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.
Karl Springer Style Round Mirror With Faux Tigers Eye Lacquered Finish
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful round mirror with very unusual 'tigers eye' lacquered finish. A stunning look Ive never seen before. Very much the style of, and possibly by, Karl Springer. Original beve...
Mirror, Wood
$478Sale Price|19% Off
Italian Rococo-style mirror in 1950s ceramic white and yellow
Located in Palermo, Sicily
delightful Ceramic mirror of 1950s Rococo style
Ceramic
Brushed Aluminum and Brass Mirror with Beveled Glass by Autumn Guild, 1970's
Located in Stamford, CT
1970's brushed brass and aluminum mirror. With splashes of molten aluminum over brushed brass frame, this gorgeous beveled mirror is very much in the spirit of Jackson Pollock's drip paintings. Good looking, well made, a solid hand finished piece. Made by Autumn Guild...
Brass, Aluminum
Memphis style console mirror lamps by Giotto Stoppino for Acerbis, Italy
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Memphis style console mirror lamps by Giotto Stoppino for Acerbis, Italy Add a touch of retro elegance to your environment with this stunning vintage console designed by Giotto Stop...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
$443Sale Price|78% Off
Specchio Molato da Parete in legno scolpito Italia 1950 sagomato
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Specchio Molato da Parete in legno scolpito Italia 1950 sagomato
Wood
1970s Smoke Glass Rectangular Mirror with Brass Frame
Located in New York, NY
1970s rectangular mirror with smoke glass border and brass frame. May be hung vertically or horizontally.
Brass
$3,941Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirror by Cristal Arte, Italy 1963
By Cristal Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Delightful wall mirror featuring a bronze frame with unique curvatures in the shape so glamorous. and a painted wooden back as the photos show. Heavy crystal round wall mirror, made ...
Art Glass, Mirror, Wood
Midcentury Console & Round Beveled Mirror with Stools, by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
They can be sold separately Italy entry room set, attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1950: mirrored console with drowing and two stools in solid walnut, t...
Plastic, Walnut, Mirror
$4,578Sale Price|20% Off
Full Length Pink Mirror in Colored and Cut Glass, Italy 1950s
By Cristal Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful full lenght large mirror in the style of Cristal Art. Made in Italy during the 1950s with mirrored glass in pastel pink color and marine water. In order to obtain this si...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Nickeled Silver Over Brass Wall Mirror, Fleur de Lis Designs
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage Mid-Century Modern heavy textural mirror features alternate squares of two different raised designs. A Fleur de Lis meets a repea...
Nickel
$5,605Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Vintage wall or console mirror with ceramic light holder
Located in Milano, IT
This large wall mirror dates back to the 1950s and is a wonderful example of mid-century Italian craftsmanship, where functionality and decoration blend with impeccable taste. The f...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Faux Bamboo Gilt Metal Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Italian faux bamboo gilt metal mirror.
Metal
Mid-century Mirror Attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful mirror attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. The mirror is in fume colored faceted glass framed. It is a reflection of something else, and has nothing to do with the ...
Art Glass
Italian Mirror in Chrome, Year: 1960
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Amaizing mirror It was exhibited in the original Miami beach antique show and Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)". If you want to live in the golden years, this...
Chrome
Mid Century Danish Teak Vanity Mirror
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Danish Teak Vanity Mirror The mirror in closed position measures: 23.75 wide x 3 deep x 33.5 inches high The mirror in open...
Mirror, Teak
$1,308Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Infinity Mirror, Brass Frame, 1976
Located in bari, IT
Stunning illuminating mirror named Infinity 1970s with brass frame.
Brass
Venetian Modern Rectangular Wall Mirror with Brass Details, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Venetian style rectangular mirror with round corners and gilt metal accents, Spain, 1960s This eye-catching wall mirror has a triple mirror frame with rectangular shape and rounded c...
Metal, Brass
$1,074Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Italian Low Sideboard with Black Glass and Mirror
Located in Buggiano, IT
Mid 20th Original Italian low sideboard. Very elegant with black glass on the top and beveled mirror in the vertical part. There are two very comfortable drawers. The height at t...
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
1960s French Riviera Circular Bowl Shaped Bamboo Mirror
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1970s circular pencil reed bamboo mirror with three dimensional bowl like frame with the mirror plate recessed at the base.
Bamboo, Mirror
A 1970s Italian woven rattan mirror with matching console table
Located in London, GB
A 1970s Italian woven rattan mirror with matching console table with two glass shelves. Dimensions: Mirror 100cm x 51cm x 4.5cm Console 70cm wide x 3...
Rattan, Glass, Mirror
Mid-century Mirror Attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, 1960s
By Max Ingrand
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful mirror attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. The mirror is in fume colored faceted glass framed. It is a reflection of something else, and has nothing to do with the ...
Art Glass
French Late Art Deco / Modern Neoclassical Bronze and Iron Mirror, G. Poillerat
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French hand crafted and hand hammered iron and bronze mirror with an extraordinary and rare green glass inset mirror in the Manner of Gilbert Poillerat. The piece is complet...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Clean Lined Selection of Mirrors by Donald Deskey and Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined selection of mirrors by Donald Deskey and Paul Frankl, American, circa 1930s-1950s. They are both currently being refinished and can b...
Mirror, Wood
Italian Curved Brass and Chromed Console, 1970s
Located in Meda, MB
Italian console from the 1970s in brass with smoked glass shelves and a matching mirror. The structure features sinuous lines with curved legs supporting two dark glass shelves. The ...
Brass, Chrome
Italian Mirror in Chrome, Year: 1960
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Amaizing mirror If you want to live in the golden years, this is the mirror that your project needs. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles s...
Chrome
Italian Mirror and Curved Brass Console, 1970s
Located in Meda, MB
Italian console from the 1970s in brass with smoked glass shelves and a matching mirror. The structure features sinuous lines with curved legs supporting two dark glass shelves. The ...
Brass
$2,102
Standing Oak Mirror
Located in Antwerp, BE
Freestanding oak mirror with table. Unique and chic accessory with great function and design! Height:163 cm. Width:58 cm. Depth:35 cm.
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$3,176Sale Price / item|20% Off
Murano Lively Yellow Art Glass Italian Modern Console, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
Exciting and lively Murano glass console, small and measured but simply unique. Elegant, surprisingly provocative in color and design. The glass blocks can be had in other colours, l...
Brass
Mid Century Danish Rosewood Mirror
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Danish Rosewood Mirror This mirror measures: 17.25 wide x 0.75 deep x 23.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition. T...
Mirror, Rosewood
Paul Frankl Johnson Furniture Company MCM Station Wagon Maple and Leather Mirror
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Mid Century Station Wagon Maple and Leather Mirror This mirror measures: 33.75 wide x 2.25 deep x 49.75 inches high All pieces of furnitur...
Maple
Bakalowits Round Backlit Wall Mirror with Chrome and Crystal Glass, 1960s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Bakalowits Round Backlit Wall Mirror with Chrome and Crystal Glass, 1960s Beautiful and luxury illuminated crystal glass mirror made ...
Crystal, Chrome, Nickel
$2,080Sale Price|35% Off
Mid Century Brass Wall Mirror with Starburst Motif, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 1960s mid-century modern wall mirror in rectangular form comprising a segmented brass frame with the top glass bearing a sunburst motif. Clean and understated, it works beautifully...
Brass
Large-Scale Goatskin Karl Springer Style Mirror
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Monumental goatskin mirror in the style of Karl Springer, circa 1970s. This large-scale piece measures 48" W x 57.5" L x 3" D.
Lacquer
$4,204Sale Price|20% Off
Italian vintage backlit mirror
Located in Milano, IT
Backlit mirror from the 1950s, a masterpiece of Italian craftsmanship that embodies the charm of vintage design. The structure features clean and refined lines, with a dark wooden fr...
Mirror, Wood
Set of Three Giltwood Wall Brackets with Mirror Top Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Set of wall brackets. Giltwood with carved feather plume motif and mirror top. Measures: 1 Large shelf measures 32" W x 10"D x 19" H 2 Small s...
Giltwood, Mirror
Italian Mid-Century Wood and Brass Details Dresser Mirror, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century wood and brass details dresser mirror, 1950s Dresser mirror with wooden structure with embossed brass workings, friezes on th...
Brass
$225Sale Price|50% Off
Mid Century Modern Mountable Dresser Mirror with Walnut Finish
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern mirror features hardwood construction, original walnut finish, unique louvered walnut detail at the top, vintage mirrored glass, and two boards for mounting t...
Mirror, Walnut
$1,850Sale Price|37% Off
Vintage Brass Mirror Architectural Console Shelf Attributed to Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage 1980s Brass Console Mirror with Faux Slate Top attributed to Paul Evans for Directional in the 80s. Some vintage wear. More photos available upon request.
Brass
Midcentury Murano Oval Pink Art Glass and Brass Italian Wall Mirror, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
Gorgeous flaming pink Murano glass mirror. A mirror that alone will furnish your home. The mirror has a wooden back structure, on which a series of Murano glass leaves are mounted t...
Brass
Mirror in Chrome, Year: 1960, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Amaizing mirror. It was exhibited in the original Miami beach antique show and Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)". If you want to live in the golden years, thi...
Chrome
Brass Mirror with Rectangular Relief Edges, Italy 1970s
Located in London, GB
Rectangular wall mirror with descending steps at the sides in brass is Italian 1970's. Ideal over a console or fireplace.
Brass
Cristal Art Mirror with Console Attributed to Luigi Colli, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Cristal art mirror with console attributed to Luigi Colli, Italy, 1950s.
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Hand-Carved & Pierced Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Classic, timeless Italian Mid-Century mirror reflecting Modern and Neo-Baroque traditions in gilt-wood with a hand-carved pierced frame in the form of fruit.
Giltwood
Vintage mirror designed and produced by Glass in 1970.
By Glas Italia
Located in Ravenna, IT
Vintage mirror designed and produced by Glass in 1970. Its sandblasted glass frame possesses an irregular teardrop shape, giving the mirror a sinuous and contemporary aesthetic. Alon...
Glass, Mirror