Mid-Century Modern Textiles
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
1850 English Needlework Pillow 13x9
Located in Los Angeles, US
1850 English Needlework Pillow, 13"x9"—a fine example of Victorian-era craftsmanship, featuring intricate hand-stitched patterns and rich detailing. This antique pillow brings a touc...
Category
Mid-18th Century Unknown Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Ivory Pillow Case Fashioned from a Vintage Anatolian Coverlet, Mid 20th C
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
This Pillow case id made from a vintage cotton coverlet made during mid 20th c. in Southern Anatolia, Turkey. The silk stitching on it is hand done by us.
It does not come with an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Zabihi Collection Vintage Turkish Deco Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a Turkish deco rug.
15'' x 15''
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
16th Century Brussels Pillow 18x9
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Brussels Pillow, 18"x9"—an exceptional example of Renaissance-era textile artistry, featuring detailed, handwoven patterns and rich, vibrant colors typical of Brussels t...
Category
16th Century Unknown Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Large Vintage Cartier Jewelry Elephant Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Pillow
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the likes of the Financial Times, and first selling here on 1stdibs in 2016 - our creations are of the absolute top most quality, craftsmanship and finesse. Thank-you for looking.
Title:
Large Vintage Cartier Jewelry Elephant Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Cushion Pillow
Description:
Large custom made one-of-a-kind luxury cushion (pillow) created from an exquisite rare vintage pure silk Cartier fashion scarf in a striking print named ‘La Route des Indes’, translating to English as ‘The India Road’. It illustrates exotic elephants in procession adorned with fabulous opulent jewels. They spiral around the square frame one behind the other whimsically ascending in scale. The most magnificent of all leading at the front in a statuesque pose and elaborate decoration. Their eyes are pave set with previous stones of emerald and amethyst and the gold elephants continue along the boarder as well.
Cartier is a luxury Parisian empire which originated in 1847 with Louis-François Cartier and is recognised all around the world for their high end creations. The lavishly bejewelled exotic oriental creatures appear to be a reference to the brand’s signature necklaces, bracelets and earrings; ‘Tanjore’, and ‘Djigar’ necklaces, “Rajastan’ bracelet and ‘Gupta’ brooch. This particular peachy coral pink with jade green accents and a glorious subtle sheen is one of the most spectacular examples we have come across.
The fabric was personally hand-picked by Katie at antiques market ‘Marche aux Puces Saint-Ouen’ on the outskirts of Paris.
On a sumptuous silk soft to the touch.
Backed in new 100% pure Irish linen, the aristocrat of textiles and certified by the Irish Linen Guild, lined in a layer of natural bamboo cloth...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile, Linen, Silk
Turkish Deco Border Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a border of a Turkish Deco rug.
Measures: 16'' x 16''.
Category
20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
big verner panton curve curtain by mira-x
Located in Munich, DE
very big curtain by verner panton in good original condition. 265 cm long with 14cm hem. could possible made a little bid longer...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Hand Block Printed Lumbar Pillow Case
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
Original old Anatolian blocks used to print these patterns on to hand woven vintage cotton fabric.
It does not come with an insert but a bag made to the size to accommodate insert m...
Category
20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Retro Turkish Deco Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a Turkish Deco rug.
Measures: 18'' x 21''.
Category
20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Yellow Suzani from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 1960s-1970s
Located in Istanbul, TR
A long Suzani with a rarer pattern on yellow rayon background.
Category
Mid-20th Century Uzbek Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Mid-Century Modern Decorative Gray Throw Pillow
Located in Norwalk, CT
This new accent pillow of East-meets-West design aesthetic showcases a floral design with predominant Vintage gray color.
Hand-made, using either 1...
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool
Vintage Pierre Cardin Leather Jacket, Men
s Small or Women
s Large
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage brushed leather zippered motorcycle jacket with folding collar and tri-band decorative racing stripes across the breast and up and down the front sides. Brown satin lining. M...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Ivory Pillow Case Fashioned from a Vintage Anatolian Coverlet, Mid 20th C
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
This pillow case id made from a vintage cotton coverlet made during mid 20th c. in Southern Anatolia, Turkey. The silk stitching on it is hand done by us.
It does not come with an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Karin Carlander, 2022 Green Heddles Throw Wool Blanket For Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Karin Carlander, 2022 Green Heddles Throw For Karakter
Weaver and textile artist Karin Carlander interprets classic techniques as the backbone of her creative process.
When it cam...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Alpaca
1990 Ikat pillow 15 X 12
Located in Los Angeles, US
Embrace the vintage allure with the 1990 Ikat Pillow, measuring 15" x 12". This unique piece adds a touch of retro charm and artistic flair to your decor
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$720 Sale Price
20% Off
Worn Green Turkish Deco Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a Turkish Deco rug
Measures: 14'' x 19''.
Category
20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Schumacher Cirque Velvet 22" Pillow in Green
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Cirque Velvet with a knife edge finish. A medley of yarns and a complicated weave structure create the striated effect of this sophisticated dot pattern. Pillow ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Polyester
$416 / item
17th Century Florentine Pillow 18x8
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Pillow, 18"x8"—a remarkable piece of Italian heritage crafted from opulent velvet and silk. Featuring intricate Renaissance-era designs, this exquisite pillow...
Category
17th Century Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Kilim Cushion Cover Sky Blue Traditional Wool Scatter Cushion Pillow
Located in Wembley, GB
This new traditional kilim cushion cover is a handwoven piece constructed in the early 21st century. The design has been delicately woven by hand and features a symmetrical geometric...
Category
Early 2000s Afghan Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$76 Sale Price
35% Off
After Andy Warhol Brillo Pillow, Red, White, Blue, Inflatable, Signed
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
After Warhol Brillo pillow, red, white, blue, inflatable, signed. Large 1960's inflatable pillow produced by the Purex Corporation for the promotion of ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Plastic
$712 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair, John Piper Mid-Century Stones of Bath Screen Printed Cushions covers 1962
By John Piper
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A pair of cushion covers, Screenprinted ‘Sanderlin’ cotton fabric "Stones of Bath" which was one of 5 designs commissioned from John Piper as part of the Arthur Sanderson and Company...
Category
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Brussels 16th Century Pillow - 19" X 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Experience the allure of history with our Brussels 16th Century Pillow, measuring 19" x 8". Immerse your living space in the intricate beauty of 16th-century Brussels design, meticul...
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Katie Larmour Vintage Liberty of London Scarf Backed in Irish Linen Cushion
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Title:
Katie Larmour vintage Liberty of London scarf backed in pure Irish Linen cushion pillow navy black white
Description:
A one-of-a-ki...
Category
Late 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen, Silk
Frank Lloyd Wright for Schumacher Imperial Tokyo Textile, 3 yards, 1950’s USA.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Frank Lloyd Wright for Schumacher Imperial Tokyo Textile, 3 yards, 1950’s USA. 3 continuous yards
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
Brussels 16th Century 20" X 12" Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Step into the past with our Brussels 16th Century Pillow. Measuring 20" x 12", its timeless design and generous size make it a striking centerpiece for any sofa or bed.
Category
16th Century American Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Farnsworth Hand Embroidered Black Velvet Pillow Cover
Located in Middelburg, NL
Based in the Netherlands and India's Uttar Pradesh, Jupe by Jackie is an internationally renowned fashion brand born out of a desire to shine light on the art of hand embroidery: a d...
Category
2010s Indian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Velvet
Vintage Blue and White Stripe Satin Scarf Pillow with Down Fill, 2 Available
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A vintage satin scarf turned down filled lumbar pillow. This beautiful nautical motif scarf was found at the estate of a well-known Oklahoma woman. Her home was filled with fine furnishings from across the globe. And her closet was packed full of unique items from vintage Chanel scarves...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Down
$187 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Set of Four Josef Frank Cushions in the "Hawaii" Pattern
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A set of four square cushions featuring vintage fabric by Austrian designer Josef Frank. Each cushion displays a design motif from Josef Frank's "Hawaii" pattern. Cushions may also b...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Down, Feathers
Large Vintage Uzbek Suzani Needlework Textile Blanket or Tapestry
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large vintage Suzani Uzbek Samarkand textile, Suzani means needlework and these embroideries are some of the most characteristic forms of tex...
Category
Mid-20th Century Uzbek Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Silk, Cotton
Black Merino Wool Throw
The Portia
by JG Switzer
By JG Switzer
Located in Santa Rosa, CA
The Portia is our warmest, hardiest 100% Merino throw, milled in England from soft and high quality raven black Merino wool. Black wool is finished with fine hand sewn detailing blanket stitch...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool
Pillow ”Leopardo” by Luigi Bevilacqua
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Pillow ”Leopardo” in Greige
This exquisite woven velvet pillow, featuring a leopard motif and elegant piping, was originally designed by Luigi Bevilacqua in the 1920s and brings tim...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Velvet
$625 / item
Pillow Striped Velvet by Hermhaus
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
The Striped Velvet Pillow by Hermhaus is a contemporary soft furnishing designed to introduce texture, rhythm, and material contrast into interior spaces. Crafted with velvet uphols...
Category
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Velvet
$170 / item
Ivory Pillow Case Fashioned from a Vintage Anatolian Coverlet, Mid 20th C
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
This Pillow Case id made from a vintage cotton and wool coverlet made during mid 20th c. in Western Anatolia, Turkey. The silk stitching on it is hand done by us.
It does not come...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Lisa Larson
Mikey
Cat Fabric Cushions
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Cushions with zip on covers, fronts in 'Mikey' fabric designed by Lisa Larson, in typical Lisa Larson style, very reminiscent of her comical animal figures...
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
$48 / item
Pillow Case Made from Mid-20th Century Russian Cotton Printed Textile, 1960s
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with inserts but bags made to size to accommodate insert materials.
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry clean is recommended.
Category
Mid-20th Century Russian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Schumacher Khan
s Park Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Khan's Park Fabric (Item# 2603275) with a self welt finish. A veritable bestiary of stylized animals, this linen and cotton blend recalls a medieval tapestry wit...
Category
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Linen
$311 / item
Pair of Vintage Green Red
Yellow Crewel Pillows Bolsters MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Vintage Green Red & Yellow Crewel Pillows Bolsters MINT
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
Checked Vintage Scandinavian fabric Pillow in Cream and Brown 60x60 cm
Located in Stockholm, SE
Checked pillow BOBO made from vintage Scandinavian fabric in Brown, Beige, and Cream colors.
Size 60x60cm
Every pillow is unique.
Handma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Natural Fiber, Down
Midcentury Large Cloth, Fabric or Textile in Style of Panton Verner, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare cloth
- perfect original condition
- never used.
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
16th Century Antique Brussels Pillow 17x7
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Antique Brussels Pillow, 17"x7"—a rare gem of European craftsmanship featuring intricate tapestry work from Brussels. This elegant piece showcases timeless design and ri...
Category
16th Century Unknown Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Boris Kroll Pillow
By Boris Kroll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Boris Kroll Fabric sample made into a 16" square pillow with Black mohair Backing. Pillow comes with its Boris Kroll Fabric Label. Pillow Fabric dates ...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric
$260 Sale Price
20% Off
Brussels 16th Century Pillow - 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Classic Elegance: Brussels 16th Century Pillow - 19"x10". Infuse your space with timeless charm through this exquisite accent, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship of the 16th cent...
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Modern Kilim Cushion Cover Blue Handmade Geometric Wool Pillow Case
Located in Wembley, GB
This new traditional Kilim cushion cover is a handwoven piece constructed in the early 21st century. The design has been delicately woven by hand and features a symmetrical geometric...
Category
Early 2000s Afghan Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$71 Sale Price
35% Off
5 Pieces of Mira x Fabric by Verner Panton, and One Piece of 70
s Fabric
By Verner Panton, Mira-X
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
We have 2 pieces of Green Velour Squares by Panton for Mira X formerly curtains some fading on one and a split on the other as per photos. Two pieces of Blue Purple and Red squares, ...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric
Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Linen Textile Swatch 1955 Design 105 Schumacher, Red
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large panel swatch Design 105 dating to Frank Lloyd Wright’s original 1955 collection for Schumacher. Extremely rare original large scale fabric, with surged edges to facilitate long...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen
"Lido IIII" Wool
Linen Pillow by Le Lampade
By Le Lampade
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Lido IIlI" is a variation of the popular "Lido" pillow, featuring a white linen background with hand-tufted and hand-channelled black wool as contrast .Comes with a feather/down ins...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Linen
Mid-Century Modern Lucite
Brass Bipartitecurtain Rod with Brackets, Vintage
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Lucite and brass Bipartite curtain rod with brackets, vintage. 40’’ each, connects at middle, includes 3 brackets.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Brass
Silk Cushion Nut Brown by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Leopard Print Velvet Cushion in Cotton with Trim and Linen Back
Located in Madrid, ES
Cushion made with velvet, linen and cotton fabric, with a leopard print of manual design finished in black velvet cord and invisible zipper on the back.
Every item LA Studio offers ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Linen, Velvet
Silk Cushion Castanho by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Schumacher Moorea Pillow
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Moorea by Mary McDonald for Schumacher with a knife edge finish. A statement-making print with embroidered details. Pillow includes a feather/down fill insert an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Jute, Cotton, Polyester
Pair of Kravet "Flurries" in Terracotta Double-Sided Down Filled Pillows
Located in Winder, GA
Lovely woven fabric with raised velvet, "Flurries in terracotta ”(soft pumpkin orange)is sure to impress. The small detailed pattern is so versatile that these covers will pair well ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Velvet
Pair of Karel Appel Curtains, 1963, Documented at Stedelijk Musem
By Karel Appel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Super rare and impressive pair of large cotton ''gordijnstof' curtains, designed in 1963 by world renowned Dutch painter and sculptor Karel Appel (1921-2006) for the textile company Hermann Hartman & Co of Amsterdam.
This extremely rare, original repeat print textile is documented in the Stedelijk museum's textile collection under object nubmer KNA 1998, please see image 2.
Each curtain measures 56.7" X 83.85" (144cm X 213cm).
'Gordijnstof' translates as "curtain fabric" confirming that this textile was originally designed by Appel specifically for use as curtains however being of such an impressive dimension these examples could equally be used as wall hangings ,as photographed, or mounted on both sides of a screen or mounted and framed as an art work in its own right , a practice which is becoming increasingly commonplace as high end textile designs by important artists are becoming increasingly valued , appreciated and sought after in the marketplace.
Appel's paintings and sculptures can be found in the collections of some of the world's most prominent museums including the Museum of Modern art in New York and Tate Modern ,London.
Each curtain is of a very impressive scale with each measuring
56.7 " (144 cm) X 83.85" (213cm).
The curtains are signed on the banding KUNSTENAAR DESSIN ONTWERP Karel Appel, HARTMAN PRINT, AMSTERDAM. Another of Appel's designs for Hermann Hartman,Amsterdam can be found in the collection of the national textile museum in Holland. Please see image 9.
Even a small sample of this 1963 textile in good condition would be hard to find today but to find two large scale Appel curtains intact and in beautiful unfaded condition with no staining or fraying must be next to unique today. This is a very rare find and certainly a unique opportunity.
Image 10 shows Karel Appel in his atelier in New York in 1966.
Provenance:
These curtains come from the private collection of a retired Professor from Oxford,UK.
Biography:
Karel Appel was an Expressionist Dutch painter. He was a member of the famous Cobra, the European group of the late 1940s to early 1950s, which promoted spontaneous expressionism and abstract features in painting. Appel's paintings incorporate applications of vibrant, violent colors often possessing a primal, childlike quality or a schizophrenic innocence. Later in life, Appel turned to creating figurative sculptures. Examples of his work can be seen in the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, Boymans-Van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam, and other collections. Expressionist painter Karel Appel made a name for himself in the world of painting by creating a majestic collection of highly distinguishable work for which he became internationally renowned. From the start, art curators could not ignore Appel's work, which has been exhibited at major museums around the world, including New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Manhattan-based Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Tate Gallery in London. Though Appel is widely recognized as one of the best-known Dutch Expressionist painters of all time, he was also a passionate printmaker, sculptor, and ceramicist.
Karel Appel’s childhood and early life
Christiaan Karel Appel was born on April 25, 1921, in his parents’ house at 7 Dapperstraat, Amsterdam. His father, Jan Appel, owned a barbershop. His mother, born Johanna Chevalier, was a descendant of French Huguenots. Karel Appel had three brothers. He studied art from 1940 to 1943 at the Rejksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts during the German occupation and befriended young painter Corneille and, some years later, Constant. His parents opposed his choice to become an artist, leading him to leave home. This was also necessary to hide himself from the German police so that he would not be picked up and sent to Germany to work in the weapon industry. Appel produced his first real painting on canvas, which was a still life of a fruit basket at the age of fourteen. On his fifteenth birthday, his wealthy uncle Karel Chevalier gave him a paint set and an easel and some lessons on painting.
Career.
In 1946, his first solo show was held in Groningen, Netherlands. He also participated in the Jonge Schilders exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum of Amsterdam nd created a buzz in the art world, as it generated a huge scandal and many objections in the press and public. About this time, Appel was influenced first by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, then by the French brute-art artist Jean Dubuffet. In 1947, he started sculpting with various used materials and painted them in bright colors such as white, red, yellow, blue and black. Karel Appel became the member of Nederlandse Experimentele Group in Holland along with the young Dutch painters Anton Rooskens...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
$3,600 Sale Price / set
64% Off
Zabihi Collection Blue Small Vintage Moroccan Runner
Located in New York, NY
a small mid-20th-century Moroccan geometric runner
Details
rug no. j4826
size 2' 3" x 6' 7"
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool
John Piper Stones of Bath 4 Curtains Sanderlin 1962 90"high 370"wide Sanderson
By John Piper
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
John Piper (British,1903-1992) : Stones of bath, green screenprinted fabric, by Sandersons, London, 1962 In the late 1950's to the early 60's there was interest in painterly textiles...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen, Satin
Leopard Print Velvet Cushion in Cotton with Double Tinsel Trim and Linen Back
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Velvet cushion in high quality cotton with blue leopard print, double black tinsel trim and linen back with invisible zipper on the back.
Every item LA Studio offers is checked by o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Linen, Velvet
Pillow Striped Faux Fur by Hermhaus
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
The Pillow Striped Faux Fur by Hermhaus is a refined decorative piece designed to add warmth, texture, and visual softness to contemporary interiors. Crafted from high-quality faux f...
Category
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Faux Fur
$190 / item
Norwegian Siesta Lounge Chair Ottoman Leather Cushion by Ingmar Relling
Located in Hamburg, DE
Original leather cushion for the Siesta Chair Ottoman by Westnofa. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records.
Additional information:
Materials: Leat...
Category
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Yellow Velvet Cushion in Cotton with Double Tinsel Trim and Linen Back
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Yellow velvet cushion in high quality cotton with double black tinsel trim and linen back.
Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of 10 craftsmen in our in-house worksho...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Velvet
Vintage Olive Green and White Woven Throw Blanket with Fringe Edges
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage woven throw blanket features a charming geometric grid pattern in olive green and white,offering a timeless and versatile accent for any home interior. The soft weave s...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric
Mid-century Modern textiles for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern textiles for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage textiles created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern textiles made in a specific country, there are Asia, Caucasus, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original textiles, popular names associated with this style include Bloomingdale's, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jonathan Adler, and Seref Ozen. 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 textiles differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $62 and tops out at $188,000 while the average work can sell for $325.
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