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.
Glass and silver ice bucket, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
An elegant ice bucket made of clear molded glass, enhanced by a silver-plated metal rim. Dating from the 1970s, this piece combines the purity of glass with the refined simplicity of...
Silver
Christofle, Paris, Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler, Folio
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A fine and very smart champagne bucket / wine cooler made by the top-notch French silversmith, Christofle of Paris. The design is "Folio" made in the 1980s, a modernist design with a nod to the Art Deco era a design that is most fashionable today. Excellent condition and looking like it has rarely been used. Spanning 10" handle to handle x 8" x 8 1/8" tall. Just back from our silversmith's workshop where it has been professionally cleaned and polished, restoring it to it's former glory. Beginning in 1830, when Charles Christofle...
Silver Plate
1980s Mid-Century Modern Cut Crystal and Chromed Metal French Wine Cooler
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This elegant 1980s French wine cooler perfectly captures the intersection of Mid-Century Modern geometry and classic European craftsmanship. The piece features heavy cut crystal with...
Crystal, Metal
Vintage Italian Brushed Stainless Steel "Apple" Ice Bucket by Morinox
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian Modernist "apple-form" brushed stainless steel ice bucket (ca. 1970s, Italy). Features a sculptural stem decoration that serves as the handle for removing the top. The bu...
Stainless Steel
French Vintage Gilt Metal and Crystal Champagne Bucket
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage French crystal champagne bucket decorated with gilt metal and round handles. Very heavy and solid.
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
$827Sale Price|20% Off
Silver Plated Pear Ice Bucket 'a Bit Damaged', Italy, Circa 1970
By Teghini
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual ice bucket is presenting a pear. This is a nice piece made of silver plated and plastic. The pear is a little bit damaged as shown on the pictures. This is an Italian wo...
Silver Plate
Vintage Bamboo and Rattan 24 Bottle Tabletop of Floor Wine Rack / Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bamboo wine rack/stand housing 24 bottles (ca. 1970s, USA). Stylish, yet practical piece that can be used as either a floor or tabletop rack, given its size. Original condition with...
Brass
$320Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Vintage "Mercedes Benz" Gear Shift Knob Bottle / Wine Stoppers
Located in San Diego, CA
A fun set of four vintage "Mercedes Benz" gear shift knob bottle / wine stoppers, circa 1980s. Each stopper measures approximately 1.5"D x 4"H; the bodies a...
Stainless Steel
Italian Green Goatskin + Brass Cocktail Set Attributed to Aldo Tura, 1970s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1970s Italian cocktail set attributed to Aldo Tura, composed of a coordinating ice bucket, cocktail shaker, and carrier. Each piece is clad in rich green goatskin parchment, its la...
Brass
Arne Jacobsen Mid Century Modern Champagne Cooler
Located in Weesp, NL
Elevate your celebrations with the iconic brushed stainless steel mid-century champagne cooler from the Cylinda line, a masterpiece of design by the legendary Arne Jacobsen for Stelt...
Stainless Steel
Mid Century Ice Bucket · Atomic Age Design
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Aluminum, black lacquered tripod base. 1960 was looking toward space. And the design of that decade knew it. This ice bucket is a bar object turned into a period manifesto. The conic...
Aluminum
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
Arthur Court Rabbit Hinged Ice Bucket or Wine Cooler
By Arthur Court
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Whimsical Arthur Court rabbit hinged ice bucket or wine cooler, realistically cast and modeled figure of a standing rabbit, with gemstone eyes, hin...
Aluminum, Brass
Mauro Manetti for Fonderia d'Arte Firenze Pineapple Ice Basket
By Fonderia d'Arte Foundry, Mauro Manetti
Located in Naples, IT
Pineapple-shaped ice basket in silver-plated pewter designed by Mauro Manetti for Fonderia D'Arte in Florence. It bears the mark stamped on the bottom.
Pewter
French Vintage Gilt Metal and Crystal Champagne Bucket
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage French crystal champagne bucket decorated with gilt metal and round handles. Very heavy and solid.
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
$1,317Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brass and Steel Pineapple Ice Bucket
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice pineapple ice bucket is made of brass and steel. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Brass, Steel
Vintage Accordion Teak Wine Rack, Mid-Century Modern, Thailand, 1970s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Accordion Teak Wine Rack, 1970's "store them bottles in style" "good vintage as found condition, one peg missing, see images"
Teak
French Hand Made Cut Crystal Champagne Bucket
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage French hand made cut crystal champagne bucket decorated with metal trim and handles. Heavy and solid.
Crystal, Metal
Modernist Silvered Wine Cooler with Circular Inset, Italy 1970s
Located in New York, NY
ITALY, 1970's Geometric cube shaped wine cooler, with circular inset Silvered metal Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 7
Metal
Stelton Stainless Steel Ice Bucket, Denmark, 1970s
By Stelton
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A refined stainless steel ice bucket by Stelton, produced in Denmark during the 1970s. Featuring a clean cylindrical silhouette with softly curved interior contours, this piece embod...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Venini Murano Light Blue White & Clear Wine Cooler Ice Bucket Italy 1970
By Venini
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Venini Murano martini ice cube container in light blue, white & transparent wine cooler, ice bucket made in Italy 1970. No Makers Logo, Venini ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
Christian Dior in the 1970s for his Home Collection Tray and Vine Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Christian Dior Tray and Vine Holder Lucite and Autumn Maple Leaves This is a very special serving tray, designed by Christian Dior in the 1970s for his Home Collection. This board ...
Plexiglass
French Hand Made Cut Crystal Champagne Bucket
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage French hand made cut crystal champagne bucket decorated with metal trim and handles. Heavy and solid. NOTE: Buyer is solely responsible for paying customs duties and taxes t...
Crystal, Metal
Design ice bucket, Guy Degrenne, stainless steel, bareware, 1980s, France
Located in Wien, AT
This object is a beautiful ice bucket, an elaborate design manufactured in France, in the 1980s. Guy Degrenne is a well-known French manufacturer of high-quality tableware. The ice...
Stainless Steel
Steel champagne bucket, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A French champagne bucket from the 1970s, crafted from stainless steel, boasts a simple yet elegant design. Slightly conical in shape, it rests on a stable circular base and features...
Chrome
Faceted Lucite Ice Bucket attb to Alessandro Albrizzi, Italy 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a touch of vintage glamour to your home bar with this stunning Faceted Lucite Ice Bucket attributed to Alessandro Albrizzi, Italy 1970's. Crafted from high-quality Lucite, this ice bucket features a faceted design that catches the light beautifully. The clear Lucite container comes with a swivel lid, keeping your ice cool and stylishly displayed. Perfect for entertaining guests or simply adding a chic accent to your decor, this piece is a true statement maker. Elevate your space with this iconic Italian design that exudes sophistication and elegance. A must-have for any discerning collector of 1970's furniture. Unsigned. Measurements: 9.50 inches in diameter x 7.75 inches high Alessandro Albrizzi. Venetian born Baron Alessandro R. de C, Albrizzi (1934 – 1994) translated the spirit of swinging London...
Lucite
Cassetti, Firenze, Pair Modernist Silver Plated Thermal Wine Coolers
Located in Bath, GB
A superb and rare pair of silver plated insulated wine coolers dating to the 1970s, handmade in Florence by the top-notch silversmith's, Renzo Cassetti of Florence. The interior i...
Silver Plate
Lucite Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
1980's Lucite Ice Bucket with matching lid in Wonderful condition.
Lucite
Leather Wrapped Champagne Bucket Champagne Gauthier, 1970s
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This champagne bucket adopts a slightly flared cylindrical shape with a metal vat entirely sheathed in two-tone leather. The tan leather body is framed by darker contrasting brown bo...
Leather
1970s Tomado Mid-Century Modern Yellow Plastic-Coated Wine Racks
By Tomado
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ideal for your Wine storage . 4 free standing Wine racks . each can contain 30 bottles . Stack able .They are made of Metal thread covert in Plastic . Yellow color . 1970s Ple...
Metallic Thread
XL Mid Century Italian Modern Pear Form Aluminum Ice Bucket 1960s 1970s
Located in Palermo, PA
A striking example of Italian midcentury modern design, this pear shaped aluminum ice bucket stands out for its sculptural presence and exceptionally generous scale. Produced in Ital...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Ravinet Denfert Champagne Bucket, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Ravinet Denfert Champagne Bucket, 1970s
Metal
Vintage Danish Champagne Ice Bucket in Copper and Brass, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large champagne ice bucket fashioned out of copper and brass. The interior is plated with white metal. The bucket is stamped Darlin to the base and is was commissioned by the Danish ...
Brass, Copper
Red and Clear Lucite Ice Bucket, Signed P. French, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual design ice bucket is made of red and clear lucite. This is a nice model, very simple and elegant. This is a French work, signed P. Circa 1970.
Lucite
$799Sale Price|28% Off
Silver Plated and Glass Champagne Bucket, French, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice champagne bucket is made of glass and silver plated. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Silver Plate
Vintage Italian Silver-Plated "Pumpkin" Ice Bucket by Mauro Manetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage "pumpkin" ice bucket designed by Mauro Manetti (ca. 1970, Italy). Crafted from silver-plated cast aluminum with an aluminum interior bucket. Features a heavily textured, scu...
Aluminum, Silver Plate
$2,116Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Silver Plated and Leather Champagne Bucket with Flutes Holder, French, Circ
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare champagne bucket with flutes holder is made of silver plated and leather. This is a French work. Circa 1970. A pair is available.
Chrome
$639Sale Price|20% Off
Rattan and Leather Bottles Holder, French Work, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This bottles holder is made of rattan and leather. This is a French Work. Circa 1970.
Metal
Silver Plated Champagne Bucket, Italian Design From Bora's (1950-1974)
Located in Bilzen, BE
A silver plated champagne bucket from Italian design Bora's with a refined design (1950-1974) 23 x 16.5 cm without handles Height 21.7 cm
Silver Plate
Exceptional Bronze Champagne Cooler or Ice Bucket by Esa Fedrigolli for Esart
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern solid bronze champagne cooler or ice bucket. Designed by Esa Fedrigolli for Esart, Italy, 1970s. Signed: Esa Fedrigol...
Bronze
Mid Century Modern Sterling Silver Wine Coolers, Walter Davies & Sons Ltd, 1973
By Walter Davies & Sons Ltd
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1973 by Walter Davies & Sons Ltd., this handsome pair of Elizabeth II sterling silver wine coolers are of a plain, tapering cylindrical form. Reflecting a cle...
Sterling Silver
ATAPCO Inox Stainless Steel American Mid-Century Modern Ice Cooler Bucket 1970
By Atapco
Located in Miami, FL
American Mid-Century Modern inox stainless steel insulated cooler, ice bucket designed by ATAPCO and made in USA, 1970s. Inside with plastic liner and the lid has a teak knob. Marked...
Stainless Steel
Large Mid-20th Century Globe Champagne or Wine Cooler Italian, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
A Impressive Large Heavy Quality mid-20th century Globe Champagne or Wine Cooler, hailing from Italy and dating around 1970. This modernist piece exudes quality, with thick and surp...
Silver Plate
1970s Italian Ice Bucket Wine and Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian ice bucket where you can insert bottle plus 8 small glasses.
Silver Plate
Mid Century Floor Standing Chrome Champaign Ice Bucket
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid Century Floor Standing Chrome Champaign Ice Bucket This is a charming piece it stands on a central column and has provision for 4 bottles in the reservoir at the top The stan...
Chrome
1970s Tantalus or Cordial Set
Located in New York City, NY
Unique and complete tantalus/ cordial set comprising four shot glasses and a matching decanter displayed in the original knight's helmut. This funky Medie...
Steel
Mid Century Modern Rustic Vintage Brown Walnut Brass Champagne Wine Cooler 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern Rustic Vintage wine cooler champagne cooler from walnut, hammered brass and golden metal. A great champagne cooler in brown and gold color from walnut and brass wi...
Walnut
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Whimsical Arthur Court Elephant Ice Bucket Wine Cooler Barware
By Arthur Court
Located in Pemberton, NJ
This wonderful hand-crafted polished aluminum ice bucket is in the shape of an elephant with brass feet & tusks and opens to fill with ice to keep your champagne/beverages ice cold!....
Aluminum
$1,890Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-20th Century Globe Champagne / Wine Cooler, Italy, circa 1970
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A large mid-20th century globe champagne or wine cooler Italian, circa 1970. Perfect for a bar. This modernist piece is beautiful quality, the glass is surprisingly heavy and the col...
Metal
Italian 70's Ice Bucket In The Form Of The Bell Pepper
Located in London, GB
A vintage Italian 70's organic form ice bucket in the shape of bell pepper, in hammered pewter. No liner inside
Pewter
$769Sale Price|20% Off
Italian 70's Ice Bucket Silver Plated Brass By Giuliano Bossi
By Giuliano Bossi
Located in London, GB
This beautiful brass silver plated ice bucket made c.70's in Italy by Giuliano Bossi for De Uberti, have a nice polished walnut handles on each side and on the lid, Stamped on the bo...
Brass