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
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
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
Set of Five Christmas Tree Ornaments Red and White Glass Mushrooms, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Set of five Christmas tree ornaments red and white glass mushrooms, Germany, circa the 1970s.
Adorable Christmas tree ornaments made of mouth-blown and delicate, wafer-thin glass, wh...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
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
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
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
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
Foosball mid 1960
s French baby-foot table football game
Located in London, GB
A mid 1960's French "babyfoot" table football, by ZAK3.
With working pull rod mechanism for ball release, and abacus scoring.
In working order.
The history of table football:
...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
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
Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with Hand Carved Turquoise Onyx Pieces
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with hand carved Turquoise Onyx Pieces
Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set complete chess board in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx, Marble
1960
s Vintage Large Horn Table Lighter Attributed to Carl Aubock Chrome
Located in Wayne, NJ
1970's Vintage Large Horn Table Lighter Attributed to Carl Aubock Chrome Carl Auböck
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn
Vintage Flexible Flyer Airline Racer No 60 Wooden Sled Planet Jr USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Flexible Flyer Airline Racer No 60 Wooden Sled Planet Jr USA. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 9" H x 59" W x 24.5" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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
Alfred Dunhill Gold Plated Rollagas Cigarette Lighter with Box and Papers
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Alfred Dunhill Gold Plated Briquet Rollagas Cigarette Lighter With Dunhill Box
Lighter Made in Switzerland purchased in 1992.
In great working condition, has recently been serviced...
Category
1990s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate
1950s Midcentury Shortwave Radio by Phillips
By Phillips
Located in San Diego, CA
This cool vintage original radio shortwave by Phillips, circa 1950s with bakelite knobs in cream color case, the radio works but it takes a while to war...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
$140 Sale Price
20% Off
1970s Astonishing HMS Endeavour Model Ship. Handmade. Made in England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing HMS Endeavour Model Ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of history.
Dime...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$424 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Classic 1950s Kay M 1 Upright String Bass, Standard 3/4 size
By Kaye
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic 1950s Kay M 1 Upright String Bass, Standard 3/4 size........ a bass that needs no introduction. Kay's laminate stand-up basses are workhorses that always deliver and sound a...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1950s Zenith Brown Bakelite Portable Radio Nonworking
By Zenith
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Zenith portable radio
9 h x 14.5 w x 8.75
Bakelite cover with rubber handle.
Original knobs. Minos scuffs present.
Tested and not working.
Review images listed.
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Pair of old wooden skis. French work. Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of old skis is made of wood and metal. This is a French work. Circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,674 / item
1960s Alvino Bagni Sea Garden Glazed Italian Stoneware Cigar Ashtray by Raymor
By Alvino Bagni
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy swirling colorful glaze, with lava and glaze pops. Super fun form, with a retro futuristic or brutalist design. Stamped ITALY in the bottom rim. About 7 inches in diameter.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Ashtray Stand in the Manner of Carl Auböck in Brass, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Nice light patina. A second ashtray in the same design is also on offer here on the platform.
Very nice proportions.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
[1st ed] The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler
By Agatha Christie
Located in New York, NY
First American edition of Raymond Chandler’s fifth Philip Marlowe detective novel, concerning a case of blackmail involving a Hollywood starlet and a Cleveland/LA hoodlum. Published ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
![[1st ed] The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/1st-ed-the-little-sister-by-raymond-chandler-for-sale/f_8285/f_479404321765388266869/f_47940432_1765388267685_bg_processed.jpg?width=240 "[1st ed] The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler")
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
Life Size Mannequin Boy with Blue Eyes, circa 1980
Located in Barntrup, DE
Life-size mannequin boy with blue eyes, circa the early 1980s, England, by Adel Rootstein.
An expressive life-size boy mannequin with beautifully hand-pa...
Category
1980s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Modernist Chess Set #5606 by Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
A chessboard made from black and natural leather with 32 nickel pieces.
Designed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck. Made in Vienna.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Nickel
$2,990 / item
A mid century modern glass table lighter, circa 1960
Located in View Park, CA
A mid century modern thick-cut glass table lighter, circa 1960. With original label to verso. Possibly Finnish mcm glass as it looks very much like the Iitalla line from that era.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Brass Frankfurt / Main TV Television Tower Scale Design Model, 1980s, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Scaled model of the Frankfurt Main television tower, it is named also "Europe Tower". Hand-spun in brass. A nice architectural sculpture for every living or man’s room. Found at an E...
Category
1980s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Boucheron 7.75 Diamond and 18K Gold Ladies Watch
By Boucheron
Located in Norwood, NJ
This exquisite 7.75 carat diamond Boucheron watch is both dazzling and dainty with its elegant, slim design accented by an array of sparkling diamonds.
Boucheron ladies diamond oval/...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
1940s Antique Surveyors Wood Tripod Base
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Solid Wood Tripod Surveyor Camera Base
Decorative item
44 h x 19 w x 20 d
Preowned unrestored
Refer to images
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
TIFFANY
CO. 1982 Elsa Peretti Bean Petrol Pocket Lighter In Polished Solid
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket petrol lighter designed by Elsa Peretti (1940-2019) for Tiffany & Co.
The bean is one of the most iconic Elsa Peretti's designs, that she created for the Tiffany Studios, back in the 1970's. This petrol pocket lighter is one of her creations, crafted with a sportive casual look in solid brass.
Weight: 46.95 Grams, (30.09 Dwt).
Measurements: 62 mm by 29 mm by 15 mm (2.44 x 1.14 x 0.59 Inch).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed in full as follows, "©ELSA PERETTI 1982 TIFFANY & CO. BRASS".
Elsa Peretti
She was a very important and iconic American designer that joined Tiffany & Co in the 1974 and change the role of diamonds and color gemstones in fashion for the everyday wear and elevating the status of the sterling silver jewelry. Mostly using unusual gemstones and materials, all her creations are as modern today as ever.
Collateral: This Elsa Peretti lighter...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Selection of Coffee Table Books - Furniture Design Interior Design Fashion Art
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Coffee Table Books, priced at $150 each. If one of the books is sold, it will have SOLD next to the title below. These books are all from the estate of . was the President of The Art Deco Society of New York City and had an incredible library of books on furniture design, interior design, art, photography, and fashion. Many of the books focused on Art Deco or mid century modern design. Please see our other listings for more books from the same estate. Please note that we are not specialists in books. All of the books are in very good condition and were well cared for in a smoke and pet free environment. There may be some small tears to slipcovers, scratches, rubs, and wear commensurate with age and use.
The books in this listing are:
Stack Left
Dagobert Peche and The Wiener Werkstatte by Neue Galerie SOLD
Josef Frank Architect Designer SOLD
Billy Baldwin by Adam Lewis SOLD
New Dimensions by Paul Frankl
Jean-Michel Frank by Rizzoli SOLD
Jean Michel Frank by Du Regard SOLD
A House Is Not A Home Weber SOLD
Art Deco by Skira SOLD
Stack Right
Jean Dunand by Delorenzo SOLD
Jean Duncan’s SOLD
Ruhlmann Master of Art Deco SOLD
Jean Dunand His Life and Works...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Solid Mahogany Wood Boat Rudder -Sailboat Nautical Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage boat or sailboat rudder. Solid mahogany wood. Decorative item that can serve as wall or table sculpture. Perfect decoration for any industrial or ma...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Blue and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy
The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly
Dimension:
2,...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Modern Lighting of the
50
s (Arnoldsche Reprint)
Located in New York, NY
Reprint of a 1953 international survey of modernist lighting, originally published in Germany by Alexander Koch. This edition published in 2012 by Arnoldsche Art Publishers. Faithful reprint of the original, with a new introduction by Bernd Dicke. Large 8vo (8.5” x 12”), pictorial boards, approximately 122 pages, fully illustrated with b/w photos plus several color images at the front. Introductory text in German and English; curatorial text in German, English, and French. A bible for sourcing and documenting early postwar lighting, based on the perspicacity of the editor(s). A roster of designers and manufacturers, gleaned fro the index at the rear, includes: Arredoluce, Arteluce, BAG Turgi, Peter Behrens, Alexey Brodovitch, Paul Bry, Franco Buzzi, Alexander Calder, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Robert Gage, Lester Geis...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Carl Auböck Model #5617
Peanut
Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5617 'Peanut' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass.
Price is per ite...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Heavy Butterscotch Bakelite Bangle Bracelet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
1/4" thick Bakelite bangle bracelet in a butterscotch color.
2 3/8" inside circumference.
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Munich Olympic Games 1972 Rubber Mascot Keychain Waldi Dachshund Vintage German
By Otl Aicher
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Original Vintage “Waldi” Dachshund Mascot Keychain – Munich 1972 Summer Olympic Games
A charming original vintage keychain featuring “Waldi,” the off...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rubber
Mid-Century Playing Cards Set in Bakelite Box, inscribed "NO TRUMPS"
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a wonderful mid-century playing card box, most probably bakelite, featuring a small moveable pointer on the lid, above the words "NO TRUMPS." In a fabulous orange and cream s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite, Paper
Frank Lloyd Wright by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Frank Lloyd Wright by Bruce-brooks-pfeiffer. Hardcover book.
Published by Barnes Noble Books (1994).
A building by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is at once unmistakably individual, ...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
SS United States Sign Notice and Information for Passengers
Located in Hanover, MA
Hefty enameled solid aluminum framed passenger safety and information sign from Passenger Stateroom 139 on the Main deck of the SS United States.
Fo...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
1960s Robert Berks Sculpture Bust John F Kennedy JFK Miami Beach Mid-Century Art
By Robert Berks
Located in Hyattsville, MD
This is a rare 1965 presentation award bust of JFK. A wonderful piece of mid-century historical decor from an important American sculptor, Robert Berks. Hi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin, Wood
$1,600 Sale Price
36% Off
Pair of Sculptural Summit Speakers
By Summit
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of sculptural summit speakers.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Acrylic
$5,741 / set
Torben Ørskov
Hans Bolling Puzzle Cube, Denmark, c.1960
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Torben Ørskov & Hans Bolling Puzzle Cube, Denmark, c.1960.
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Pair of Large Chrome Jacks Book Ends
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of large chrome Jacks Book ends.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$1,200 / set
Hammered brass dinner gong around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Hammered brass dinner gong around 1950s
Original condition
Original patina
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Jean Dubuffet Painted sculptures catalog 1968
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean Dubuffet Painted sculptures catalog 1968:
Published on the occasion of a 1968 Dubuffet exhibition at Pace Gallery New York.
Softcover; 50 pages.
Color & Black & White illustra...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Peggy Guggenheim Art of This Century (Inscribed to artist Hans Richter)
Located in New York, NY
Catalog of the seminal avant-garde exhibition held at Peggy Guggenheim's Art of This Century Gallery in 1942 and published in an edition of 2500. Edited by Peggy Guggenheim with cont...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Easy Rider
Original Vintage Movie Poster, American, 1969
Located in Devon, GB
A touchstone of the American counterculture movement, Dennis Hopper's 1969 revolutionary road drama 'Easy Rider' defined a generation of disillusioned youth, marking a turning point ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Mid-20th Century Encased Botanic Flower Samples
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Encased Botanic Flower Samples
Dimensions in inches: H 5.5” x W 3” x D 0.8”
Age: Mid 20th century
Origin: EU
Condition: Aged
Overview
Encased in numbered resin ...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Craters From Fire: Ceramics by James Lovera
By James Lovera
Located in New York, NY
Catalog published in conjunction with an exhibition of James Lovera ceramics held at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA, from July 22-October 8, 2006. Lovera (1920-2015) was a ...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
French Faience Wall Cross with Holy Water Font Henriot Quimper, 20th Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French 1950 wall cross and water font in faience, manufactured with the same expertise as tiles.
The Henriot Quimper manufacture was created in the 19th mid-century.
This wall cross...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Faience
1960s General Motors Gas Turbine Concept Model
Located in Ferndale, MI
Attributed to General Motors as part of the gas turbine Bison Concepts Series.
Possibly by Syd Mead or Tom Semple . The gas turbine Bison series of ve...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Ronson Mid-Century Era Silver Plated Figural
Decanter
Table Lighter
By Ronson
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This table lighter was manufactured by Ronson of Canada and dates to approximately 1965 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The lighter is composed of a cast and silver plated base with a spring loaded handle mechanism. This vintage Ronson table lighter...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate, Lead
DUPONT 1945 Tall Roller Petrol Pocket Lighter In Plated Sterling
By S.T. Dupont
Located in Miami, FL
A Dupont roller petrol lighter made in France.
This is a very rare pocket petrol lighter created in Paris France during the post war period, back in the 1945. The lighter has been p...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
Previous product Brionvega tv Algol 11 by Marco Zanuso Richard Sapper
Located in bari, IT
The Brionvega Algol 11 is characterized by an innovative and bold design, intended to bring the television concept into a more modern era. The body of the television is cubic in shap...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Christmas: A Story By Eleanor Roosevelt (1st edition)
Located in New York, NY
First edition (stated) of this Christmas story by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, with illustrations by Fritz Kredel. Published in 1940 by Alfred A. Knopf. 12mo (4.25” x 5.5”), 42 pag...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid Century Swiss Air DC-8 Chrome Plated Ashtray
By Buhler
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing a Collector's Dream: Rare 1960s Swiss Air Chrome-Plated Ashtray with a DC8 Airplane Model!
Are you ready to own a piece of aviation history that's not just functional bu...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
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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