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.
Floor lamp designed by Silvio BILANGIONE and Paolo PORTOGHESI, 1967
By Paolo Portoghesi, Silvio Bilangione
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Floor lamp by Silvio Bilangione and Paolo Portoghesi. Italy, Fumagalli, 1967. 'HELGA' floor lamp has a solid wood base and a shaped plywood top, lacquered in white satin paint. One ...
Plywood
Gae Aulenti for Artemide Floor Lamp "Oracolo" Gray, Italy 1970s
By Artemide, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Gae Aulenti Floor lamp Oracolo model. Production Artemide, Milan, 1969. Tubular frame made of gray painted metal and perforated steel, large globe lampshade made of lacquered glass.
Metal
Florian Schulz Double Onos 55-Pendant Lamp with Side Counter Weights
Located in Berlin, DE
Really beautiful Florian Schulz double Onos 55-pendant lamp with one E27 / model for each lamp 100 Watt bulbs. Also available in US wired.
Brass
Austrian Mid-Century Pair of "Citrus" Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Kalmar, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and stunning Austrian Mid-Century "Kalmar" Wall Sconces, model "Citrus" 4663/2. These Sconces were designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Austria by Kalmar Franken KG. ...
Metal, Brass
Italian Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian chandelier from the 1950 s .The chandelier is rewired for USA standard and it is in original condition tarnish Brass.
Metal, Brass
Atomic Era brass chandelier in the style of Oscar Torlasco, Italy, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, Stilnovo, Arredoluce, Oscar Torlasco, Fog & Mørup
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Hollywood Regency and Atomic Era chandelier in the style of Oscar Torlasco, Italy, 1950s. Composed of a brass structure with 5 corkscrew-shaped arms arranged in such a way that they ...
Metal, Brass
Soft Pink Beige Ceramic Table Lamp, Custom Made Silk Pink Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful Large ceramic table lamp, 1970s. This lamp base brings refined elegance and rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it offers a unique presence. T...
Ceramic
Nuvola Cocoon Chandelier by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1962
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Step into the captivating world of Italian Mid-Century Modern design with the Nuvola cocoon chandelier by Tobia Scarpa for Flos in 1962. This light sus...
Plastic
Blue Gray Striped Ceramic Table Lamp, Custom Made Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful Large ceramic table lamp, 1970s. This lamp base brings refined elegance and rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it offers a unique presence. T...
Ceramic
Floor lamp Stile Elio Martinelli production Italy 70s Mid-Century Modern
Located in Palermo, IT
Floor lamp from the extraordinary example of Italian avant-garde design in Space Age style. The supporting structure is made of enameled aluminum, while the characteristic swiveling ...
Metal, Aluminum
Pair of 1950s Giuseppe Ostuni 'Ochetta Grande' Wall or Table Lamps for O-Luce
By O-Luce, Oluce, Giuseppe Ostuni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 1950s Giuseppe Ostuni 'Ochetta Grande' wall or table lamps for O-Luce. An extremely rare large sized pair of lamps executed in painted metal and brass by one of the most refi...
Brass, Metal
Tudor and Mid-Century style wrought iron flush mount by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950s
By Ferro Art, Maison Jansen, Willy Daro, Ferrocolor, Longobard
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Gothic Revival and Tudor style wrought iron flush mount by Ferro Art (also known as Ferroarte), Spain, 1950s. Handmade wrought iron structure using metalwork techniques such as hamme...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Pair of German Vintage Minimalist Adjustable Wall Ceiling Spots Lights, 1960s
By miiss, Serge Mouille
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful architectural pair of modernist wall or ceiling spotlights. Germany, 1960s - 1970s Measurement without bulb. Lamp sockets: one E27 (US E26).
Metal, Chrome, Nickel
Several Gold Murano Amber Glass Leafs Wall Lights, Italy
Located in Rijssen, NL
Great Mid-Century Modern Murano wall lights of amber glass leafs. An Italian re-edition design from the 1970s. Truly a beautiful wall light with Murano glass leafs. Illuminates beau...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern German Space Age Minimalist Cube Wall Table Lamp Kaiser 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern wall or table lamp by Kaiser Leuchten. A minimalist design. Two cubes of identical dimensions are arranged symmetrically side by side. The cubes are made of metal...
Metal
Beautiful 1960s white Rimini ceramic table lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in München, DE
Beautiful decorative 1960s ceramic table lamp from the Rimini collection in rare white. Designed by the renowned Italian artist and painter Aldo Londi. Manufactured by Bitossi. Made ...
Ceramic
Murano Glass Poliedri Chandelier Attributed to Venini
By Venini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Murano glass "Poliedri" chandelier, attributed to Venini, Italian, circa 1950s. It is constructed of hand blown smoke and clear glass polyhedral shaped elements. The geometric shapes...
Glass
Pair of Large German Vintage Midcentury Wall Lights Sconces, 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
Very decorative pair of solid brass and glass sconces. Germany, 1950s. Lamp sockets: E27 (US E26).
Brass
French Designer, Table Lamp, Glass, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass and metal table lamp designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 7.4"H x 4.25"W x 4"D Dimensions of Lamp with Shade (inches): 11.1”H x 8”D...
Glass
Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Burl Wood, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A burl wood and yellow fabric table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Patina and wear such a...
Fabric, Wood
Mid Century Modern Flying Saucer Sight Light Desk Lamp
By M.G. Wheeler
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Classic M.G. Wheeler flying saucer lamp. Rare square base allows the lamp to pivot 360 degrees. Fabulous desk lamp. New wiring. Arm projects...
Brass, Steel
Wonderful Murano ceiling lamp - frosted carved glass leaves
Located in Budapest, HU
Spectacular ceiling lamp with 32 Murano frosted carved glass leaves in golden painted metal frame. Elegant lighting object. Period: late XX century Dimensions: 17,50 inchs (45 cm) he...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Wooden Pendant Lamp by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Sweden, 1960s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, AB Markaryd
Located in Hagenbach, DE
A wooden pendant lamp by Hans-Agne Jakobsson made in the 1960s. The body of the lamp is wood. The lamp has a beautiful Scandinavian design. Measurements: Height: 47-100 cm Diame...
Wood, Teak
Large Ceiling Lamp PENTACLINIO, designed by Vico MAGISTRETTI for Artemide, 1961
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Ceiling lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1961. Italy, Artemide. The 'Pentaclinio' ceiling lamp by Magistretti, uses 5 double diffuser glass shades. Opaline glass pieces and brus...
Opaline Glass
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Outdoor Wall Lamps in Black for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' outdoor wall lamps in black for Oluce. Executed in lacquered aluminum and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midc...
Aluminum
Italian Torcia Murano Glass and Gold Specs Sconce by Fabio Ltd
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian wall light with clear and frosted Murano glass hand blow with gold flecks inside the glass, mounted on polished finish brass frame / Designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd /...
Gold, Brass
An Important CEILING LIGHT FIXTURE in Ocher MURANO GLASS, ITALY 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional ceiling light in the form of a long drop or tear, Moderniste, Forme-Libre, Mid-century Modern, a subtle design executed in Murano ocher glass, fixed with two cylinders...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Italian Murano Wall Lights, 16 Caramel and Lattimo Glass Petals
By Mazzega
Located in Budapest, HU
Pair of Vintage Italian Murano wall sconces. Wall lights have 16 caramel and white“lattimo” glasses (for each applique) in a nickel-plated m...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of wall lamps
Located in Forest, BE
A leading figure in post-war French design, the duo Guillerme et Chambron developed, through their furniture company Votre Maison, a body of work in solid oak renowned for its except...
Wood
1960s Arteluce Italian Ceiling Light Plafonnier Gino Sarfatti Milan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Arteluce single Ceiling Lamp Plafonnier Milan Italy Round metal light flush ceiling mount. Maker label Arteluce Attributed to Gino Sarfatti. 8 lamps...
Metal
Stilnovo ceiling suspensions, set of 2, Italy circa 1960s
By Arredoluce
Located in Long Island City, NY
Stilnovo ceiling suspensions. Italy 1960s. Opaline glass, patinated brass. Rewired for US. Height adjustable. Overall drop can be made shorter. 2 pair are available. Price is for one...
Brass
Italian Brass Floor Lamp "Ginkgo" - Barbi Style Lighting
Located in Puglia, Puglia
An elegant Italian floor lamp inspired by the iconic Ginkgo leaf motif, crafted from polished brass. The sculptural composition features layered, fan-shaped leaves arranged verticall...
Brass
Mouth blown Sommerso Murano Glass Table lamps in Cristallo, Blue & Nickel
Located in London, GB
Designed and manufactured by Andrew Kornat Designs and made in Venice Italy, these super sleek mouth blown Murano glass table lamps made in the traditional Sommerso technique of glas...
Nickel
1940s Sunburst Leafed Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, XXL Size
Located in Barcelona, ES
Monumental Sunburst Light Fixture, Gold Leaf Gilt Iron; richly decorated; extra large size (35 in). Spain, 1940s. This stunning ceiling fixture has double set of leaves in two sizes...
Gold Leaf, Iron, Metal
French Designer, Wall Lights, Brass, Acrylic, Fabric, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair brass, acrylic, fabric wall lights designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina on brass. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 10.0"...
Brass
Articulated Wooden Floor Lamp, circa 1970, France.
By Daniel Pigeon
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice articulated wooden floor lamp, circa 1970, France. Oak, black metal, white fabric shade. Dimensions: normal heightin classic position like first picture: 200 cm H, maximum heig...
Metal
Early Original Mid Century Isamu Noguchi N21 Floor Lamp by Ozeki & Co Japan 1960
By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare Japanese mid century floor lamp in beautifully patinated washi paper, bambo and black enamelled metal legs. In good original condition and marked with the iconic red "Sun...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Murano Glass Spider Wall Lamp Sconce c1950s Italy
By Rossini
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming Vintage Italian Spider Light, c.1950s Black Lacquered Iron & Golden Amber Dimpled Glass Bring a touch of mid-century Italian charm t...
Metal, Iron
Pair of Millefiori Sconces by Barovier e Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian wall lights with clear and gold hand blown Murano glass flowers and blue glass screws / Made in Italy in the 1960s by Barovier e Toso Measures: height 12.5 inches, wi...
Murano Glass
Monumental Akari Model 125F Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Akari model 125F round pendant light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. Executed in a shade of handmade washi paper stretched along hand-fabricated bamboo ribs with original No...
Metal
Vintage Le Klint Sax Accordion Wall Lamp in Beech
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Adjustable wall light made from beech. Made by Le Klint and designed by Erik Hansen all the way back in 1952. This particular example Sax model number 224-1 dates from the 1980s and ...
Brass
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and white fabric wall light designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. In good vintage condition, with light wear consistent with age and use. Patina and wear ...
Brass
Pair of Classic Murano Wall Sconces with sand colored glass prisms
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Bromma, SE
Pair of Murano Wall Lamps consisting of 17 handmade crystal prisms in sand colored murano glass. Lamp structure of metal with fittings painted in a light brown, bronzy tone. Glass fr...
Glass
Mid Century Modern Cocoon Pendant Lamp, Germany, 1960
Located in München, DE
Large Mid-Century Modern Cocoon Pendant Lamp. Made in Germany. Beautiful minimalist design from the 1950s, shaped like a dome. A rare shape for a cocoon lamp. Produces a very pleasan...
Metal
Italian mid-century wall lamps Feltre by Ignazio Gardella for Greco, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wall lamps Feltre by Ignazio Gardella for Greco, 1960s Pair of wall lamps model Fetre with spherical diffuser, composed of two hemispheres in molded glass ...
Brass
Mid-Century Floor Lamp, 1970s, Hungary
Located in Praha, CZ
- Mid-Century Floor Lamp, 1970s, Hungary, - made of metal and plastic, - in original good condition.
Metal, Chrome
Green Buco, Artemide, Claudio Dini, 1974
By Ignazia Favata, Claudio Dini, Artemide
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
This wall light Buco (Hole) is Italian made and manufactured by Artemide. It was design by the Italian designer Claudio Dini. It is made of green 💚 plastic (ABS) on a black plastic...
Plastic
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 26A Ceiling Lamp
Located in Centreville, VA
Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi are considered icons of 1950s modern design. Designed by Noguchi beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half century by the original manufacture...
Bamboo, Paper
Pair of Bold Pink Murano Disc Chandeliers
Located in Bromma, SE
Pair of Eclectic Colorful Murano Glass Chandelier in Pink. Every chandelier has 57 pink discs in Vistosi style. The glass discs have a beautiful swirled pattern in different shades o...
Chrome
Rare Midcentury Table Lamp Limburg designed by Helena Tynell, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type - very nice style of lighting - iconic designer
Brass
Vintage 1960s Fontana Arte Wall Sconces with Hand-Molded Glass
Located in Palermo, IT
Fontana Arte wall lamps from the 1960s. Each wall sconce features two light sources: one diffuser directs light downward, while the other directs it upward. They are crafted from col...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
Murano Art Glass Gold Smoky Color and Brass Wall Light and Sconces, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
This Murano glass wall sconce features a beautiful assembly. A very unique and rare glass, with a smoked gold effect; classic Murano style. The wall sconce is composed of beautiful ...
Brass
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' Wall Lamps in Chrome for Oluce
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Joe Colombo 'Fresnel' wall lamps in chrome for Oluce. Executed in chrome-plated metal and glass, this is one of the most refined Minimalist Italian designs of the midcentury...
Aluminum, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Brass Floor Lamp 'Flamingo' no. 2083 by J.T. Kalmar, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful brass floor lamp model 'Flamingo' no. 2083 by J.T. Kalmar, manufactured in midcentury, in 1950s or 1960s. The lights is documented in the Kalmar catalogues 1960. The bras...
Brass
Lumenform Table Lamp Mod. "Circa," Italy 1970s
By Lumenform
Located in Naples, IT
Table lamp Mod. Circa, produced in the 1970s by Lumenform . The prominent chrome shade, enameled on the inside in ivory color, has push-button ignition on the top via the large black...
Metal
Maison Jansen Huge 5 Light Bamboo Bronze & Brass Palm Tree Floor Lamp Paris 1965
Located in Miami, FL
One of a Kind Maison Jansen designed 7ft H bronze, brass and bamboo palm tree floor lamp made in 1965. Provenance: Palace Hotel in La Baule, France. Wired f...
Brass, Bronze
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chrome Floor Lamp with Red Shade
By Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
This stunning Italian Mid century floor lamp has been produced in Italy in the 1970s. It features a chromed metal base and stem and a red enameled adjustable shade with a dimmable...
Metal, Chrome
Tito Agnoli Oluce Pendant Light, Pressed Glass & Nickel, Italy, 1960s
By Oluce, Tito Agnoli
Located in Long Island City, NY
Tito Agnoli for Oluce pendant ceiling light. Designed and made in Italy in 1960s. Pressed glass, nickel plated brass. Pendant takes 1 Edison E27 bulb. Body of the pendant is 14 inche...
Nickel
20th century design blue ceramic table lamp by Pol Chambost 1950 lighting
By Pol Chambost
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pol Chambost Realised circa 1950 20th century design blue ceramic table lamp Original perfect ceramic condition Signed under the base MADE IN FRANCE Electrical system is ok Th...
Ceramic
Elegant Table Lamp or Desk Light by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier USA 1950s
By Gerald Thurston, Lightolier
Located in München, BY
Elegant Mid-Century Modern table lamp or desk light. Designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier, USA, 1950s. Executed in brass, aluminium, lucite and metal, the table lamp comes wit...
Aluminum, Brass, Metal
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.
In the market for a fantastic fixture from the 1940s, ’50s or ’60s? Here are some names to know.