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.
Woolen Mid-Century Hand Knotted Carpet Harbor and Boat Decor, Denmark, 1950's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Woolen Mid-Century hand knotted carpet harbor and boat decor, Denmark, 1950's.
Wool
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug in Black 300x400cm
By Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón, Nani Marquina
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug 400x400cm, Current production, Spain. Tres Outdoor aims to transfer the warmth of the iconic Tres collection to the outdoor wo...
Plastic
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug in Green 170x240cm
By Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón, Nani Marquina
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug. Current production, Spain. Tres Outdoor aims to transfer the warmth of the iconic Tres collection to the outdoor world. Made ...
Plastic
Extra Large 1970s Modernist Multi-Color High Pile Rya Rug by Desso, Netherlands
By Desso
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Original huge Rya rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Netherlands Producer: Prinstapijt Desso, Netherlands This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. made in high qual...
Wool
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug in Chocolat 300x400cm
By Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón, Nani Marquina
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug 300x400cm, Current production, Spain. Tres Outdoor aims to transfer the warmth of the iconic Tres collection to the outdoor wo...
Plastic
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug in Green 250x350cm
By Nani Marquina, Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug. Current production, Spain. Measures: 250x350cm. Tres Outdoor aims to transfer the warmth of the iconic Tres collection to the ...
Plastic
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug in Black 170x240cm
By Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón, Nani Marquina
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug. Current production, Spain. Measures: 170x240cm Tres Outdoor aims to transfer the warmth of the iconic Tres collection to the o...
Plastic
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug in Black 250x350cm
By Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón, Nani Marquina
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nani Marquina & Elisa Padrón 'Tres' Outdoor Rug. Current production, Spain. Measures: 250x350cm. Tres Outdoor aims to transfer the warmth of the iconic Tres collection to the ...
Plastic
Vintage Cretan Greek Kilim Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
78799 Vintage Red Greek Kilim Rug, 01'06 x 03'11. Handwoven Greek kilim rugs from Crete are traditional textiles known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, made using a co...
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Colorful Stripes Panton Style High Pile Rug by Desso, Netherlands, 1970
By Desso
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Original huge high pile rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Netherlands Producer: Desso Description: This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. Ma...
Acrylic
1960s Wool Kilim Carpet, Czechoslovakia
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use.
Wool
Abstract Geometric Carpet, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
Large carpet with geometric pattern in style of Antonin Kybal. Made in Czechoslovakia in 1940s. Some damage by moth on the underside - not visible on the upper side.
Wool
Medium 'Blur' Wool Kilim Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina
By Nanimarquina, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium 'Blur' Wool Kilim Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina Fabricated from Afghan wool, 'Blur' is a hand-loomed kilim rug. The sequence of geometric shapes and repe...
Wool
1960s Wool Handwoven Red Rug Vintage Retro Folk Art Carpet Throw
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and fluffy rug made in the 1950s as part of a girls dowry and passed on to the next generations. It is made out of pure wool, hand dyed natural...
Wool
Albert Gleizes "Design No. 41", French Hand-knotted Wool & Silk Rug
Located in New York, NY
-Artistic rug after Design No. 41 by Albert Gleizes -Woven in 2005, Design made 1915-25 -200 × 300 cm (79 × 118 in.) -Limited edition of 8 -Manufactured by Atelier Boccara This hand...
Wool, Silk
Conchiglia Cashmere Wool Chain Stitch Rug Designed by Barbara Frua
Located in Milan, IT
Barbara Frua De Angeli is a leading Milanese interior decorator and famed designer. Her work pays homage to Milan's decorative arts tradition in an eclectic fashion, often at crossroads between art and design. She is considered by many as the natural descendant of Giò Ponti, who was also a friend of her family. For this year's Milan Design Week, Barbara Frua has created a collection of rugs for the Alberto Levi Gallery...
Wool
$2,765 / item
Large Nanimarquina 'Aros' Square Rug
By Nanimarquina, Nani Marquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Nanimarquina 'Aros' square rug. Executed in 100% hand-tufted New Zealand wool. This geometric design comprised of contrasting colors is a rug that is never exact or symmetr...
Wool
Set of 3 TISCA, Vintage Pure Wool Rugs, circa 1970s , made in France
Located in Buffalo, NY
A collection of three square carpets produced in France for Italian textile company Tisca. HAND tufted , pure wool fibers.Great colors,, Priced separately .. pick color when purchas...
Wool
Vintage Czech Kilim Rug by Antonin Kybal. 4' 3" x 10' 10"
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Gallery Size Vintage Antonin Kybal Czech Kilim Rug, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Czech Rugs, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century. Size: 4 ft 3 in x 10 ft...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage Grecian Flokati
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful vintage Grecian Flokati rug constructed with a beautiful camel colored shaggy wool.
Wool
$1,470 / item
'Quill M' Rug by Nao Tamura for Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Quill M' Rug by Nao Tamura for Nanimarquina Executed in 100% hand-tufted new wool. Indian in origin, this wool reduces environmental impact as it is produ...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim rug "Hardanger" by Ingegerd Silow
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Kilim rug "Hardanger" by Ingegerd Silow from the 1970s. As typical for Ingegerd SIlow rugs this rug consists of a geometric designs in dominated by yellow, brown, ora...
Wool
Large 'Blur' Wool Kilim Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina
By Nanimarquina, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 'Blur' Wool Kilim Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina Fabricated from Afghan wool, 'Blur' is a hand-loomed kilim rug. The sequence of geometric shapes and repet...
Wool
'Mélange Color 3' Hand-Loomed Runner by Sybilla for Nanimarquina
By Sybilla, Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Mélange color 3' hand-loomed runner by Sybilla for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-loomed Afghan wool. 'Melange' is the perfect combination of tradition and modernity, craft an...
Wool
'Blur' Wool Kilim Runner Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina
By Nanimarquina, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Blur' Wool Kilim Runner Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina Fabricated from Afghan wool, 'Blur' is a hand-loomed kilim rug. The sequence of geometric shapes and repe...
Wool
Small Red 'Blur' Wool Kilim Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina
By Nanimarquina, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small Red 'Blur' Wool Kilim Rug by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina Fabricated from Afghan wool, 'Blur' is a hand-loomed kilim rug. The sequence of geometric shapes and r...
Wool
$1,507Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
By Schloss Hackhausen, Ewald Kröner
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Schloss Hackhausen, Germany Design: Ewald Kröner This rug is a great example of 1970...
Cotton
Fantastic 1970s Modernist Multi-Color High Pile Rya Rug by Desso, Netherlands
By Desso
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Rya rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Netherlands Producer: Desso, Netherlands This rug is a great example of 1970s Pop Art interior. Made in high...
Acrylic
Doris Leslie Blau Oversized Vintage Spanish Cuenca Rug 'Size Adjusted'
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Vintage Spanish Cuenca Rug (Size Adjusted) Size: 15'1" × 31'6" (459 × 960 cm) This magnificent oversized vintage Spanish Cuenca rug from the early 20th century is a masterc...
Wool
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970 no2
By Ewald Kröner, Schloss Hackhausen
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Schloss Hackhausen, Germany Design: Ewald Kröner This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. Made ...
Cotton
$780 / item
'Quill S' Rug by Nao Tamura for Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Quill S' Rug by Nao Tamura for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-tufted new wool. Indian in origin, this wool reduces environmental impact as it is produced in the same place where the rugs are crafted. This hand-drawn design by Nao Tamura is inspired by stems of a feather and warmly welcomes an organic element into the home. As with all Nanimarquina rugs...
Wool
$1,460Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970 no1
By Ewald Kröner, Schloss Hackhausen
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Schloss Hackhausen, Germany Design: Ewald Kröner This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. Made ...
Wool
$2,308Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
By Ewald Kröner, Schloss Hackhausen
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug individual customs made order by Ewald Kröner, 1970s (see images of the illustration prospect, each rug of the Kröner Collection could be configured on customers ...
Wool
Large zirrus adoros dralon rug from the 70s/80s polyacrylic
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large rug from the 70s/80s from the German manufacturer Zirrus Adoros in the style of Scandinavian rugs of the time. Polyacrylic rug in brown, khaki and beige shades with an abstract...
Acrylic
Small 'Hayon x Nani' Hand-Tufted Rug by Jaime Hayon for Nanimarquina
By Sybilla, Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small 'Hayon x Nani' Hand-Tufted Rug by Jaime Hayon for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-tufted New Zealand wool. The 'Hayon x Nani' collection faithf...
Wool
'Mélange Color 1' Hand-Loomed Rug by Sybilla for Nanimarquina
By Sybilla, Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Mélange Color 1' Hand-Loomed Rug by Sybilla for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-loomed Afghan wool. 'Me´lange' is the perfect combination of tradition and modernity, craft an...
Wool
$15,679Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Cuenca Spanish Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
76742 Vintage Cuenca Spanish Rug, 12’01 x 14’11. Hand-knotted Spanish Cuenca rugs are luxurious, intricately designed rugs that originate from the city of Cuenca, Spain. These rugs a...
Wool
Multi-Color Vintage 1970s Modernist High Pile Panton Style Rug, Germany, 1970s
By Desso
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Original high pile rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. Made in high quality weaving technique....
Wool
Original Abstract Scandinavian High Pile Örgryte Rya Rug Carpet, Sweden, 1960s
By Ege Rya, Verner Panton
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: High pile Rya rug Decade: 1960s Origin: Scandinavia Sweden Material: 100% wool This rug is a great example of 1960s pop art interior. Made...
Wool
$5,115 / item
Hand-Loomed 'Medina' Rug for Nanimarquina
By Nani Marquina, Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-Loomed 'Medina' rug for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-spun Afghan wool. Inspired by rugs from long ago, the 'Medina' collection represents the modern transformation of t...
Wool
Large 'Mélange Color 1' Hand-Loomed Rug by Sybilla for Nanimarquina
By Sybilla, Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 'Mélange Color 1' hand-loomed rug by Sybilla for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-loomed Afghan wool. 'Me´lange' is the perfect combination of tradition and modernity, craf...
Wool
Modernist German Wall Rug by Cromwell Tefzet, Design by S. Doege, Germany, 1970s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Cromwell Tefzet, Germany This rug is a great example of...
Wool
$2,073Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
By Schloss Hackhausen, Ewald Kröner
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Schloss Hackhausen, Germany Design: Ewald Kröner This rug is a great example of 1970...
Wool
Gugliomo Veronesi Hand-knotted Color-Block Wool Rug Runner, mid-century, Italy.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Guglielmo Veronesi Hand-knotted Color-Block Wool Rug Runner, mid-century, Italy. c. 1970. signed in rug.
Wool
Hand-Tufted 'Manuscrit' Runner by Joaquim Ruiz Millet for Nanimarquina
By Joaquim Ruiz Millet, Nanimarquina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-Tufted 'Manuscrit' Runner by Joaquim Ruiz Millet for Nanimarquina. Executed in 100% hand-tufted New Zealand wool. The absence of color makes each of these rugs a dichotomy, a c...
Wool
$1,104Sale Price|24% Off
Pop Art Panton Style Macramee Wall Hanging Rug Atelier Für Teppichkunst, 1970s
By Verner Panton, Atelier für Teppichkunst
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Atelier für Teppichkunst, Germany Description: This rug is a great example of 1970s pop...
Cotton
Wild Elegance: Goat Leather Rug, a Unique Statement Piece
Located in Barcelona, ES
Immerse your space in untamed luxury with this distinctive goat leather rug. Crafted from the rich hide of wild boar, this unique piece exudes a primal yet elegant charm. The rugged ...
Leather
Rare Abstract Modernist Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948
Located in Praha, CZ
Step into postwar Czech design with this exceptional rug by Antonín Kybal, created in 1948. Kybal, a pivotal figure in mid-century Europe textile art, is celebrated for his innovativ...
Wool
Vintage Rya Rug by Ege Carpets, Wool, Geometric Design, Denmark, 1975
Located in bari, IT
This exclusive vintage rug represents a testament to excellence in Danish textile art, produced by the renowned company Ege Carpets. Made entirely of high-quality pure wool, the dist...
Wool, Acrylic
small Abstract Scandinavian High Pile Abstract Rya Rug Carpet, Sweden, 1960s
By Ege Rya, Verner Panton
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: High pile Rya rug Decade: 1960s Origin: Scandinavia Sweden Material: 100% wool This rug is a great example of 1960s pop art interior. Made in high quality Rya weaving technique in Sweden in the 1960s, it is made of 100% wool. It features a Minimalist and abstract multi-color pattern in a color mix of blue, brown, green etc tones etc. fantastic Scandinavian handweaving quality of the 1960s. An interesting piece for every modern home in a lovely vintage condition. Would fit well in any home with 1960s-1970s decor...
Wool
Nazmiyal Collection After Andy Warhol Vintage Runner Rug 2 ft 7 in x 11 ft 2 in
Located in New York, NY
Vibrantly Colorful Andy Warhol Dollar Sign Vibrant and Trendy Vintage Runner Rug, Country of origin: Europe, Circa date: Vintage
Wool
Splendid Tan Beige Color with Open Field Vintage Art Deco - European Rug
Located in New York, NY
A broken acanthus scroll work frames the utterly plain, expansive off white field on this large Dutch carpet from circa 1960. A light blue tone fills in around the scullery and a gre...
Wool
Small Pop Art Psychedelic 1970s High Pile Rug by Reichel Rugs, Germany
By Besmer
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Small rug with Pop Art pattern Decade: 1970s Orgin: Germany Producer: REICHEL, Germany This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. Made in high quality weaving technique. This high quality rug was designed in the 1970s and manufactured by Reichel in the Germany. Its is made in high quality technique. It is made from pure new wool pile and it is still in a good vintage condition. Fantastic coloration in bright beige, ochre and brown tones. the design of the rug is reminiscent with Panton designs of 1960s and 1970s. An interesting piece for every modern home in a lovely vintage condition. would fit well in any home with 1960s-1970s decor...
Acrylic
1960s Rya Diamond Patterned Rya Rug
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Sweden Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Wool Measurements: 39.5 wide x 78.75 deep Condition: In excellent original condition with light vintage wear.
Wool
Mid Century Modern Rya Rug in Orange, Yellow, Red and White wool, Denmark 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful, vibrant Rya Rug in yellow, orange, red, brown and white. It features long threads, creating a fluffy feeling bellow your feet. There is an ...
Wool
Rug designed by Pierre Balmain for Van Neder Carpets, 1980s
Located in Brussels, BE
Rug designed by Pierre Balmain for Van Neder Carpets, 1980s
Fabric
Rya Rug Blue Green Wool from Scandinavia 1970s 5 x 7.5
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Rya wool rug. Blues and greens in a kind of expressionist whirlpool portal. L89 W61 (approx 5' x 7.5')
Wool
$1,319Sale Price|20% Off
Large Vintage Colorful Psychedelic High Pile Rug by Desso, Netherlands, 1970
By Desso
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Original high pile rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Netherlands Producer: Desso This rug is a great example of 1970s pop ...
Acrylic
$2,356Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist German Wall Rug by Ewald Kröner for Schloss Hackhausen, Germany, 1970s
By Schloss Hackhausen, Ewald Kröner
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall rug Decade: 1970s Origin: Germany Producer: Schloss Hackhausen, Germany Design: Ewald Kröner This rug is a great example of 1970s pop art interior. Made in high quality handmade macrame weaving technique in Germany in the 1970s. This high quality rug was designed in the 1970s by Ewald Kröner and manufactured by his own Label Schloss Hackhausen near Dusseldorf in the Germany. It is made from cotton wool and it is still in a very good vintage condition. Fantastic coloration in different tones of grey and black and in the middle several macrame knotted...
Cotton
No. 1 Danish Modern Pop Art Wool Rya Rug by Hojer Eksport Wilton, 1960s, Denmark
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: high pile rya rug Origin: Denmark Producer: Hojer Eksport Wilton, Denmark Description: this rug is a great example of 60s pop art i...
Wool