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

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 19

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 20

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.

Mid Century Figurines

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Cute Seal Candlestick Figurine, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Cute Bronze Duck Figurine, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays

Ashtray with Capricorn Figurine, Vienna, 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Rustic Animal Sculptures

Midcentury Handmade Terra Cotta Squirrel Figurine

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

Pair of Ceramic Figurines Bu Ugo Zaccagnini

Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures

Large Capodimonte Porcelain Figurine – Pope Paul VI

Mid-20th Century Danish Figurative Sculptures

Bing Grøndahl, Denmark. Porcelain figurine of seated girl with flowers.

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

Adorable Italian Luster Glazed Studio Pottery Figurine 1960s

Mid-20th Century European Modern Figurative Sculptures

Bronze Patinated Figurine Little Dancer of Fourteen Years by Degas 20th century

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Large Viennese Bronze Temple Dancer Figurine

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Hertha Baller Monkey Figurine, circa 1950s

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Midcentury French Ceramic Boxer Figurine, 1950s

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

Set of Three Midcentury Japanese Geisha Figurines

Mid-20th Century German Animal Sculptures

Heinrich Co. Porcelain Figurine "EAGLE OWL"

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Arts and Crafts Animal Sculptures

Portuguese Folk Art Terracotta Cow Whistle, Christmas Nativity Scene Figurine

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Ron Lee Clown "The Dentist" Figurine, 1984

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Vintage Stoneware Pottery Monkey Figurine by Knud Khyn for Royal Copenhagen

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Art Deco 1930s Original Ceramic Figurine

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Berea College 1984 female Figurine Sculpture

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Vintage Danish Dark Teak Bison Figurine, 1960s

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Small deer figurine by Rohac around 1950s

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Seated Woman Figurine Sculpture by Gmundner Ceramic

Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures

Large Capodimonte Porcelain Figurine – Pope Paul VI

Mid-20th Century Spanish Figurative Sculptures

Lladró Matte Porcelain Figurine – Shepherd at Rest (#1104)

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Laurids Lonborg Wood Cat Figurine, Denmark, 1960s

Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Porcelain 1950s figurine “Lolita” dancing signed lladro, Spain

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Busts

Art Deco Ceramic Bust Figurine, C1930

Mid-20th Century American Panelling

Miniature Four Panel Asian Figurine Folding Screen

Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Abraham Palatnik Lucite Acrylic Red Elephant Figurine Brazil

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets

Richard Rohac figurine glass holder around 1950s ( signed )

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Vintage Ron Lee Trapeze Clown Figurine, 1983

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Splendid Pair of Murano Figurines, Italy 1950s

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

Set of Four Small MCM Bronze Japanese Geisha Figurines

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Cute Bronze Twins Couple Figurine, Richard Rohac, Austria, 1950s

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Cute Bronze Dachshund Dog Figurine, Walter Bosse Austria, 1950s

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Cute Bronze Poodle Dog Figurine, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Walter Bosse Brass Bronze Cat Figurine, Baller Austria, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Chinese Metalwork

Chinese Ancestral "Fisherman" Figurine / Sculpture in Emerald Stone

Antique Mid-18th Century Rococo Delft and Faience