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

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 3

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 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

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 12

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 13

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 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 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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

What defines mid-century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

What is 1960s-style furniture called?

Accepted Answer

Generally, 1960s-style furniture is called mid-century modern. 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. Some of the most notable furniture designers of the time include Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Hans J. Wegner. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century modern furniture.

1930s Modern Furniture

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Bo Wretling, Lounge Chair, Wood, Metal, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Stools

Italian Designer, Stool, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls

Arthur Percy, Bowl, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Austrian Designer, Table Lamp, Brass, Austria, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

1930s Louis Poulsen Ceiling Light in Copper

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Mirrors

Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Oak, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Swedish Designer, Cabinet, Oak, Sweden, 1930s

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Serving Tables

1930s Art Deco Walnut Serving Cart, Czechoslovakia

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Swedish Designer, Side Table, Birch, Elm, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Swedish Designer, Side Table, Birch, Marble, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Swedish Designer, Side Table, Birch, Burl, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Bo Fajans, Table Lamp, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Glass Base Kandem 1115 Table Lamp By Marianne Brandt Circa Late 1930’s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Austrian Designer, Table Lamp, Brass, Austria, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Swedish Designer, Side Table, Pine, Glass, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls

Swedish Designer, Bowl, Glass, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Motala Lervarufabrik, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

French Designer, Wall Lights, Metal, Glass, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Harald Notini, Table Lamp, Metal, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Swedish Designer, Side Table, Birch, Wood, Marble, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Elias Barup Attribution, Side Table, Wood, Sweden, 1930s

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps

Swedish Floor Lamp in Patinated Brass, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Danish Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Glass, Denmark, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

French Designer, Cabinet, Mahogany, Brass, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Bronze, Sweden, 1930s

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Mid-Century Modern Jan Vaněk Easy Chair in Oak and Upholstery, CZ 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Swedish Designer, Chandelier, Chrome, Glass, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Italian Designer, Floor Lamp, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1930s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Swedish grace lounge chair, unknown designer, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Swedish Designer, Cabinet, Birch, Sweden, 1930s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

1930s Scandinavian Art Deco Lounge Chair in Mohair

Vintage 1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Ear Flap Chair In Rosewood Striped Fabric From 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

French Designer, Lounge Chairs, Oak, Leather, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

French Designer, Lounge Chairs, Oak, Leather, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Console Tables

"Utö" Console Table, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks