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Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Handcarved Pipe for Savinelli
Handcarved Pipe for Savinelli

Handcarved Pipe for Savinelli

By Savinelli design

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A hand carved wood smoking pipe, the handle circled by a silver band with etched decoration. Marked "Estella 316 EX".

Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Metal

Big Crystal 1950, Italian
Big Crystal 1950, Italian

Big Crystal 1950, Italian

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Ceramic Ashtray or Catchall in Brown, Signed
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Ceramic Ashtray or Catchall in Brown, Signed

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Ceramic Ashtray or Catchall in Brown, Signed

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A sculptural Mid-Century Modern ceramic ashtray. This piece is in cream, and in an unusual oblong shape. The bottom is glazed in black, with a small illegible signature. The top is h...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Vintage Fully Brass Italian Lighter 1970s
Vintage Fully Brass Italian Lighter 1970s

Vintage Fully Brass Italian Lighter 1970s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fully Brass Vintage Lighter made in Italy 1970s

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Brass

Italian Midcentury Modern Abstract Lava Glaze Ashtray By Raymor
Italian Midcentury Modern Abstract Lava Glaze Ashtray By Raymor

Italian Midcentury Modern Abstract Lava Glaze Ashtray By Raymor

By Raymor

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Large, Italian, midcentury modern, art pottery ashtray by Raymor features a painted, multicolor, abstract fruit arrangement. The tray has a lava glaze technique which gives the surfa...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic

Blue Crystal Ashtray Fontana Arte Style, Italy 1970
Blue Crystal Ashtray Fontana Arte Style, Italy 1970

Blue Crystal Ashtray Fontana Arte Style, Italy 1970

By Fontana Arte

Located in Conversano, IT

Realized in Italy in the 1970s, this solid blue crystal ashtray represents one of the most sophisticated expressions of the material and luminous experimentation that defines the Ita...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Crystal

Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red and Blue, Italy, 1960s Design
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red and Blue, Italy, 1960s Design

Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red and Blue, Italy, 1960s Design

By Flavio Poli

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR

Amazing red and blue ashtray by Flavio Poli in Murano glass. Made in Italy. It is a sculpture The item is in very good condition.

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Clear Acrylic Vase, Italy
Vintage Clear Acrylic Vase, Italy

Vintage Clear Acrylic Vase, Italy

Located in Munich, DE

Italian Design Piece.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Acrylic

Italian Mid-Century White Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray Mangiarotti Danese, 1970s
Italian Mid-Century White Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray Mangiarotti Danese, 1970s

Italian Mid-Century White Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray Mangiarotti Danese, 1970s

By Angelo Mangiarotti, Danese Milano

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian Mid-Century White Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray by Angelo Mangiarotti for Danese, 1970s Fantastic round ashtray in white porcelain stoneware. The plate has a light rise in the ...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Vintage etched bell shaped Ashtray Trinket Disk
Vintage etched bell shaped Ashtray Trinket Disk

Vintage etched bell shaped Ashtray Trinket Disk

Located in Seattle, WA

Possibly brass. Believed to be an Indian origin. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Box H3 Dimensions. 6.25” W ; 4” D ; 1” H

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Brown Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray Mangiarotti Danese, 1970s
Italian Mid-Century Brown Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray Mangiarotti Danese, 1970s

Italian Mid-Century Brown Porcelain Stoneware Ashtray Mangiarotti Danese, 1970s

By Danese Milano, Angelo Mangiarotti

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century brown porcelain stoneware ashtray by Mangiarotti for Danese, 1970s Round ashtray in brown porcelain stoneware. Produced by Danese in 1970s and designed by Angel...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Porcelain, Stoneware

Vintage Murano Multi-Colored Glass Ash Tray
Vintage Murano Multi-Colored Glass Ash Tray

Vintage Murano Multi-Colored Glass Ash Tray

Located in Munich, DE

Murano glass bowl, ashtray element.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Floor Steel Ashtray, 1970s
Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Floor Steel Ashtray, 1970s

Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Floor Steel Ashtray, 1970s

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian Mid-Century Modern floor steel ashtray, 1970s. Floor ashtray with metal base painted in matt black and ashtray in brushed steel. This hourglass shape give a fantastic design ...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Metal

Round Walnut with Brass Insert
Round Walnut with Brass Insert

Round Walnut with Brass Insert

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Round walnut ashtray c.1950s from Duk-It out of Buffalo, New York. This ashtray features a walnut exterior with brass insert. This piece can also be used ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Brass

Thick Dark Green Glass Centerpiece / Trinket Bowl attr. to Fontana Arte, Italy
Thick Dark Green Glass Centerpiece / Trinket Bowl attr. to Fontana Arte, Italy

Thick Dark Green Glass Centerpiece / Trinket Bowl attr. to Fontana Arte, Italy

By Fontana Arte

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

Made in Italy, 1960s. This vide-poche / centerpiece is made in thick and heavy dark green green curved and beveled glass. It is attributable to Fontana Arte for the color and the t...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Italian Mid Century Modern Ashtray by Gianfranco Fantoni
Italian Mid Century Modern Ashtray by Gianfranco Fantoni

Italian Mid Century Modern Ashtray by Gianfranco Fantoni

By Fantoni

Located in Byron Bay, NSW

Ashtray or Empty pockets in ceramic and glass. Fantoni is an Italian company known for its high-quality ceramics and artistic creations. Based in the Veneto region of Italy, Fantoni...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic, Art Glass

Murano Glass "RED-ORANGE" Bowl Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s
Murano Glass "RED-ORANGE" Bowl Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s

Murano Glass "RED-ORANGE" Bowl Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970s

Located in Munich, DE

Add a bold pop of color to your smoking space with our vibrant red-orange ashtray—a stylish and functional accent piece designed to stand out.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Vintage Boho Tooled Metal Ashtrays - Set of 2
Vintage Boho Tooled Metal Ashtrays - Set of 2

Vintage Boho Tooled Metal Ashtrays - Set of 2

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A charming collection of American-style vintage Boho tooled metal ashtrays, each featuring intricate hand-tooled designs. These unique pieces combine the rustic appeal of copper with...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Brass, Copper, Steel

Ashtray Crystal, 1950
Ashtray Crystal, 1950

Ashtray Crystal, 1950

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our Argentina galleries are shipped directly to your address via air freight. • Simplified Customs Management: We handle the processing of export permits and the payment of customs duties. You will receive your purchase without additional paperwork or surprise costs. • High-Security Packaging: Following FedEx international standards, each piece is protected in custom-made wooden crates, designed to withstand 1-meter impacts and ensure the integrity of the object during transit. • Note for shipments to the USA: To comply with shipping company regulations and ensure delivery at the destination, a valid tax ID (EIN, SSN, or ITIN) is required. • Domestic US Shipping: For those pieces available in our United States storage, logistics are managed through 1stdibs. Crystal We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair. Andres Kálnay, of Hungarian origin, made around 120 architectural masterpieces, among which the former Munich brewery stands out, he even made the furniture’s design. The German architect, Walter Gropius, director of the Bauhaus, lived in Argentina, where he wrote articles for “Sur” magazine and founded in Buenos Aires, an architectural firm with Franz Möller, who was also an architect, where he built two houses. At the same time several famous designers decided to immigrate to Argentina, among them we can find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also worked for the Rockefeller family. Special pieces were made, which were sold exclusively in the country, such as the well-known German company “WMF”, who sold their products by catalogue, which were chosen by the ladies of high society in the list of wedding gifts, as well as the pieces designed by Christofle. The Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti, made special pieces for Argentinean mansions. In 1904 the first Jansen branch outside Paris was established in Buenos Aires, as the Argentinean clientele demanded a large amount of furniture, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century. In 1970, the brand Rigolleau Argentina made pieces authorised by Lalique. The brands Maple and Thompson also set up shop in the country. The French plastic artist, Marcel Duchamp moved to Argentina in 1918-1919. Glass signed Gallé, Charder, Leverre, Schneider, Muller and other French firms. They were bought in flower shops and were given to ladies with beautiful floral arrangements. Some furniture manufacturers travelled to international fairs and bough the patterns to produce the furniture in Argentina, such as the furniture firm Englander and Bonta, who bought the patterns ins Italy. It is worth mentioning that in Argentina we have the largest community of Italians outside...

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Modern Brass Ashtray, Multi-Ribbed Design, Vintage Patina
Mid-Century Modern Brass Ashtray, Multi-Ribbed Design, Vintage Patina

Mid-Century Modern Brass Ashtray, Multi-Ribbed Design, Vintage Patina

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Low-profile round ashtray is defined by its striking multi-ribbed exterior, a signature of mid-century modern metalware. The ashtray is crafted from brass and showcases a patina that...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Brass

Glazed Stoneware Ashtray with Crushed Glass Rim
Glazed Stoneware Ashtray with Crushed Glass Rim

Glazed Stoneware Ashtray with Crushed Glass Rim

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stoneware ashtray with glass inlaid rim. The round ashtray features an unglazed exterior and underside with a crushed glowing green glass rim and turquoise glazed interior. The piece...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass, Stoneware

Pal-Bell Rectangular Cast Bronze Ashtray
Pal-Bell Rectangular Cast Bronze Ashtray

Pal-Bell Rectangular Cast Bronze Ashtray

By Pal-Bell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mid-century brass Pal-Bell ashtray features a rectangular shape with a deep square hammered well and two cigarette notches. The opposite end showcases a figure and falcon. An embosse...

Category

Mid-20th Century Israeli Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Bronze

Heath Ceramics Speckle Glazed Ashtray
Heath Ceramics Speckle Glazed Ashtray

Heath Ceramics Speckle Glazed Ashtray

By Heath Ceramics

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Ceramic ashtray by Heath Ceramics, c.1960s, USA. The ashtray features a stoneware exterior and tan speckle glazed interior with a purple glazed burst at the center of the well, with ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Purple Glass Vase, Italy
Vintage Purple Glass Vase, Italy

Vintage Purple Glass Vase, Italy

$294Sale Price|21% Off

Vintage Purple Glass Vase, Italy

Located in Munich, DE

Cylindrical glass vase is a wonderful glass decorative object, realized by an Italian manufacture during the 1970s. Very fashionable vase with circular decorations in relief along th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Faceted Murano 'Sommerso' Glass Vase Attributed to Mandruzzato, circa 1960-1969
Faceted Murano 'Sommerso' Glass Vase Attributed to Mandruzzato, circa 1960-1969

Faceted Murano 'Sommerso' Glass Vase Attributed to Mandruzzato, circa 1960-1969

Located in Munich, DE

A very beautiful Italian Murano green faceted art glass vase. circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. Beautiful at any angle.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Dino Martens ashtray in Murano glass circa 1950
Dino Martens ashtray in Murano glass circa 1950

Dino Martens ashtray in Murano glass circa 1950

By Dino Martens

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Ashtray in Murano glass by DINO MARTENS to Aureliano Toso

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Murano Glass

Floor Ash Stand by Stilnovo
Floor Ash Stand by Stilnovo

Floor Ash Stand by Stilnovo

By Stilnovo

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A graphic and expressive weighted floor ash stand having the form of a bold red column, the aluminium and lacquered top holding a removable insert.

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Murano Glass Sommerso Block "Smoked" Cube Ashtray Element, Italy, 1970s
Murano Glass Sommerso Block "Smoked" Cube Ashtray Element, Italy, 1970s

Murano Glass Sommerso Block "Smoked" Cube Ashtray Element, Italy, 1970s

Located in Munich, DE

Modern and sleek, our cubic black ashtray is a stylish addition to any smoking area, blending functionality with contemporary design.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Mid-century Modern ashtrays for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern ashtrays 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 ashtrays created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, murano glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern ashtrays 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 ashtrays, popular names associated with this style include Flavio Poli, Bitossi, Aldo Londi, and Angelo Mangiarotti. 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 ashtrays differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $22 and tops out at $12,712 while the average work can sell for $541.