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 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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

Are the 1970s mid-century?

Accepted Answer

No, the 1970s are generally not considered to fall within the era identified as mid-century. With respect to mid-century modern design, while there is some debate between collectors and design experts about the specific time period that saw the emergence of the style, most furniture enthusiasts agree that by the late 1960s, interest in MCM had largely declined. Writer Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” suggests that “the period from the end of World War II to 1960 – from V-J Day to JFK – was the heyday of innovative furniture design in America.” Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by clean lines and inviting, organic shapes. Furniture makers of the era believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Find a variety of vintage mid-century modern furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 10

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 11

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 12

What does mid century modern mean?

Accepted Answer

Mid century modern refers to the middle of the 20th century — specifically 1930s through the mid-1960s. This period represents a design and architecture movement characterized by simple shapes, clean lines, and organic materials. Some of the most famous mid century modern designers include Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen.

Question 13

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 14

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.

Question 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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.

Mid Century Fence

Mid-20th Century Modern Landscape Paintings

Bertram SpencerMid Century Modern Vertical Landscape with Fence in Acrylic on Paper, mid 20th Century

1950s Modern Landscape Paintings

Jenne MagafanBack Fence with Bird. - Mid-Century - WPA Artist, 1950

Vintage 1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Photography

Manuel Álvarez Bravo The Fences (Las Trancas) Original Photography

Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

George BissillTending to the Fences, pencil sketch by George Bissill

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Restored Arched Rattan Ottoman Stool with Fenced Top

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Pair of Metal Geometric Fence or Art Object with Golden Fish

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Vintage Curtis Jere Bronze Boy on a Copper Fence Sculpture Signed 1972

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Whimsical Nail Brass Sculpture Cowboy Cactus on a Fence circa 1970 s

Mid-19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

John Rabone HarveyBritish Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Horse Patiently Waiting at The Wooden Fence, 1966

Mid-19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

John Rabone HarveyBritish Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Horse with White Features Waiting at The Fence, 1966

Mid-19th Century American Realist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Charles De Wolf BrownellTree and Fence, East Hartford, Connecticut (New England Landscape), 1862

Mid-20th Century Realist Animal Drawings and Watercolors

Margaret Sweet JohnsonTwo Dogs Playing in Front of a Fence, c. 1930

Recent Sales

Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Animal Sculptures

Cast Bronze Metal Horse with Rambling Fence

Mid-20th Century Contemporary Black and White Photography

Joel BernsteinBruce Springsteen by Schoolyard Fence, NY Aug. 1979

Mid-20th Century Contemporary Black and White Photography

Joel BernsteinBruce Springsteen by Schoolyard Fence, NY Aug. 1979

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Richard Van WingerdenRed House with Picket Fence, Watercolor Landscape Painting, Circa 1950s, Circa 1950

Antique Mid-19th Century German Doors and Gates

Very Large Iron Courtyard Gate with Fence Parts, Franconia, Mid-19th Century

1950s Modern Landscape Paintings

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Landscape Oil Painting - Winter Fence, Framed, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Shikou Munakata, "Toledo Greco s House Fence", 1965

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Restored Arched Rattan Ottoman Stool with Fenced Top

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Ronzan 1940s Italy Ceramic Bookends With Horses and Fence

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Japanese Two-Panel Screen Chrysanthemums Over a Woven Reed Fence

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables

End of Sofa, Books Holder, 1950, Adnet, Fence, Wrought Iron, Leather

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

W.R. Thrasher"BLUEBONNET FENCE LINE" IMAGE SIZE 16 X 20 TEXAS HILL COUNTRY LANDSCAPE, Circa 1950s

20th Century Landscape Paintings

Mid 20th Century Oil - Washing Day, Unknown

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Frank DuffieldBritish Mid 20th Century Impressionist Painting Jockeys Jumping The Fence, Mid 20th Century

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Frank DuffieldBritish Mid 20th Century Impressionist Painting Sunday Hunt Jumping The Fence, Mid 20th Century

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Genevieve RogersThe Other Side of the Fence, Mid Century Farm Scene, c.1960s

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Louise Alix1930 s French Impressionist Green Fenced Field Behind Village Church, 1930 s

Antique Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Dinner Plates

Mason s Ashworth s Ironstone Dinner Plate in Fence Bowl Pattern, circa 1870

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Louise Alix1930 s French Impressionist Green Fence Pathway Leading To Village Church, 1930 s

Antique Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Pottery

Porcelain Saucer Dish by Copeland Spode in Imari Fence Ptn No. 794, circa 1850

Mid-20th Century French Architectural Elements

Set of Two Vintage French Door Grills or Fences, Mid-20th Century

People Also Browsed

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Bespoke Octagon Cobalt Blue Murano Glass Mirror, in Stock

1970s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Katherine KallickShadow of Light - Nude Figurative Study with a Bottle of California Wine, 1973-77

Mid-20th Century American Modern Landscape Paintings

Mary Cane RobinsonFramed Colorado Springs Mountain Landscape, Original Oil Painting on Board

1980s Contemporary Landscape Paintings

CalderonVintage Sausalito Landscape -- Golden Gate, 1979-80

1960s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Lee ErvastCrashing Waves - Mid Century California Seascape, c.1950s

20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Bertram Spencer
Mid Century Modern Vertical Landscape with Fence in Acrylic on Paper, mid 20th Century

Jenne Magafan
Back Fence with Bird. - Mid-Century - WPA Artist, 1950

George Bissill
Tending to the Fences, pencil sketch by George Bissill

John Rabone Harvey
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Horse Patiently Waiting at The Wooden Fence, 1966

John Rabone Harvey
British Chalk Pencil Sketch of a Horse with White Features Waiting at The Fence, 1966

Charles De Wolf Brownell
Tree and Fence, East Hartford, Connecticut (New England Landscape), 1862

Margaret Sweet Johnson
Two Dogs Playing in Front of a Fence, c. 1930

Joel Bernstein
Bruce Springsteen by Schoolyard Fence, NY Aug. 1979

Joel Bernstein
Bruce Springsteen by Schoolyard Fence, NY Aug. 1979

Richard Van Wingerden
Red House with Picket Fence, Watercolor Landscape Painting, Circa 1950s, Circa 1950

W.R. Thrasher
"BLUEBONNET FENCE LINE" IMAGE SIZE 16 X 20 TEXAS HILL COUNTRY LANDSCAPE, Circa 1950s

Frank Duffield
British Mid 20th Century Impressionist Painting Jockeys Jumping The Fence, Mid 20th Century

Frank Duffield
British Mid 20th Century Impressionist Painting Sunday Hunt Jumping The Fence, Mid 20th Century

Genevieve Rogers
The Other Side of the Fence, Mid Century Farm Scene, c.1960s

Louise Alix
1930 s French Impressionist Green Fenced Field Behind Village Church, 1930 s

Louise Alix
1930 s French Impressionist Green Fence Pathway Leading To Village Church, 1930 s

Katherine Kallick
Shadow of Light - Nude Figurative Study with a Bottle of California Wine, 1973-77

Mary Cane Robinson
Framed Colorado Springs Mountain Landscape, Original Oil Painting on Board

Calderon
Vintage Sausalito Landscape -- Golden Gate, 1979-80

Lee Ervast
Crashing Waves - Mid Century California Seascape, c.1950s

Bernard Corey
Bernard Corey, American Impressionist, Landscape Painting

Virginia Shackles
Hillside Cypress Trees, Monterey California Landscape

Virginia Shackles
Original Oil Painting Big Sur, Monterey California Landscape, C. 1970

Charles Ragland Bunnell
1941 Autumn Landscape of Pikes Peak by Charles Bunnell, American Impressionist, 1941

Aaron Bohrod
"Industrial Cityscape, Chicago" WPA Modernism Mid-Century Cityscape 20th Century, 1931

Lena Gurr
Large Exhibited Modernist Surreal Nocturnal Winter Landscape Signed Oil Painting, 1930

Paul Bernard King
Golden Autumn, Adirondacks

Rudolf Jacobi
Afternoon Street Scene - Mid Century Figurative Landscape by Rudolf Jacobi, 1950

Maurice Becker
Modernist Oil Painting the Shop Window NYC 1940s WPA era