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Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

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
Design ring made of gold-plated silver from the 1970s
Design ring made of gold-plated silver from the 1970s

Design ring made of gold-plated silver from the 1970s

$558Sale Price|20% Off

Design ring made of gold-plated silver from the 1970s

Located in Oirlo, LI

Design ring made of gold-plated silver from the 1970s Beautiful ring, very striking, we tested it on silver and it was then gold plated. There is no mark on the 825 silver ring...

Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Flower in a Pot
Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Flower in a Pot

Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Flower in a Pot

$1,800

Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Flower in a Pot

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in New York, NY

Tiffany & Co. gilt sterling silver flower in a pot, in pattern number 24037 from the 1950s, in an elegant, geometric design. It measures 14 1/2'' in height by 3 5/8'' in depth. Gross...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Sculptured Beauty by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set, 43 Pcs
Sculptured Beauty by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set, 43 Pcs

Sculptured Beauty by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set, 43 Pcs

$5,654 / set

Sculptured Beauty by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set, 43 Pcs

By International Silver

Located in Big Bend, WI

Mid-Century Modern sculptured beauty by International sterling silver flatware set of 43 pieces. This set includes: Eight knives, 9 1/4". Eight forks, 7 1/4". Eight salad forks, 6 1...

Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Paramount by Kirk Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 55 Pieces Modern
Paramount by Kirk Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 55 Pieces Modern

Paramount by Kirk Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 55 Pieces Modern

$7,900 / set

Paramount by Kirk Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 55 Pieces Modern

By Kirk Silver Company

Located in Big Bend, WI

Paramount by Kirk sterling silver flatware set, 55 pieces. This modern design is based on the New York city skyline and architecture. This set includes: 8 knives, 9 1/8" 8 forks, 7 ...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of American circa 1950s Sterling Silver Webster Company Biscuit Dishes
Pair of American circa 1950s Sterling Silver Webster Company Biscuit Dishes

Pair of American circa 1950s Sterling Silver Webster Company Biscuit Dishes

$548 / set

Pair of American circa 1950s Sterling Silver Webster Company Biscuit Dishes

By Webster Company

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of circa 1950s Webster company American sterling silver biscuit dishes A very good looking and well made pair, highly decorat...

Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sea Sculpture by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 53 pieces
Sea Sculpture by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 53 pieces

Sea Sculpture by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 53 pieces

$6,752 / set

Sea Sculpture by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 53 pieces

By Gorham

Located in Big Bend, WI

Modern design "Sea Sculpture" by Gorham sterling silver Flatware set - 53 Pieces. This set includes: 12 Knives, 9" 12 Forks, 7 1/2" 12 Salad Forks, 6 3/4" 12 Teaspoons, 6" 2 Servin...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Sterling Saucer Plates by Tane Orfebres
Pair of Sterling Saucer Plates by Tane Orfebres

Pair of Sterling Saucer Plates by Tane Orfebres

$1,000

Pair of Sterling Saucer Plates by Tane Orfebres

By Tane Orfebres

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Those Saucer plates are a lovely pieces for those that collect fine Mexican silver, silver by this listed maker, or you're looking for a piece like this to dress up your home! Shows...

Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rey Urban Creamer Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Sweden 1970 Signed
Rey Urban Creamer Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Sweden 1970 Signed

Rey Urban Creamer Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Sweden 1970 Signed

$1,117 / item

Rey Urban Creamer Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Sweden 1970 Signed

By Rey Urban

Located in Paris, IDF

Creamer in sterling silver hand hammered by Rey Urban, Stockholm 1970 signed ans stamped A pair available, price for 1 item Good condition Rey Urban, born 14 September 1929 in Stockholm, Sweden, died 8...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Christopher Nigel Lawrence - Limited edition pepper grinder & salt shaker - 1973
Christopher Nigel Lawrence - Limited edition pepper grinder & salt shaker - 1973

Christopher Nigel Lawrence - Limited edition pepper grinder & salt shaker - 1973

$3,816

Christopher Nigel Lawrence - Limited edition pepper grinder & salt shaker - 1973

By Christopher Lawrence

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1973 by Christopher Lawrence, this stylish, Sterling Silver Pepper Grinder & Salt Shaker, is presented in it's original box, and is number 25 of a limited edi...

Category

1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Salt and pepper by Hans Hansen Denmark 1967 dated and Signed
Silver Salt and pepper by Hans Hansen Denmark 1967 dated and Signed

Silver Salt and pepper by Hans Hansen Denmark 1967 dated and Signed

$1,164 / set

Silver Salt and pepper by Hans Hansen Denmark 1967 dated and Signed

By Hans Hansen

Located in Paris, IDF

Very rare Silver Salt and Pepper by Hans Hansenmade in Denmark in 1967 Signed on the bottom of each piece. Good condition

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite
Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite

Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite

$20,628 / set

Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite

By Garrard & Co. Ltd., R E Stone

Located in London, GB

A rare and important Modernist candelabra suite comprising a pair of candlesticks and a pair of candelabra. The suite was made by the renowned silversmith Robert Edgar Stone (1903-19...

Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany Mid-century Bowl
Tiffany Mid-century Bowl

Tiffany Mid-century Bowl

$2,650

Tiffany Mid-century Bowl

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Brooklyn, NY

We proudly offer this sterling silver bowl by Tiffany & Co. from 1962. Mid-Century Modern at its best! Ten scalloped points on this large serving bowl. Filled or empty this piece is ...

Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-century Silver and Enameled Box Spain 1960
Mid-century Silver and Enameled Box Spain 1960

Mid-century Silver and Enameled Box Spain 1960

$1,638

Mid-century Silver and Enameled Box Spain 1960

Located in Antwerp, BE

Beautiful midcentury enameled silver decorative box, Spain, 1960.

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Pair Allan Adler Sterling Silver Large Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern
Pair Allan Adler Sterling Silver Large Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern

Pair Allan Adler Sterling Silver Large Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern

$650 / set

Pair Allan Adler Sterling Silver Large Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern

By Allan Adler

Located in New York, NY

Pair of Allan Adler sterling silver salt and pepper shakers in Mid-Century Modern style, with an elegant, geometric design. They measure 3'' in height by 1 1/2'' in depth by 1 1/4'' ...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Pair of Sterling Silver Serving Dishes by Alphonse La Paglia 1952
Pair of Sterling Silver Serving Dishes by Alphonse La Paglia 1952

Pair of Sterling Silver Serving Dishes by Alphonse La Paglia 1952

$4,400 / item

Pair of Sterling Silver Serving Dishes by Alphonse La Paglia 1952

By Alphonse La Paglia

Located in Sarasota, FL

Pair of mid-century Modern sterling silver serving dishes, Designed by Alphonse La Paglia (d. 1953) for International Silver Co. in Meriden, Conn. Decorated with stylized flowers. Bo...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Pair of Allan Adler Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern
Pair of Allan Adler Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern

Pair of Allan Adler Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern

$299 / set

Pair of Allan Adler Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers Mid-Century Modern

By Allan Adler

Located in New York, NY

Pair of Allan Adler sterling silver salt and pepper shakers in Mid-Century Modern style, with an elegant, geometric design. They measure 1 1/2'' in height by 1 1/2'' in depth by 1 1/...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

'His & Her' Sterling Silver Pair of Goblets, Christopher Lawrence London 1974
'His & Her' Sterling Silver Pair of Goblets, Christopher Lawrence London 1974

'His & Her' Sterling Silver Pair of Goblets, Christopher Lawrence London 1974

$4,091

'His & Her' Sterling Silver Pair of Goblets, Christopher Lawrence London 1974

By Christopher Lawrence

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1974 by Christopher Lawrence, this handsome pair of Sterling Silver Goblets are presented in their original box, and are in Lawrences signature style. The lar...

Category

1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Anderson Swedish Silver 1938 Vase in Mid-Century Modern Style
Anderson Swedish Silver 1938 Vase in Mid-Century Modern Style

Anderson Swedish Silver 1938 Vase in Mid-Century Modern Style

$2,800

Anderson Swedish Silver 1938 Vase in Mid-Century Modern Style

Located in New York, NY

K. Anderson, Swedish silver vase from 1938 in Mid-Century Modern style with a beautiful, geometric design, enhanced by curvilinear engravings. It measures 10'' in height by 7'' in di...

Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite
Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite

Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite

$20,580 / set

Modernist English Silver Candelabra Suite

By R E Stone, Garrard & Co. Ltd.

Located in London, GB

A rare and important Modernist candelabra suite comprising a pair of candlesticks and a pair of candelabra. The suite was made by the renowned silversmith Robert Edgar Stone (1903-1990) and retailed by the Royal Goldsmith...

Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sciarrotta Bailey, Banks & Biddle Sterling Silver Candlestick Mid-Century Modern
Sciarrotta Bailey, Banks & Biddle Sterling Silver Candlestick Mid-Century Modern

Sciarrotta Bailey, Banks & Biddle Sterling Silver Candlestick Mid-Century Modern

$725

Sciarrotta Bailey, Banks & Biddle Sterling Silver Candlestick Mid-Century Modern

By Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Alfredo Sciarotta

Located in New York, NY

Rare candlestick in sterling silver by Sciarrotta for Bailey, Banks, and Biddle in riveting, modern design. Measuring 7'' tall by 5'' in width by 3 1/8'' in depth. Weighing 6.4 ozt. Bearing hallmarks as shown. Sciarrotta’s handmade silver was sold at high-end American retailers in the mid-20th century, including Georg Jensen, Cartier, Black Starr and Gorham...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Tapio Wirkkala Sterling Silver Vase on Rosewood Base Model TW17
Tapio Wirkkala Sterling Silver Vase on Rosewood Base Model TW17

Tapio Wirkkala Sterling Silver Vase on Rosewood Base Model TW17

$2,353

Tapio Wirkkala Sterling Silver Vase on Rosewood Base Model TW17

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Sterling silver on rosewood base model TW17 designed by Tapio Wirkkala. Produced in Finland.

Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

A Silver Kiddush Goblet by Bezalel, Circa 1950
A Silver Kiddush Goblet by Bezalel, Circa 1950

A Silver Kiddush Goblet by Bezalel, Circa 1950

$3,500

A Silver Kiddush Goblet by Bezalel, Circa 1950

Located in New York, NY

A Traditional Silver Kiddush Goblet by Bezalel, made in Jerusalem Circa 1950. Kiddush Goblet has excellent filigree scrolling along its domed base and the lower main body. A small plaque with the words "Bezalel Jerusalem" are written in Hebrew at the base of the stem. Foliate, vines, and grape cluster engravings enhance the body of the goblet serving as the background for the three filigree encircled medallions embellished on its sides. Medallions feature motifs of date palm trees...

Category

Mid-20th Century Israeli Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Pair of De Vecchi Sterling Silver Goblets Kiddush Cups in Modern Style
Pair of De Vecchi Sterling Silver Goblets Kiddush Cups in Modern Style

Pair of De Vecchi Sterling Silver Goblets Kiddush Cups in Modern Style

$2,925

Pair of De Vecchi Sterling Silver Goblets Kiddush Cups in Modern Style

By De Vecchi 1

Located in New York, NY

Pair of partially gilt sterling silver Kiddush cups by De Vecchi in charming, modern design. Measuring 9 1/2'' in height by 2 3/4'' in diameter at the base and weighing 18.6 ozt. Bea...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sweet Antique Cut Glass Crystal Decanter Jug Maderia Sterling Hanging Label 1973
Sweet Antique Cut Glass Crystal Decanter Jug Maderia Sterling Hanging Label 1973

Sweet Antique Cut Glass Crystal Decanter Jug Maderia Sterling Hanging Label 1973

$343

Sweet Antique Cut Glass Crystal Decanter Jug Maderia Sterling Hanging Label 1973

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale sublime cut glass crystal decanter with sterling silver Maderia hanging label A good looking and decorative piece, the hanging collar is clearly...

Category

1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

An Exceptional Pair of Mid-Century Modern Silver Gilt Candelabra, Dated 1960
An Exceptional Pair of Mid-Century Modern Silver Gilt Candelabra, Dated 1960

An Exceptional Pair of Mid-Century Modern Silver Gilt Candelabra, Dated 1960

$6,000 / set

An Exceptional Pair of Mid-Century Modern Silver Gilt Candelabra, Dated 1960

By Barker Brothers Silver Ltd.

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

An exceptionally fine pair of gilded sterling silver candelabra, showing upswept branches with tulip shaped nozzles radiating from domed weighted bases. Both exhibiting a lustrous go...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Vermeil, Sterling Silver

Stunning Liberty's & Co Antique Silver Plated Tankard Cup with King Handle
Stunning Liberty's & Co Antique Silver Plated Tankard Cup with King Handle

Stunning Liberty's & Co Antique Silver Plated Tankard Cup with King Handle

$653

Stunning Liberty's & Co Antique Silver Plated Tankard Cup with King Handle

By Liberty & Co.

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original vintage Liberty’s & Co silver plated tankard A fantastic piece, fully stamped to the base L & Co silver plated The ha...

Category

Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver candle Holder by Gosthlin a pair Sweden 1960. Signed
Silver candle Holder by Gosthlin a pair Sweden 1960. Signed

Silver candle Holder by Gosthlin a pair Sweden 1960. Signed

$1,996

Silver candle Holder by Gosthlin a pair Sweden 1960. Signed

By Tage Göthlin

Located in Paris, IDF

Rare Organic shape pair of Candle holder in silver by Gothlin made in Goteborg Sweden around 1960 Good condition Price for the pair

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Experimental/Prototype Silver Coffee/Tea Set Paul Tarantino for Georg Jensen
Experimental/Prototype Silver Coffee/Tea Set Paul Tarantino for Georg Jensen

Experimental/Prototype Silver Coffee/Tea Set Paul Tarantino for Georg Jensen

Price Upon Request

Experimental/Prototype Silver Coffee/Tea Set Paul Tarantino for Georg Jensen

By Paul A. Tarantino, Georg Jensen

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning pure silver coffee and tea set with original renderings (drawings),, Hand executed by Paul Tarantino believed to be designed for Georg Jensen, (never produced), Exaggerated ...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-century Modern sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sterling silver 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 metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern sterling silver made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sterling silver, popular names associated with this style include Tiffany & Co., Georg Jensen, International Silver, and Gorham Manufacturing Company. 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 sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $43,358 while the average work can sell for $1,452.

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