Ace Hi
Ace-Hi "Prelude Series" Rectangular Coffee Table
By ACE-HI, Prelude
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Ace-Hi of Gardena, California, the Prelude line of furniture features solid walnut
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Ace-Hi Walnut Multi-tiered 1960's Coffee Table
By ACE-HI
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Streamlined coffee table in rich solid walnut by ACE-HI featuring raised left and right sides and a
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Ace-Hi "Prelude Series" Round Coffee Table
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Ace-Hi of Gardena, California, the Prelude line of furniture features solid walnut
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Expertly Restored -California Modern Sculpted Floating-Top Side Tables / Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 19.5 in W 22 in D 20.75 in
Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Night Stands by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Steel
Pair of Solid Walnut Danish modern Ace side tables in the style of Peter Hivdit
By ACE-HI
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Pair of Solid Walnut Danish modern side tables in the style of Peter Hivdit
Produced by Ace-Hi
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 19.5 in W 26 in D 17 in
Expertly Restored - California Modern Sculpted Floating-Top Coffee Table
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 13 in W 56.25 in D 20.75 in
Recent Sales
ACE-HI Sculptural Walnut Coffee Table
By ACE-HI
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This early 1960's walnut coffee table by ACE-HI features 3 circle top surfaces. Newly finished.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury Solid Walnut ACE-HI Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern prelude desk for ACE-HI in solid planked walnut. This desk offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Solid Walnut ACE-HI Dresser
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-century prelude dresser for ACE-HI Furniture in solid planked walnut. This piece features
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Ace-Hi Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern ACE-HI desk in solid walnut. This desk offers plenty of storage space complete
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Ace-Hi "Prelude Series" Square Coffee Table
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Ace-Hi of Gardena, Calif., the Prelude line of furniture featured solid walnut
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Ace-Hi Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Ace-Hi executive desk in solid walnut. This desk offers plenty of storage space
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Ace-Hi Solid Walnut Dresser Chest
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-century prelude dresser chest for Ace-Hi Furniture in solid planked walnut. This piece includes
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Solid Walnut Coffee Table by Ace Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Classic mid century coffee table, made in California, by Ace-Hi as part of the Prelude line. This
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Ace-Hi Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century executive Ace-Hi desk in solid walnut. This desk offers plenty of storage space
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Solid Walnut Dresser by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage prelude dresser for ACE-HI Furniture in solid planked walnut. This piece offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Solid Walnut Dresser by ACE-HI
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage prelude dresser for ACE-HI Furniture in solid planked walnut. This piece offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
1960s Mid Century Walnut Desk by Ace- Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut desk designed and manufactured by ACE-Hi in the United States circa 1960s. This
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Pair of Solid Walnut Nightstands by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of nightstands or bedside tables by ACE-HI Furniture, California. This set
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Pair of Solid Walnut Nightstands by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of nightstands or bedside tables by ACE-HI Furniture, California. This set
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Floating-Top Coffee Table by ACE-HI
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern sculpted floating-top coffee table by ACE-HI.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Midcentury Ace-Hi Walnut Dresser
Located in San Jose, CA
Midcentury Ace-Hi Dresser in solid planked walnut. This piece features eleven spacious drawers with
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Pewter
California Modernist Coffee Table by ACE-HI, 1960s
By ACE-HI
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning, California modernist coffee table manufactured by ACE-HI of Gardena, CA as part of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Pair of "Prelude" Side Tables by Ace Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Ace-Hi of Gardena, California, c.1960s, the Prelude line of furniture featured solid
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Solid Walnut Prelude Side Tables by Ace Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of solid walnut (not veneer) side tables by Ace-Hi. These are dated 1962 under each
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Floating Top Coffee Table by Ace-Hi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Ace-Hi Furniture
Manufacturer: Ace-Hi Furniture
Period/Style: Mid Century Modern
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Walnut Lowboy Dresser by ACE-HI, c1960s
By ACE-HI
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Discover the epitome of mid-century design with this exquisite vintage walnut dresser by Ace-Hi
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Modern Walnut Lowboy Dresser by ACE-HI, c1960s
By ACE-HI
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Discover the epitome of mid-century design with this exquisite vintage walnut dresser by Ace-Hi
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Metal
American Modern Ace-Hi of California Solid Walnut Cocktail Table
By Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful simple elegant small round cocktail table with beveled edge manufactured by Ace -Hi .in
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Walnut
1960s Mid Century Walnut Nightstands by Ace- Hi - a Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
These Mid-century walnut nightstands designed and manufactured by Ace-Hi in the United States circa
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Walnut
MCM Solid Walnut 14 Drawer Dresser by ACE-HI Prelude California Design
Located in San Diego, CA
Century Solid Walnut 14 Drawer Dresser by ACE-HI Prelude
Mid-Century Modern · Walnut Furniture · Bedroom
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
American Modern pair of solid walnut end tables by Ace-Hi of California
Located in San Diego, CA
Great set of solid walnut end tables by Ace-Hi of California beveled edges part of the Prellude
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 19.75 in W 26.25 in D 17 in
Gorgeous Mid Century Ace-Hi Prelude Dresser Buffet Sideboard
By ACE-HI
Located in Spring Valley, CA
Beautiful 12 drawer dresser piece. Smooth sliding drawers. Gorgeous wood grain pattern. Such a statement piece!.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut Desk by Prelude Furniture "Ace Hi" Line
By Prelude
Located in Fulton, CA
Mid-Century Modern desk by Prelude Furniture. Circa. 1960's. Quality crafted with the majority of woods in solid walnut and solid oak. Exceptional wood grain with depth and glow to o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Oak, Walnut
MCM Solid Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser by ACE-HI Prelude California Design
Located in San Diego, CA
American solid walnut striking high-quality dresser is beautiful and unique. California design freshly refinished in great condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Dresser
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern dresser by ACE-HI in solid walnut. This piece features nine drawers accessorized
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
1950s American Modern California Design Solid Walnut Small Cocktail End Table
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid walnut square cocktail low end table, circa 1960s manufactured by Ace Hi of
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 15 in W 20 in D 20 in
Vintage Pair of Solid Walnut End Tables
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of side tables by ACE-HI of California. This set features a solid planked
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Walnut
American Modern California Design Pair of Solid Walnut Nightstands
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
aluminum handles, freshly refinished nice condition, simple and elegant manufactured by ACE-HI of
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Pair of Solid Walnut Nightstands
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of nightstands or bedside tables by ACE-HI of California. This set is made
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Vintage Walnut Nightstands
By ACE-HI
Located in Palm Springs, CA
pieces of walnut with oak secondaries. The back are some sort of composite. Attributed to Ace-Hi. In very
Category
20th Century American Night Stands
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Vintage Solid Walnut Coffee Table Attributed to Greta Grossman
By Greta Magnusson Grossman, ACE-HI
Located in North Hollywood, CA
floating tops on a solid walnut base. Manufacture by ACE-HI in Los Angeles, California for its Prelude
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
California Midcentury Coffee Table in Manner of Greta Grossman, circa 1960s
By Prelude, Greta Magnusson Grossman, ACE-HI
Located in Peabody, MA
walnut "discs" connected by gracefully curved walnut stretchers. Made by Ace-Hi of Gardena, California
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 13 in W 52.5 in D 35.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk in Solid Walnut, circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Fulton, CA
. Structurally solid. Attributed to Prelude Furniture "Ace Hi" line.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
American Midcentury Solid Walnut Surfboard Coffee Table California Design
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful grain on this solid American walnut surfboard coffee table, with rounded edge by ace of
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
American Midcentury Solid Walnut Square Coffee Table California Design
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful grain on this solid American walnut coffee table, with a rounded and beveled edge by Ace
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern American Solid Walnut Nightstands
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Great set of solid walnut nightstands. American mid-century California design, circa 1960s. Freshly refinished with polished aluminium handles and triple drawer dovetail finish. Grea...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Aluminum
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Solid Teak Side Coffee Table
By Arne Vodder, France & Søn, Prelude
Located in Chula Vista, CA
legs can be removed for safe and easy shipping.
Attributed to Prelude Hi Ace. No label present
Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Teak
Midcentury Solid Walnut Ace-Hi Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Ace-Hi Desk in solid walnut. This desk offers plenty of storage space complete with
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Walnut Office Desk by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century Ace-Hi compact writing desk in solid planked walnut. This piece offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Walnut Office Desk by ACE-HI
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century ACE-HI compact writing desk in solid planked walnut. This piece offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Solid Walnut Coffee Table by ACE-HI
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern coffee table by ACE-HI of California. This piece has a long solid planked walnut
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Ace Hi Prelude Executive Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in San Carlos, CA
For sale we have a beautiful American Made desk by ACE-HI. The desk, part of ACE-HI's signature
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pewter
Mid Century Solid Walnut Dresser by ACE-HI
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage prelude dresser for ACE-HI Furniture in solid planked walnut. This piece offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Solid Walnut Office Desk by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century ACE-HI compact writing desk in solid planked walnut. This piece offers plenty of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Solid Walnut Prelude Side Table by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century modern Prelude design end table manufactured by Ace-Hi of California, circa 1960's
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Walnut
California Modern “Prelude” Oblong Side Table by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Ace-Hi of Gardena, Calif., the Prelude line of furniture featured solid walnut
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Walnut Lowboy Dresser by ACE-HI, c1960s
By ACE-HI
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Discover the epitome of mid-century design with this exquisite vintage walnut dresser by Ace-Hi
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Metal
American Modern Ace-Hi of California solid walnut cocktail table
By Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful simple elegant small round cocktail table with beveled edge manufactured by Ace -Hi .in
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Coffee Table Prelude by Ace Hi, c. 1950/1960's
By Prelude
Located in New York, NY
classic table was made in California, by Ace - Hi as part of the Prelude line. This example is in good
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
1960s American Modern California Design Solid Walnut Small Cocktail End Table
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid walnut square cocktail low end table, circa 1960s manufactured by Ace Hi of
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 15 in W 20 in D 20 in
Solid Walnut Coffee Table
By ACE-HI, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Solid Walnut Coffee Table by Ace - Hi. Often attributed to Greta Grossman.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Cerused Oak Mid-Century Desk
By ACE-HI
Located in Long Beach, CA
An absolutely fantastic piece. This sold oak desk by Prelude/Ace-Hi furniture of California has
Category
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Solid Walnut 14 Drawer Dresser by Prelude
Located in Long Beach, CA
A 14 drawer dresser constructed of solid walnut by Prelude/Ace-Hi of California. Dated 1962
Category
Mid-20th Century Dressers
Solid Walnut Desk with Matching Chair by Prelude
Located in Long Beach, CA
Beautiful sold walnut desk and chair produced by Prelude/Ace-Hi of California, dated 1962. This is
Category
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Pair of Walnut Side Tables by Ace-Hi
By ACE-HI
Located in Waltham, MA
Pair of solid walnut California Modern side tables by Ace Hi from the Prelude line. Reminiscent of
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Wood
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Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE (LARGE) floor 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 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass
Expertly Restored - John Keal Mahogany Round Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 14.5 in W 42 in D 42 in
Mid-Century Table by Henredon
By Heritage-Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oval surfboard coffee table by Henredon with added walnut trim and tapered legs.
Please confirm location.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Lane Mid-Century Coffee Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful coffee table from Virginia's Lane Furniture Company. Quality, American-made piece featuring a beautiful walnut wood grain. Sure to fit in with a wide variety of decorating ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
21st Contemporary Coffee Center Round Table Abstract Wood Marquetry by HOMMÉS
By Hommes Studio
Located in Porto, PT
Austria Center Table is a stylish assembly of different types of wood. With a sincere texture, the marquetry coffee table is the pièce de résistance of a nature-inspired interior. S...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Materials
Wood
H 11.82 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Sculpted Teak with Oval Glass Coffee Table
Located in Denton, TX
Danish Modern style carved teak base in an wave shape with oval glass top.
Category
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Teak
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Ace Hi For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the ace hi you’re looking for at 1stDibs. An ace hi — often made from walnut, wood and metal — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without an ace hi — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. An ace hi, designed in the Mid-Century Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one ace hi that is appealing in its simplicity, but ACE-HI and Prelude produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Ace Hi?
The average selling price for an ace hi at 1stDibs is $1,400, while they’re typically $375 on the low end and $5,000 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
- 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.