We have written many times over the past 10 years about the mid-century modern trend, and it is still going strong today. Just this week we paid $12,500 for the Bertoia bronze sculpture bottom right.
When we first went into the antique business in the 1980s, no one wanted anything to do with 1950s and ’60s modernist design; the bizarre clock in your mom’s kitchen or the asymmetrical Danish-designed table in your
parents’ den was seen as old hat. But in the grand spirit of “everything old is new again,” from around 2005, these mid-century modern pieces started to enjoy a renewed hipness, especially among twentysomethings.
DESIGNS FROM THE ’50s AND ’70s; DANISH, SCANDINAVIAN, MEXICAN, GERMAN AND SWISS
Influential MCM Design
Jump forward to today, and these Jetsons-and Sputnik-era (also called Eames-era) designs, often characterized by asymmetrical shapes, spikes, suns and bubbles, are fascinating – and add a bold, very specific vibe to your home or office.
They range from organic curves and clean lines (in the furniture of Charles Eames, Paul Evans, Joseph Eichler, Knoll and Hans Wegner) to small occasional tables with a bubble or constellation design by Edward Wormley or Dunbar. There are also watches and jewelry set in silver and gold and signed by David Webb, Ed Weiner, Sam Kramer (famous for his mushroom mark), Adler, Bacharach, Bergman, Ball, Brynner, Gilbert Albert, and Pardon (of particular importance). These designs are not for everyone; many think they are gaudy, overbearing, and occasionally sterile. But therein lies the appeal.
GREAT DANISH DESIGNER OF A VINTAGE HOME BOUTIQUE
If you have any fantastic, unusual pieces of Danish, Scandinavian, Mexican, German or Swiss design from the ’50s to the ’70s, pay us a visit. Or we can make a house call. We buy entire estates or one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Tampa, Pasco and Lakeland? Yes, we can visit! WE ARE BUYING or consigning for our international auctions.
This is an archival article formerly written and is for informational purposes only. The valuations in this article have likely changed since it was first written.
