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.
to
315
958
828
1,818
43
35
1,896
943
889
853
587
448
337
284
270
210
154
128
101
55
54
53
46
40
4
10
1,804
78
42
1,248
376
2
3
19
86
290
355
229
46
28
915
408
384
230
219
1,056
578
508
263
178
1,896
1,893
1,895
56
32
15
13
10
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Vintage IBM "Think" Sign with Pad
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and collectible vintage IBM "Think" sign and pad in the manner of Paul Rand’s corporate graphic design system for IBM, circa 1960s. A wonderful and bright nostalgic piece of co...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper
$675 / set
MCM Travel Domino Set in Miniature Briefcase
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage MCM travel domino set in miniature briefcase, circa 1970s. A very cool domino set in a brown and tan striped faux leather case with 28 dominoes and the original instruction ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Faux Leather
Vintage tin model car, Citroën DS station wagon, 1960s.
Located in Praha, CZ
This is a metal model with plastic parts
The car is scratched or slightly dented in places
Original vintage condition
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1970s Brass Light Wood Belt Buckle Kenneth Reid New Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, Brass and Light Wood Belt Buckle Kenneth Reid New Mexico.
Dimensions: 3" W x 1.75" D x .5" D. Belt width 1 1/2"
Please visit take a look at our listings, w...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1960s, Stunning Alabaster Smoking Set by Romano Bianchi
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi with ashtray, box and table lighter, everything is handmade carved. Made in Italy. This smoking set is in excellent condition.
...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster
1970s Stunning Black and White Chess Set in Volterra Alabaster. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning black and white chess set in Volterra alabaster. Handmade. Made in Italy, this set is in excellent condition, with all the pieces intact and flawless.
So rare to find ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster
Limited Edition Disney "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Book with Serigraphs
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find limited edition Disney "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" book with four serigraphs, circa 1978. This book is #2230 of #9500 distributed worldwide and is lavishly illustr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Leather
$450 Sale Price
21% Off
Vintage Looney Toons Bugs Bunny Porcelian Statue Pair Warner Bros by Evan Shaw
Located in Van Nuys, CA
These two vintage ceramic figurines featuring Bugs Bunny, and capture the beloved character's playful personality. Crafted with detailed features and a charming retro design, they ma...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
$225 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Pierre Chareau: Un Inventeur, l
architecte
Located in New York, NY
Monograph on celebrated modernist architect and designer Pierre Chareau, published by Editions du Salon des Arts Managers in Paris, 1954. With text by Rene Herbst, preface by Francis...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", model #4617-2, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Identical to the brass key ring...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Mid Century Modern Swank Arrow Tie Bar Clip 1960s Collectible Jewelry
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1960s Swank Arrow Tie Bar Clip. Maker stamp present.
Dimensions: 3.5 L x .25 D x 3.16 thickness
Please visit take a look at our listings, we have an amazi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Bakelite Buddha Head
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool large vintage bakelite Buddha bust / head, circa 1970s. The carved figure is a representation of Gautama Buddha, also known as the enlightened or awakened one. The piece ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Vintage Military Terrestrial Telescope, Canadian, Officer Of The Watch, CKC, WW2
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage military terrestrial telescope. A Canadian, chromed brass naval Officer of the Watch refractor by the Canadian Kodak Company, dating to the WWII period, circa 1940...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Stereo Phonograph/AM FM Tuner Console, Model: Brionvega rr126 Radiogram
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by the Castiglioni Studio for Brionvega first introduced in 1966. This later example produced circa 1970. This stereo phonograph/AM FM receiver console is fully functio...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York (1st edition)
Located in New York, NY
First edition (stated) of Robert Caro’s magisterial biography of Robert Moses, awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Biography and selected by Modern Library as one of the hundred greatest no...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany The table lighter works perfeclty. This smoking set is in excellent condition.
Dimension :
Ashtray 5,51 x 3,93 x ...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Complete Boxed 16 Animali Puzzle Set by Enzo Mari for Danesse Milano
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine puzzle set published by Danese Milano
By Enzo Mari.
Entitled '16 Animali' (16 Animals).
Model no. 3015 D.
Consisting of 16 form-cut stylized anim...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Modern Furnishings For The Home (1st edition)
Located in New York, NY
First edition of William J. Hennessey’s Modern Furnishings for the Home, published in 1952 by the Reinhold Publishing Corporation. Billed as “a comprehensive catalog with over 480 av...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Smoking set Knuth and manufactured Soldi
Scati
Located in Guazzora, IT
The original 1950s emerald green resin ashtray with lighter, designed by designer Knuth, is a charming piece of midcentury design. This period, known for its clean lines, innovative...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
$95 Sale Price
78% Off
Mattel Skipper Carrying Case with Skipper Doll and Original Outfits, Barbie 1964
By Mattel
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
This charming Vintage 1964 Mattel Skipper “Land & Sea” Carrying Case comes complete with an authentic Skipper doll and a selection of original era outfits, making it a wonderful addi...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Dunhill Carlton Ware Spider Web Table Lighter
Located in Northampton, GB
Alfred Dunhill Lighter Circa 1957
From our Accessories collection, we are delighted to offer this Dunhill ‘Carlton’ Spider Web Table Lighter. The Lighter Gold Plated lighter was produced in partnership with Carlton Ware with the ceramic body produced by Stoke on Trent potters Carlton (Carlton Ware). The body has been hand painted with a spider web design amongst blossoming flowers and two dragonflies. The Lighter is embossed to the front Dunhill and bears the registration number to the inside of the pivoting arm 737418. The base of the lighter is stamped Dunhill, Lighter. The Lighter dates to the middle of the 20th century circa 1957.
Carlton Ware was established in 1890 by James Frederick Wiltshaw, William Herbert Robinson and James Alcock Robinson trading under the name of Wiltshaw and Robinson. The trademark “Carlton Ware” was introduced in 1894, and the company’s factory was renamed the Carlton Works. The company changed its name multiple times and changed hands finally reaching the name ‘Carlton Ware Ltd’ in 1958. In 1966 the company was sold to Arthur Wood and Sons before coming under financial pressure in the late 1980s being forced into receivership in 1989 and production ending in 1992. In 1997 the Carlton Ware brand was resurrected by Francis Joseph of the Carlton Ware Design Centre, Roslyn Works, Stoke-on-Trent. It continues to manufacture novelty items aimed at the collectors’ market today.
Dunhill Lighters specifically the classic petrol lift arm table lighter was introduced by Dunhill in 1928 running until the introduction of gas in the 1960’s. This particular Carlton Wear example was first introduced in the Dunhill catalogue in 1957. The body was created in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent potters Carlton Ware. Carlton Ware produced three different examples to compliment the Dunhill body a fish underwater design, a chinoiserie pagoda design and the spider web as seen here.
Dunhill Alfred Dunhill was Born September 30th 1872. From 1890 Dunhill ran a company that sold motoring accessories through mail order under the name Dunhill’s Motorities. In 1902 he opened a shop on Conduit Street, Mayfair which sold clothing...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
Antique Cribbage Board, English, Oak, Brass, Card Game Scoreboard, Circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Cribbage board. An English, oak and brass card game scoreboard with pin storage, dating to the early 20th century, circa 192...
Category
Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1970s Grundig Cube Box Design Speaker Set Futuristic Mid Century Modern
By Grundig
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Original Grundig Cube Speaker Audiorama Design.
Amazon design, cube shape mounted in tripod base. Original vintage unrestored.
Speaker box 12 h x 8.5 d x 7.25 w
Pr...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Electro Voice EV SP8B Speakers for Poul Cadovius Royal System
Located in Littleton, CO
A pair of 1970s Electro Voice EV SP8B speakers in walnut cabinets custom made for the Poul Cadovius Royal System.
Cabinets are notched for perfect fit into the vertical rails of th...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
$795 Sale Price / set
33% Off
Christian Dior Signed 1960s Snake Chain Gold-Tone Metal Graceful Swag Belt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Christian Dior, France, a 1960s Era belt made of five gold-tone snake chains bound at three intervals with soldered rectangular stations. The chains hang in a graceful swag. The Christian Dior stamped...
Category
1660s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1980s Gorgeous Piero Fornasetti Backgammon in Excellent condition. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Piero Fornasetti backgammon for Dal Negro in walnut wood , the set is in excellent condition and includes four dices, the doubling cube, two dice shaker, all 30 checke...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Walnut
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic Tape Measure
made Peoples Republic of China
Cover made from dappled rich dark tricle bake-lite
includes gilt brass fittings and cloth tape.
5.25 dia...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Mid-century British Military Concept Vehicle Model "Vickers-Armstrong" c.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A mid-century proof of concept model of a hover vehicle or "Flying Jeeps or Jumping Jeeps", presented by the British Aircraft Corporation to the British Ministry of Defense, n...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
$1,295 Sale Price
42% Off
Antique German Toy Glass Marble Set 1910-1920s, in Original Leather Pouch
By Lauschaer
Located in Andernach, DE
Early 20th century glass marble set from Lauscha in their original hand crafted genuine leather pouch.
A true German classic, exported worldwide, also to the US.
The invention of the...
Category
1910s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Glass
Collections of Butterflies and Insectin Taxidermy from the 60s
Located in Naples, IT
A group of real Brazilian butterflies presented in a beautiful antique wooden box from 1960. These specimens are extremely rare and have been selected from a vintage collection.
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
Batman
Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1966
Located in Devon, GB
Fabulously kitsch and colourful, this rare Japanese B2 poster advertised the first full length feature film of the DC Comics character Batman. Released by 20th century Fox in 1966 as...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Carl Auböck Model #5663
Shell
Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #5663 'Shell' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass.
Price is per item...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, First Edition, Second Printing, 1961
By Roald Dahl
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961. Illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. First edition, second state. Octavo. In the publisher's original illustr...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Comb Made from Horn
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful half-moon shaped comb. The item was hand-crafted from horn and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It's a remarkable example of the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn
19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French intricate brass balance with different weights in solid brass, in good condition. The iron scale is topped with the original polished brass plates. The scale reads ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Carl Auböck Chess Set #5606
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck chess set, originally designed in the 1950s.
Authorized re-edition of a design originally produced by Carl Auböck III. This set is handm...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron, Nickel
$3,875 / item
Danish Design Midcentury Pianette by Louis Zwicki in Rosewood, 1960s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish design
A rare Danish midcentury pianette made of rosewood. It is called pianette due to the 82 keys rather than the standard 88 of a full size piano. This pianette is made by ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Georg Jensen Silver Ring No. 91 by Nanna Ditzel
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Nanna Ditzel for Georg Jensen sterling silver ring. Designed as a curved undulating sculptural form. It sits beautifully on the finger, catching light from different angles. The ri...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Carl Auböck Model #4500
Lucky Pig
Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Electrohome Mid Century Stereo Model 703 by Gordon Duern Canada
By Clairtone
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A unique Mid Century round dark walnut stereo cabinet with tulip styled base and satin black top with double tambour doors revealing the stereo unit. Having a Garrard turntable...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Braun PC3 Record Player by Wilhelm Wagenfeld and Dieter Rams
Located in Vienna, AT
Record player Braun Pc3 Design in Germany in 1950s by Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Dieter Rams for Max Braun AG, Frankfurt a. M.,
Fully restored by a Brun specialist.
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Louis Vuitton Boxing Glove Kit, 2010s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Insane Louis Vuitton x Karl Lagerfeld boxing glove set. 1/25 ever made. Brand new, sealed, and untouched. Kit comes with two Louis Vuitton boxing gloves...
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Polished Brass Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century modern polished brass menorah, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 7.75"W x 2"D x 4.75"H. #3788
Category
20th Century Israeli Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Jesus on Cross Figurine by Hagenauer Made from Nutwood and Sooted Brass
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a Mid-Century Jesus fetish by Austrian Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. The cross is made from beautiful, warm-toned nutwood and slightly varnished. The Jesus figurine is made ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Iron
Necklace compréssion by César Baldaccini, signed.
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare pendentif dit coppression par César, signé.
« Ses parents, Omer et Lelia Baldaccini, italiens d’origine toscane, tenaient un bar à Marseille où César est né, avec sa sœur jumelle Amandine, en 1921 dans le quartier populaire de la Belle-de-Mai, au no 71 de la rue Loubon, dans le 3e arrondissement[1]. « Je suis fondamentalement un autodidacte absolu », dira-t-il[2]. À l'époque, il dessine et bricole des carrioles pour son petit frère avec des boîtes de conserve. Néanmoins, après avoir d'abord travaillé chez son père (il aide également un voisin charcutier pour un maigre salaire après avoir quitté l'école à douze ans), il va suivre de 1935 à 1939 les cours de l'École supérieure des beaux-arts de Marseille ; en 1937, il obtient trois prix, en gravure, en dessin et en architecture[3].
Non mobilisable pendant la guerre (il échappe également au STO), il vit d'arnaques avant de s'installer à Paris pour être admis, en 1943, à l'École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts avec Michel Guino, Albert Féraud, Daniel David, Eugène Dodeigne et Philippe Hiquily, comme lui dans l’atelier de Marcel Gimond. En 1945, il retourne à Marseille pour épouser Maria Astruc, avec qui il monte un commerce (ils divorceront en 1959). Il revient en 1946 à Paris où il occupe un atelier dans un ancien bordel au 21 rue de l'Échaudé, dont les chambres, à la suite de la loi Marthe Richard, avaient été attribuées à des étudiants[4]. Il y rencontre Émilenne Deschamps, qui deviendra par la suite une de ses égéries.
Devant l'impossibilité pour lui de travailler la pierre, en raison de son coût, il se tourne vers d'autres matériaux[3]. Dès 1947, il travaille le plâtre et le fer. En 1949, il est initié à la soudure à l'arc dans une menuiserie industrielle de Trans-en-Provence et utilise le plomb en feuilles repoussées et des fils de fer soudés. En 1951, il visite Pompéi et reste marqué par les moulages des corps des habitants pris dans la lave[3]. En 1952, il utilise des matériaux de récupération peu coûteux et réalise ses premières sculptures en ferrailles soudées : ses moyens sont alors toujours modestes. Ainsi, par manque d'argent et pour s'offrir du marbre, César va récupérer dans les décharges de ferraille les matériaux de ses premières sculptures : des tubes, des boulons, des vis qui deviennent des insectes ou se retrouvent dans les courbes puissantes de la Vénus de Villetaneuse (1962).
En 1954, il expose à la galerie Lucien Durand à Paris et obtient le prix « collabo » pour une sculpture intitulée Le Poisson[5], réalisée à Villetaneuse, ville où il travaillera une douzaine d'années grâce à l'aide d'un industriel local, Léon Jacques[6]. Il acquiert la célébrité lorsque son œuvre est achetée 100 000 francs en 1955 par l'État pour le musée national d'art moderne[7]. La même année, il expose au Salon de mai. L'année suivante, le MNAM achète Chauve-souris de 1954 et le musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris Le scorpion de 1955. À partir de 1954 (Torse, MOMA), il réalise également des sculptures en métal soudé, puis en bronze partiellement poli, de femmes plantureuses (Ginette, 1958, Victoire de Villetaneuse, 1965).
En 1956, il participe à la Biennale de Venise puis à la Biennale de São Paulo et à la Documenta II en 1959. En 1958, il signe un contrat avec la galerie parisienne...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique Rare Backgammon Set with Cork Board
Wood Chips Potafolio
Located in San Diego, CA
rare unique backgammon game set, circa 1950's , potafolio the set has a corck board , and wood chips the case shows normal wear and patina due to age.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Cork
Vintage Komet King 10 Cent Vending Gumball Peanut Candy Machine Game Room Decor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Komet King 10 Cent Vending Gumball Peanut Candy Machine Game Room/Arcade Decor. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 15" H x 7" W x 7.5" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Jules Wabbes Monograph
By Jules Wabbes
Located in New York, NY
First edition monograph on the Belgian mid-century designer and interior architect Jules Wabbes (1919-1974), edited and with text in English by his daughter, the art historian Marie ...
Category
2010s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, First Edition, 1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Hemingway, Ernest, The Old Man and the Sea. 1952, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. First Edition. Rebound in blue Morocco leather with custom embossed stamp on the front, raised ba...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
B&O Cona Passive Subwoofer (in MOMA) and Speakers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Beovox Cona, designed in beautifully austere fashion by David Lewis and now permanently in the MOMA collection, was the first B&O subwoofer loudspeaker. It was specifically inten...
Category
1980s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$695 Sale Price / set
26% Off
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer.
Clean vintage condition. Measures 8.5" in width, 33" in height and 2.25" in depth.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$1,331 Sale Price
25% Off
1940s Vornado Antique Electric Powerful Metal Desk Table Fan
By Vornado
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Vornado vintage antique electric fan powerful and silent.
Art Deco era electric table desk top fan with modern industrial design.
Has one ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Painted Ventriloquist Dummy c.1930-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
An original ventriloquist dummy. Painted composite head with movable mouth. Hole in the back for your hand to manipulate the mouth and rotate the head. Fabric clothes, wooden ...
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Composition
$275 Sale Price
21% Off
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist star keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5600
Heart
Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricate...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Alexandre Noll Ebony Wood Cigar Ashtray Bowl / Dish Signed, France, circa 1950´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Lovely Alexandre Noll cigar ashtray / bowl / Dish. Carved in ebony wood.
Alexandre Noll hand carved Cigar Ashtray.
Mid-century.
France, c. 1950
Hand carved signature to underside 'A...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Ebony
$6,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Johnson: Contemporary Designs by Paul T. Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Johnson Furniture Company brochure showcasing the mid-century designs of Austrian/American architect, designer, and author Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958). Born in Vienna and educated in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1970s Stunning Smoking Set By Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass.
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning smoking set by Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass. Made in Italy
The items are in excellent condition. The table lighter works perfectly.
This smoking set is gorgeous
...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Carl Auböck Model #5732
Hand
Brass Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5732 'Hand' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass.
Price is per item....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$230 / item
Vintage 1960s Blue Pedal Car Convertible
Located in Chicago, IL
Vibrant, sleek and full of character, this vintage pedal car was once the prized possession of children all across America. A popular toy since the late 19th century, pedal cars expe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
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.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Toy Camel
Vintage Brass Key Chain
Vintage Metal Wagons
Vintage Penny Banks
Wood Hand Planes
1940s Dolls Vintage Dolls
Altar Frame
Antique Bisque Doll
Antique Horse Tricycle
Antique Prayer Bench
Antique Schoenhut
Antique Wood Hat Form
Art Deco Toys And Models
Carousel Toy
Carved Nativity
Christ Brass
Dale Rogers
Douglas Model