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.
$5,219 / set
A Pair Of Distressed Silver Oval Convex Mirrors
Located in London, GB
A pair of large oval convex mirrors with distressed foxed finish. Bronze patinated simple brass banded frame. Fixed hooks on reverse for hanging either portrait or landscape.
Mirror
Hollywood Regency Large Convex Starburst Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Scale Oversized Spanish Sunburst Mirror, Iron, Gold Leaf Outstanding Hollywood Regency gilt wrought iron convex sunburst /starburst mirror, Spain 1950s Extra large size (39,37 ...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Green glass and resin convex mirror.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A variation on the Mid-Century design, ‘Grand miroir feuilles vertes’ (elaborate mirror with greenery) which was designed to remind us of "a straw hat embellished with a wreath of la...
Glass, Mirror, Resin
Small Italian Sunburst Mirror, Rococo Style, 24 cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Small vintage sunburst mirror with convex glass, crafted from gold-colored resin and elegantly adorned with acanthus leaf motifs; made in Italy during the second half of the 20th cen...
Mirror, Resin
$1,575Sale Price|24% Off
Large Vintage Sun Mirror Chaty Vallauris France 86cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Fantastic vintage sun mirror, iconic sunburst mirror by the top brand Chaty Vallauris. Mirror made of gold-colored metal with convex mirror glass, marked on the back: Feronnerie Chat...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Style Large French Wall Mounted Round Convex Silver Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Large circular wall-mounted convex mirror featuring a beautifully patinated and textured metal frame. Its distinctive convex shape offers a dynamic, panoramic reflection that enhance...
Metal
Vintage Gold-Leaf Gilt Sunburst Convex Mirror 52cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
A beautiful vintage gold sunburst mirror featuring convex glass; the frame is made of resin gilded with gold leaf. Origin: Belgium, second half of the 20th century. This mirror is a...
Gold Leaf
Vintage Wooden Sunburst Convex Mirror, Gold, 46cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage gold-tone sunburst mirror featuring convex glass; crafted from wood in France, circa mid-20th century. Highly sought after by serious collectors, this mirror is crafted and ...
Mirror, Wood
Spanish Double Layered Convex Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand-Crafted Gilt Metal Convex Sunburst Mirror, Iron, Gold Leaf Eye-catching Mid-Century Hollywood Regency sunburst mirror in gilt iron, Spain 1950s Double layered frame, convex glass and gilded finish in gold leaf. It has a glamourous patina showing its original gilding and two layers of rays full of movement. A ring with hand-cut details surrounds the frame. Gorgeous placed alone as wall mirror mirror but also interesting as a part of a sunburts mirror wall composition. This convex sunburst wall mirror...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Italian Smoked & Grinded Glass Mirror attr. to Cristal Art, 1960s
By Cristal Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Beautiful oval wall mirror with convex smoked glass frame. The entire perimeter is decorated with a dense grinding work. The frame is in excellent condition. The mirrored surface has...
Metal
Italian Rococo Convex Mirror in Giltwood with Bow and Ribbon Frame, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of a kind carved Giltwood mirror with Ribbon-Tied Details and Bow Pediment. Italy, 1940s This stunning wall mirror has a convex glass and it is nicely decorated by a bow and ribb...
Gold Leaf
Large French Sunburst Starburst Convex Mirror in Giltwood, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching starburst sunburst convex mirror in gilt carved wood. France, 1960s. The glass is framed by a circular layer of short beams and a large layer with giltwood beams with su...
Gold Leaf
$23,995 / item
Round Mirror with Antique Finish
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous mirror with antique finish and a convex bubble. Custom sizes up to 60" available. Bubble can be custom placed in the center if need...
Glass
Spanish Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal with Convex Glass, 1950s
By Ferrocolor
Located in Barcelona, ES
Convex Sunburst Mirror, Iron, Gold Leaf Eye-catching Mid-Century Hollywood Regency sunburst mirror in gilt wought iron, Spain 1950s Convex glass and gold leaf gilding. It has a terrific aged patina showing its original gilding. Gorgeous placed alone as wall mirror mirror but also interesting as a part of a sunburts mirror wall composition. This convex sunburst wall mirror...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Bespoke Elegant Italian "Circe" convex mirror with bronze and alabaster frame
Located in Milano, IT
The "Circe" model is a visually striking convex mirror, featuring a bronze frame with elegant geometric patterns. The alabaster tiles, precisely set at the ends of the frame, offer a...
Alabaster
Chaty Vallauris 1950s Petite Gold Sunburst Mirror, French
Located in Hastings, GB
Petite Chaty Vallauris sunburst mirror, France, 1950s Stamped on the reverse 'Chaty Vallauris A.M’ Great condition for age Rare smaller size One of the rays has a kink to the meta...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Gold Leaf Sunburst Convex Mirror, Italy, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A gorgeous finely carved with gold leaf finish convex sunburst mirror with small mirrors surrounding the glass. This piece wears its original gold leaf vintage...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Italian Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Attributed Round Glass Convex Mirror
By Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte attributed round glass convex mirror. This stunning Italian Mid-Century Modern convex mirror is comprised of a round sheet of glass surrounded ...
Glass, Mirror
Large Mica and Gilt Resin Convex Mirror.
By Line Vautrin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This wonderful statement mirror was constructed with Lilac Mica and is surely one of a kind. A stunning look and ready to hang in your entryway, dressing room or anywhere in your int...
Stone
Contemporary Blue Square Curve Mirror, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary square curve concave sculpture blue wall mirror, brass structure. Artisanal handmade work made by a small italian workshop using the old...
Brass
Signed Chaty Vallauris Mid-Century Modern Brass Sunburst Mirrors - Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of French signed Chaty Vallauris Brass plated sunburst mirror. Have a look on our large collection of Chaty.
Metal
KARL SPRINGER Mid-Century ITALIAN Rosewood Octagon Mirror
Located in Hawthorne, CA
Listing Description – Mid-Century Italian Rosewood Octagonal Wall Mirror, c. 1950s. The artist and furniture designer is KARL SPRINGER (1931–1991), a renowned German-American desig...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Style Made of Brass Italian Convex Mirrors
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern convex mirrors are designed by L.A. Studio and manufactured in Italy. Each mirror features a stylish brass frame surrounding a convex glass, combining timeless el...
Brass
Bespoke Elengant Italian "Nemesi" convex mirror with raw gold leaf frame
Located in Milano, IT
The "Nemesi" model is a striking convex mirror, featuring an intricately articulated frame, expertly covered in gold leaf. The frame's pattern evokes a geometric labyrinth, adding a ...
Natural Fiber, Mirror, Reclaimed Wood
1940s Spanish Sunburst Mirror with Gilt Curving Metal Leaves and Convex Glass
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish gilt metal sunburst mirror with convex glass from the mid-20th century. This captivating Spanish gilt metal sunburst mirror crafted in the 1940s, exudes a timeless charm an...
Metal
French 1950s Brass Starburst Convex Mirror
Located in Westport, CT
French circa 1950s Starburst convex brass leaf and ribbon design mirror.
Brass
Large Silver Antiqued Convex Mirror
Located in Bagshot, GB
A real statement piece, a massive convex mirror that will definitely be the attention grabber of any room. Measuring 159.5cm in diameter with an antiqued glass finish, the mirror is ...
Glass
Convex Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, Double Layered Leafed Frame, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand-Crafted Gilt Convex Sunburst Mirror, Iron, Gold Leaf Eye-catching Mid-Century Hollywood Regency sunburst mirror in gilt iron, Spain 1950s Double layered foliage frame, convex gl...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
$2,006Sale Price|20% Off
Spanish Starburst Sunburst Mirror in Carved Giltwood, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gorgeous gold leaf giltwood sunburst mirror with convex glass, Spain,1940s-1950s This sunburst wall mirror manufactured at the Mid-Century Modern featuring a frame with alternating r...
Gold Leaf
Midcentury French Sunburst Wall Mirror with Leafy Décor and Convex Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage French gilt metal sunburst mirror from the mid 20th century, with convex plate, foliage leaves and molded frame. Created in France during the Midcentury period, this sunbur...
Metal
Contemporary Pink Champagne Concave Curve Mirror, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary curve concave pink champagne wall mirror, brass structure. Artisanal handmade work made by a small italian design workshop using the o...
Brass
French Mid-Century Modern Square Chrome Wall Mirror/ Convex Style Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
French Mid-Century Modern square chrome wall mirror/ convex style mirror. Diameter of the mirror is 23.5 inches. Makers mark on the reverse.
Chrome
Diamond Shaped Faceted Octagonal Wall Mirror 1976 Mid-Century Modern Space Age
Located in Miami, FL
One-of-a-kind diamond shaped faceted wall mirror made in the USA in the 1976. Hand painted gold finish frame. Mid-Century Modern design for any interior. Secure hanging construction ...
Mirror, Wood
1970 French Chaty Vallauris Gold Finish Sunburst Convex Mirror Wall Mirror, Two
Located in Miami, FL
Two 19.5 inches diameter French Mid-Century Modern convex sunburst mirror by Chaty Vallauris and made in the 1970s. Stunning handcrafted iron overlaid in brass finish with a 5.5 inc...
Iron
Ceramic Mirror by Oswald Tieberghien
Located in Antwerp, BE
Colorful nice round mirror made by the famous Belgium ceramist, Oswald Tieberghien.
Ceramic
$1,283
Carved Giltwood Mirror
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful Large Venetian Rococo style carved gilt wood mirror. Measures: Height 60 cm. Width 38 cm. Depth 10 cm.
Wood, Giltwood
Italian 1930s Soleil Sunburst Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian 1930s Soleil giltwood wall mirror with convex inset mirror.
Giltwood, Mirror
$1,400Sale Price|32% Off
Large Copper Mirror
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large French copper mirror.
Copper
Rare and Unique Mirror by Oswald Tieberghien
Located in Antwerp, BE
Colorful nice round mirror made by the famous Belgium ceramist, Oswald Tieberghien.
Ceramic
Bespoke Elegant Italian "Athena" mirror with bronze and alabaster frame
Located in Milano, IT
The Athena mirror is a harmonious encounter between matter and light, where the solidity of carved bronze merges with the purity of alabaster. Its geometric design, inspired by timel...
Alabaster
$5,250 / set
Pair Blue Mirror Mid-Century Modern
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Pair of convex mirror attributed to max ingrandt for Fontana arte There is a small scratch on one of the two mirrors (1,5cm).
Glass, Mirror
Pair of Large Floral Murano Glass Mirrors Attributed to Seguso
Located in New York, NY
Two elegant Italian Mid-Century style Murano glass mirrors attributed to Seguso in a circular form and lined with subtle handblown Murano glass flowers in a clear and gold tones. ...
French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Leather Wrapped Mirror, Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical leather wrapped mirror in the style of Jacques Adnet. The piece is round / circular with the frame in brass that has been covered in leather an...
Leather, Mirror
Pair of English Giltwood 1940s Round Convex Mirrors with Carved Oak Leaves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English giltwood convex mirrors from the mid 20th century, with carved acorns and foliage motifs. Created in England during the first half of the 20th century, each of this...
Mirror, Giltwood
Italian mid-century mirror in wood, Italy - 1960s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Magnificent Italian wooden mirror designed in the 1960s. Its elongated oval shape gives it a magnificent design. The mirror is supported by four wooden fasteners that perfectly comp...
Mirror, Wood