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 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
Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight with Butterflies, Made in Italy
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Ceramic
Brass Four Leaf Clover Paperweight with Inscription
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage brass four leaf clover paperweight with inscription, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x .25"H. A very cool and unique piec...
Brass
Resin and Brass Inclusion Paperweight, Geometric Space Age Design, France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Resin and Brass Inclusion Paperweight, Geometric Space Age Design, France 1970s Rare and elegant French decorative paperweight from the 1970s, crafted in transparent faceted resin with a subtle amber-yellow tint. The piece features multiple suspended brass nuts embedded within the resin, creating a fascinating "inclusion" effect that recalls the experimental design aesthetics of the Space Age era. The paperweight is formed as a geometric polyhedron, whose angled surfaces multiply reflections and visually fragment the metallic inclusions, producing an engaging optical effect from every viewpoint. Sculptural and functional, it serves equally well as a desk accessory, a decorative object, or a small contemporary sculpture...
Metal, Brass
Murano Glass Paperweight With Swirl Tornado Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop. Found at an estate sale in Verona, Italy....
Murano Glass
Erik Höglund Art Glass Medallions - Sculptural Ashtrays or Paperweights, Sweden
By Erik Höglund
Located in Bochum, NRW
Erik Höglund Art Glass Medallions - Sculptural Ashtrays or Paperweights, Sweden, 1960s A striking pair of hand-cast glass medallions by renowned Swedish artist Erik Höglund, circa 19...
Art Glass
Vintage 1981 Pop Art Lucite Sculpture Paperweight with US One Dollar Bill $1
Located in St. Louis, MO
This is a classic piece of vintage 1980s Pop Art corporate/desk Americana—a crisp, uncirculated Federal Reserve Note flawlessly embedded in a solid block of clear Lucite (acrylic res...
Lucite, Paper
Georgous Big Dolphin and Fish Sea Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing some blue dolphins and fishes with a Coral Reef inside, floating on controlle...
Murano Glass
Dice Metal Statue Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Super cool Art Deco design sculptural "High Roller" dice paperweight. Nice dice atop a nickel base. The best addition to your desk or every room.
Metal
Daum Crystal Cat Paperweight Sculpture, France circa 1960
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
Daum, France, created this adorable crystal kitty cat figurine paperweight or ornamental sculpture by hand in the late 1960s. The sculpture features a lovely cat with dimensional car...
Crystal
Murano Art Glass Multi Color Spiral Paperweight Sculpture, Italy 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful abstract Murano blown glass sculpture. Artist unknown. Italy, 1960s This art glass paperweight sculpture has an eye-catching design with spiral shape standing on a clear gl...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Solid Carved Malchite Head Sculpture or Paperweight
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Very heavy Solid carved Malchite head sculpture Paperweight.
Malachite
Mid-Century Modern Murano Italian Art Glass Parrots Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, ES
Huge red and yellow hand blown pulled Murano glass sculpture of two parrots perched on glass branches. Italy, 1960s. The sculpture is well executed with the Sommerso and Murrine gla...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Italian Alabaster Marble Sphere
Located in New York, NY
An Italian moss green and black alabaster marble decorative object sphere, Italian Midcentury Modern to '70 Modern design periods, circa mid to late 20th century, 1960s, 1970s, Italy...
Alabaster, Marble
Blue Crystal Glass Paperweight with Infused Floating Bubbles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful blue glass paperweight infused with suspended floating bubbles, creating depth, movement, and a captivating play of light within th...
Art Glass
Millefiori Paperweight Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Murano midcentury modern 1960s Millefiori flower, green, blue, red, white murine Italian Art Glass paperweight.
Art Glass, Murrine
Crystal Ball Paperweight with Infused Floating Bubbles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A substantial 4.5-inch crystal paperweight infused with suspended floating bubbles, creating a mesmerizing sense of depth and movement within the glass. The clarity and weight of the...
Art Glass
$650Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Aquarium Art Glass Paperweight with Fish, Italy 1960s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Exceptional Murano art glass paperweight featuring an aquarium-style underwater scene with suspended tropical fish and richly colored abstract marine décor. Handblown in Italy during...
Art Glass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Paperweight Jingle Bell #5039, Brass, Leather, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A handmade paperweight in the shape of a sleigh bell, model #5039, originally designed by Carl Aubock III back in the 1960s. A very charming piece, reissued by Werkstätte Auböck...
Brass
Murano Art Glass Swimming Fish Aquarium Italian Vintage Sculpture Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso swimming fish aquarium Italian art glass paperweight / sculpture. The piece is created in the manner of designer Riccardo Licata and the ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Vintage Oversized Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage oversized diamond solitaire engagement ring paperweight, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 4"W x 3.25"D x 2.25"H. A very cool and unique p...
Brass
Vintage Italian glass paperweight, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
Vintage glass paperweight, probably Italian circa 1960.
Glass
Set of 9 Signed Vasa Mihich Lucite Laminated Op-Art Cube Sculptures Dated 1989
By Vasa Velizar Mihich, Shlomi Haziza
Located in St. Louis, MO
Faceted colorful & playful set of nine Lucite Vasa Mihich cube sculptures, one is signed Vasa and dated '89. 2" square blocks of colors, change at angles of play of light into differ...
Lucite
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished nickel-plated brass b...
Nickel, Brass
Daum France Cobalt Blue Pate de Verre Cactus Flower Paperweight Sculpture, 1970s
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning pate de verre frosted crystal flower paperweight or decorative sculpture is by Daum, France, and was hand-made circa 1970. The sculpture features a lovely cactus flower...
Crystal
$240Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Paperweights
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (3 different designs available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown flower designs Italian art glass paperweights. They are documented to the Fratelli Toso company....
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Ca...
Brass
$300Sale Price|25% Off
Barovier Toso Murano Pink Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Figurine Sculpture
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear, dark pink, and bubbles Italian art glass baby bird figurine. Documented to the Barovier e Toso Company. I have owned several with labels be...
Gold Leaf
Big Murano Glass Paperweight Bubbles inside Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano Hand-Blown Italian Art Glass Paperweight A stunning example of traditional Murano craftsmanship, this hand-blown Italian art glass paperweight showcases the timeles...
Murano Glass
Seguso Spherical Paperweight in Murano Glass with Gold Dust, Italy 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic spherical shaped paperweight made mouth-blown Murano glass with gold leaf inside. This incredibly charming paperweight was designed by Archimede Seguso in Italy during the ...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Pop Art "Coca Cola"/ Coke Bottle in Lucite Sculpture / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A really fun pop art "Coca Cola" / Coke bottle in lucite sculpture / paperweight, circa 1970s. The sculpture is in good vintage condition with minor markings and crazing due to age;...
Lucite
$400 / item
Green Murano Glass Paperweight, 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian green Murano glass paperweight hand blown with air bubbles and infused with gold flecks / made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: diameter 3.15 inches / height 3.15 inch...
Murano Glass
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Salviati Murano Sommerso Blue Green Italian Art Glass Snail Figure Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso emerald green with bubbles, and sapphire blue Italian art glass snail sculpture. The piece is documented to the Salviati comp...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #4751 'Paperclip' Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4751 'Paperclip' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkst...
Brass
Barovier Toso Murano Pink Blue Gold Fleck Italian Art Glass Love Birds Sculpture
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown sky blue, pink, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass love birds sculpture. The piece is documented to the Barovier e Toso Company....
Gold Leaf
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight Executed in nickel-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is han...
Iron, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Polished Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #5072 'Chain' polished brass paperweight. Executed in brass-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is...
Brass, Iron
$104Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Italian yellow marble mushroom, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage Italian marble mushroom in buttercup yellow with charcoal veining, 1960s. Fab as paperweight or objet d’art. Pick up in central west Los Angeles or we ship worldwide. 3.25”...
Alabaster
Dice Steel Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage German Steel Dice Paperweight (Art Deco Style, c. Mid-20th Century) A striking minimalist sculpture and paperweight, this German steel cube features a single dice form balan...
Metal, Steel
Question Mark Midcentury "?" Paperweight, Solid Brass, Austria, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and decorative paperweight in the shape of a question mark from the 1970s. Made of solid brass, in good condition with nice patina.
Brass
Crafted in Wood: "Fun" Desk Top Wood Puzzle Cube, 1970's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Crafted in Wood: "Fun" Desk Top Wood Puzzle Cube, 1970's A fun desk top sculpture / puzzle. Fun taking it a part and fun putting it back together. Outer surface only oiled with fo...
Softwood
Dice Aluminum Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A german vintage aluminum paperweight or sculpture featuring a dice balanced on one corner. Art Deco style, inspired by the 1930s designs of Edgar Brandt. A minimalist dice sculpture...
Metal, Brass, Copper
Murano Black Gold Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Snail Figurine Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual, Murano hand blown jet black with gold and silver flecks Italian art glass snail paperweight figurine. The piece has an original clear and gold label that reads “Vetreria Venier Murano...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Brass
Murano Gambaro Poggi Purple Scavo Italian Art Glass Rabbit Figurine Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown purple, blue and green Italian art glass bunny rabbit paperweight / figurine. The piece is documented to the Gambaro & Poggi company. It still...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite 1997 Hafod Grange paperweight beautifully encases a delicate dandelion seed head within a perfectly clear crystal sphere, creating a stunning display of nature's fragi...
Resin
Scandinavian Mid-Century Mousetrap Paper Holder in Teak, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Danish - Scandinavian take on Franz Xavier Bergman's Vienna Bronze Mousetrap. Here executed in teak, copper and leather. Such an unusual object for your desk. Use it for important ...
Teak
Vintage Mid-Century Alabaster Owl Paperweight
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage paperweight desk accessory in the shape of an owl. This unique piece could be best suited in a library setting on a desk or bookshelf. Marked Italy
Metal
Murano Hand Blown Paperweight Yellow Flower with Blue Base Collectible Art Glass
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Murano Hand Blown Paperweight Yellow Flower with Blue Collectible Art Glass. Beautiful heavy large glass paperweight featuring yellow ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Purple Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown royal blue and white mini spots, with purple and white millefiori flower murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso c...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Daum France Crystal Turtle Paperweight Sculpture, circa 1970
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
Daum, France, created this stunning crystal turtle figurine paperweight or ornamental sculpture by hand in the early 1970s. The sculpture features a lovely turtle with dimensional ca...
Crystal
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Sommerso Blown Glass Swan Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent Murano blown-glass sculpture depicting an elegant pair of swans. This delightful piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s by the mastery of Archimede Seguso. In ama...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Floating Pennies in Lucite Cube Paperweight in the Style of William Rolfe
Located in San Diego, CA
Floating pennies in lucite cube paperweight in the style of William Rolfe, circa 1980s. The pice is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W...
Lucite
Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Flowers White Cloud Italian Art Glass Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, unusual large vintage Murano hand blown orange millefiori flowers, on a white cotton cloud, Italian art glass decorative abstract sculpture / paperweight. The piece is doc...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Bill Curry Design Line Threaded Nut Bookend, California Modern, 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Bill Curry for Design Line Nut Bookend, Nickel Chrome, Cast Iron, Signed. Jumbo sized, heavy eight-sided nut form bookend with real threads, finished in nickeled chrome over iron. Th...
Chrome, Iron
Mid century vintage handblown Murano glass paperweight
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage handblown glass Murano paperweight. This paperweight has a unique design in that the interior of the glass looks like tortoiseshell with beautiful tones of dark brown, Amber and gold. This vintage paperweight...
Glass
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Small Sculptural Jack / Jax Bookend / Paperweight in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice small sculptural jack / jax bookend, door stop or paperweight the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice patina a...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Hammer from Aarikka, Finland, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Hammer from Aarikka, Finland, 1960s
Wood