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
Midcentury Seeburg Styled Wall Mount Jukebox Diner or Soda Shop Tune Selector
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This early wall-mounted coin operated jukebox tune selector is completely unmarked, but being attributed to the Seeburg Corporation of the United States in circa 1955 in the period M...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Rare Italian Porcelain Madonna by Paolo Marioni
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Italian porcelain Madonna, signed P Marioni.
Paolo Marioni as author.
Measures: Height 51 cm, width 24 cm, depth 12 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
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
Crown Tiara Bandeau by Jacques Esterel unique piece signed, numbered 1/1, 1957
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Wonderful unique piece made by hand by one of the most relevant fashion designers of the mid-century, Jacques Esterel, showing inside the signature, name of the piece, numbering 1/1 and creation date 57, a sublime work worthy of belong to any of the best fashion and design museums in the world given its relevance as the only known piece of this type that has been handcrafted and signed by Jacque Esterel himself. This fantastic rigid brass band shows beautiful acid etchings of Roman horse chariots and linear ornaments with three closing positions for different sizes. This band was placed on the head as a decorative accessory or crown known as a tiara...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Jean Royere: Exposition (Galerie Jacques Lacoste)
By Jean Royère
Located in New York, NY
Catalog published in conjunction with an exhibition of the works of Jean Royere held at the Jacques Lacoste Gallery in Paris from 25 May-2 July 1999. Lacoste was, and is, a passionat...
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Walt Disney "Winnie the Pooh" Comic Strip Art 1981
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find original Walt Disney "Winnie the Pooh" comic strip art (King Features Syndicate), circa 1981. The piece is presented in a black wood frame with white mat. The piece is...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Tobacco Set in Travertine Ashtray Lighter and Box by Cerri Nestore, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Tobacco set in travertine marble composed of ashtray, lighter and box by the Italian designer Cerri Nestore, 1970s.
The original label is still attache...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Travertine, 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
Mid Century Modern Novelty Pro Golf Ball Table Desk Lighter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This mid-century vintage lighter is a unique collectible or gift, shaped like a golf ball and clubs, and holds a lighter at the top slot. Its intriguing history adds to its allure, h...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
$204 Sale Price / item
47% Off
Mid-Century Modern Leather Medicine Ball Perfect for Your Gymnasium
Located in London, GB
Early to mid-20th century leather medicine ball in good condition with wonderful patina that only comes with genuine wear and age, 3.1kg in weight.
We invite you to follow us and...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Carl Aubock Table Brush 1950 Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Aubock table brush, mid-20th century. Crafted from warm walnut and fitted with genuine boar-bristle hair, this piece exemplifies the workshop’s distinctive blend of natural mate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Nutwood
Pair of Salterini Iron Peacock Salesman Sample Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Phenomenal pair of miniature wrought iron peacock chairs designed by John Salterini. This diminutive set of doll size chairs were made as sa...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
$750 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Vintage Israeli Art Chess Set by Hans Teppich
By Hans Teppich
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool vintage Israeli art chess set by Hans Teppich, circa 1950s. The set is in very good vintage condition with some wear to the board and the brass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic, Rubber
$1,500 / set
Ceramic Peacock Bird Sculpture with Flowers in Blue, Yellow and Green
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty brightly painted ceramic sculpture of a peacock. This piece depicts a bird with bright blue yellow and green features, perched upon a tree stump ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
$262 Sale Price
25% Off
The Charles London 1947 Pocket Petrol Lighter Guilloche Plated Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
The Charles petrol lighter designed by Meyer Maximilian Levene
An exceptional and rare silver-plated 'The Charles' petrol pocket lighter stamped 'The Charles Lighter', made in London England, back in the 1947. It was rafted with slim rectangular form, decorated with engine-turned casing, double entry hinged lids with innovative internal mechanical features, including a revolving flint tube to provide even wear to the flint, and a rear barrel containing spare flint chambers so that semi-automatic loading of the spare flint can be undertaken. The Charles Lighter has an extremely complicated mechanism. The flint rotates while grinded by the friction wheel. Also interesting is the revolving magazine for spare flints. A fine example of complete over-engineering. This was made only for a very short period and was patented by Meyer Maximilian Levene in 1949.
Weight: 70.50 Grams, (45.19 Dwt).
Measurements: 48 mm by 43 mm by 12 mm (1.89 x 1.69 x 0.77 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed in full, "THE CHARLES LIGHTER MADE IN ENGLAND BRITISH & DOMINION & FOREIGN PAT GRANTED.".
Literature: Stuart Schneider and Ira Pilossof, The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters...
Category
1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
Jean Prouvé Serge Mouille Mid-Century Modern Two Master Metal Workers Book
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Edited for the occasion of the May 1985, New York. Exhibition and the fall of 1985 Paris exhibition.
Jean Prouvé (8 April 1901-23 March 1984) was a French metal worker, self-taught architect and designer. Le Corbusier designated Prouvé a constructer, blending architecture and engineering. Prouvé's main achievement was transferring manufacturing technology from industry to architecture, without losing aesthetic qualities. His design skills...
Category
1980s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Once Upon a Time (Inscribed by Slim Aarons)
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
First edition, first printing (with number line ending in 1) of this compilation of photographs by renowned photographer Slim Aarons, known for his now-iconic environmental portraits...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 70s Adidas Tennis Racket bag
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage 70s Adidas Tennis Racket bag
Sport - collectible - Vintage
Measures : 74x12cm H:33cm
Materials : Imitation leather - fabric - metal
Wear consisten...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Faux Leather
1960s Modernist Striking Chess Game Set Aluminum and Walnut Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Modern chess game set in aluminum and walnut wood
Unmarked
Preowned vintage condition. Some pieces have been restored.
Refer to all images please.
Measures: 3 tall x 12 x...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
1940s Isamu Noguchi Black+White Train Clock Modernist Japanese Industrial Design
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Sale includes both, and both clocks are untested, thus graded DISTRESSED, despite being cosmetically good.
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
$15,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Shelving audio system Dieter Rams, Braun
By Braun
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique wall-mounted audio system by Dieter Rams for Braun from the 1960s. High-quality construction featuring five aluminum E-profiles, two shelves, two L450 speakers, a TG60 tape recorder, a TS45 control unit (radio & amplifier), and a Braun PCS5 turntable, all released in 1965. All components are perfectly coordinated, with high-end technologies such as a Braun tonearm and a Shure cartridge.
Upon request, we can provide you with videos of the system.
The individual components have been inspected and cleaned by a professional workshop. Defective parts have been replaced to ensure flawless functionality.
Quality Features:
accomplished design: perfect proportions and visible attention to detail
high-quality workmanship using first-class materials
Made in Germany. Designer: Dieter Rams, manufacturer: Vitsœ, Braun
Shelves: W 44 cm, H 2 cm, D 36 cm
Braun Turntable...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Brass and Gunmetal Chess Set With Mirrored Glass Inset Board, 1970s
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century modern chess set with brass and gunmetal pieces on a mirrored glass board. The glass playing board is inset in a raised brass frame.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Stereophonic RR-126 Radio by F.lli Castiglioni for Brionvega, 1960s
Located in bruxelles, BE
White Brionvega stereo radio. The radio and record player work perfectly. There is also a bluethoot to connect the mobile phone. It has been completely overhauled by an engineer. Dim...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Le Regard D
Alan
Located in New York, NY
Hardcover catalog of an auction held on 6 October 1991 at Binoche et Godeau dispersing the collection of Alan Grizot (b. 1945), legendary gallerist and pioneering promoter and marke...
Category
1990s North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$475
The Beatles
A Hard Day
s Night
Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1964
Located in Devon, GB
A rare and sought after Japanese B2 poster for The Beatles' first full-length feature film 'A Hard Day's Night,' which followed the fab four over an anarchic 36 hours in London at th...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Omega Seamaster 120m Automatic Chronograph 1973 a.k.a. Big Blue
By Omega
Located in Weesp, NL
Discover the Omega Seamaster Automatic 120m Chronograph (Ref. 176.004) - a.k.a. as "Big Blue"
Step into the world of vintage luxury with this remarkable Omega Seamaster Automatic 1...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
Monumental Sterling Silver Menorah in Mid-Century Modern Style
Located in New York, NY
Monumental, sterling silver menorah in Mid-Century Modern style with an elegant, curvilinear design, measuring 21 1/3'' in height by 16 3/4'' f...
Category
20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Carl Auböck Bell, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bell, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Radiofonografo Cubo RR 126 Fo by F.lli Castiglioni for Brionvega
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
First series of the famous Brionvega RR 126 FO cube.
Produced in 1965 and fully restored has the following features:
- silk-screen printing and high-gloss lacqu...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Bose 901 Series Speakers On Eero Saarinen Tulip Bases
By bose, Eero Saarinen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of newly finished and upholstered, mid-century modern, Bose 901 series speakers on tulip base stands designed by the Finnish-American designer and architect Eero Saarinen, circa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Charles Hollis Jones Lucite Chess Set with Original Nickel Base and Box, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning chess set designed by the Lucite master, Charles Hollis Jones.
The set is from the mid-1960s and is in very good original condition, the board has a few surface scratches and the pieces have a little crazing due to age and use.
There is minor crazing in some of the pieces, they all are in great shape, chess pieces range from 3" to 1 1/2" in size.
Measurements:
Board: 21 1/2" square...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Nickel
IMCO 6300 Primex 1953 Julius Franz Meister Petrol Lighter Chromed Steel In Box
Located in Miami, FL
Primex 6300 lighter designed by IMCO.
This is a brilliantly engineered, unusual and quite ingenious semi-automatic pocket lighter designed by Julius Franz Meister in Austria, back i...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
$1,186 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Vintage 1970s lucite Ronson table lighter
By Ronson
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage 1970s lucite Ronson table lighter
Space Age design - Modern office decor
Measures : 8,5cmx6,5cm H 12cm
Material : Lucite
Wear consisten...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lucite
Audiorama 4000 Spherical Speakers, Grundig
By Grundig
Located in Neuss, NW
AUDIORAMA 4000 spherical speakers from the 1970s in black with brushed stainless steel stand. Made in Germany, manufacturer: Grundig.
The individual components have been tested and ...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
The Beatles Australian Tour 1964 Official Souvenir booklet.
By Aztec Services
Located in Pymble, NSW
A rare Beatles tour souvenir program from their tour of Australia in 1964
In excellent condition, it had been wrapped in clear plastic by the original purchaser in 1964.
The plastic ...
Category
1960s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Blue White Portable Record Player GE Turntable
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage General Electric Blue
White Mickey Mouse Walt Disney 1970's Portable Record Player Turntable in Carrying Case. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 6" H x 13.5" W x 9...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
1970s Modernist Money Clip Wood and Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Money Clip Wood and Brass Modernist appeal
2 x 1 x .38
Preowned original vintage
Refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Stereo RR-126 radio by Pier Giacomo
Achille Castiglioni for Brionvega, 1960s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Brionvega wood-colored stereo radio. The radio and record player work perfectly, it has been completely overhauled. There is a bluethoot connection for GSM. Dimensions in closed posi...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Portraits (Signed by Avedon)
Located in New York, NY
First edition (stated) of this collection of portraits by fashion and portrait photographer nonpareil Richard Avedon. Published in 1976 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. Introductory essay by Harold Rosenberg. 4to (12” x 9”) hard cover with printed dust jacket, unpaginated, black-and-white photos throughout, many full-page, including several pull-out. Subjects include Alberto Giacometti, Marcel Duchamp, Marianne Moore, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Ezra Pound, Marilyn Monroe, the Everly Brothers, Daughters of the American Revolution, Dwight David Eisenhower, Renata Adler, Willem de Kooning, John Martin, Alger Hiss, Herbert Marcuse, Truman Capote, Jean Genet, Alexey Brodovitch, Jasper Johns, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Andy Warhol and members of the factory (clothed and unclothed), Dr. Benjamin Spock, Edmund Wilson, The Chicago Seven, James Galanos, Rose Mary Woods...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Carl Aubock Modernist Cast Iron Chess Game Set with Handmade Leather Board
Located in Vienna, AT
A very exceptional and beautiful Minimalist Mid-Century Modern chess game, model #5606, designed by Carl Aubock III in 1969. Executed by Werkstätte Aub...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Modern Table Rotary Phone SIEMENS AUSO SIP S62 Lino Saltini 1960s Italy
By Siemens
Located in Miami, FL
Rotary Table Telephone S62 designed by Lino Saltini in 1962 for Telecomunicazion Siemens AUSO. This example is from the 4th edition of the phone out of ten editions of the same model...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Rare, Monumental 1940s/50s Animatronic Santa and Reindeers, Macy
s Boston Ma
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare and extremely large (measuring over 8.5' wide) 1940s/50s Animatronic / Motion Santa and Reindeers, Attributed to David Hamburger..Purported to be salvaged from famed Macy's Depa...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Plastic, Fiberglass
1940s Leather Boxing Ball, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Vintage Mid Century Modern Planet Coin Bank “Plan-IT Bank” Solar System Planet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Planet Coin Bank “Plan-IT Bank” Solar System Planet. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4.5" H x 9" W x 9" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1970s Stunning Green Smoking Set By Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass.
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous green 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 stu...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Rulette Game 1960s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage Rulette Game 1960s
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper
A collection of mid-20th century teaching aid resin encased water plants
Located in London, GB
A collection of mid-20th century teaching aid resin encased water plants
Dimensions in inches: H 4” x W 2.5” x D 1”
Age: Mid-20th century
Origin: Unknown
Condition: Fair
Overview
...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Hermes Silver Cube Lighter, 1960s France
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magnificent cube lighter by Hermes, Paris. In cast metal with silver plating, this piece is meticulously handcrafted. The letter 'H' emerges from the structural silhouettes, echoing ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Unusual Mesmerizing Hand Built Hypnotic Wheel, by Melvin Powers, 1951
By Marilyn Powers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Melvin Powers is considered the king of hypnosis in this country. His first self published book entitled hypnotism revealed is still in print and first published in 1949, He self pub...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Metal Model Airplane
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century metal model airplane with propellers mounted on a ½ globe base (with a light inside the plane)
Missing one propeller
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Maison Kuiper
Ocelot Fur Hat, 1950s
Located in Tilburg, NL
'Maison Kuiper' Ocelot fur hat, Model Sissy, The Netherlands, 1950s.
This is a rare beret style hat in ocelot fur made by 'Maison Kuiper' a very high-end...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fur
Midcentury MiG-17 High Subsonic Fighter Airplane Model
Located in Weesp, NL
Rare midcentury chrome-plated brass MiG-17 fighter jet airplane model. The MiG-17 was first build in the USSR in 1952.
Though the MiG-17 still strongly resembles its forebear, it had an entirely new thinner and more highly swept wing and tailplane for speeds approaching Mach 1...
Category
1950s Russian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Danish Design Midcentury Pianette by Louis Zwicki in Mahogany, 1950s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish design
A rare Danish midcentury pianette made of mahogany. 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
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible Modernist Bicycle by Cleveland Company MDT
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible modernist streamline bicycle by Cleveland Company,, M D T,, Amazing design and condition, bike comes apart for easy compact transport and storage, Retains all ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Leather Chess Set with Carved Wooden Pieces, Italy, 1960s–1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant chess set features a richly patinated leather-covered board with a raised, framed playing surface and finely tooled geometric corner details. The warm leather tones give...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Mid-Century Embossed Brass Parchment Scroll Holder with Stand
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century embossed brass parchment scroll holder with stand circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 10.5"W x 2.75"D x 4"H. The holder is engraved "Mi...
Category
20th Century Israeli Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Brass Airplane Jet Squadron Aviation Model, France circa 1950
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is an exceptional and important brass airplane squadron model, made in France circa 1950. The rare piece features three impressive all-metal jet pl...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Industrial Turners Cube Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice scaled model of a turner cube made in the 1970s. This unique object, termed a Turner’s Cube, was traditionally an exercise given to a novice machinist to test their knowledge ...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Estwing Geological Rock Hammer Leather Handle
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Antique Rock Hammer Leather Handle Geology Pick Hammer
Vintage Tool attributed to Estwing.
12.5 long x 7 w x .75
unsigned
Original vintage condition
Refer to all im...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Stereophonic TOTEM rr130 Radio by Mario Bellini for Brionvega, 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
White Brionvega stereo radio, Totem model. The radio and record player work perfectly and have been completely overhauled by an engineer. There's a bluethoot connection for connectin...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
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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