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Wall Lamp Pair Plane

Pair of brass table lamps model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of table lamps model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Brass
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp Model 2434 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Frank Josef
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2434 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939. Polished and
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table lamp model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s Stamped. Brass and
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp Model 2466 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Brass with
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Floor Lamp Model 2564 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp model 2564 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. White lacquered
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Floor Lamp Model 1842 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1932
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp model 1842 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1932. Brass. Measures: H
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table lamp model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass. Table Lamp Model 2552 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s Measures: H
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Floor Lamp Model 2564 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp model 2564 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Polished and
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp Model 2434 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2434 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939. Polished and
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Serge Mouille - Flame Wall Sconce
By Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
DESCRIPTION: An elegant twist of metal results in a lamp that illuminates upwards while creating
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and ...

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Serge Mouille - Flame Wall Sconce
Serge Mouille - Flame Wall Sconce
Free Shipping
H 14 in W 9 in D 10 in
Serge Mouille - Pair of 5-Arm Spider Sconces in White - IN STOCK!
By Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
can illuminate a large area of a wall or room. Each lamp head rotates and tilts. Brass fittings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and ...

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Serge Mouille - Pair of 3-Arm Spider Sconces in White - IN STOCK!
By Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
″ Canopy Thickness: 2.0″ FEATURES Like all spider lamps, ceiling or wall fixtures, this lamp is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and ...

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Serge Mouille - Ceiling Lamp with 6 Rotating Arms in White
By Editions Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
Ceiling Lamp is hardwired. The 6 light bulbs are controled together from the same wall switch. Best fit
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and ...

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Serge Mouille - Ceiling Lamp with 6 Rotating Arms in Black
By Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
Ceiling Lamp is hardwired. The 6 light bulbs are controled together from the same wall switch. Best fit
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and ...

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Serge Mouille - Ceiling Lamp with 6 Rotating Arms in Black
By Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
lamp should be shipped by plane which takes about 8 to 9 hours flying from Europe to New York
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and ...

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Set of Six Chairs Designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn, Model 725, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Occasional Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Occasional Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Six Chairs Model 2025 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood, Lacquer

Walnut and Brass Serving Trolley Model 756 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

Occasional Table Model 2168 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Marble

Set of Six Dining Chairs Model 526 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan, Mahogany

Dining Table Model 1197 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Sideboard Model 1148 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Walnut

People Also Browsed

Leather Meander Flexible Wall Sconce
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Leather wrapped flexible arm wall light you can pose and adjust as you wish. This is our updated Meander Reader light with larger cone shade and new upward angled arm. Lamping: Sing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass, Nickel

Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Category

2010s Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Category

2010s American Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Category

2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

Materials

Hardwood

Large LUhans Indoor Outdoor Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of our Lumfardo Luminaries contemporary collection, this larger version LUhans patinated un-lacquered copper indoor outdoor sconce is inspired by Scandinavian mid-century design...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights a...

Materials

Copper

Large LUhans Indoor Outdoor Sconce
Large LUhans Indoor Outdoor Sconce
H 8 in W 8 in D 10.5 in
Mae Solid Wood Nightstand and Side Table by Crump and Kwash
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Mae Nightstand Solid wood frame / hand turned legs / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass pulls / dovetailed solid wood drawer boxes / premium, full extension, soft close drawer ...
Category

2010s American Modern Night Stands

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Oak

JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Oak Wood by Master for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Envisioned by designer Yaniv Chen, the Constant nightstand exudes an air of refined luxury, celebrating the inherent splendor of wood. Meticulously crafted with impeccable proportion...
Category

2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

Materials

Oak

Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblade ...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Linen, Fabric, Wood

Ceiling Suspended Hanging Mirror with Bronze Patina Frame, Vintage Four
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, GB
Mid-century style Vintage Four ceiling suspended mirror with a high quality pure brass full frame with a bronze patina finish inspired by the celebrated work of Italian designer Gio ...
Category

2010s British Art Deco Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Contemporary Minimal Round Coffee Center Table in Travertine Stone Natural Pores
Located in Porto, PT
Lunarys Center Table is an outstanding modern design piece. A key coffee table for a contemporary living room project seems to come directly from space. Made in travertine stone is p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables

Materials

Travertine

Corbu Bedside Table by DeMuro Das in Charcoal Carta and Solid Walnut
By DeMuro Das
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the graphic motifs of Le Corbusier's mural paintings, the solid form of the Corbu bedside table is defined by rhythmically placed handles. Architectural legs lend support...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands

Materials

Oak

Orbitale Brass Chandelier 5 Rotating Balanced Arms, Stilnovo Style, Brass Shades
By Stilnovo, Silvio Piattelli
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This stunning bespoke brass chandelier is cleverly designed to work perfectly with lower ceilings. It features five rotating arms with a minimum height of 28 in. (70 cm). The arms ar...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

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Recent Sales

Pair of Saturno Wall Lights
By Baroncelli
Located in London, GB
economy of using graphic lines and planes to organize or ‘construct’ the finished work. The Saturno
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass

Pair of Saturno Wall Lights
Pair of Saturno Wall Lights
H 7.09 in Dm 10.24 in
Pair of Saturno Wall Lights in Polished Copper
By Baroncelli
Located in London, GB
economy of using graphic lines and planes to organize or ‘construct’ the finished work. The Saturno
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass

Pair of Saturno Wall Lights in Polished Black Nickel
By Baroncelli
Located in London, GB
economy of using graphic lines and planes to organize or ‘construct’ the finished work. The Saturno
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass

Pair of Floor Lamps ‘Model 2424’ Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of floor lamps ‘Model 2424’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1930s. Brass
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of table lamps model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of table lamps model 2552 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s Stamped
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Wall Lamp Model 2565 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall lamp model 2565 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Polished brass
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Table lamp model 2434 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939 Red
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2434 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939. Polished and
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp Model 2468 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2468 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Brass with
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Table Lamp Model 2468 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass with cotton shades. Stamped. Model 2468 is a delightful brass table lamp with three small
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Floor Lamp ‘San Francisco’ Model G2431 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp ‘San Francisco’ model G2431 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1938
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Table Lamp Model 2434 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2434 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939. Early model with
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Brass floor lamp ‘Small Camel’ model 2568 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1939
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp ‘Small Camel’ model 2568 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939. Brass
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Steel

Verdigris Copper PH5 Louis Poulson Wall Lights, circa 1950s
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Gloucester, GB
Verdigris copper PH5 Louis Poulson wall lights, circa 1950s - Prices is for the pair - Solid
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Copper

Pair of Armchairs Model 789b ‘Captain’s Chair’ Designed by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Table model 590 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s, Elm
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Brass

Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Occasional Table Model U 601 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Brass

Occasional table model U 601 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Stool Model 927 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Mahogany

Set of Four Dining Chairs Model 2027 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Set of Six Dining Chairs Model 2027 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of polished brass wall lights model 2389 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of wall lights model 2389 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Polished
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Black Antony Sconces by Serge Mouille
By Serge Mouille
Located in Stratford, CT
is connected by a brass swivel and supported on a bent, rotating arm attached to the wall by a round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and ...

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Serving Trolley Model 470 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Mahogany

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Wall Lamp Pair Plane For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic wall lamp pair plane available at 1stDibs. A wall lamp pair plane — often made from metal, brass and wood — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a wall lamp pair plane, we have 41 options in-stock, while there are 17 modern editions to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer wall lamp pair plane, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A wall lamp pair plane is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern, Scandinavian Modern and modern styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one wall lamp pair plane that is appealing in its simplicity, but Josef Frank, Serge Mouille and Svenskt Tenn produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Wall Lamp Pair Plane?

The average selling price for a wall lamp pair plane at 1stDibs is $6,390, while they’re typically $2,598 on the low end and $33,239 for the highest priced.

A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture

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.