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.
Seguso Murano Egg Paperweight in Murano Glass with Gold Dust, Italy 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic egg-shaped paperweight made in mouth-blown Murano glass with gold leaf inside. This incredibly charming paperweight was designed by Archimede Seguso in Italy during the 195...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Millefiori Set of 2 Owl Paperweights in Style of Fratelli Toso
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
An unusual owl shaped paperweights feature colorful millefiori on dark background and an applied clear glass eyes and ears details, finished with matte surface. The larger owl is marked with the original "Made in Murano, Italy" red and gold oval foil label on the left side; it has remnants of square paper label on the bottom. The small...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Baccarat French Art Glass Zodiac Paperweight Taurus Bull Sulfide on Cobalt Blue
By Baccarat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, faceted French art glass paperweight. By Baccarat. From the Zodiac series. With a white sulphide depicting Taurus the Bull on a blue ground. Marked with an acid-etched ...
Art Glass
Rosenthal Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight, Rosenthal Classic, Libreria Pattern
Located in Downingtown, PA
A Library in the Hand: Fornasetti's Libreria Paperweight This striking Rosenthal Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight is an iconic piece of 20th-century decorative art. Produced by Rose...
Ceramic
$400Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Mandala Millefiori Flower Mosaic Red Swirl Italian Art Glass Paperweight
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Galliano Ferro
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown, optic design, millefiori flower mosaic "Mandala" design Italian art glass paperweight. Created in the manner of the Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
$200Sale Price|50% Off
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with red, green, and yellow swirl pattern / made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: Diameter 2.5 inches, height 2.5 inches Please not...
Murano Glass
$400Sale Price|20% Off
Seguso Murano Sapphire Blue Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Love Birds Figurine
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown sapphire blue and gold flecks Italian art glass love birds figurine. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso. The two birds are attached to each o...
Gold Leaf
$250Sale Price|50% Off
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with intricate airbubbles / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: diameter 5 inches / height 4 inches 1 available in stock in Italy...
Murano Glass
Vintage Clear Glass Heart Shaped Paperweight Wayne Husted for Blenko
By Blenko Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage clear glass heart shaped paperweight by Wayne Husted for Blenko, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3.75"W x 3.5"D ...
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Murano Millefiori Paperweight
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century Murano millefiori paperweight. Finely done with white, blues, green, mauve & pink. 2.75" dia. x 3" h. We are a family business that has been a major source for the ...
Murano Glass
$240Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of Crystal Stylized Penguin Sculptures by Val St. Lambert
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of petite faceted clear crystal penguin sculptures by Val St. Lambert exclusively for the Danbury Mint, circa 1980s. The pair are in excellent cond...
Crystal
Vintage Two's Company Lucite Owl Tape Dispenser Attributed to Robert P. Gottlieb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage lucite owl tape dispenser manufactured in Hong Kong for Two's Company of Mount Vernon, NY (ca. 1960s). Attributed to Robert P. Gottlieb, who...
Lucite
Mid-Century Modern Control Bubble Murano Paperweight Green
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage paperweight, in the shape of a pear. Control bubble Murano with clear and green tones. Item unmarked. No information present . Attributed in style a...
Murano Glass
$164Sale Price|20% Off
Paperweight of Beautifully Crafted Glass Colored Gray Purple
Located in Oirlo, LI
Paperweight of Beautifully Crafted Glass Colored Gray Purple Additional information: Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 5.5 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Glass
Heavy Solid Bronze Clover Shaped Paperweight, France, 1970s
By Ado Chale
Located in New York, NY
Patinated bronze paperweight.
Bronze
Large Vintage Murano Glass Paperweight with Millefiori Garlands
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Large, unusual Murano glass paperweight features interlacing garlands of complex white and green toned millefiori canes, creating a cross pattern; each square of the cross pattern h...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Ashtray or Bowl, Solid Brass for Desk or Table, 1960s, Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful solid brass ashtray, very heavy 1.8 kg. Measure: 16 x 16 x 2.5 cm.
Brass
Midcentury Murano Glass and Gold Dust Spherical Paperweight with Bubbles, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury Murano glass and gold dust spherical paperweight. It was produced in Italy during 1970s and attributed to Alfredo Barbini. Its peculiarity is the Murano glass...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Fratelli Toso Murano Millefiori Heart Mosaic Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown millefiori flowers mosaic with heart centers and bullseye murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso compan...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Vistosi Italian Mid-Century Modern Cased Murano Glass Bullseye Paperweight
By Vistosi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Murano glass paperweight. By Vistosi. In the form of a black (or deep amethsyt) ameoba shape with a green & white bullseye pattern. Simply a great Italian glass paper...
Glass, Art Glass
Mounted Iridescent Opaline Sphere Paper Weight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mounted Iridescent Opaline Sphere paper weight - similar to a tigers eye, yet white, opaque and subtle changes in every direction. A handsome complimen...
Opaline Glass
Stylized Eagle Head Sculpture / Paperweight by Saint Louis Crystal of France
By Saint Louis
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice stylized eagle head sculpture / paperweight by Saint Louis Crystal of France, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 2.25"W...
Crystal
Pair of Travertine Horse Bookends Letter Holder by Fratelli Mannelli Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of horse-shaped bookends and letter holders in travertine marble by the Italian designers Fratelli Mannelli, 1970s.
Travertine
Fontana Arte Glass paperweight with two decorative silver coins, Italy 1958
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Fontana Arte Glass paperweight with two decorative silver coins, Italy 1958 This paperweight was made as a souvenir for the 50th anniversary of the Italian A.E.C Electrical company.
Silver
$200Sale Price / item|50% Off
Red Murano Glass Paperweight, 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian red 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 inches...
Murano Glass
$200Sale Price / item|50% Off
Blue Murano Glass Paperweight, 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian blue 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 inche...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modernist Limited Edition Baccarat Art Glass Snake Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This rare and sought after limited edition Mid-Century Modernist Baccarat art glass paperweight was produced by the illustrious French glass maker, ...
Art Glass, Lucite
$250Sale Price|50% Off
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with white and red scrambled canes within the glass, made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: Diameter 3 inches, height 2.75 inches 1 ...
Murano Glass
Petite Murano Glass Paperweight & Pen Holder Stand, Italy 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This exquisite Murano hand-blown art glass paperweight and pen holder embodies the refinement and artistry for which Venetian glassmakers are renowned. Crafted with exceptional skill...
Murano Glass
Paperweight in Murano Glass with Inner Bubbles and Gold Dust, Sculpture, Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful sphere in Murano glass. Game of air rising from a golden dust.
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM)
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and very unusual, vintage Murano hand blown multicolor millefiori flowers Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool sculptural paperweight. Th...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$636Sale Price|20% Off
Bronze Foot an Early Example from the Carl Aubock Workshop Sculpture Paperweight
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Marked, "MADE IN AUSTRIA" We are assume this is an earlier version of the, 'Best Foot Forward' desktop paperweight. Wonderful patina, presented in as found condition.
Bronze
Vintage Clear Art Glass Bird Penguin Paperweight Figurine With Bubbles
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Clear Art Glass Bird Penguin Paperweight Figurine With Bubbles. Clear Controlled Bubble Standing Penguin Bird Animal Art Glass Figurine Paperweight. Collectible Blown Clear G...
Art Glass
$244Sale Price|20% Off
Stone Inkwell, Souvenir from Oran Area, circa 1940, Morocco
Located in Labrit, Landes
Marocain stone inkwell The sculpture represents a horseshoe surrounded by branches of leaves The words "Souvenir oranais" are wroten in French on ...
Stone
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Vintage Millefiori Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pedestal Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual, tall vintage Murano hand blown dark pink and white flower murrines Italian art glass pedestal paperweight. Attributed to the Fratelli Toso company. The paperwe...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Murano Style Art Glass Paperweight with Red
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful large glass paper weight with large bubbles throughout, many symmetrical and a lovely red ribbon spiraling inside. A compliment to any desk, work station or as a decorat...
Art Glass
$240Sale Price / item|20% Off
Barbini Murano Red Blue Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bubble Design Paperweights
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced Per Item (3 different colors available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown red, blue and gold Italian art glass paperweights with bubble decoration. Documented to designer ...
Gold Leaf
$140Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Ship Porthole Wing Dog Bolt Brass Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage ship porthole wing dog bolt brass paperweight, circa 1940s. The piece has a well worn brass patina and measures 3.25"W x 1.5"...
Brass
Polished Petrified Wood Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage polished petrified wood paper weight, circa old! The piece is in very good condition with wonderful brown and tan colors and measures 4.5"W x 3.5"D x 3.75"H. Col...
Petrified Wood
Victor Vasarely Style Op Art Vintage Lucite Cube Paperweight Desk Accessories
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Op Art colorful beveled Lucite Cube designed in the Style of Victor Vasarely. He was a Hungarian born French artist who used geometric shapes and colorful graphics...
Acrylic, Lucite
$200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Vintage Brass Screw Paperweight
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A stylish and subtly subversive cast brass paperweight shaped like an oversized screw, made in the 1960s. Both humorous and functional, this sculptural piece blends the industrial wi...
Brass
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Baccarat Concentric Millefiori Signed Glass Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A magnificent c.1950s Baccarat Five Row Concentric Close-Packed Millefiori Paperweight. The base features the acid etched post-war Baccarat mark. Large and showy with great bright co...
Glass
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Large Vintage Die in Mother-of-Pearl and Rosewood, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish Paperweight Die in Rosewood and Mother-of-Pearl, Mid-Century Modern. Measures: 2 Inch.
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Italian Pewter Owl Bust Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well cast Italian pewter owl bust paperweight from retailer Buffums, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"W 2.25"D x...
Pewter
Vintage Caithness Uranus Planet Paperweight by Colin Ferris & Peter Holmes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine limited edition glass paperweight by Caithness. Entitled 'Uranus'. From the Planet Series of paperweights by Colin Ferris & Peter Holmes. No. 71 from an edition of 500. Simply a wonderfully rare paperweight...
Art Glass
Argentine Artistic Crystal Paperweight by Querandí with 925 Silver Inclusions
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Argentine Artistic Crystal Paperweight by Querandí with 925 Silver Inclusions This sculptural paperweight, crafted by Querandí, is oval-shaped and made of solid, clear crystal with i...
Sterling Silver
Brazilian Mid-Century Jacaranda Paperclip Paperweight Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Brazilan mid-century paperclip desk or table sculpture from the 1960s. Paperclip is functional.
Metal
Handblown Wild Flower Art Glass Paperweight Attributed to Fratelli Toso
Located in New York, NY
Rare elegant Murano handblown wild flower art glass paperweight. Attributed to the Fratelli Toso company. The piece has three large white flowers insi...
Glass
Brass Paperweight 'Pipe' by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight "pipe" in brass, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Vintage Blown Art Glass Paperweight in Blue And Green Spiral 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This vintage 1980's glass spiral paperweight or art glass object desk accessory. Vintage crystal art glass paperweight in blue and green Swirl. Paper weight for the sophisticated des...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Detail Murano stained glass paperweight, 1950s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Particular Murano stained glass paperweight, Made in Italy, 1950s. Beautiful paperweight made of SUMMERED MURANO GLASS in green color. This object was handcrafted and hand-blown. It...
Murano Glass, Sommerso
MCM Art Glass Paperweight by Robert William Bartlett
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful art glass paperweight by Robert William Bartlett, circa 1978. The piece is internally layered with white and blue swirl design. The paperweight is in very good vintage co...
Art Glass
Mid Century Modern Vintage Pink Stone Carved Apple Paper Weight - Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty pink vintage carved stone apple. Created from either alabaster, granite, or rose quartz this heavy piece will be a great addition to a desk or bookshelf. It is round with so...
Stone
Carl Auböck Paperweight in Leather and Stone, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight in leather and stone, Austria, 1960s.
Stone
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1970s Roger Bezombes Bronze Starfish Medallion Table Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Florentine Bronze medal from the Monnaie de Paris (cornucopia hallmark from 1880). Minted around 1971. This is a Starfish like form Paperweight by Fr...
Bronze
Antonio da Ros Handmade Glass Sculptural Bookends, circa 1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antonio da Ros handmade glass sculptural bookends, circa 1960 Absolutely beautiful vintage 1960s bookends by noted Italian glass master Antonio da Ros. This matching pair measu...
Art Glass
$250Sale Price|50% Off
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with white "filigrana" - white filaments intricately superimposed and intertwined within the glass / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Me...
Murano Glass
Paperweight Caithness Scotland Signed Collectible " Obsession" with Box 1970's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Caithness Scotland "Obsession" Signed collectible Paperweight in original box with the Caithness Collectors club paperwork. Caithness Scotland- collectible "Obsession" art glass paperweight. Caithness Scottish glass designer paperweight...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Emporio Armani Seguso Murano Iridescent Italian Art Glass Paperweight and Bag
By Seguso Viro
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano hand blown Sommerso clear and iridescent surface Italian art glass paperweight. The piece is documented to the Seguso Viro company, for the Emporio Armani stores in ...
Gold Leaf
Giorgio Soave Paper weight for Olivetti, Italy 1970s
By Olivetti
Located in Milan, IT
Giorgio Soave Paper weight for Olivetti, Italy 1970s
Silver Plate