Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Set of 6 Cabinet Pulls in Brass
Abalone Shell Inlay by Peñoles, Mexico 1950s
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance the elegance and uniqueness of your cabinets with this exquisite Set of 6 Cabinet Pulls in Solid Brass & Abalone Shell Inlay by Peñoles.
The pieces were designed and manufact...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Large Double-Sided Sunflower Shape Door Handle by Chrystiane Charles
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Fabulous quality cast bronze double sided sunflower shaped door handle designed by Chrystiane Charles - silvered and ormolu finish, beautiful crisp casting, circa 1970, France.
Pr...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Five Star Shaped Door Pulls in Brass
Stone by Los Castillo, Mexico 1950
s
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance the elegance of your doors with this exquisite set of Five Star Shaped Door Pulls by Los Castillo, crafted in Taxco, Mexico in the 1950s.
The pieces are made from a luxurio...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone, Brass
Set of 3 Large Door Pulls in Brass
Abalone Shell by Peñoles, Mexico 1950
s
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance the elegance of your doors with this exquisite Set of 3 Large Door Pulls in Brass & Abalone Shell designed and manufactured in the 1950's in Mexico Distrito Federal by Peñol...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mid Century Modern Brutalist Jerusalem Celtic Irish Cross Door Knocker
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Brutalist Jerusalem Celtic Irish Cross Door Knocker
Vintage 60s Modernist Brass Jerusalem Celtic Irish Cross Door Knocker Ci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Vintage Cast Brass Tennis Racket Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of a tennis racket.
USA, Late-20th Century
Measures: 2.5"W x 1.38"D x 8"H.
Very good original vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Modernist Long Brass Pull Handle Set of Two Carl Aubock Style
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Stunning modernist vintage long Brass Pull Handle Set of 2
Handle 8 long x 1 d x .75 d
Preowned vintage, refer to images.
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Vintage Cast Brass Tennis Racket Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of a tennis racket.
USA, Late-20th Century
Measures: 2.5"W x 1.38"D x 8"H.
Very good original vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Set of 3 Plastic Leaded Glass Bullseye Style Panels
Located in New York, NY
Interesting set of three plastic panels, they are a mid century reinterpretation of an earlier leaded glass form. These were probably set in wood frames originally, now that they are...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Plastic
Odyssey by Eugeni Quitllet Black for BD Barcelona, 2022
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Odyssey by Eugeni Quitllet for BD Barcelona, 2022
A strong presence with pristine comfort. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Eugeni Quitllet’s Odyssey armchair rec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Steel
MCM 1940s Architectural Spiral Trash Can Bin Man Cave Hotrod Porsche Garage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very heavy interesting and hard to find galvanized can. For workshop, etc. We spotted one used in a scene of, 'Man in High Castle,' San Francisco, Season 1.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Steel
Bathroom Fiberglass Door by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1980
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Nestled high in the French Alps, the ski resort of Les Arcs is more than just a destination, it’s a landmark of modernist design, thanks to the pioneering vision of Charlotte Perrian...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Fiberglass
Carl Auböck Model #9050
Chunky Grip
Nickel Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9050 'Chunky Grip' Nickel Drawer Pull
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in choice of polished brass or nickel-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #9050
Chunky Grip
Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9050 'Chunky Grip' Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in choice of polished brass or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Vintage Cast Brass Double Golf Club Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful cast brass door knocker in the form of two golf clubs and a golf balls.
USA, Mid-20th Century
Measures: 4.5"W x 1.25"D x 6.5"H.
Very good original vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Carved Wood Female or Angel with Breastplate Design
Located in Wichita, KS
This Wood Carved Vintage Angel Sculpture has alot of history. The Manhattan Angels were commissioned sometime in the mid-twentieth century for a church restoration in New York City. The sculptor, Bogden Bogkowski, was commissioned to carve these “angels” for the church’s planned restoration. Bogkowski worked on them for a period of time but ultimately the funding never came through and Bogkowski stopped working on them. In the 1980s Bogkowski died and the angels then went to his nephew who lived in New York. They remained in his basement until purchased in 2020 there until we purchased them in 2020.
There are four different angels and one tall angel...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Italian Designer, Small Architectural Wall Elements, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of brass architectural wall element designed and produced by an Italian Designer, Italy, 1940s.
Measurements listed do not include ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Hexagonal Midcentury Door Handle of Hammered Brass and Copper, Italy
Located in London, GB
Italian mid-century door handle of hammered brass and blackened copper, in long asymmetrical hexagonal form.
Hand-crafted piece with a hammered pattern to the brass and smooth dee...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Copper, Brass
Pair of Midcentury Door Handles of Hammered Brass and Blackened Copper, Italy
Located in London, GB
Pair of Italian midcentury door handles of hammered brass and blackened copper.
Handcrafted pieces with a hammered pattern to the brass and deep gre...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Copper, Brass
Cast Aluminum Large Door or Gate Pulls in the Style of Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of cast aluminum large door or gate pulls. The pattern is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's textile block design. Suitable for out...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
$360 Sale Price
20% Off
Rectangular Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze with Tree Relief
Located in London, GB
Single rectangular door handle with trees in relief. Cast bronze relief in perfect condition. The bronze has a strong patina due to the textured surface and its age, circa 1970's. Th...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Trapezoid Willy Guhl Planter, two available
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rare vintage square taper trapezoid shaped Willy Guhl planter. This shape is not common and hard to find. wonderful handles on the Side and great patina. Would make a lovely planter inside or out. sold individually. One planter has a smoother gray exterior and probably has not been painted over the years. The other has a bit more patina. Together the two blend nicely. one also has a hairline in the concrete in the upper corner on one side.
To view all of our listings at Tiffany...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Concrete
$1,360 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Vintage Carved Wood Female or Angel with Breastplate and Circle Design
Located in Wichita, KS
This Wood Carved Vintage Angel Sculpture has alot of history. The Manhattan Angels were commissioned sometime in the mid-twentieth century for a church restoration in New York City....
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Separation Shelf Made of Exotic Wood, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice separation shelf is made of exotic wood. This is a very simple design, a French work, Circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
$1,664 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Miniature Group of Midcentury Table and Chairs
Located in San Diego, CA
Group of Mid-Century Modern-style Miniature Wooden Furniture, featuring a table and two chairs. This vintage set was created by hand in the ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
$108 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large White 1960s Vitrolite Glass Table Top
Located in Garnerville, NY
A very large and thick rectangular piece of Vitrolite table top glass. Circa 1950-60. Good overall condition with some very minor chips (see photos). Structurally sound and sturdy. O...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Glass
$1,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Collection of Approximately 40 Steel Letters
Located in New York, NY
Heavy hand cut steel numbers, and letters salvaged from a defunct resort in the Poconos ca 1950. Great to use as a graphic element, or rearrange to spell what ever is possible. The...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
$1,200 / set
Door Handle Square Ceramic Zebra
s in Aluminium
Located in London, GB
Single square push & pull door handle made with a hand painted ceramic tile depicting zebra's in black and white glaze is set in aluminium.
The door handles was designed in the 1960s...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Iron Element
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Mid-20th century iron element. This element is an original front of a balcony 1940. It is covered of silver paint.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Concrete
$520 Sale Price
20% Off
1960
s Italian Faux Marble Door Pull
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage Italian faux marble lozenge-shaped door pull with cast aluminum mount. Lozenge appears to be made of melamine or something similar.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Red Round Enameled Copper Door Pull Surrounds
By Paolo di Poli
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vitreous enameled copper (smalti) round door pull surrounds.
Appears never to have been used. New Old Stock.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Copper
Radiator Cover in Whitewashed and Painted Wood, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Radiator cover in whitewashed and painted wood, 20th century.
20th century whitewashed and painted wood radiator cover.
H: 83cm, W: 105cm, D: 25cm
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Door Handle in Petrified Wood and Bronze Push Pull
Located in London, GB
Solid pertrified wood slice push and pull door handle in a refined organic pattern in a range of colors from brown to ocher and chalk white with a rough edge. The slice of stone is c...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Large Modular Cast Aluminum Orange Yard Art Indoor Outdoor Playground Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Modular in that this is three pieces of cast aluminum. Each has been sand blasted and powder coated. Measures 75" tall assembled.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
1960s Modern Architectural Solid Aluminum Gates 14 Available
Located in Dallas, TX
Architectural modern gates from a government installation. Set consist of 14 panels. Meticulously constructed from solid bar brushed aluminum stock with in...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
Square Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze in Diamond Relief
Located in London, GB
Single square door handle with geometric diamond relief. Cast bronze relief in perfect condition. The bronze has a subtitle patina due to the textured surface and its age, circa 1970...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Square Push and Pull Door Handle in Bronze in Basket Relief
Located in London, GB
Single square door handle with basket weaving relief. Cast bronze relief in perfect condition. The bronze has a subtitle patina due to the textured surface and its age, circa 1970's....
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Massive Orange Lacquered Planters by Architectural Fiberglass
Located in Dallas, TX
Perfectly simple, modern forms in an extraordinary scale planters by Architectural fiberglass. Radical for their time, their pure forms, startled the eye in 1950s America, where fat-...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Fiberglass
Door Handle in Petrified Wood Push Pull Architectural
Located in London, GB
Solid pertrified wood slice push and pull door handle in an organic pattern in a range of colors from brown to ocher. Petrified wood is millions old fossilized wood, literally 'wood ...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
Jean Prouve Facade element in enemal France 1965 grey
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare facade element designed by Jean Prouvé was created for the André-Argouges high school in Grenoble, France, in 1965. Made from enamelled metal with internal insulation, this...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Enamel
XXL Wooden Crankshaft Molds
Located in Weesp, NL
Pair of early 20th century crankshaft molds tagged with part numbers.
An impressive pair of large-scale sculptural art / Industrial pieces.
Measurements: H 140 x W 57 x D 16 cm.
Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
$3,522 Sale Price / set
24% Off
Architectural Door Handle and Key Holder in Bronze Wave Relief and Key Plate
Located in London, GB
Single door handle and key holder with texture that looks to nature or the elements of a wave or a cyclone.
Cast bronze relief in perfect condition. The bronze has a strong patina due to the textured surface and its age.
The handle can be applied inside or outside on a single door. It can also be used...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Concrete
$540 Sale Price
20% Off
Bronze Pair of Push Pull Door Handles Relief of Waves
Located in London, GB
Two square cast bronze door handle, letter box and key holder with surface with strong relief like the waves.
These identical handles can be applied inside or outside on a pair of double doors next to each other or on a single door on opposite sides. They can also make cupboard doors and kitchen units...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Los Castillo Lapis Lazuli , Malachite, bronze Inlay Silver Plate Fish Door Pulls
By Los Castillo
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning matched pair Los Castillo Stylized "Fish" Door Pulls .....Lapis Lazuli , Malachite, bronze Inlay Silver Plate.. Salvaged from the William Kesling estate in Los Angeles Ca. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Silver, Bronze
Medium Swiss Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Concrete
Vintage Boho Mid-Century Modern Patinated Abstract Geometric Door Pulls - a Pr
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Enhance your furniture with these striking Vintage Boho MCM Abstract Geometric Door Pulls. Combining mid-century modern design with bohemian flair, these unique door pulls feature bo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal
Africa, 2 Decorative Elements in Polychrome Wood, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Africa, 2 decorative elements in polychrome wood
around 1950.
Category
1950s African Vintage Mid-Century Modern Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Mid-century Modern architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, wall decorations, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern architectural elements made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original architectural elements, popular names associated with this style include Juliette Belarti, Mastercraft, and Pepe Mendoza. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $55 and tops out at $1,078,195 while the average work can sell for $1,598.
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