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Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Aldo Tura
Mid-Century Aldo Tura Parchment Covered Pedestal Bar Light Up Mirrored Interior
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1960s pedestal style bar designed by Aldo Tura is in the form of a large stemmed goblet made of wood covered in goatskin parchment. The body of the bar is decorated all the way...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Dry Bar Cabinet Brown & Beige
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning 'Calice' (wine glass) bar cabinet by Aldo Tura, Italy 1950s. This iconic, luxurious version is by far the most beautiful and also one of the most rare by this talented furni...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Red Goatskin Parchment Brass Cabinet Bar, 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
A unique and timeless vintage piece, this Aldo Tura midcentury cabinet bar feels imposing and glamorous. The varnished goatskin parchment, in rich shades of red, makes this cabinet t...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Rare Aldo Tura White Goatskin Dry Bar/Cabinet
Located in Brussels, BE
Cabinet Bar By Aldo Tura In White Goatskin, Very Unusual in This Color. Perfect and original condition, with key... Italy Circa 1960. Dimentions: 40 X 80 X 154cm
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin, Wood

Aldo Tura Goatskin Cocktail Cabinet, circa 1950 Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique statement piece / cocktail cabinet by Italian artist-craftsman Aldo Tura displays his distinct use of goatskin that Tura was well known for. His quality of craftsmanship which can be attributed to the limited series production, sometimes limited to only the prototype and often used unconventional materials including; eggshell, parchment, leather and wood veneering. This fine original 1950s example was retailed by Blanch L. Markley Shoppe in Lima Ohio, which retailer label is present in pull out drawer. Featuring a Trompe-l'œil book-form with mirrored upper interior with glass shelving and interior lighting above a single pull-out drawer with large antique coin styled drawer pull. The exterior door is hand painted with a Renaissance styled scene. Sitting atop a black lacquered X-leg base with brass sabots. This stunning 1950s Italian collectors piece can function as a bar cart, cocktail cabinet or dry bar and is an apt conversation starter, injecting some Italian chic in to any room concept. It would be perfect as part of; a European styled villa, Modern Renaissance apartment, Rococo inspired abode, Italian Modern condo or Eclectic studio. Would also work excellent for a hotel cafe, lobby bar or restaurant or in any commercial project. MEASUREMENTS: H 47.75" x W 23" x D 15" CONDITION: Overall good vintage condition. No keys are included but it uses vintage skeleton...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Italian Modern Parchment, Palisander and Trompe L'oeil Credenza
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern credenza with two double hinged doors, finished in beige parchment with trompe l\'oeil inset designs on the doors. (Aldo Tura).
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Parchment Paper

Midcentury Bar Cabinet by Aldo Tura in Wood and Goatskin 'Parchment' 1950s
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Midcentury, Italian standing bar cabinet by Aldo Tura (1909-1963). In lacquered wood, stained goatskin (parchment) and brass, 1950s Italy. This Hollywood Regency cabinet has been fin...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Rare Aldo Tura Lighted, Locking Bar Cabinet or Liquor Cabinet
Located in Rovereta, SM
Aldo Tura floor standing bar cabinet. Mirrored interior with glass shelves. Interior lighting through milk glass panels in the bottom of the cabin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin

Rare Aldo Tura Red Goatskin Dry Bar/Cabinet
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare bar by Aldo Tura in red goatskin, Italy, 1960.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin, Wood

Related Items
Vintage Danish Teak Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak cocktail bar cabinet 1960s Elegant Danish Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet with drop down door. Very good size and proportions...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Formica, Teak

Vintage Danish Teak Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Vintage Danish Teak Bar Cabinet, 1960s
H 43.31 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
Aldo Tura Rolling Bar Cabinet
Located in Hanover, MA
1960 Aldo Tura "Organetto" cocktail bar cabinet trolley in beautifully grained pallisander and lacquered goatskin parchment with gilt brass hardware, key and wheels. This whimsical design is in the form of a barrel organ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Rolling Bar Cabinet
Aldo Tura Rolling Bar Cabinet
H 53 in W 28 in D 19 in
1950s Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Wood Burl Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco squared shaped dry bar cabinet, in walnut with double front door having amazing interior part with mirrors bottle holders that is sliding out...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Aldo Tura Lacquered Goat Skin Bar Cart, Italy 1950s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Such a great color on this Aldo Tura bar cart crafted from Tura's signature lacquered goat skin with gold tone hardware. This example features drop down sides that, when raised expan...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin

Aldo Tura Huge Green Goatskin Champagne Cooler Italy 1960s
Located in Munich, DE
Huge Aldo Tura green parchment champagne, wine cooler or ice bucket with a brass inlay. This particular cooler was executed in the 1960s and is in excellent vintage condition. Along...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Bar Cart Brown Goatskin
Located in Munich, DE
Bar cart by Aldo Tura in lacquered goatskin, brass and glass with a removable tray and bottle holders, Italy, 1950s. Measures: 85 x 51 x 62 cm.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Bar Cart Brown Goatskin
Aldo Tura Bar Cart Brown Goatskin
H 24.41 in W 32.29 in D 20.08 in
Gorgeous Aldo Tura Bar Cart Creme, 1965
Located in Munich, DE
Gorgeous Aldo Tura Hollywood Regency style bar or serving cart by Aldo Tura, Milano, Italy, 1965. Creme lacquered goatskin bar or serving cart with two glass tops and serving tray wi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Gorgeous Aldo Tura Bar Cart Creme, 1965
Gorgeous Aldo Tura Bar Cart Creme, 1965
H 25.99 in W 46.46 in D 20.87 in
Aldo Tura Brown Goatskin Round Bar Cart Removable Tray, Italy, 1960s
Located in Munich, DE
Fine bar or serving cart by Aldo Tura Milan, Italy 1960s in very good vintage condition. The wooden frame is covered with brown colored goatskin, varnished in clear acrylic lacquer a...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Munich, DE
This magnificent small bar cabinet was illuminated and mirrored inside with two glass shelves, has four drawers with brass drawer knobs and is in ve...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Aldo Tura Green Goatskin Bar Cabinet, 1960s
H 50.4 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wood and Brass Dry Bar Drinks Cabinet
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful and very elegantly shaped Italian Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet, with the brass handle. On the left a nice storage space while on the right a flipping door opens to a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

1950s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Wood and Brass Dry Bar Cabinet Liquor Cart
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco dry bar cabinet cart with two glass tiers and highlighted by the great wooden structure design and overall shape completed by the details of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Ice Bucket Grey Brown Goatskin, 1960s
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful ice bucket by Aldo Tura in grey brown parchment and a glass inlay, in excellent vintage condition. Along with artists like Piero Fornasetti and Carlo Bugatti, Aldo Tura (1...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Italian Lacquered Goatskin / Parchment Serving Bar Cart by Aldo Tura, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Very unique Aldo Tura Goatskin or parchment bar cart. This bar cart was made in Italy in the 1960s. Constructed of thickly lacquered goatskin / parchment and gilt metal hardware. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Aldo Tura Brown Goatskin Parchment Brass Cabinet Bar, 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
A unique and timeless vintage piece, this Aldo Tura midcentury cabinet bar feels imposing and glamourous. The varnished goatskin parchment, in rich shades of brown and dark brown, ma...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet Goatskin And Brass Studs
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An outstanding Italian bar cabinet-bar mobile-by Aldo Tura, Milano 1970's. Lacquered goatskin, brass decorative studs, in very good original condition-complete with 2 keys, original ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Rare Italian Bar Cabinet on Wheels Cart by Aldo Tura, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Unique Mid century bar cabinet by Aldo Tura. Made from high quality wood with brass wheels and handles and features a decorative Bruegel (painter) scene. The door has a lacquer...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Wonderful Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet
Located in Munich, DE
the nicest and most elegant aldo tura bar cabinet we know. goes with every interior. comes from the estate of an great aldo tura collector.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin, Glass, Wood

Wonderful Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet
Wonderful Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet
H 51.19 in W 31.5 in D 15.36 in
Cabinet Aldo Tura Veneered Wood Parchment Polyester, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Cabinet with hinged doors and drawers. Veneered wood covered in parchment paper, with polyester finish.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Polyester, Wood, Parchment Paper

Aldo Tura Goatskin Lacquered, Glazed Drink Cabinet, Italy, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Aldo Tura goatskin lacquered glazed drink cabinet, Italy, 1960s. Inside the cabinet there are 3 glass shelves with a glass mirror in the back. Left bottom it has a small storage unit and on the right its has a inserted mini fridge.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin, Glass, Mirror

Aldo Tura Illuminated Bar in Lacquered Goatskin, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional illuminated bar in decorated lacquered goatskin with brass hardware on an ebonized and walnut base with brass sabots by Aldo Tura, Italian,...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Goatskin Cabinet Bar, 1950s
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
The most talented Italian designer during midcentury, Aldo Tura was called “the master of parchment”. His unique work made in pure tradition was made of high end materials as: exoti...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura Goatskin Cabinet Bar, 1950s
Aldo Tura Goatskin Cabinet Bar, 1950s
H 51.97 in W 33.47 in D 15.75 in
Aldo Tura Goatskin Mirror and Glass Illuminated Bar Cabinet
Located in Westport, CT
Also Tura goatskin bar, mirror and glass illuminated interior, with green marbleized and cream goatkin, polished brass Hinges and nailheads, green special c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aldo Tura, bar cabinet, mid-1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bar cabinet in lacquered goatskin with gilded hardware, by Aldo Tura. Mirrored and illuminated interior. Italy, mid-1900s.     
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin

Aldo Tura, bar cabinet, mid-1900s
Aldo Tura, bar cabinet, mid-1900s
H 51.19 in W 34.26 in D 15.75 in
Parchment Bar by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1960s
Located in Austin, TX
Lacquered goatskin parchment bar cabinet by famed maker, Aldo Tura. Includes cabinet storage, drawer, and drop down surface with mirrored interior. Fine brass hardware and trim. Cons...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Goatskin

Parchment Bar by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1960s
Parchment Bar by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1960s
H 40.25 in W 31.5 in D 14.25 in

Mid-century Modern cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern cabinets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Lawson-Fenning, Joe Colombo, Paul McCobb, and Edward Wormley. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $125 and tops out at $228,000 while the average work can sell for $4,501.

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