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Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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
Pair of Maitland-Smith English Mid-Century Blush Marble and Brass Obelisks
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Mid-Century staggered height obelisks with blush marble exteriors with a brass grid inlay. (ROBERT MARCIUS FOR CASA BIQUE, PHILIPPINES)(PRICED AS ...
Category

20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Neon Yellow Italian Murano Glass Obelisk
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare 'new old stock' polished faceted Murano glass obelisk in a beautiful light neon yellow colored / coloured glass, made circa 1970. Won...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Pair of Jade Snow Wong Turquoise Enamel Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Copper and brass enameled bookends by California artist, Jade Snow Wong c.1950s. The bookends feature a brass bottom and frame, with a copper enameled side in a striped turquoise pat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Pair of C2C Designs, a Resin Based Sculptural Ear and Nose Bookend Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pair of iconic C2 Design bookends. The pair combine a combination pop Nose and Ear. The resin has a stone look and are very popular. The pai...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Resin, Acrylic

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3651 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Large Library Step Ladder Attributed to London Film School by Stephens Carter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An imposing 1970 film prop ladder by maker Stephens & Carter, stamped L.F.S (London Film School). In good solid condition with nice wear and paint. Original...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4219 Hands Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4219 'Hands' Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Hand fu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Folding Four-Panel Geometric Room Divider in Teak
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid-century modern four-panel geometric room divider crafted in warm teak, offering both style and functionality. The panels fold smoothly and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Red Lacquered Room Divider, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Red Lacquered Room Divider, Italy, 1960s Per panel D: 3 cm ( 1.18") H: 181,5 cm W: 49,5 cm
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Pair New Unfinished Baker Obelisk Shape Double Sided 360 Degree Walnut Bookcases
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair New Unfinished Baker Obelisk Shape Double Sided 360 Degree Walnut Bookcases. These Baker cabinets are new unfinished from the baker factory. Unusual looking cabinets and unusua...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Vintage Brass "The Thinker" Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of vintage brass "The Thinker" bookends (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Bookends #4100 in a Patina and Polish Brass Mix
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

American Mid-Century Metal Globe
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century small metal globe on a round base
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Stunning Pattern Three Panel Bamboo Rattan Room Divider Screen Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century stunning pattern three panel bamboo rattan room divider screen mint.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Italian Marble and Alabaster Set of Bookends, 1920 s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian set of bookends, fabricated in the early 1900's. It is handcrafted out of very beautiful marble and alabaster. The fabulous marble features a very nice pattern of ...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble, Alabaster

F.lli Mannelli Pair of Bookends in Rapolano Travertine Marble, Italy 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of stone bookends by Fratelli Manelli. Made from exquisite Rapolano Travertine, a type of Italian travertine known for its distinctive cream color and delicate veining.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Marble

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather, Illums Bolighus, 1950s, Dainsh Midcentury
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in beautifully patinated leather and brass. Made for Illums Bolighus in the 1950s. Great original condition. Made in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Italian Carved Walnut Wood and Leather Spiral 4-Step Library Ladder
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian carved walnut wood circular step ladder with four stairs rolled around a turned, central pole with a decorative finial. Each step is upholstered with green leather ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Louis Vuitton Hat Box
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Louis Vuitton trunk / hat box. Has a silk interior with four corner pockets. Monogrammed on canvas with leather and brass hardware.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Silk

Mid-Century Modern Copper and Pewter Bookends Signed Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These whimsical bookends depict two human figures running on human hamster wheels. The figures themselves are pewter, and the bookends are copper. Artist signed on both bookends.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Copper, Pewter

Piero Fornasetti paraventi screen Italy 1954
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare early paraventi / foldable screen designed by Piero Fornasetti and manufactured by Fornasetti in Italy in 1954. This version consists a ‘Libri’ theme on one side and a 'Battaglia Navale’ theme on the other. Fornasetti had many artistic interests; graphic design, decorative arts, historical prints, Italian art and architecture, Surrealism. And they all inspired his unique approach to decoration. The folding screen was one of his favourite formats, and here he has covered the screen’s surface with on one side books and objects like a vase, glass, shell, a roman foot, feather and more. The other side has a nautic war...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century American Small Red, White, and Blue Flag Motif Suitcase
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century child-sized suitcase with an American flag motif, silver metal corners and latch, and a newspapered interior.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Polished Brass Teddy Bear Vintage Bookends Paperweights
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Polished brass teddy bear vintage bookends or paperweight. Vintage mid-century brass teddy bear bookends. These pair of teddy bear would make a luxu...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Beige Suitcase with Alligator Trim
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century beige woven and brown alligator trim suitcase (valise).
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Iron and Gilt Trellis/Screen
Located in Winnetka, IL
Custom iron and gilt paint trellis/screen. The whole unfolds into a screen, if desired. Designed to hold fabric as well. All in the regency taste. Can be used indoors or out.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Iron and Gilt Trellis/Screen
Iron and Gilt Trellis/Screen
$1,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Separè system Paravento 1960 designed by G. Frattini produced by P.Ghianda
Located in Milano, MI
Modular system made of natural ash wood , composed of curved elements set against each other and joined by a Velcro system that provides flexibility. High-quality curved oak plywood ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Vintage wicker trunks, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
​ Beautiful wicker trunks/cases with leather straps aon a bamboo base. Very decorative and useful storage. We're thinking of use with an oldtimer car o...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wicker

2 Italian Alabaster Gray Book Shaped Bookends Objects of Art Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of hand carved Italian Alabaster Marble bookends in the shape of a single book. These are very substantial, heavy and well handmade bookends. They are handmade white with gray n...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

Vintage Stacked Solid Wood Bookends
Located in Denton, TX
Vintage solid wood bookends made of ash, walnut, mahogany and maple. Glued together in a stacked design then shaped in a curved pattern. They make nice decorative sculptures.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Mahogany, Maple, Oak, Walnut

Wooden Hand Painted Room Divider
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This intricately designed room divider features dark wood construction with hand painted elements on one side. This piece is lightweight, so moving it around your space is very simpl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Burlap, Velvet, Wood

Milo Baughman Style Mid Century Burl Wood Room Divider
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman style Mid Century burl wood room divider Room divider with 3 sections; each measures: 34.5 wide x 3 deep x 87.5 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Burl

American Mid-Century Desk Globe
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century desk globe on a round gold base (CRAMS)
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Gold

Pair of Revolving Globe Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century bookends with revolving terrestrial globe and celestial globe (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Pair of Mid-Century "Creation of Adam" Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century Italian Florentine-style folding gilded wood bookends with printed details from \"The Creation of Adam\" by Michelangelo. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

American Mid-Century Tri-Fold Rattan Room Dividers / Screens
Located in Queens, NY
3 American Mid-Century tri-fold rattan room dividers / screens with a sunburst design repeated in 3 sections of each panel (PRICED EACH)
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Wire Three-Panel Folding Screen
Located in Highland, IN
This delicate, airy design in iron with a curly scrollwork pattern, has three articulating panels which help delineate space while maintaining translucency. 72.5"h X 57"w 1st Dibs shipping...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Perforated Metal Office Wastebaskets Trash Cans Italy Memphis Sottsass Ferrari
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Pair. Well used. Simple but in the Memphis style and in the manner of Ettore Sottsass. A very Iconic late 20th century design, circa 1980s, black. 18 inches, and 11.75 inches in heig...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Light Glass Globe with Wooden Base by Paul Rath, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
-Fully functional -Photo surface defects -Made of glass, metal and wood.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Carl Auböck Bookends #3653
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.  
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Bucolic Folding Screen, Hand Painted by Girofla, France, circa 1990
By Girofla
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Eliane and Monique Cloutier, both wives of the Cloutier Brothers - renowned French ceramists, joined hands to create under the pseudonym 'Girofla'. Graduates from l'Ecole des Arts Ap...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Set of 3 Space Age Model 4909 Bookends by Giotto Stoppino for Kartell, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Space Age Model 4909 Bookends by Giotto Stoppino for Kartell, 1960s, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Plastic

Acrylic Glass screen by Philippe Jean. France c1970
Located in London, GB
A rare folding acrylic glass screen by Philippe Jean from 1970s France. The condition is great.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Chrome

Japanese Floor Screen Shoji Paper Natural Elements Elmwood Frame, 1950-1960
Located in Camden, ME
A Japanese three panel folding floor screen framed in Japanese Elmwood each panel encasing a large single Washi paper sheet with natural inclusions from Japan created in the 50's/60s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Elm, Paper

Donald Drumm Cast Aluminum Screen. 10 Panels Total. One 6 Panel, One 4 Panel.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Donald Drumm Cast Aluminum Screens. Ten panels total making for a stunning room divider. One screen is six panels and the other is four panels. Excellent original condition with a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury American Modern Live Edge Trapezoidal Douglas Fir Bookends
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking sculptural douglas fir live edge bookends (circa 1970s USA). Solid 'blocks' of stained douglas fir have been sculpted into trapezoidal forms and finished to reveal soft, pol...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Iron Armillary
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century modern painted iron armillary globe with gold Continents supported on a round black base.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Iron

Fine Pair of Monumental Murano Glass Obelisks by Alberto Dona
Located in Queens, NY
Fine Pair of Monumental Murano Glass Obelisks by Alberto Dona
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Glass

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather, Illums Bolighus, 1950s, Danish Midcentury
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in beautifully patinated leather and brass. Made for Illums Bolighus in the 1950s. Great original condition. Made in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Pair of American Art Moderne Faux Painted 3 Fold screens
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Art Moderne (1940s) rust painted faux woven rush 3 fold screens with diamond design (priced as a Pair)
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Rush

Marshall Studios Gordan Jane Martz Tile Walnut Bookends Mid Century
Located in Forest Grove, PA
Iconic walnut and ceramic tile plinth bookends, designed by Jane and Gordon Martz of Marshall Studios. 1960s. One retains the original production sticker. The thickness of the walnut...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal

A Pair of Vintage Alabaster Mushroom Bookends, Italy, c. 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Vintage Alabaster Mushroom Bookends Italy, circa 1960 Hand Carved / Partial Label on Bottom "in good vintage as found condition, fading and wear to the top of one of the bo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Alabaster

Amethyst Four-Panel Screen by Elisabeth Lemaigre-Voreaux, circa 1970, France
By Élisabeth Lemaigre-Voreaux, Hermès
Located in Girona, Spain
Amethyst, Mika and slate four-panel screen by Elisabeth Lemaigre-Voreaux Very original design with her characteristic hole in the third panel Design for Hermes. Signed circa 1970...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Amethyst

Golf Clubs Shoehorn Brass Vintage German 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Super cool and nice design sculptural golf clubs shoehorn, made by Gerstenberg, Kunstgewerbe in Germany. material is polished brass. Nice golf collectible or just do use it. Nice add...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1950s Mid-Century Abstract Biomorphic Bookends
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Light tan biomorphic forms with brown deeply incised abstract drawing throughout. Unknown Artist, no makers markings. These table sculptures embodies many artistic characteristics of...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Ceramic

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather and Brass. Made for Illums Bolighus, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in beautifully patinated leather and brass. Made for Illums Bolighus in the 1950s. Great original condition. Made in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Wastebaskets with French cane, designed in the 1950s, likely by Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
These two wastebaskets are made of beech wood with French cane weaving and were designed in Denmark in the 1950s. Their simple yet elegant form combines the natural warmth of the bee...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Cane, Beech

Mcm Jane Gordon Martz Walnut White Tile Bookends for Marshall Studios 1960s
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut bookends with vertical white inset tiles by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios on brass bases. Very nice original condition.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid Century 12” Terrestrial Black and Gold Globe
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid Century 12” Terrestrial Black and Gold Globe This is an unusual colour presentation for a globe, this is a Mid Century piece, the sea is in Black and the land is in Gold, the ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Paper

Vintage Pair of Hand Carved Wooden Wall Self or Corbel
Located in Seattle, WA
This could be used for a variety of purposes such as Book Ends, Corbels or wall shelving. Painted intricate wood design with beautiful Patina. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age a...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Wood

Waste Bin in Patinated Leather and Brass. Made for Illums Bolighus, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in beautifully patinated leather and brass. Made for Illums Bolighus in the 1950s. Great original condition. Made in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Home Accents

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern home accents for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern home accents 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 home accents created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern home accents 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 home accents, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Blenko, Ben Seibel, and Replogle Globes. 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 home accents differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $188,000 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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