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.
Large Pedestal Natural Blond Wood Tree Stump Base Round Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large pedestal natural blond wood tree stump base round glass top coffee table. The blond hardwood seems to be solid maple. The base is heavy and very...
Glass, Maple
Carlo de Carli centre or dining table by Sormani, Italy
Located in London, GB
Beautiful centre or dining table designed by Carlo de Carli c1964 and produced by Sormani The wood has been sympathetically restored and has a lovely warm patina. The brass band has...
Brass
Organic Vintage Bamboo Dining Table Sheaf of Wheat Mc Guire c 1970
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Glass Dining Table Center Table Murano, Italy, 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage glass dining table or center table, which was designed and manufactured in Murano, Italy 1970. The rare dining ta...
Murano Glass
Piero Lissoni Mex Low Tables Set for Cassina, Glass & Metal Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Piero Lissoni Set of Two Mex Low Table For Cassina A family of low tables, ideal for the living room, designed by Piero Lissoni. Distinguished by their bold stylistic identity, the...
Glass
$3,600Sale Price|21% Off
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 'Compass' Dining Table in Walnut, 1960s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Adrian Pearsall’s sculptural design language, this 'Compass' dining table was produced by Craft Associates in the 1960s. The solid walnut base features Pearsall...
Walnut
Handmade Colorful Yellow Tiles Table top Round Centre Table Caldas for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Well-known for its ceramics tradition, Portuguese tiles production dates back to XVI century. Inheriting this rich crafts knowledge, the table tops of Caldas tables are made with handmade ceramic tiles...
Metal
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Round Pedestal Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller round pedestal table having a white laminate top and trim around the outer edge and supported by a bla...
Laminate, Wood
Midcentury Designer Coffee Table in Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful coffee table features a bold brass base with an elegant glass top. Simple in design this table will perfectly accent your home in any room it is placed in. Please conf...
Brass
Viola Veined Violet MarbleOval Dining Table - in the Style of 1970 Mario Bellini
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This minimalist table is crafted from striking Viola-veined marble, featuring an elegant oval tabletop that rests effortlessly on sculptural column legs inspired by the iconic design...
Travertine, Marble
Midcentury Coffee Table Ico Parisi Attributed, Walnut and Beech Wax-Polished
By Ico Parisi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A refined and sculptural coffee table designed and manufactured in Italy during the 1950s by La Permanente Mobili Cantù, one of the most prestigious consortium of furniture manufactu...
Walnut
$2,560Sale Price|35% Off
1970s Knut Hesterberg Round Sculptural Aluminum Tripod Coffee Table
By Ronald Schmitt, Knut Hesterberg
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a classic and unique Mid-Century Modern piece designed by the talented Knut Hesterberg for Ronald Schmitt. This amazing round tripod coffee table is made of aluminum and feat...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Heavy Round Tree Trunk Slice Salon Table with Tapered Compass Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attractive and heavy! This two-tone wood table has a round mid-toned veneer top with beautiful inset tree trunk center design and solid tapered compass legs, adding extra visual inte...
Hardwood
Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Table for Cassina, Aluminum & MDF, Modern Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Table For Cassina A modern table but, above all, an absolute masterpiece and unsurpassed model of formal beauty, inspired by...
Aluminum
Art Deco Two Tiered Heavy Coffee Table in Figured Joined Solid Walnut circa 1930
By Meroni & Fossati, Emilio Lancia
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco two tier central coffee table by Gio Ponti & Emilo Lancia designers for Meroni & Fossati manufacturer in figured massive walnut , circa 1930s. The designs obtained from the...
Walnut
$751Sale Price|20% Off
Small Coffee Table by Osvaldo Borsani
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Discover the refined elegance of the 1960s with this Osvaldo Borsani wooden coffee table for Tecno, embodying the essence of mid-century modern design. This table is celebrated for i...
Wood
Solid Walnut Wood Coffee Table, Fishes Series 9 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fishes is a series of sculptural coffee tables inspired by the famous Fish (1930) sculpture of Rumanian artist Constantin Brancusi. Brancusi's work has been widely regarded as a mast...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$1,972Sale Price / item|20% Off
Cassina 1960 Afra & Tobia Scarpa Minimal Rectangular Coffee Table
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Low rectangular Wooden coffee table produced by Cassina designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa.
Wood
$8,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solid Wood Black Tinted Coffee Table, Fishes Series 7 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fishes is a series of sculptural coffee tables inspired by the famous Fish (1930) sculpture of Rumanian artist Constantin Brancusi. Brancusi's work has been widely regarded as a mast...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$8,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solid Wood Black Tinted Coffee Table, Fishes Series 9 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fishes is a series of sculptural coffee tables inspired by the famous Fish (1930) sculpture of Rumanian artist Constantin Brancusi. Brancusi's work has been widely regarded as a mast...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Table by Maison Jansen, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Elegant table by Maison Jansen, showcasing the refined balance of classicism and modernity typical of the French maison. The piece features a round top with a central glass inset, re...
Aluminum, Brass
$6,106Sale Price|20% Off
Gino Rancati Wood and Marble Dining Table
By Gino Rancati
Located in Milano, IT
Dining table made in the 1950s and designed by Gino Rancati from a private home. The table has a solid wood frame with soft and sinuous shapes; its special feature is the grising wo...
Marble
Patricia Urquiola Vidalenta Green Metal Marble Outdoor Coffee Table for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
VIDALENTA COFFEE TABLE DESIGN BY PATRICIA URQUIOLA, 2025 TABLE MODEL Square table 37x37cm, h.48 cm BASE-FRAME Moss green embossed painted metal structure TOP Glass TOP COLOUR Moss ...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Oval Ravel Coffee Table in Travertine by Mavo Atelier
By Mavo Atelier
Located in Trofa, PT
The Ravel Coffee Table is composed of intersecting geometric volumes that emphasize material integrity and sculptural discipline. Its design draws inspiration from the precision and ...
Stone, Travertine
Boat Shape Large Drop Leaf Expandable Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern cone shape legs large boat shape drop leaf coffee table.
Walnut
Cream Travertine Round Dining Table, in the style of 1970 Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This minimalist table is crafted from solid tumbled travertine, featuring a circular top that rests effortlessly on a sculptural column leg—an elegant nod to the vintage designs of A...
Travertine
BALL Marble Coffee Table Light Emperor Marble Solid Marble One of a Kind Spain
By Joaquín Moll, Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
BALL Marble Coffee Table Light Emperor Marble Solid Marble One of a Kind Spain BALL is an exceptional one of a kind marble coffee table from the 1990s, conceived as a sculptural desi...
Marble
Italian Modern Center Table By Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Center Table By Fornasetti. We offer this original Italian mid century modern center by Piero Fornasetti featuring an iron base, brass feet and a decorated lacquered w...
Brass, Iron
$1,056Sale Price|62% Off
Vintage 70s brass and lucite coffee table design Sandro Petti for Metalarte
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Lucite and brass frame coffee table with glass top. Design Sandro Petti for Metalarte, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear and tear given by time, glass has ...
Brass
Solid Teak Danish Mid Century Modern Side End Table by John Stuart MINT Stunning
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Teak Danish Mid Century Modern Side End Table by John Stuart MINT Stunning!
Teak
Cream Travertine Round Dining Table, in the Style of 1970 Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This minimalist table is crafted from solid honed travertine, featuring a circular tabletop that rests securely and effortlessly on its column base through its own weight. Inspired ...
Travertine, Marble
$2,429Sale Price|20% Off
Osvaldo Borsani round dining table, walnut, four feet, circa 1951
Located in Rome, IT
Osvaldo Borsani round dining or center table, circa 1951 produced by Arredamento Borsani Varedo 1951 the table is one of a series od table designed as prototype of model T40 walnut...
Walnut
Brushed Aluminum and Chrome Drum Coffee Table by Gary Neville
By Gary John Neville , Mastercraft
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful brushed aluminum, chrome and mirror drum canister coffee table by architect Gary John Neville. Top is removable to provide a great storage space for blankets, pillows, etc....
Aluminum, Chrome
Bent Lucite Z-Shape Base Thick Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Z-shape compact thick glass top coffee table.
Glass, Lucite
Grosfeld House, Center Table, Wood, Glass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and glass center table produced by Grosfeld House, USA, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.0" Height x 42.15" Diameter All items sh...
Glass, Wood
Italian 1970s Marble Center Table with Pink Veining, 47\" Diameter
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Italian 1970's marble center or dining table; with beautiful veining in shades of pink, cream, grey and beige. The pedestal base supports the circular top. Perfect for...
Marble
Lava Rock Multicolor Tile Top Pedestal Base Guitar Pick Shape Coffee Table
By Roger Capron
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Lava rock multicolor tile top pedestal base guitar pick shape coffee table. Custom multicolor studio made ceramic pottery tiles coffee table.
Ceramic, Pottery
$4,085Sale Price|37% Off
Reconfigurable Dining / Cafe / Center Table in Gilt and Smoked Glass, c. 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful puzzle style dining table features four reconfigurable sections of gilt metal and smoked glass panels with beveled edges. You can convert from full size dining table, ...
Brass
Signed Pierre Cardin Burled And Brass Table
Located in Houston, TX
Signed Pierre Cardin Burled And Brass Table. We offer a handsome round bookmatched matte burled olivewood and brass center table, dining table or game table signed Pierre Cardin. Si...
Brass
Patricia Urquiola Vidalenta Green Outdoor Coffee Table for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
VIDALENTA COFFEE TABLE DESIGN BY PATRICIA URQUIOLA, 2025 TABLE MODEL Square table 120x120 cm h.30 cm BASE-FRAME Moss green embossed painted metal structure TOP COLOUR Moss green T...
Metal
Mid Century Center Café Table in White Metal in style of Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare mid century round dining garden table in white lacquered metal in style of Mathieu Matégot. Produced in France, 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 65 cm / 25.60...
Metal
Andre Arbus Style Sun Glass Bronze Tripod Table Deco, Midcentury, France, 1950
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Andre Arbus style etched sun glass bronze tripod table Deco, midcentury, 1950, France This is a beautiful and rare etched glass tripod table. Would have been used as a center table. ...
Bronze
$2,912Sale Price / item|20% Off
Round Red Travertine Side Table, in the Style of 1970 Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This minimalist table is crafted from Red Travertine, featuring a circular tabletop that rests securely and effortlessly on its column base through its own weight. It is also picture...
Travertine, Marble
Renato Polidori for Skipper "Faraone" coffee table in Mondragone marble, Italy 1980s
By Skipper
Located in Naples, IT
Table mod. Faraone by Renato Polidori for Skipper Italia 1980, in brushed steel, Mondragone marble supports, and beveled crystal top.
Marble
$648Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1970s wood and smoked glass coffee table Italian design
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Coffee table with Walnut wood frame and smoked glass top, Italian design, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear given by time. SIZING: Height 38 cm, width 96...
Glass, Wood
Cerused Oak Coffee Table, France, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Cerused oak coffee table with contrasting trim, France, 1950s. Dimensions: 36 x 20 x 19.5 H.
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Center table by Bertomeu & Cia, 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Center table by Bertomeu & Cia, 1960s Rectangular coffee table with curved edges, a nested glass top and hollow side cut-outs.
Glass, Wood, Plywood
Maison Jansen Style Mid-Century Brass and Chrome Bicolor Vitrine Coffee Table
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning square vitrine coffee table in polished brass and chrome with sliding glass tabletop and acrylic / Lucite side walls in the style of Maison Jan...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Walnut Wood Cast Iron Amicalola Pedestal Base by Alabama Sawyer 60" Round
Located in Birmingham, AL
The Amicalola base captures the room set against a round or oval table top. This pedestal base is hand cast by the artisans at Sloss Furnaces historic foundry in Birmingham to look b...
Steel
$1,800Sale Price|60% Off
Leon Rosen design for Pace Glass and Chrome Foyer Table
By Leon Rosen
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1970s Leon Rosen for Pace Glass and chrome foyer table. Thick glass base sides with chromed steel corners. Matching thick round glass top. Gorgeo...
Steel
Glass Top Octagonal Shape Lucite Base Dining Conference Table Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
A large glass top octagonal shape lucite base dining conference table mint! Glass is 3/4 inch thickness.
Brass
Round Glass Top Lucite Base Gueridon Center Cafe Dining Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern small round dining center table. Chrome and Lucite tripod base. In the style of Pace.
Chrome
$14,080Sale Price|20% Off
Extendable Beechwood Dining Table, Attributed to Gio Ponti, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Mid-Century Marvel: Extendable Dining Table Attributed to Gio Ponti A Statement Piece for Grand Gatherings: This captivating extendable dining table, attributed to the le...
Brass
Large Travertine Rectangle Dining Table, in the Style of 1970 Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This Large minimalist table is made from solid, filled tumbled travertine, featuring a rectangle table top that balances perfectly and securely on two pedestal legs. Drawing inspir...
Travertine
Cream Travertine Round Dining Table, in the Style Peter Draenert, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This Minimalist table is made from solid light travertine, featuring a colon, cone shaped foot and a thick circular travertine tabletop that balanc...
Travertine
Square Walnut Mid Century Modern "Floating" Top Coffee Center Table Risom Style
By Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square Walnut Mid Century Modern "Floating" Top Coffee Center Table Risom Style
Walnut
Italian Brass and Chrome Center or Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Italian Brass and Chrome Center or Dining Table, Italy, circa 1960s. The table base measures 27.5"H x 35.25"W.
Metal
Henredon Six-Legged 2-Tier Coffee Table
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern mahogany bronze base / legs two-tier coffee table by Henredon. Very heavy and sturdy design table standing 25" tall for those who like to seat higher. Beveled glas...
Mahogany
Knut Hesterberg ‘Snake’ Coffee Table, Cast Aluminum & Glass, Germany, 1960s
By Ronald Schmitt, Knut Hesterberg
Located in Voorburg, NL
A rare and sculptural "Snake" coffee table designed by celebrated German sculptor Knut Hesterberg for Ronald Schmitt in the 1960s. This piece exemplifies the fluid biomorphic aesthet...
Aluminum
Faux Bamboo X Base Round Dining Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern faux bamboo X base dining table w/ thick glass top.