Question 1

What is the difference between mid-century and mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

The difference between mid-century and mid-century modern comes down to specificity. When it comes to furniture and architecture, for example, mid-century refers to works that emerged during the middle of the 20th century, usually between 1950 and 1970. The more specific descriptor, mid-century modern, is used to refer to a particular style of design that emphasizes simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Mid-century modern furniture designers generally drew on the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Bauhaus design, Scandinavian modernism and more. Any piece of furniture produced during the 1950s and ’60s can be referred to as mid-century, but only those with specific characteristics are mid-century modern. That said, when enthusiasts of furniture and architecture use the shorter of the two phrases, they may indeed be referring to modernist works created during that period in history. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 2

What is a mid-century chair?

Accepted Answer

A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture 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. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.

Question 3

What is mid century furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century furniture is furniture created within the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would argue that the style began to emerge in the postwar years. This style of furniture is known for its sleek lines and organic shapes. The creators most frequently associated with mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living. Mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What is mid-century jewelry?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century jewelry is a style of jewelry that rose in popularity along with the mid-century modern design movement. Pieces from this era typically feature bold, geometric designs. Shop a variety of mid-century jewelry and accessories from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What does mid century mean?

Accepted Answer

The mid-century modern style emerged primarily in the years following World War II. This style of decor is characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Creators of mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living, and mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What is a mid-century sofa?

Accepted Answer

A mid-century sofa is any sofa created during the mid-20th century. Mid-century modern sofas are pieces of seating furniture that embody the venturesome attributes that we associate with mid-century modern furniture — while not all sofas designed in the mid-century modern style are the same, they frequently have a low profile and are characterized by gentle curves, clean lines and an organic shape. Mid-century furniture is a timeless classic due to its elegant simplicity. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary mid-century sofas from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What is mid-century artwork?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century artwork is any piece of art produced during the middle of the 20th century. It includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, collages, pottery and other media. You'll find a large selection of mid-century artwork from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is mid century decor?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern decor was popularized during the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would suggest that the style emerged during the years that followed World War II. This style of decor is typically characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Find the finest mid-century modern furnishings and more on 1stDibs.

Question 9

How can you tell if furniture is mid century?

Accepted Answer

To tell if furniture is mid-century modern, examine the piece, looking for labels and markings that indicate who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and what styles of furniture they made. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. A knowledgeable dealer or certified appraiser can help you determine if a particular piece is genuine mid-century modern or a reproduction. Shop a range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How do you identify mid century lamps?

Accepted Answer

To identify mid-century lamps, look for a manufacturer's label or stamp on the base or the shade. You can use trusted online resources to determine when the company or artisan was active. Some lamps may also have a date stamp that you can use for identification purposes. Pieces dating from the late 1950s through the early 1970s are mid-century in terms of their age. A mid-century modern lamp will show off hallmarks of the design style, such as curvy hourglass or globe forms. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer may also be able to help with the identification. Find a range of mid-century lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 12

Why is mid century modern popular?

Accepted Answer

Most experts agree that mid-century modern correlates specifically to the years following World War II. It has grown in popularity in the decades since, particularly due to the media and cultural institutions that have promoted the truly innovative era of design. Not only did the MoMA promote modern furniture, but pieces are prominently visible on the set of very popular television shows such as Mad Men. Shop a wide and beautiful range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

What makes a dresser mid-century?

Accepted Answer

A dresser is a mid-century dresser if it was made during the middle of the 20th century. The years that encompass the mid-century modern period are roughly 1933 until 1965, but most experts argue, however, that the mid-century modern period correlates specifically to the years following World War II. Mid-century modern dressers will likely have specific characteristics. There was a use of natural and man-made materials that included alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. An authentic mid-century modern dresser will also be characterized by simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Shop an assortment of vintage mid-century dressers on 1stDibs.

Question 14

Is rattan mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some rattan is mid-century modern. Designers of the mid-century modern movement often preferred to use natural materials, including rattan, in their designs. However, not all rattan furniture was made during this period. Rattan was also a popular material for furniture produced during the Victorian era and continues to be used to produce furniture today. Shop a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What time is considered mid-century??

Accepted Answer

Mid-century is considered the middle of the century, however as it pertains to furniture and design, mid-century is an American design movement known for its modern style, construction and the Modernist movement. It is typically simple and clean lines without embellishments. Shop a range of mid-century modern designs on 1stDIbs.

Question 16

Is Mondrian mid century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mondrian’s art is believed to be one of the great inspirations for the mid-century modern approach to minimalism. His artworks were not just a departure from figurative works, but a new look at abstract art as well. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

Question 17

Is mid-century modern timeless?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mid-century modern is timeless, in the opinion of many experts. Many characteristics of furniture and decorative accents produced in this style remain popular today. Among them are silhouettes marked by organic forms and clean lines, the promotion of functionality and the use of natural materials like teak, rosewood and oak and synthetic materials such as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 18

Is Eames mid-century modern?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Eames is mid-century modern. In many ways, Charles Eames and Ray Eames were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of mid-century modern American design, and they have been recognized as the most influential designers of the 20th century. Some of the couple's most famous mid-century modern designs include the Eames Lounge chair and ottoman, the Eames Molded Plywood chair and the Eames Fiberglass chair. Shop a wide range of Charles and Ray Eames furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 19

What years are mid century modern?

Accepted Answer

The years that encompass the mid-century modern period are roughly 1933 until 1965, but most experts argue, however, that the mid-century modern era correlates specifically to the years following World War II. These years in America saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history. Vintage mid-century modern furniture — including tables, chairs, desks and case pieces — are often organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple.

Postwar architects and designers in the United States were animated by new ideas and new technology during the era of mid-century modernism. Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century furniture designs manufactured by the likes of Knoll and Herman Miller.

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.

Knoll became 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 soon became desirable for the home. Similarly, Michigan’s Herman Miller is best known for its iconic mid-century modern furniture, and while the company focused on the office, people loved its designs for their homes, too.

Find vintage mid-century modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 20

What years are considered mid-century?

Accepted Answer

The years between 1950 and 1960 are typically considered mid-century. Some people also include the 1970s in the definition. Remember that the term mid-century furniture refers to pieces produced during the middle of the 20th century. It is different from mid-century modern, the name for a furniture style that emerged primarily in the years following World War II and 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. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century furniture.

Mid Century Clown

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Set of Three Handmade "Clown" Ceramic Wall Sconces from the Italian, 1950s

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Vintage Ron Lee Sculpture "Bozo the Clown in a Hot Dog Bun, " Circa 1980s

1970s Modern Figurative Prints

Alexander CalderAlexander Calder lithograph Derrière le Miroir (Calder prints), c.1971

Mid-20th Century Italian Busts

1950s Alfredo Barbini Italian Art Glass Murano Clown Bust Sculpture

Vintage 1960s French Paintings

Large-Scale European Mid-Century Clown Painting

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Charming Signed Mid-Century Clowns with Elephant Painting

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Clown Tile Signed La Grange for Vallauris, Made in France

Vintage 1950s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Mid-Century Modern Clown and Girl Ceramic Figurine, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Bernard BuffetClown

Mid-20th Century American Paintings

Clown Painting

Vintage 1950s American Paintings

Mid-Century Large Scale Oil on Canvas Black Woman Circus Clown

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Happy Clown Painting by Charles Levier

Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Books

1970s Antoon Mortier Clown Illustrations Book

Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Toys and Dolls

Roly Poly Schoenhut Paper Mache Wobble Clown

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Posters

Marc Chagall Cirque au Clown Jaune, 1967

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Posters

Litho Circus Poster, Clown and Circus Scenes, Willsons Leicester

Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Mirrors

Werkstätte Hagenauer Large Table Mirror Female Clown, circa 1930 Brass

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Great and Rare Cenedese Murano Glass Drunk Clown and Angel Dog on Lamp Post Lamp

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware

Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Clown Decanter

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Clown Group in Bronzed Terracotta

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Mid Century American Clown Painting By George Russin

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Mid Century Modern Kero Antoyan Abstract Modernist Clown Oil Painting

Mid-20th Century Portrait Paintings

Jose ChristophersonJosé Christopherson (1914–2014) - Mid 20th Century Oil, Applauding Clown, Unknown

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Mid Century Gemstone 14 Karat Yellow Gold Clown Brooch

Mid-20th Century Modern Mixed Media

Ella RaayoniTorn Fabric Collage Dada "Clown Face" Mid Century Modern Israeli

Mid-20th Century Modern Mixed Media

Ella RaayoniTorn Fabric Collage Dada "Clown Face" Mid Century Modern Israeli

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Prints

Mid-Century Modern Framed Lithograph by Bernard Buffet Tete De Clown

Mid-20th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

Courtland ButterfieldClown Parrot, ca. 1965

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets

Mid-Century Wicker Rattan Clown Basket Clothes Hamper or Planter, circa 1950s

1950s Modern Figurative Paintings

Abram KrolPolish French Ecole de Paris Mid Century Modernist Oil Painting Clown Juggler, c.1950s

1950s Modern Figurative Paintings

Abram KrolPolish French Ecole de Paris Mid Century Modernist Oil Painting Clown Juggler, c.1950s

Vintage 1930s British Folk Art Carnival Art

Amazing Clown Shoes

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Murano Italy Sixties Clown

Antique 1780s European Mid-Century Modern Prints

Alexander Calder Color Clown Lithograph

Mid-20th Century Photography

Manuel Alvarez Bravo"El Payasito" (The Little Clown), 1929 (printed later)

Mid-20th Century Unknown Other Figurative Sculptures

Large Clown in Glazed Clay

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Murano Glass Clown, Italy, circa 1950

Mid-20th Century Ukrainian Paintings

Clown Oil on Canvas By Vassyl Khmeluk

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens

Venetian Murano Clown Under The Mushroom

Mid-20th Century Portrait Paintings

Alexander Calder
Alexander Calder lithograph Derrière le Miroir (Calder prints), c.1971

Bernard Buffet
Clown

Jose Christopherson
José Christopherson (1914–2014) - Mid 20th Century Oil, Applauding Clown, Unknown

Ella Raayoni
Torn Fabric Collage Dada "Clown Face" Mid Century Modern Israeli

Ella Raayoni
Torn Fabric Collage Dada "Clown Face" Mid Century Modern Israeli

Courtland Butterfield
Clown Parrot, ca. 1965

Abram Krol
Polish French Ecole de Paris Mid Century Modernist Oil Painting Clown Juggler, c.1950s

Abram Krol
Polish French Ecole de Paris Mid Century Modernist Oil Painting Clown Juggler, c.1950s

Manuel Alvarez Bravo
"El Payasito" (The Little Clown), 1929 (printed later)

Franco Rognoni
The Clown by Franco Rognoni (1913-1999), 20th Century

Jose Maria de Servin
Folk Art Mexican Girl, Circus Clown Juggler

Jose Maria de Servin
Folk Art Mexican Girl, Circus Clown Juggler

Forrest Bess
Abstract Figurative Primary Color Circus Acrobat Clown Painting, 1950

Alberto Trevisan
Large Italian Surrealism Painting Colorful Scarecrow Clown, Surrealist Landscape, c.1950 s