iron
Danish Just Andersen Pair of Square Form Candle Sticks of Polished Pewter 1960s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Pair of square candle sticks model 27 11 designed by Danish artist Just Andersen (1884-1943) They are made in the 1970s of polished pewter by Just Andersen´s own metal workshop. Sta...
Pewter
Bronze Balcony candle lantern with glass vienna around 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Bronze Balcony candle lantern with glass vienna around 1960s Bronze polished and stove enameled Original glass The candle stick is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
Bronze
French Ceramic Vide Poche circa 1960s, Vallauris, in the style of Georges Jouve
By Francis Crociani, Georges Jouve
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
French ceramic white Vide Poche circa 1960s - in the style of Georges Jouve, Ruelland Black ceramic chandelier by Francis Crociani, crafted i...
Enamel
Vintage French Style Brass and Metal Candelabra With Sculpted Lillie’s and leave
Located in Seattle, WA
Beautiful Candelabra with 5 Candle Holders. Intricate French design, possibly Antique. Heavy for its size, no Makers mark. Vintage Condition ...
Metal
Bertoncello Pair Of White Glazed Ceramic Candlesticks Design By Roberto Rigon
By Giovanni Bertoncello, Roberto Rigon
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly invite you to read the full description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to help verify the authenticity and value of our pieces. An original a...
Ceramic
Pair Vintage Mid Century WMF Ikora Silver-Plated Candlesticks
By WMF Ikora
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of vintage mid-century WMF Ikora silver-plated candlesticks. Dimensions: 2.63" H x 4.5" W x 2.5" D, Candle opening 1" diameter. Please visit take a l...
Silver Plate
$600Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Pink Murano Glass Candlesticks by Giuliano Tosi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian curved Murano candlestick hand blown in pink and clear glass, made in Italy by Giuliano Tosi, circa 1980s Original maker's mark on the base Measures: height 13 inches and 12...
Murano Glass
Jens Harald Quistgaard Brass midcentury Candlesticks, 1960s, Set of 6
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A group of 6 solid brass candlesticks designed and manufactured by Jens Harald Quistgaard - IHQ in Denmark during the 1960s. The candlesticks are to be fitted with regular sixed cand...
Brass