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Obelisk Kambaba Striped
Located in PARIS, FR
Obelisk Kambaba striped. Very good condition. Origin Madagascar. 1263.61 g.
Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Smoked Rock Crystal Obelisk
Located in PARIS, FR
Smoked rock crystal obelisk. High transparency quality. Excellent condition.
Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Early Vintage Paolo Soleri Brutalist Cast Bronze Bell Wind Chime Arcosanti 1970s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Troy, MI
Early cast bronze brutalist wind bell by Paolo Soleri for Arcosanti
Circa 1970s
Great form with uncommon modernist sun pattern exaggerated chain and original copper fin
Signed
Ov...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
American Midcentury Coke Wood Bottle Puzzle Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A very unique wood puzzle coke bottle circa 1970s, Game for kids and adults a conversation piece.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Tom McAllister Spray Sculpture
By Tom McAllister
Located in New York, NY
1960s modernist kinetic spray sculpture by Tom McAllister. Polished steel base signed and label.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
1960s Abstract String Wire Metal Kinetic Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple great design, handmade wire metal sting sculpture, circa 1960s. In the style of Margel Hinder.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Kinetic well balanced sculpture in brass and metal by Russell Secrest
By Russell Secrest
Located in San Diego, CA
A well balanced kinetic sculpture , circa 1970s a solid brass freeform top sitting on a freeform metal base , its stamped in the brass , designed by Russell Secrest it has its origin...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Metal
Helen Gilbert Contemporary Modern Op Art Kinetic Light Box Sculpture 1984
Located in Troy, MI
Licomos kinetic polarized light box sculpture by Helen Gilbert 1984
Titled Square Dance 1/1
An original work produced by Meissner Editions of Germany
Comprised of three acrylic disc...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1960s Abstract String Wire Metal Kinetic Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple great design, handmade wire metal sting sculpture, circa 1960s. In the style of Margel Hinder.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Contemporary Large Abstract Brutalist Orange Metal Outdoor Floor Sculpture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a unique marvel of a painted orange metal outdoor floor sculpture. This contemporary piece is Kinetic free featuring abstract forms in motion. Modern piece ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
1960s Danish Modern Multicolor Kinetic Ball Sculpture
By Laurids Lonborg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage kinetic ball sculpture in the style of Laurids Lonborg, a Danish housewares and decorative objects powerhouse. Black metal base and stem, silver metal wires, and green, bl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1960s Danish Modern Silver and Black Kinetic Ball Sculpture
By Laurids Lonborg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage kinetic ball sculpture in the style of Laurids Lonborg, a Danish housewares and decorative objects powerhouse. Black metal base and stem, silver metal wires, and silver and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Angelo Mangiarotti Lovely Black Marble Sculpture
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Milano, IT
Adorable fine marble sculpture designed by the very great Angelo Mangiarotti for the fine Italian manufacture in the 1970s.
This sculpture is a simply wonderful decorative object, i...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Marble
1960s Danish Modern Silver Kinetic Ball Sculpture by Laurids Lonborg
By Laurids Lonborg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage kinetic ball sculpture in black and silver by Laurids Lonborg, a Danish housewares and decorative objects powerhouse. Black metal base and stem, silver metal wires, and po...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Component Sculpture - Love Series by P. Tovaglia - Bronze Numbered Edition -
60s
By Pino Tovaglia
Located in Milano, IT
Pino Tovaglia's work Amore is an iconic sculpture of Italian design, an expression of a refined and conceptually powerful aesthetic. The brass version, signed and numbered, is a prec...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Stacked Wood Block Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Sculpture composed of painted wood blocks with enameled metal base and brass details.
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Giant Ice Cream Advertising Sign, Funky Quirky Nostalgic
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Giant Ice Cream Advertising Sign, Funky Quirky Nostalgic
This is a classic of the 20th Century
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Plastic
Yaacov Agam Spinning Polymorph Sculpture Kentic
By Yaacov Agam
Located in St. Louis, MO
Yaacov Agam (b.1928) double sided spinning polymorph kentic sculpture. Silkscreen on folded PVC. Signed Agam and numbered to underside 105/150. This is number 105 from an edition of ...
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Majestic Large Big Bang Wall Sculpture in Brass
Chrome
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique wall sculpture large piece in brass and chrome say to hang, circa 1970s, in the style of Curtis Jere. Natural patina to the brass and chrome finish due to edge.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Majestic Big Bang Abstract Wall Sculpture in Brass Copper
Enamel Center Signed
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique wall sculpture large piece in brass and enamel center, circa 1977, in the style of Curtis Jere. Natural patina to the brass and chrome finish due to edge. Signed by Lin. It ca...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Large Bertoia Studios 13-Rod
Move Around Clock of Sound B-2719
Metal Sculpture
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 13-Rod 'Move Around Clock of Sound B-2719' Metal Sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Whimsical Nautical Wire Sailboat Table Sculpture on Walnut Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple elegant and unique wire sailboat small table sculpture, sitting on solid walnut base, circa 1970s made with precision, circa 1970s unknown maker, but well assemble.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculpt...
Materials
Wire
Val Bertoia Sonambient Sound Sculpture, 2019
By Val Bertoia
Located in Hamburg, PA
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's "Plus Sign of Sounds" Sculpture #B-2205. This Sonambient sculpture is made of five heavy brass tops silvered to beryllium copper rods silvered to a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Brass, Copper
Kinetic Patinated Bronze on Solid Butcher Block Mahogany Base
By C. Jeré Artisan House
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful simple kinetic sculpture in the style of Curtis Jere, unsigned solid block of mahogany with bronze square that sound when moved. Redish patinated.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Whimsical Butterflies Kinetic Sculpture in Enameled Copper by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical butterflies Kinetic sculpture in enameled copper by Curtis Jere, not signed but we had this item before the butterflies move and come off a black painted wood base for easy...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Kinetic Steel Sculpture Objet d
Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun piece of modern art
There is a solid weighted steel ball inside the saucer that keeps it balanced around the platform.
It will rotate lazily two or three times on the base by pu...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculpt...
Materials
Steel
Large Bertoia Studios 12-Rod
Star of Sounds / B-2369
Brass Sculpture
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 12-Rod 'Star of Sounds / B-2369' brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son of th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Whimsical Copper on Enamel Flowers Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful copper on enamel flowers sitting over resin, circa 1970s unsigned.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Striking Tall Sculpture in Brass Chrome and Marble by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful abstract tall sculpture by Curtis Jere , Polished brass with a solid chrome ball sitting on a black marble base , the sculpture has been polished the brass ring on the bott...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass, Chrome
Large Val Bertoia 15-Rod "Curve of Sounding Cat Tails" Sculpture
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Val Bertoia 15-Rod "Curve of Sounding Cat Tails" sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by the artist and son of the original ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Ki...
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Large Brutslist Curtis Jere Style Brass Lilypad Kinetic Table Sculpture
By William Bowie, Curtis Jeré
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is such an amazing piece of sculpture! Torch cut brass flowers sit upon slender stalks supported by three leaf clover shaped bases. Piece moves and sways with the slightest bree...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Brutalist Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Resin Bulb Inclusion or Sculpture by Pierre Giraudon, 1970
By Pierre Giraudon
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1970s resin bulb sculpture/paperweight by Pierre Giraudon.
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Pal Kepenyes, Tree, Brutalist Kinetic Bronze Sculpture
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare Brutalist style Kinetic sculpture by Hungarian-born Mexican artist Pal Kepenyes. The organic design depicts a tree over a wood base. No signature.
A sculptor from Hungary w...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Matt Magee
Yellow Hanger
Sculpture
By Matt Magee
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Matte Magee 'Yellow Hanger' sculpture from 2020. This series of work was created from cutouts of laudry detergent bottles, wire and wood.
Magee exhibits internationally and his wor...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Plastic
Matt Magee
Black Hanger
Sculpture
By Matt Magee
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Matt Magee 'Black Hanger' sculpture from 2020. This series of work was created from cutouts of laundry detergent bottles, wire and wood.
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Plastic
Woolf
s High-Pressure Combined Steam Engine, since 1805
Located in Praha, CZ
The stand is in its original condition.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Mobiles and Kinetic Sculp...
Materials
Iron
Kinetic Sculpture of a Goldfish in Resin by Abraham Palatinik, 1960s
By Abraham Palatnik
Located in New York, NY
This Brazilian modern sculpture was designed by Abraham Palatinik and made in the 1960s. It is a part of the Artemis collection that features hundreds of different animals, each with...
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Harry Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Perfectly scaled Bertoia beryllium copper and brass sounding sculpture. 25 rods in a 5 by 5 square pattern. Base measures 8 x 8. Overall height is 43 inches. Perfect resonating sound.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Manichino da Pittore in Legno XX secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Manichino snodabile intagliato a sembianze femminili, tipico manichino da pittore da utilizzare per composizioni scenografiche.
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Torch-Cut Steel Kinetic Bird Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Torch-cut steel Kinetic bird sculpture.
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Cut Steel
1970s Mod Wire Table Sculpture Orange Lacquer Style of Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s modern interactive wire table sculpture orang Lacquer Style Harry Bertoia
12 tall x 16 diameter
Abstract interactive moving sculpture with flexible wires and wood accents or...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
42" Rare One of a Kind Paolo Soleri Cosanti Original Bronze Wind Bell Sculpture
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Troy, MI
Rare large one of a kind bronze bell assembly by Paolo Soleri for Cosanti Originals circa 1990s
Modernist double bell design with P Soleri signature indicative of a one off casting
...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Hand Made Antique Leaded Glass Window Panel
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
from 19th century crystal, skilfully shaped and set to make a multi faceted shaped sun catcher
The
Category
Mid-20th Century Arts and Crafts Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Arnulf Hoffmann Kinetic Pendulum Sculpture, 1973
Located in Munich, DE
Kinetic pendulum object, made of black painted iron. Signed and dated with stamp: AH 73. Arnulf Hoffmann is a German creative visual artist. Arnulf Hoffmann was born in 1935. Also bo...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Beautiful Vintage Bronze Bell by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. Uncommon shape and design. Fantastic patina and a great sound. Signed. A unique piece from a celebrated artist. Unique attribut...
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Italian Sculpture in Brass, 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Particular sculpture of fine Italian manufacture produced by Nova in the 60s.
The structure of the Italian vintage sculpture is made of brass and painted aluminium. The brass is in ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Early Ceramic Cosanti Bell by Paolo Soleri, 1950s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Early and special ceramic bell by Paolo Soleri. Many craftspeople helped with producing work at Cosanti, however this work is signed with an "S" denoting that it was made by Soleri h...
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Early Ceramic Cosanti Bell by Paolo Soleri, 1950s
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Early and special ceramic bell by Paolo Soleri. Many craftspeople helped with producing work at Cosanti, however this work is signed with an "S" denoting that it was made by Soleri h...
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Large-Scale Sculptural Bronze Wind Bell Designed by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very large sculptural bronze wind bell designed by Paolo Soleri.
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Curtis Jere Silver Kinetic Wall Hanging
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Wilton, CT
Gorgeous Kinetic wall hanging by Curtis Jere Studio. Each strand shimmers and twirls about on a silver support. Incredible form and design.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Clessidra Hourglass, Paolo Venini, Venini Murano
Italy
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
The hourglasses designed by Paolo Venini in 1957 were exhibited at the Triennale di Milano the same year.
This piece is a large and rare model. The two parts have a conical shape a...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Large Garden Sculpture by Ruth C. Snyder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ruth Cozen Snyder (1918 Â-2019)
A prominent California painter, sculptor and educator, Ruth Cozen Snyder was born on July 15, 1918 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and died on February...
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Bronze Bell by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. Uncommon shape and design. Fantastic patina and a great sound.
Paolo Soleri (1919-2013), the founder of Cosanti and Arcosanti, was an...
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Ted Saito Hanging Ceramic Sculpture
By Ted Saito
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This whimsical hanging ceramic sculpture by artist Ted Saito captures the free-spirited California Modernist spirit. The sculpture is durable enough for outdoor gardens or to complim...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Early Vintage Bronze Bell by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. Minimalist shape and design. Fantastic patina and a great sound. Signed.
Paolo Soleri (1919-2013), the founder of Cosanti and Arcosant...
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Scul...
Materials
Bronze
Wire Kinetic Maze Sculpture by Guy Pullen
Located in San Mateo, CA
Kinetic wire sculpture by California artist Guy Pullen. Three steel ball bearings are dropped in the top of the tower and they follow a maze like track to the bottom. There are three...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Modernist Stabile Sculpture, Graham Mitchell Sears, Style of Alexander Calder
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Modernist Stabile,,created and exicuted by Graham Sears..Born in Buffalo New York,, Studied at the School of Fine Arts in Paris,, Graham's works are sold in museum stores a...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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Midcentury Mobile For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal midcentury mobile for your home. Each midcentury mobile for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and art glass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect midcentury mobile — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A midcentury mobile is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one midcentury mobile that is appealing in its simplicity, but Venini, Fulvio Bianconi and Associazione Artigiana Canturina del Mobile produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Midcentury Mobile?
Prices for a midcentury mobile start at $199 and top out at $9,979 with the average selling for $3,013.
A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. 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.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. 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.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, 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 — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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This Paavo Tynell Chandelier Is a Radiant Bouquet
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
End Your Quest for Fire with This Handmade Majolica Chimney
Prehistoric motifs give the mid-century Italian fireplace an elemental feel.
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Iconic Furniture Makes This 1958 Midwestern Home a True Mid-Century Gem
Designer Susan Yeley turned to 1stDibs to outfit an Indiana home with standout pieces that complement its modernist style.
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.