Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
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
Fontana Arte 1950s Modernist Glass Pen Holder or Stand and Ashtray Desk Set
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern desk set featuring an adjustable pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy, circa ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
1960s Rare Bruce Fox Design Cast Cigar Ashtray Tennis Motif with Pipe Rest
By Bruce Fox
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful tennis themed ashtray by a small outfit out of Columbia Pennsylvania, called Bruce Fox Designs. Appears to be unused.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Signed 1st Edition of
Minding the Store
by Stanley Marcus
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A SIGNED FIRST EDITION of ‘Minding the Store’ A Memoir by Stanley Marcus.
Published by Little, Brown (1974).
First Edition Second Printing. Pages 383.
Dust Cover in fai...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
4 Desk Top Model Aeroplane, KLM, Britannia, EvaAir and Emirates
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
4 Desk Top Model Aeroplane, KLM, Britannia, EvaAir and Emirates
These are 4 pieces of Aeronautical nostalgia
Vintage
KLM Boeing 767-300 KLM
BRITANNIA 757-200
EVA AIR CARGO CARGO
...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930
s Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French silvered brass and brown leather Horse Racing binoculars stamped "Le Jockey Club Paris" presented in their original brown leather case. ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Collection of Five Vintage European Leather Medicine Balls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Collection of five European leather medicine ball, three (the orange, and two tan balls) are from Germany, all were sourced in Italy (circa 1940s/1950s).
Perfectly aged patina with n...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
An antique hand-painted anatomical wall model depicting the structure of the human skin with roots of the hair. T...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Complete Set of Vintage Oversized Chess Pieces in Black and Cream Plastic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Uniquely large chess pieces in black and cream plastic, ca. 1970s USA.
Full and complete set with no board, though squares would need to be 4" minimum in order to accommodate the dia...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Felt, Plastic
Large Murano Raspberry Color and Bubble Design Ashtray or Candy Bowl
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Large scale Murano glass ash tray of candy bowl. Made in the 1970s in Italy. High artisan Murano hand blowing techniques making a striking organic form. Almost like a still image of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
Pair of Nautical Brass Port
Starboard Sconce or Table Lights with Fresnel Lens
Located in Nantucket, MA
A fabulous pair of nautical and marine port and starboard brass running lights from a decommissioned ship. These were originally wall/side mounted and can be used that way as a scon...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Pair of Bronze and Enamel Earrings Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of bespoken earrings by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The cast bronze earring features a sculptural design that evokes an archaic form with shell like scroll an...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
$1,850 / set
Vintage opera glasses - 20thc
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage opera glasses - 20thc
Binoculars - object of curiosity
Measures : 10x5,5cm H:3,5cm
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Baier German 1947 Army Truck Lighter Cigarette Holder And Ashtray In Aluminum
Located in Miami, FL
Army Truck Lighter, Cigarette case & ashtray by Walter Baier Company.
Beautiful large sized aluminum lighter by the Baier Company, in the shape of a...
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$978 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Vintage Skiing Boots by Botas, Czechoslovakia, 1980
s
Located in Praha, CZ
Well-preserved skiing boots by Botas, size EU42/US8, made in Czechoslovakia, in the 1980's.
Made of leather, plastic and metal.
Revived, cleaned, shows signs of wear and age.
Fully f...
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Plastic, Polyester
1960s Pierre Cardin French Fashion Icon Chrome "PC" Logo Chain Necklace Pendant
Located in St. Louis, MO
Minimalist 1960 / 1970s MOD Pierre Cardin designed Haute Couture chrome plated "PC" logo on chain, necklace pendant. Chain is 23" l , PC logo is 2"h x 1.82"w x 0.07"d. Stamped France...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Important Silver Plate Champagne Bucket or Ice Bucket from Jack E. Leonard 1971
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large silverplate champagne bucket or ice bucket which was given to Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme by Gladys & Jack Leonard. Jack Leonard was a well-known actor and comedian in the...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
$1,875 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage Handmade Humpty Dumpty Wooden Shelf Decor
Located in Seattle, WA
Unique vintage handmade Humpty Dumpty wooden shelf decor. Vintage patina and character. Vintage condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only.. Box H6
Dimensions. 7.5" W...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Graphic History of Architecture by John Mansbridge Sofcover 1999
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Graphic History of Architecture by John Mansbridge.
What is a hammer-beam roof? Where does a voissoir fit in an arch? What churches did Nicholas Hawksmoor design? Now architecture st...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Virgin Sculpture by Los Castillo
By Los Castillo
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this silver plate Virgin sculpture by to Los Castillo, circa 1970. Of Taxco, Mexico.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Pair Tall Wooden Exercise Clubs on base - early 20th century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage Pair Tall Wooden Exercise Clubs on base - early 20th century
Juggling Pins - Deoration
Measures (with base) 40x18cm H:104cm
Materials : Wood - Metal
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare Alexander Girard Detrola Radio, circa 1946, Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Nice original working condition,, replaced back..
Signed with stamped manufacturer’s mark to underside: [12132].
USA
Medium
Design/Decorative Art
Manufacturer
Detrola Radio...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brooch by Christian Dior, 1961
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Selected Items – We Change the Way You Think About Forever
A rare and collectible treasure from the 50-year collaboration between the French fashion house Christian Dior and the ren...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Fallingwater A Frank Lloyd Wright Country House by Edgar Kaufmann Book, 1986
By Edgar Kaufmann
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fallingwater, A Frank lloyd Wright Country House, Edgar K. Kaufmann, 1986
" Fallingwater - a Frank Lloyd Wright Country House " Vintage 1986 1st Edition Modernism Architecture Large...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Val Saint Lambert Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish Vide Poche Clear Belgium 1970
Located in Miami, FL
Signed Val Saint Lambert Diamond faceted shaped lead crystal Ashtray, hand cut-to-clear, the glass clear thick, deeply and evenly cut, made in Bel...
Category
Late 20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Brown Leather Travel Bag With Brass Hardware, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
A beautifully preserved leather travel or gym bag from 1960s Czechoslovakia, crafted from rich brown leather with brass hardware. The bag features two sturdy carry handles, a detacha...
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$239 Sale Price
50% Off
Vintage ceramic and leather ashtray from the 1950s, in the Keramos Sèvres style.
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Ceramic and leather in the Georges Jouve style
Materials: Ceramic (green) and leather (brown).
Condition: It has a small chip on the leather and a patina due to age.
Measures : Ø 17c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic, Leather
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, First Edition, First Printing, in Original DJ, 1961
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. First edition, first printing. Octavo. In original blue cloth boards, stamped in white. In the original unclipped dust jacket. Presented with a new archival ¼ leather and cloth clamshell.
Presented is the first edition, first printing of Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. Catch-22 was published by Simon and Schuster, in October of 1961. This book is presented in the original publisher’s blue cloth boards, titled and embossed in white, and the original, unclipped dust-jacket. The Simon and Schuster “A Note to the Reader” postcard is laid in. The book comes with a new, archival ¼ leather and cloth clamshell.
Catch-22 was Joseph Heller’s first novel and his most acclaimed work. Set during World War II, the novel uses a unique, non-chronological third-person narration, mainly focusing on the life of a B-25 bombardier in the U.S. Army, Captain John Yossarian, and his attempts to avoid bombing runs. Both the title and plot device, “Catch-22” refers to an Air Forces regulation which asserts that a man is considered insane if he willingly agrees to fly dangerous combat missions, but that if he makes the formal request to be relieved of such missions, the very act of making the request proves that he is sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved." By the end of the novel, the phrase is invoked as the explanation for many unreasonable restrictions. “Catch-22” has since entered the English lexicon.
Heller spent eight years writing "Catch-22," and used his own war experiences as inspiration for the novel. From 1942 to 1945, Heller served as a combat bombardier in the Twelfth Air Force and was stationed on the Island of Corsica. Upon publication, the book was not an immediate bestseller, but did elicit glowing reviews from some. “Wildly original, brilliantly comic, brutally gruesome, it is a dazzling performance that will probably outrage nearly as many readers as it delights. In any case, it is one of the most startling first novels of the year and it may make its author famous” (Orville Prescott, New York Times).
It became a publishing sensation thanks to the 1962 paperback edition, which set record sales and benefitted from the national debate surrounding the Vietnam War. In the decades since, it has inspired a feature film, a miniseries, a 50-character stage play, and sold more than 10 million...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Vintage Bell Southwest Bell Trading Post Turquoise and Sterling Silver Ring
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage Southwest style bell trading post ring with a sterling silver band and a large turquoise stone.
Ring size 10.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
$189 Sale Price
31% Off
Cocteau a Biography Hardcover by Francis Steegmuller 1970
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cocteau a Biography Hardcover by Francis Steegmuller 1970.
Title: Cocteau, A Biography
Publisher: Little, Brown, Boston
Publication Date: 1970
Binding: Hardcover English 538 pages
Ed...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Ed levin Early Mid Century Sterling / Pearl Pin or Necklace
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well artisan crafted Mid-Century Modern 925 sterling silver concave pin back or hanging necklace in the brooch pendent style giving the wearer two choices in wear ability. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Teaching Model Stages of the Appendix, Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the appendix in different stages. It is made of plaster and mounted on a wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, G...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Unique Mid Century Sport Gymnastic Rings, Around 1960s / Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1960s
- Completely good original condition.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vintage Mother of Pearl Chess Board
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage footed chess board with mother of pearl inlaid squares and border.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Midcentury Aluminia Thule Tray Vase by Anni Jeppesen for Royal Copenhagen
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury vase and tray by Anni Jeppesen for Royal Copenhagen, circa 1960s. The set was often called a cigarette holder and ashtray. Each one is signed with her cypher "AJ" mark and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Nostromo Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Nostromo Bench commands attention with its strikingly minimalist form, drawing inspiration from the Brutalist design movement.
Its monolithic solid wood slab top, supported by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ash, Oak, Walnut
$10,150 / item
Six Crises by Richard Nixon, First Edition with Autopen Signature, 1962
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Nixon, Richard. Six Crises. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1962. Stated first edition. Autopen signature on free endpaper. Presented in the publisher's original dust jacket and...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
West German Unisex Anatomical Model, circa 1950
By Somso
Located in Faversham, GB
A complete West German unisex anatomical figure of a head and torso with removal organs. Hand painted and in excellent condition.
German, circa 1950...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic
$766 Sale Price
20% Off
Alexander Girard for Herman Miller Neck Ties. NOS. Silk. Vintage 1960s, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Super rare neckties designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller, 1960s. We don't think these were ever in mass production. All th...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk
1940s Copper+Brass Ships Starboard Lantern Wartime Merchant Vintage Cabin Light
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare to be presented in unmolested and unpolished condition. No electric light source, would need this to be added.
A large C.P.G. & Sons STARBOARD copper and brass ships lantern ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
$1,116 Sale Price
20% Off
Luis López Loza "Sarcófagos de Sennedjem" Book With 6 Engravings
By Luis Lopez Loza 1
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare 1976 book with 6 aquatint engravings "Sarcófagos de Sennedjem" by Mexican artist Luis López Loza. Printed by López Loza's workshop in november 1...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brass Copper Carl Auböck Standing Ashtray Vienna 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage brass and copper standing ashtray, which was designed by Carl Auböck and manufactured by Workshop Carl Auböck, Vien...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
Antique Teaching Model of the Adipose Spleen, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the adipose spleen. Made of papier maché and plaster, mounted on a turned wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Patrick Hamilton, The Slaves of Solitude, First Edition Book
Located in CA, CA
Patrick Hamilton -The Slaves of Solitude
Published by Constable, London 1947. First edition.
Hamilton, cult author of Hangover Square and denizen of seedy pre-war literary Lond...
Category
1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
20000 Leagues Under The Sea
Original Vintage British Quad Movie Poster, 1955
Located in Devon, GB
A rare British quad poster for the first UK release of Walt Disney's 1954 live-action sci-fi adventure '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', based on the 1870 novel by Jules Verne. From th...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
"Surfiings Golden Age 1960 - 1969" Grannis Book Signed by Mike Doyle, Others
By Mike Doyle
Located in San Diego, CA
"Surfiings Golden Age 1960 - 1969" Grannis first edition book by Jeff Girard signed by surf pioneers Mike Doyle, Corky Carroll, Steve Pezman and LeRoy "Gran...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Casablanca
Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1946
Located in Devon, GB
An exceedingly rare and attractive poster for the first Postwar release of 'Casablanca' in Japan, printed only for use in the three theatres where the film premiered on 13th June 194...
Category
1940s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large Gilt Bronze Feuille Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large cast bronze powder box (poudrier) by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1945-1950. The box called "Feuille" (Leaf) features an irregular leaf form wit...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Scandinavian Teak Dice Game Toy Deco, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Scandinavian Teak Dice Game Toy Deco, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969.
Additional information:
Materials: Teak
Color: Brown
Styles: Mid-Century Mod...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
1950s Atomic Energy Commission Building Office Logo Wall Plaque AEC Oppenheimer
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The AEC seal is one of those great totems of the atomic age. A largely symmetrical and stylized representation of an atom (the highly toxic beryllium), it is strikingly more straightforward than the seals of its successor organizations. The design and design philosophy is very characteristic of the Mid-Century Era. This large rare plaque was only used in official locations of the Atomic Energy Department.
The AEC officially came into existence and took over from the Manhattan Project...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Christian Dior Table Vesta Gilt Boxes for Matches, France 1950´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Christian Dior table Vesta gilt boxes for Matches. France 1950´s.
Lovely Pair of Christian dior gilt boxes. They have a blue stone on each one.
Perfect...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Alexander Calder 1975 Lithographs "Derriere Le Miroir" Maeght Editeur
Located in Sharon, CT
Containing five original lithographs by Alexander Calder. This is edition no. 212 Janvier 1975 of the Derriere le Miroir. Published in Paris by Galerie Maeght. Without staples. Very ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Bernard Buffet Coffee Table Art Collector Book, 1966
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Bernard Buffet. Images Luc Fournol. Legendes Annabel Buffet Jean Widmer.
Buffet, Bernard - Druon, Maurice.
Bernard Buffet (French: 10 July 1928 – 4 October 1999) was a French painter...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Carl Auböck Model #5655
Seahorse
Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5655 'Seahorse' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass.
Price is per i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage WW2 Era Genco "Four Aces" Military Pilot Pinball Machine Back Glass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage back glass was made by Genco of the United States for their 'Four Aces" military inspired pinball arcade game. The back glass is presumably silk screened in multiple col...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Miniature Motorboat, Chris Craft, Various Woods, Metal, Lacquer, USA circa 1950
By Chris Craft Boats
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large, very decorative and detailed model of a two-seater wooden motorboat in the style of the runabout or barrel back boats by Chris-Craft (USA).
Worked in various woods, including ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Pipe Holder in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
This Brazilian mid-century modern decorative pipe holder was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in the sixties. Handcrafted with hard rosewood (also known as jacaranda), the pipe ho...
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Three Wooden Sphere Nesting Balls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Matrushka-style minimalist wood nesting balls. A fun balancing game for the home office or coffee table. Includes a wooden base for display. Can be displayed nested or individually. ...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Brooch by Line Vautrin, Black Talosel Encrusted with Red Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This Brooch in black Talosel encrusted with red mirrors in the shape of flower petals represents a very characteristic aesthetic of the work of Line Vautrin.
This organic shape is d...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
Large Midcentury Aluminium Ostankino TV Tower, Moscow, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare model
Category
1970s Russian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Aluminum
Skyscraper Iron Spike Masonry Nail Tower Sculpture Vintage Mid-Century Table Art
By David Grossman
Located in Hyattsville, MD
David Grossman's cast iron spikes brazened into a skyscraper form on foundry stone base. The Spikes are Sculpture is 3 x 3 x 12 in and the entire sculpture is 6.13 x 5.38 x 13.25 in.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
$1,200 Sale Price
36% Off
Mid-century Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Line Vautrin, Dunhill, and Kay Bojesen. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $130,932 while the average work can sell for $755.
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