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.
Vintage Royal Copenhagen Denmark Porcelain Quaking Grass Coffee Service
Located in Chicago, IL
A fine vintage Danish porcelain set. Pieces Signed on underside. Service of eight with small cake plates. All with artistic decoration to the porcelain. Porcelain is a ivory color (h...
Porcelain
Heinrich Fuchs "Archais" Series for Lorenz Hutschenreuther, 1970
By Lorenz Hutschenreuther, Dr. Heinrich Fuchs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderfully sculptural bisque porcelain vase "Artichoke" by Heinrich Fuchs for Hutschenreuther, released between 1968 and 1970 with matte exterior and gloss interior, marked
Porcelain
$3,000 / item
Piero Fornasetti Italian Racehorse Champions Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
This complete set of six porcelain plates comprises Piero Fornasetti’s series Grandi Campioni Italiani del Galoppo, or Great Italian Champions of the Flat, each plate given over to o...
Porcelain
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Midcentury Porcelain Face Lidded Jug
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish example of this charming midcentury Rosenthal porcelain lidded jug modelled as the bust of a young girl by renowned Danish born artist Bjorn Wiinblad (1918-2006). This...
Porcelain
$600Sale Price|50% Off
Antonia Campi Vase 1950s Italian Mic Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare porcelain vase by famed Italian artist, Antonia Campi.
Porcelain
Le Corbusier Unglazed Porcelain Tray by Cassina, Mid-Century Italy
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
TRay designed by Cassina in collaboration with Ginori 1735 and the Le Corbusier Foundation in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Cassina takes its inspiration from the genius o...
Porcelain
Vintage porcelain vase by Royal Dux, Czechoslovakia, 1960s.
Located in Praha, CZ
Hand painted vase, with floral pattern Signed Badly applied gold paint on the upper edge (see photo) Beautiful decoration Original condition
Porcelain
$1,280Sale Price / set|39% Off
Set of Four Porcelain Vases by KPM 'Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur', circa 1960
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in McKinney, TX
Set of four Mid-Century Modern Porcelain vases by KPM Royal Porcelain Factory in Germany, circa 1960s. This set includes four white matte bisque unglazed textured porcelain vases with orange and maroon glazed accents and silver plated accents. All interiors are glazed. All marked KPM on base. Dimensions: Large pitcher vase with handle 13" height / 3" diameter Tall Vase with silver and orange accents 11.5" height / 2.5" diameter Medium vase with maroon and orange accents 7" height / 3" diameter Small vase with silver accents 6" height / 2.5" diameter About Königliche Porzellan...
Porcelain
Set of Karlskrona, Upsala Ekeby Serving Platters, Sylvia Pattern
Located in Riverdale, NY
Set of 8 Upsala Ekeby Serving Platters, Karlskrona Sylvia Pattern from the 1960's with autumnal leaf edge pattern which is a beautiful Karlskrona classic. Can be used as a dinner pla...
Porcelain
Ray Loewy White Grey Gold Porcelain Espresso Coffee Cup & Saucer, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
A set of two (2) white, grey, and gold porcelain espresso coffee or tea demitasse cup and saucer by designer Raymond Loewy. Cup and saucer are white porcelain with grey and gold deta...
Porcelain
Set of 4 Porcelain Cups and Coffee Pot.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 4 porcelain cups and coffee pot. Set of four porcelain cups and coffee pot. Cups: H: 5.5cm, D: 8.5cm Coffee pot: H: 15cm, W: 15.5cm, D: 8cm Contact us before ordering to con...
Porcelain
Bowl by Kay Frank, White Porcelain, Arabia, Scandinavian, Finland, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Bowl designed by Kay Frank, designer of Arabia, circa 1957, porcelain. This is a new item, circa 2000. Made in Finland. midcentury design.
Porcelain
Le Corbusier Unglazed Porcelain Tray by Cassina, Mid-Century Italy
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tray designed by Cassina in collaboration with Ginori 1735 and the Le Corbusier Foundation in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Cassina takes its inspiration from the genius o...
Ceramic
Serving Oval Dish With Golden Border Gilding from Meissen
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique Oval Deep Dish from Meissen Meissen creates simple but impeccably elegant collections that fit perfectly into absolutely any interior, whether it is a strict classic or eleg...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Rosenthal by Raymond Loewy Form 2000 Partial Dinner Set: 26 Pcs
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This partial dinner ware set was made by the well known Rosenthal factory of Germany in approximately 1970 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The ...
Porcelain
Porcelain Salt and Pepper shakers with Hand-Painted Errants by Bing & Grondahl
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A organically shaped set of porcelain shakers called Erantis or Errant by Bing & Grondahl, Denmark. They feature Hand-painted errant flowers and gold glaze. Fully marked, original an...
Porcelain
Henning Koppel 'Blue' Marmelade & Sugar Bowl in Porcelain & Bamboo
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Important design by Henning Koppel previously exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This set consist sugar bowl and an elegant lidded marmelade jar with rare handle in hand-weaved bamboo and rattan. It is called Form 523/302 Blue and was designed by Koppel during the 1950s. Manufactured at Bing & Grøndahl in Denmark. The danish silver spoon...
Porcelain
Italian Bowls by Pietro Annigoni for Porcellane Eva Sud
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Pietro Annigoni cup in porcelain Made by Arte Eva Sud Italy Original 1960s.?The cup is high approx cm 8.5, at the opening wide approx cm 9.5, at the bo...
Porcelain
Rectangular White Dish, Gerold Porcelain, Bavaria Porcelain Serving Dish
Located in Bastogne, BE
The rectangular serving dish Bavaria West Germany is made of high-quality porcelain with white glaze. The product has a cute and delicate pattern in the form of a three-dimensional ornament. Such a plate will perfectly fit into the interior of your kitchen and will be a worthy addition to the festive and everyday table...
Porcelain
Set of Six Charlotte Perriand Porcelain Dinnerware Plates by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hand-decorated porcelain dinnerware service, based on ancient influences filtered through the modern sensibilities of an extraordinary pioneer of modernity. Designed by Cassina in ...
Porcelain
Large Pair of Vintage Porcelain and Chinese Canton Vases, 20th century
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Large Pair of Vintage Porcelain and Chinese Canton Vases, 20th century. Pair of porcelain and Chinese canton urn-shaped vases with vintage export rose medallion. The vase features h...
Porcelain
$1,289Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Blue & Gold Porcelain Tea Set By Stará Role, Czechoslovakia, 1950s
Located in Zohor, SK
A refined vintage porcelain set crafted by the renowned Stará Role factory in Czechoslovakia, celebrated for its exceptional quality and artistry. This elegant ensemble features six ...
Porcelain
$1,647Sale Price|50% Off
Mariana van Allesch 1940s American Studio Pottery Leaf Bowl
By Mariana Van Alesh
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 1940s asymmetrical leaf platter made by American studio potter, Mariana van Allesch. Signed. Biography: Marianna von Allesch was born Maria Anna Steudel in Germany. ...
Pottery
Set of 5 Piero Fornasetti Mitologia Gilt Porcelain Plates, Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 5, Italian, mid century, small plates or coasters by Piero Fornasetti, made exclusively for retailer Bonwitt Teller. The plates feature the "Mitologia" (Mythological) pattern,...
Porcelain
$1,214Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Porcelain Lidded Vase with Bird Landscape, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern porcelain tall vase with lid, floral and naturalistic motifs, China, 1940s-1950s. This urn lidded vase features a naturalistic landscape wit...
Silver
Piero Fornasetti Eva / Eve Porcelain Plate # 3, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Piero Fornasetti Eva / Eve porcelain dinner plate number 3. Signed. Never used as a dinner plate.
Porcelain
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal porcelain jug , 1970s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal porcelain jug , 1970s Dimensions: 15cm Height , 7cm Width , 11cm Depth Condition: Good Material: Porcelain
Porcelain
Set of Six Charlotte Perriand Porcelain Dinnerware Plates by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hand-decorated porcelain dinnerware service, based on ancient influences filtered through the modern sensibilities of an extraordinary pioneer of modernity. Designed by Cassina in collaboration with Ginori 1735...
Porcelain
Le Corbusier Unglazed Porcelain Tray by Cassina, Mid-Century Italy
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
TRay designed by Cassina in collaboration with Ginori 1735 and the Le Corbusier Foundation in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Cassina takes its inspiration from the genius o...
Porcelain
Vintage Epiag Orion Decorative Plate (Prague) motif
By Royal Epiag
Located in Praha, CZ
A beatiful vintage porcelain plate by Epiag Orion, featuring a detailed depiction od Prague. The central image shows CHarles Bridge and Prague Castle in a charming burgundy sepia ton...
Porcelain
Set of Eight Bucciarelli Gilt Porcelain Coasters, Mid-Century Italy
By Bucciarelli
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 white porcelain coasters/ small plates featuring gilt ornate damask pattern. Set of 8 with original box.
Porcelain
$658Sale Price|20% Off
Porcelain Tureen Laveno Verbano Guido Andloviz, 1940
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Porcelain tureen Laveno Verbano Guido Andloviz 1940.
Porcelain
Pierre Cardin Porcelain Vase, Blue Wave, 1960s, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful flower vase made in white cylindrical porcelain, designed by Pierre Paulin, also with a logo on the vase, which is consistently applied to all his ceramiques of this settin...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger
By Fornasetti
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The Italian artist and illustrator Piero Fornasetti was one of the wittiest, most imaginative design talents of the 20th Century. He crafted an inimitable decorative style from a personal vocabulary of images that included birds, butterflies, hot-air balloons, architecture and, most frequently, an enigmatic woman’s face. Fornasetti used...
Porcelain
White and Blue Porcelain Vase by Jindřich Marek for Royal Dux, Czech Republic
By Royal Dux
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Czech Republic by Jindřich Marek for Royal Dux, 1960s. It is made in white and blue hand-glazed porcelain. It is marked. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show s...
Porcelain
$2,504Sale Price|24% Off
Sculpture Italy Glazed porcelain majolica Domenico Poloniato Geisha
By Domenico Poloniato
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing porcelain sculpture of a geisha, made by Italian ceramist Domenico Poloniato in the 1960s. Japanese geisha were women who entertained at ban...
Porcelain
Royal Dux Herons Sculpture by Jaroslaw Jezek, Mid-Century 1958
By Royal Dux
Located in Meda, MB
This elegant and fine Royal Dux porcelain figurine sculpture was produced in the Czech Republic in 1958. It features a modern design by Ja...
Porcelain
MidCentury Modern Porcelain Vase w/ 24k Yellow Gold Gilt, signed Tirschenheut
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid Century Modern porcelain vase was realized by the esteemed maker Tirschenheut in Germany circa 1960. It features a ...
Porcelain
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Flat Tronc Plates For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Flat Tronc Plates For Cassina The exclusivity of a hand-decorated porcelain dinnerware service, based on ancient influences filtered through the mode...
Porcelain
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Deep Flat Tronc Plates For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charlotte Prerriand Set of Two Deep Troc Plates For Cassina The exclusivity of a hand-decorated porcelain dinnerware service, based on ancient influences filtered through the mode...
Porcelain
Le Corbusier Unglazed Porcelain Tray by Cassina, Mid-Century Italy
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
TRay designed by Cassina in collaboration with Ginori 1735 and the Le Corbusier Foundation in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Cassina takes its inspiration from the genius o...
Porcelain
Le Corbusier Unglazed Porcelain Tray by Cassina, Mid-Century Italy
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tray designed by Cassina in collaboration with Ginori 1735 and the Le Corbusier Foundation in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Cassina takes its inspiration from the genius o...
Ceramic
$235Sale Price|20% Off
Rosenthal Mid-Century Modern Design Multi-Color Porcelain Bottle Vase, 1960s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Mid-Century Modern design Rosenthal multi-color porcelain bottle or vase with Rosenthal Logo printed on one side in excellent vintage condition, circa 1960 Please note that the it...
Porcelain
$141Sale Price / item|20% Off
Midcentury Jean Luce French White Porcelain Coffee Cups Black typo decor
By Jean Luce
Located in Crespières, FR
Jean Luce Paris white porcelain six coffee cups and saucers Circa 1950 decorated with initials in black in a sleek typography. JEAN LUCE (1895-1964), a member of the UAM movement, w...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Adamo or Adam Porcelain Plate # 7, Signed, Excellent Condition
Located in Kansas City, MO
Piero Fornasetti Adamo or Adam porcelain plate number 7. Signed. Excellent condition.
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Coaster Reclining "Adam” 7 of 8, 1965, Mid-century
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plate number 7 from the quite rare and sought after of Fornasetti 1960’s design series, Adamo & Eva (1965). Compared to his much more severe standing “Adam" of a decade earlier, this...
Porcelain
Kenji Fujita for Tackett Associates, Porcelain Coffee Service for Two People
Located in København, Copenhagen
Kenji Fujita for Tackett Associates. Porcelain coffee service for two people. Dated 1953-56. Consisting of two coffee cups with sa...
Porcelain
$1,412 / set
Pair of Herend Porcelain Eagles
By Herend
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair of Herend porcelain eagles.
Porcelain
$235Sale Price / set|20% Off
1940s Set of Small Five Pastel Colored Soliflor Porcelain Vases
Located in Milan, IT
A splendid set of small 1940s Five Pastel Colored Soliflor Porcelain Vases, For great table settings. These are New, Old Stock in their original packaging. Ten multi-colored sets a...
Porcelain
S.C. Richard S. Cristoforo Porcelain Tea Service, Italy 1930s
Located in Naples, IT
Antique white and pink porcelain tea set, six cups, six saucers, sugar bowl, coffee pot and milk jug, very good condition, 1930s, saucer diamete...
Porcelain
White Porcelain Decorative Item "Osterfreude" by Carl Werner for Hutschenreuther
By Hutschenreuther, Carl Werner
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany, 1960s. This item is made in white porcelain and might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition and r...
Porcelain
1960s Dansk Porcelain Demitasse Cups and Saucers - Set of 8
Located in Austin, TX
This vintage set of eight porcelain Dansk demitasse cups and saucers is in perfect condition! The color is 'Winter White.' The cup, made of a smooth porcelain and designed with simpl...
Porcelain
Schwarzburger Werkstätten Vase
By Schwarzburger Werkstätten 1
Located in New York, NY
Early Porcelain vase by Schwarzburger Werkstätten. Well crafted porcelain vase with Classic decorative motif and low pedestal base. Manufa...
Porcelain
Scheherazade Porcelain Statue by Volkstedt
By Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Porcelain statue of Scheherazade the legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights by Volkstedt porcelain in Thuringia...
Porcelain
Vintage Lacquered Ceramic Decorative Clown Figure, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This item is made in lacquered ceramic and might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition and r...
Ceramic
Midcentury Serving Tray, Europe, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
Good Original Condition Made from Wood, Glass and Chrome
Ceramic
3 Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Table Lamps with Blue Conifer Cone by Fog & Mørup
By Fog & Mørup, Royal Copenhagen, Kaj Lange
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Three large table lamps with Blue Conifer Cone by Fog & Mørup For Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Company The lamps are sold and priced individually. Discount available if sold as a grou...
Porcelain
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Large Porcelain Charger / Plate by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio Line
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice 13" porcelain charger / plate by Danish designer Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio Line, circa 1970s. The piece is signed and in excellent condition.
Porcelain
Mid Century Danish Modern Porcelain Royal Copenhagen Egg Cups Denmark
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elevate your breakfast service with this exquisite set of 4 vintage Royal Copenhagen egg cups in the highly sought-after Dagmar pattern. A tes...
Porcelain