Skip to main content

Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

to
126
401
3
408
390
65
16
8
3
1
271
11
8
6
5
Sort By
Murano Purple Blue Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Fig Banana Fruit Sculptures
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of Murano hand blown purple and blue with gold flecks Italian art glass fig
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano Ruby Red Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Sculpture Signed
By Alfredo Barbini, Weil Ceramics and Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Alfredo Barbini Murano glass. The piece is marked with the original gold red oval scalloped foil
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Barbini Amethyst Gold Italian Art Glass Vanity Perfume Powder Box Set
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous and elegant, vintage Murano hand blown amethyst and gold flecks Italian art glass powder
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Vintage Orange Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Birds on Branch Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown orange, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano Sommerso Aqua Blue Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Kitty Cat Figurine
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso aqua blue and gold flecks Italian art glass kitty cat
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano White Orange Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Seashell Sculptures Bowl
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass seashell sculptural bowl. Documented to Alfredo Barbini
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Bright Yellow Gold Flecks Vintage Italian Art Glass Heart Bowl Ashtray
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow and gold flecks Italian art glass heart shaped
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano Aqua Blue Gold Fleck Handle Italian Art Glass Pitcher Flower Vase
By Weil Ceramics and Glass, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown aqua blue and gold flecks Italian art glass pitcher shape
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Purple Gold Fleck Calla Lily Italian Art Glass Decorative Vide Poche Bowl
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bi-color with gold flecks Italian art glass bowl in amethyst
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano Blue White Gold Italian Art Glass Bowl Toothpick Holder Desk Set
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of Murano hand blown sky blue over white and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Barbini Robins Egg Blue Glass Vase
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Murano Robins egg blue glass vase with overall bullicante (controlled bubbles) and gold
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Blown Glass

1950s Barbini Murano Bullicante Glass Lamps, a Pair
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive, 1950s pair of Murano glass lamps featuring a wonderful gold flecking and encased bubble
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Orange and Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Roaring Tiger Figure Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Rare Vintage Large Italian Murano Art Glass Roaring Tiger Sculpture. By Alfredo Barbini, 1950´s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Murano Glass

Alfredo Barbini Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl with Bullicante Gold Polveri Flecks
Located in Soquel, CA
Classic table top bowl by designer alfredo barbini, (Italy, 1912-2007) Created in the “Bullicante
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold

Bronze Murano Glass Ashtray by Barbini
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Stamford, CT
Large midcentury Murano glass ashtray by Barbini. Bronze and white glass with all-over gold flecks.
Category

1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Blown Glass

Orange Murano Glass Ashtray by Barbini
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Stamford, CT
Large mid-century Murano glass ashtray by Barbini. Orange glass with all-over gold flecks and
Category

1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Blown Glass

Murano Barbini Salviati White Ribbons Gold Base Italian Art Glass Bird Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white ribbons art glass bird sculpture with gold flecks base
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Salviati Murano Orange White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass 1950s Genie Decanter
By Salviati, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous, and rare design, vintage Murano hand blown orange and white stripes, with gold flecks
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano White Rainbow Spots Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Scroll Shell Bowls
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
spots Italian art glass scroll shell bowls, with gold flecks. They are profusely covered with heavy gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Persimmon Orange Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flared Rim Decorative Bowl
By Salviati, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown rich persimmon orange and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Amber Olive Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Woman Farmer Figure Sculpture
By Salviati, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown dark transparent amber / olive with gold flecks
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Salviati Murano Pink Ombre Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Duck Sculpture
By Salviati, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown deep pink over white, and gold flecks Italian art
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Orange Gold Flecks Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Alfredo Barbini, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass flower vase. The piece is made in the "Bullicante" technique
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barbini Murano Glass Olive Green / Yellow Ochre Heart Shaped Bowl Ash Tray Dish
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Soquel, CA
layer and an inner layer of gold-flecked cream, attributed to Alfredo Barbini (Italian, 1912-2007). This
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Glass

Murano Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Standing Puppy Dog Figurine Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso golden honey amber and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano 1950s Orange Gold Flecks Diamond Quilted Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Barovier&Toso, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful large vintage Murano hand blown orange and gold flecks, diamond quilted surface Italian
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Sommerso Orange Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Figure Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Summerso orange, green and gold flecks Italian art glass bird
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Sommerso Pink Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Male Female Farmer Sculptures
By Salviati, Cenedese, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso pink with gold flecks Italian art glass couple of a
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Orange Gold Fleck Bubbles Pear Top Italian Art Glass Container Vanity Jar
By Alfredo Barbini, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown rich persimmon orange over white, controlled bubbles and gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Amethyst Purple Blue Gold Flecks Bubbles Italian Art Glass Footed Bowl
By Archimede Seguso, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown amethyst purple, blue, controlled bubbles and gold flecks
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Seashell Candlesticks and Bowl Set
By Alfredo Barbini, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous set of vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass conch shell
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Murano Aqua Green Celadon Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Bowl Dish
By Alfredo Barbini, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks over aqua green / celadon Italian art
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Half Red Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Heart Shape Decorative Bowl
By Dino Martens, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black, red, green and gold flecks Italian art glass heart shape
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Green Blue Gold Iridescent Italian Art Glass Apple Banana Fruit Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of Murano hand blown blue green iridescent and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Copper Gold Italian Art Glass Pear Apple Banana Fruit Figures Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of Murano hand blown cover aventurine and gold flecks Italian art glass pear
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Red Fish Gold Fleck Coral Tendril Italian Art Glass Centerpiece Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d Arte, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous and monumental, vintage Murano hand blown ruby red fish with gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Sommerso Blue Gold Flecks Butterfly Italian Art Glass Decorative Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d Arte, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso blue, with hints of green, Italian art glass bowl with
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Cranberry Pink Gold Flecks Bubbles Italian Art Glass Apple Ring Dish Bowl
By Archimede Seguso, Fratelli Toso, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown cranberry pink and gold flecks Italian art glass apple shaped
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Vetri d Arte Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Baby Duck Figure
By Alfredo Barbini, Seguso Vetri d Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass baby bird figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Vetri d Arte Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Dog Figurine
By Salviati, Alfredo Barbini, Seguso Vetri d Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass puppy dog figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Lancetti Milano table lamp Modernist murano glass , 1980s
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in La xara, VC
A Lancetti Milano table lamp in Murano glass appears to combine the high fashion influence of
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Venetian Hand Blown Turquoise Art Glass
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
of a four leaf clover,. Beautiful Murano glass dish, it is clear with gold flecks and controlled
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Dandy Clown with Pocket Watch Top Hat Italian Art Glass Vintage Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
art glass "Dandy" clown figure sculpture. Created in the manner of designer Alfredo Barbini and the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vamsa Barbini Murano Blue Gold Sun Hat Woman Italian Art Glass Figure Sculpture
By Vetri Artistici Muranesi Societá Anonima, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful early Murano hand blown Sommerso cobalt blue and gold flecks Italian art glass women with
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Murano Orange Ombre Fade Gold Italian Art Glass Horse Head Figure Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, extra large, vintage Murano hand blown orange to white and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Sommerso Aqua Blue Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Bird Figures Paperweight
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso aqua blue and gold flecks Italian art glass bird
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Aqua Blue Gold Hand blown Murano Glass Bowl
By Alfredo Barbini, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Aqua Blue & Gold Hand blown Murano Glass Bowl. This elegant Mid
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Salviati Murano White Amber Gold Italian Art Glass Birds Centerpiece Sculptures
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Murano vintage, and gorgeous, hand blown white, deep golden amber and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Signed 1985 Light Blue Gold Leaf Stopper Italian Art Glass Vanity Bottles
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso sky blue and gold flecks Italian art glass vanity
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

1960 s Venetian Italian Murano Art Glass Gold Figural Fruit Apple Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini, Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite Venetian Murano Italian art glass gold fleck hand blown figural apple sculpture. Great
Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Art Glass

Murano White Pulegoso Bubbles Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Duck Sculpture
By Gabbiani, Alfredo Barbini, Seguso Vetri d Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass duck sculpture. The
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Venetian Murano Seguso Art Glass Cased Red and White Ashtray Italy 1960
By Alfredo Barbini, Archimede Seguso, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
style of Alfredo Barbini, Archimede Seguso. The remote Murano island was chosen for its isolation
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano White Bubbles Pulegoso Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Pot Vase
By Seguso Vetri d Arte, Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown controlled bubbles with gold flecks Italian art glass flower
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Italian Art Glass Parisian Woman Polka Dot Dress Accordion Player Figure
By Seguso Vetri d Arte, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous, and very unusual, vintage Murano hand blown orange polka dot, lavender purple, gold and
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Murano Blue Purple Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Baby Bird Figurine Paperweight
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown blue purple, and gold flecks Italian art glass bird figurine on
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Gold Leaf

Glamorous Dorothy Thorpe 11 Piece Gold Fleck Martini Glasses - Desert Stemware
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in St. Louis, MO
Glamourous Hollywood Regency 11 piece barware martini glassware set with gold fleck by Dorothy
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Glass

Glamorous Dorothy Thorpe 10 Piece set Gold Fleck Wine Glasses - Stemware Barware
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in St. Louis, MO
Glamourous Hollywood Regency 10 piece barware wine glassware set with gold fleck by Dorothy Thorpe
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini

Materials

Glass

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the vintage murano gold fleck alfredo barbini you’re looking for. Each vintage murano gold fleck alfredo barbini for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using glass, murano glass and art glass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer vintage murano gold fleck alfredo barbini, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right vintage murano gold fleck alfredo barbini, those designed in mid-century modern and modern styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one vintage murano gold fleck alfredo barbini that is appealing in its simplicity, but Alfredo Barbini, Salviati and Vintage Murano Gallery produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Vintage Murano Gold Fleck Alfredo Barbini?

Prices for a vintage murano gold fleck alfredo barbini start at $160 and top out at $3,000 with the average selling for $650.

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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.

Finding the Right Decorative-objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with antique and vintage decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation: Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.