Question 1

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 2

Did they have record players in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What did brides wear in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.

Question 4

What is modern furniture design?

Accepted Answer

Modern furniture design is an overarching term for the new approach that designers began taking in the early 20th century. Many experts cite the Bauhaus movement as the start of the modern era. Its style was defined by the instructors and students at a progressive German art and design school founded by the architect Walter Gropius that operated from 1919 to 1933. In Bauhaus-style furniture, the school’s followers married industrial and natural materials in simple, geometric forms. The goal of the Bauhaus was to erase the distinction between art and craft while embracing the use of new technologies and materials. As the Bauhaus movement was emerging, so too was Art Deco. This iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture makers respected the dark woods and modern metals with which they worked; they frequently incorporated decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides as well as veneers in their seating, case pieces, living room sets and bedroom furniture. After World War II, modern design continued with the mid-century modern movement. The style 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. Historians typically say that the modern approach to furniture design ended in the mid-1960s or early 1970s. Pieces made after that time may be called postmodern or contemporary. Shop a large collection of modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is modern style furniture?

Accepted Answer

Modern style furniture has smooth shiny surfaces, straight lines, simple shapes. The general objective is a simple uncluttered look.

Question 6

What is modern furniture made of?

Accepted Answer

Modern furniture is made of many different types of materials. Some modern furniture makers used natural materials like wood for frames and leather and linen for upholstery. Metals, such as aluminum, stainless steel and nickel, were also common, as were some plastics. Explore a diverse assortment of modern furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What is Danish modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Danish modern furniture is the term for a style of furniture that emerged during the 1930s through the innovation of designers from Denmark. It is a subset of Scandinavian modern furniture, the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. Some notable Danish modern designers include Hans J. Wegner, Kaare Klint, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Arne Vodder and Verner Panton. Shop a range of Danish modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What did phones look like in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1930s, phones typically looked like rotary telephones. They had either a round or square base with a numbered dial that spun when you dialed and a handset receiver with both an earpiece and a mouthpiece. A cord connected the handset to the base. Find a variety of rotary phones on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is the difference between modern furniture and old furniture?

Accepted Answer

The difference between modern furniture and old furniture is in the specificity of the term. Generally, pieces considered modern date from between the end of World War II in 1945 and the end of the 1970s. During this period, more furniture makers mass produced pieces, and designers increasingly used new materials, such as plywood and plastic. Old furniture is not a specific term. People frequently use the term old for anything that subjectively appears aged. Explore a large selection of modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What is mid century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.

Question 11

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 12

What is 1950s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.

Question 13

What is ’70s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.

Question 14

What is 1970s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1970s furniture is called varies. Generally, you may see pieces produced during the decade classified as "vintage" or "retro" furniture. During the 1970s, some makers continued to produce furniture that boasted the characteristics of mid-century modern works. The disco era yielded furnishings with organic, often rounded shapes, unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and a mix of materials. The showy leather furniture of the 1970s, which was both sexy and comfortable, is seeing a resurgence in today’s homes. Shop a wide variety of vintage 1970s furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What do you call furniture from the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 16

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 17

What defines mid-century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern furniture combines sleek lines with organic shapes.

Question 18

Why is mid-century modern furniture so popular?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern furniture is so popular largely because its characteristics align well with the trends and tastes that are dominant today. Many people love its simple look defined by clean lines, and the use of natural materials also adds to its popularity. In addition, designers created mid-century modern furniture to be as functional as it is visually appealing, making pieces executed in the style simple, convenient and comfortable to use. Find a wide range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 19

What year is mid-century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

There is not a single year that is mid-century modern. The style emerged during the 1940s and 1950s and remained dominant through the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Some notable designers who contributed to the development of the mid-century modern style include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. Shop a wide range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 20

What is the 1950s furniture style called?

Accepted Answer

The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.

1930s Modern Furniture

Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Finnish Modern Club Table Model “Eino” by Maija Heikinheimo for Asko, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Italian mid-century modern Adjustable desk or table lamp in brown metal, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Early 1930s "PH-lamp" by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Scandinavian Modern

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Fireside Side Accent Chair Black Rush Seat 1930 s

Vintage 1930s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

1930 s Machine Age Chrome and Copper Desk Lamp

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls

Art Deco Bonbonnière in Solid Walnut Wood, France 1930’s

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Swedish Nesting Tables, 1930s

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Hala Zeist Desk Lamp in the Bauhaus Style Designed, 1930’s-1960’s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Mirrors

Swedish Modern Pewter Hand Mirror by Estrid Ericson, Firma Svenskt Tenn in 1930s

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Nouveau Vases

Art Nouveau Modern Czechoslovakian Red Black Ceramic Vase with Handles, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Finnish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Margaret T. Nordman, 1930 s coffee table for Stockmann Oy

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Mid-Century Modern Bench by Emilio Lancia, Italy, 1930s

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Art Deco 1930s Modern Sight Light Table Lamp

Vintage 1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Scandinavian Modern Coffee or Side Table Produced in Sweden, circa 1920 - 1930s

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Gio Ponti "Fireside" Chair Walnut and Rush Seat, 1930 s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Swedish Functionalist Sideboard, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Dressers

1930s American Modern Streamline Chest of Drawers

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Kähler, Denmark, Large Glazed Stoneware Vase in Modern Design, 1930s-1940s

Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Vases

Kähler, Denmark, Glazed Stoneware Vase in Modern Design, 1930s-1940s

Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Hugo Gorge Six Light Brass Chandelier, Viennese Modern Age, 1930s, Austria

Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Vases

Kähler, Denmark, Glazed Stoneware Vase in Modern Design, 1930s-1940s

Early 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Flush Mount

Paavo Tynell, 1930 s opaline glass flush mount for Taito Oy

Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Chairs

Dutch Modern Haagsche School Dining Chair, 1930s, Netherlands

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Stools

Mid-Century Modern French Wood, Chromed Metal and Black Leather Bar Stool, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

1930´s Otto Schultz, Lounge Chairs + Ottoman by Boet AB, Sweden.

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

1930 s Modernist Rocking Lounge Chair by Scandinavian designer Herman De Vries

Vintage 1930s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Bauhaus Steel Tube Armchair, 1930s

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Swedish Monk Chair 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Jars

Swedish Modern Jar in Silver Plate, Carl Einar Borgström for Ystad-Metall, 1930s

Vintage 1930s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Little Copper Gem, Art Deco foldable Copper table lamp 1930 s

1990s Italian Modern Benches

Massimo losa Ghini Plana Bench, in 1930 s Pendleton Glacier Park Blanket

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Fritz Hansen Armchair in Beech and Seagrass, Scandinavian Modern, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Austrian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

A Rare Pair of Brass Scones from the 1930 s, Austria

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Nordiska Kompaniet, modernist table lamp, Scandinavian modern, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Scandinavian Modern Vase in Pewter, by Just Andersen, Denmark, ca 1930s

Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Large Danish Modern "Tinos" Tray in Patinated Bronze, 1930s Art Deco

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Table Lamps

Art Deco 1930s Modern Sight Light Table Lamp

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Glass

Glass bowl by Gunilla Jung for Karhula, Finland 1930´s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

TMF, Side Table, Birch, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases