Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American 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.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s 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, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century 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, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Large Robert Maxwell & David Cressey Planter for Earthgender
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Robert Maxwell & David Cressey planter for Earthgender. Executed in earthenware with a stunning black to brown coloration with glaze. A very clean example of an increasingly ra...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Bronze Sculpture Made by Marcello Pietrantoni, Italy 1980 ca.
Located in Carpaneto Piacentino, Italy
Bronze sculpture made by Marcello Pietrantoni, Italy 1980 ca.
The sculpture is signed on the base.
Marcello Pietrantoni was born in Brescia in 1934. Throughout his life he has ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Large Brass Gaetano Sciolari Style 'CUBIC' Chandelier Hanging Pendant
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 36" x 36" Brass Gaetano Sciolari Style 'CUBIC' Chandelier hanging pendant, features 9 sculpted ice cube glass lens's. Retains original finish, minor wear, blemishes. Hanging sc...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Trio of Blue Vases by Scheurich, ES Keramik, Strehla in Splatter and Lava Glazes
Located in New York, NY
A trio of blue vases by Scheurich, ES Keramik and Strehla. The variation in glazes and shapes makes for a stunning set.
Measurements:
Scheurich: H 11. 5" W 6" D 4"
ES Keramik: H...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
21st Century Monroe Floor Lamp Polished Brass, Off White Lampshade, Art Lighting
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration:
Marilyn Monroe, the sexiest Pin-up of the 1950s, inspired a piece of Art & Design. The design of the Monroe Lamp captures the essence of her image and the sensuality of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass
Toso Murano Millefiori Daisy Clover Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Footed Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Millefiori daisy flowers and clovers Italian art glass cabinet / bud vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company. It has a crimped ruffle rim, w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine, Glass
Original George Nelson for Howard Miller Black 'Asterisk' Wall Clock, circa 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Asterisk Clock by George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller is a rare find and one of the more in-demand of his designs. The black steel face, mounted on a metal back, is free ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel, Brass
Bitossi Multi Color Flower Vase for Rosenthal Netter
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Manufacturer: Bitossi
Importer: Rosenthal Netter
Period or model: Mid-Century Modern.
Specs: Pottery
Condition:
This Bitossi multi color flower vase for Rosenthal Netter...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Wilhelm Wagenfeld "Turmalin" Vases, 1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 'Turmalin' series by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for WMF, blown and cold cut-glass vases, marked.
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Blue Murano Seguso Flavio Poli Glass Vase
Located in Vienna, AT
Hand blown midcentury Murano blue vase from 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Mid Century Italian Brass Black Large Mobile Chandelier "Magico e Meditativo"
Located in Milano, IT
Original Italian brass mobile chandelier manufactured in a very small handcraft production in Milano, 20th century
Large, magic and poetical mobile chandelier with brass and black s...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass, Wire
Midcentury Carl Auböck Brown Tan Leather Wastepaper Basket, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful cylindric Mid-Century Modern wastepaper basket from the 1950s, designed an executed by Carl Auböck, Vienna. Made of cognac brown leather. The basket is showing signs of a...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
Carl Auböck Model #7228 Polished Brass Vase
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #7228 polished brass vase designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass by Werkstät...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Timo Sarpaneva, Two Crystal Art-Objects "Orkidea" 'Orchid', Model 3568, Iittala
Located in EL Waalre, NL
Timo Sarpaneva, Two Crystal Art-Objects "Orkidea" (Orchid), Model 3568, Iittala
Artist
Timo Sarpaneva (Helsinki, Finland 1926-Helsinki, Finland 2006) was an influential Finnish d...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Vases by Nils Landberg for Orrefors & Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare vase by Nils Landberg for Orrefors and Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Sweden.
Nils Landberg for Orrefors blown glass in the sommerso technique showing 'dusk', an olive gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Large Pedro Friedeburg Silver Leaf Hand Foot Sculpture with COA, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible hand foot sculpture by Pedro Friedeburg (signed underneath) includes a certificate of authenticity by LOS CONTEMPORÁNEOS, more details below about this significant hi...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Large Blue Faceted Murano Glass Vase, Mid Modern by Simone Cenedese, 1980s
Located in Dallas, TX
Very large blue translucent Murano glass vase, or urn.
By Simone Cenedese, Murano, Italy, 1980s.
The Murano glass is faceted outside, creating a matt effect.
A beautiful piece of ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Tall Blue Owl Master Artisan Eva Fritz-Lindner
Located in South Burlington, VT
Our last blue owl!
This is a wonderful handmade, hand painted and hand glazed Mid-Century Modern ceramic effigy of a perched owl by master designer Eva Fritz-Lindner (1933-2017). ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Guido Gambone Vessel
Located in New York, NY
Guido Gambone vessel.
Painted Ceramic, signed at the bottom.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Prototype Salvador Dali 'Salivasofa' from 1974 with Certificate of Authenticity
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing and super rare Salvador Dali lips 'Salivasofa' prototype dating from 1974. Five or six such prototypes were slowly developed in stages during the period 1972-4 by Dali in col...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Foam
Tall Signed Seguso Scavo Style White Murano Glass Vase
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970s 16" tall signed Seguso white scavo style murano glass vase with applied link detail. Signed on underside of base. Very good vintage condition with no flaws found.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Amedeo Fiorese Yellow Sprayed Ceramic Flower Vase Sculpture, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Artist Amedeo Fiorese yellow sprayed ceramic flower vase sculpture, Italy 1970s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1968, Signed
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in 1968 Switzerland and signed and dated underneath. This spec...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete
Midcentury Tony Paul Candle Holder
By Tony Paul
Located in San Diego, CA
Tony Paul atomic candle holder. Amazing design that holds three candles. USA, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Seguso Vetri D'Arte Poli Murano Sommerso Italian Art Glass Squirrel Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare, and cute vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green Italian art glass squirrel figure / sculpture. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for the Seguso Vetri d'Arte compa...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Tall Sommerso Faceted Vase by Pavel Hlava for Exbor
By Pavel Hlava, Exbor
Located in San Mateo, CA
Tall Sommerso vase by Pavel Hlava. The entire vase is cut and polished with curved and flat sides. The color combination on this is outstanding. There is a small nick on the bottom e...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Fratelli Toso Murano Pink Green Stripes Vintage Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown pink and green "A Canne" transparent ribbons Italian art glass flower vase. Attributed to the Fratelli Toso company. The alternating ribbons creat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Freeform Bowl in Patinated Brass
Located in Tilburg, NL
Bowl in hand hammered brass. The freeform shape is reminiscent of a curled leaf that fell to the ground in autumn.
The bowl, fruit bowl or vide poche has a different look from eve...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Majolica Fish Sealife Platter Vallauris, circa 1950
By Vallauris
Located in The Hills, TX
Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950.
High relief of fish, seaweeds, shells, oyster, crab
Nautical style.
Measure: 11.3" diameter.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Murano Glass Chartreuse Ruffle Biomorphic Bowl of 1950s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Verviers, BE
Murano glass biomorphic ruffled edge bowl made in Italy.
Rare Murano handblown iridescent surface green art glass flared rim ribbed bowl.
The piece is in excellent condition and ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Transparent and Colored Plexiglass Vase by PO, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern transparent and colored plexiglass vase by PO: , 1980s
Transparent and colored plexiglass vase with compartments, inspired by the patterns of Mondrian's w...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Plexiglass
Midcentury Red Schonwald Germany Porcelain Vase, Style 112
By Schönwald 1
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful cherry red midcentury Schonwald porcelain vase, style 112.
Measures: H 6.3"
D 3.5"
W 3.5".
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Trio of White Vases by Thomas, Dansk and Rosenthal Plissee
Located in New York, NY
Trio of white vases including Thomas textured bisque detail vase by Richard Scharrer, Dansk curved design vase, Rosenthal Plissee vase by Ambrogio Pozzi. The shapes and textures of t...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Large Welded steel Modernist Sculpture / garden,, manner of Lynn Chadwick
By Lynn Chadwick
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Modern abstract welded steel Sculpture,,Purchased from modernist home /garden where it lived since 1950,,, Not signed but reminiscent of the works by Lynn Chadwick.. Wonder...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Large Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Modern Vase
By Aldo Londi
Located in Round Rock, TX
A large scale ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Vibrant yellow and orange glaze over a textured brown clay body. Signed to the underside.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
Mid-Century Modern Transparent Golden Yellow Murano Triangle Glass Bowl
By Murano 5
Located in Soquel, CA
Elegant Mid-Century Modern transparent golden yellow murano glass bowl in a soft triangular shape with rounded edges. One tiny inclusion (in the glass), as shown in photos. Measures ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass, Glass, Art Glass
Traditional Rustic Rattan Basket, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional rustic rattan basket, circa 1950
By unknown Manufacturer. France
In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Rattan
Mid Century Modernist Japanese Bronze Vase Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist bronze vase with beautiful patina. Signed and dated, 1961. Japan.
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
1960s Italian Blue Glass Goblet with Lid
Located in High Point, NC
A glass goblet with lid from Italy, produced circa 1960. A bold, Blue, Venetian-style cup standing on a delicate stem, oscillating up with a concave waving stem. The history of Itali...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Abstract Carved Stone Outsider Art by Louise Abrams, c1970
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Carved stone by abstract outsider artist Louise Abrams.
This particular piece is from the artists personal collection of her own art.
Sits on a black laminate plinth base. This ite...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Marked Vallauris France Ceramic Lemon Basket Green & Yellow Mid-Century Modern
By Vallauris
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Mid-Century Modern handcrafted ceramic, pottery lemon basket or fruit plate in glazed dark green and black with yellow lemons, made in Vallauris.
Marked underneath.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
1970's Italian Venetian Glass Centerpiece
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th Century vintage Italian decorative centerpiece or fruit dish made out of handblown blue/green Venetian Murano glass. Designed with a beautiful twisted spiral pedestal base.
...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Rupert Deese Bronze Tripod Candle Holder
By Rupert Deese
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare bronze work by Rupert Deese. Solid bronze with a wonderful patina. He did this same candle holder form in ceramic. We are not aware of any other bronze examples in existence. St...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Mid Century Modern Brass Pineapple Candle Holders - a Pair
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of mid-century modern brass pineapple candle holders for pillar candles. Black candlesticks shown for scale and do not come with candle holders. Candle holders are in lovely c...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
David Cressey, John Follis Architectural Pottery Planter with Iron Base, 1960's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A nice California design planter
made with Cressey's own "formula clay" reduction fired natural stoneware
from a mold of a bowl designed by John Follis for Architectural Pottery
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
Carl Auböck Model #3848 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3848 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass.
Price is for the pair. One ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Venini Murano Glass Bottles, Incalmo Two-Toned Neck Vases, Set of Three, 1960
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini murano glass bottles, Incalmo two-toned neck vases, set of three, c 1961. Free blown incalmo glass bottles with fused two tone necks, Polished pontils. The largest signed Veni...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Sky Blue, Orange Splash Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Eye catching Murano glass vessel in vibrant sky blue and orange tones.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Pair of Ducks Animal Sculptures by Archimede Seguso Murano in Black & White
Located in London, GB
A pair of black and white animal sculptures by Archimede Seguso (1909-1999) Italy made circa 1970 comprising of two large ducks, in solid opaque glass.
Archimede Seguso was born on t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Carl Auböck Model #4082 Brass Bowl
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4082 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceiv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3846 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass.
Price is for the pair. Two ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #5439 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished and patinated brass by Werkstätte Car...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Large Murano Art Glass Vase by V. Nason & C. ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large murano glass vase designed by Carlo Nason and manufactured by V. Nason & C. Murano. Clear glass with a handpainted decor in gold, green and red. Lable of the manufacturer on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Rude Osolnik Signed Mid-Century Modern Walnut Wood Turned Vessel Bud Weed Vase
By Rude Osolnik
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully executed, handmade, wood-turned vase by master woodturner Rude Osolnik who is widely regarded, along with Bob Stocksdale, as one of the finest woodturners in American w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Midcentury Vases Rörstrand Carl Harry Stålhane, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Langserud, SE
Large midcentury vases manufactured at Rörstrand and maker/designer Carl Harry Stålhane. Made in Sweden in the 1950s. Beautiful glazed vases with nice lines. That typical hares fur g...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Carl Auböck Model #3794/1 'Aorta' Brass Vase
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #3794/1 'Aorta' brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass by Werks...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
German Cobalt Blue and Gold Porcelain Vase by Hutschenreuther, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
An elegant vase by Hutschenreuther, Germany, 1970s. Cobalt blue, golden ornate trim. Underglaze green maker's mark and numbers 138/23 and 604502 on the underside.
Dimensions: heigh...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Donald Locke Bronze Sculpture
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Ebonized and gold-toned abstract bronze sculpture by artist Donald Locke from the 1980s.
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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