Mid Century aesthetic – atomic, minimal, kitsch, space-age

 

 

Vintage 60's Space Age desk clock chrome sphere

Vintage 70’s Space Age Howard Miller eye clock

 

 

Design convergence in the Mid Century

 

Mid Century design from the post WW2 era possessed a bold and audacious aesthetic that grew from the fusion of many intrepid design concepts. It represented the critical mass of the merging of numerous design influences including biomorphic curves, orbiting atoms, fractured cubist forms, brutalist abstractions, lava glazes and streamlined minimalist forms.

The desire to bring futuristic styles into the mainstream, reflecting the thrust of the space age and the atomic age inventions, came into fruition. These provided iconic imagery that was very adaptable to the minimal streamlined industrial designs that had emerged in architecture and furniture from gifted designers like Le Corbusier, Ray Eames, Gio Ponti,  Isamu Noguchi and Walter Gropius. The public were eager to embrace modern design concepts, possibly to distance themselves from the recent WW global conflicts and their escapist desires were adequately provided by decor objects that exuded fantasy, glamour, modernism, humour and the future.

Designs embracing a fun-factor, kitchiness and sense of the future were ubiquitous and covered a vast array of decorative objects that included figurines, lamps, planters, clocks and vases.  Polynesian, Aztec, Tiki and African themes were popular, along with other kitsch diversions all combining with modernist, abstract features.

The inventive styles ranging from the quirky to the sophisticated, have proved to have a timeless appeal and can still be harmonious with contemporary modern decor designs. Due to their excellent craftsmanship that embraced new materials,, tasteful simplicity and adventurous innovation, they are still being admired and collected over half a century later. Their brilliant originality has endured the journey and contributed to their ongoing collectability and appeal.

 

Aaron Bohrod figure sketche and ceramic vase

Aaron Bohrod figure sketches and ceramic vase

 

 

 

_Ü Übelacker Keramik West German Pottery-Modern-Mid-20-Century-Vintage-Retro-Red

Ü Übelacker Keramik West German Pottery

 

 

Ettienne-Pirot-sculpture figures in turquoise - @Tutt'Art

Etienne Pirot sculpture figures – turquoise and gold – @Tutt’Art

 

 

Peter and Denise Orlando, Ceramic-Dish-on-Base-Galerie-Riveria, Saint-Quen

Peter and Denise Orlando, Ceramic Dish on Base

1stDibs

 

 

Peter and Denise Orlando vase

 

 

Bay--Decor-Istanbul.jug-Designed-by-Bodo-Mans

Bay ceramic pitcher — ‘Istanbul’ designed by Bodo Mans

Germany

 

 

Daniel-Rhodes mid century ceramic pottery

Daniel Rhodes, USA

 

 

Sascha Brastoff Gilded Wire Abstract Peacock Sculpture from-Early California Antiques

Sascha Brastoff Gilded Wire Abstract Peacock Sculpture

Early California Antiques

 

 

Designed-in 1958 by Karl Heinz-Schultz-Koln,for Arabia-of-Finland-in-1963

Vase by Karl Heinz Schultz Koln – Arabia of Finland

1963

 

 

Vallauris-pitcher with large handle

Vallauris pitcher

 

 

 

Ronald Schmitt,-Knutt-Hesterberg Germania-1964-65

Atomic coffee table – Ronald Schmitt, Knutt, Hesterberg

Germany, 1964-65

 

 

Riccardo Dolker, Peacock Pitcher,-ICS,-Vietri-sul-Mare,-in-1927

Riccardo Dolker  Peacock Pitcher

 

 

öpfermeister-series-designed-by-Bodo-Mans.---35-cm-13inches

Vase öpfermeister series by Bodo Mans

13 inches height

 

 

Hawaii-Mid-Century-Modern--Cloak Figure-by-Claude-Horan

Mid Century Modern — Cloaked sculpture figure – Claude Horan

Hawaii

 

 

Stig Lindberg mustard glazed-ceramic Vase for Gustavsberg

Stig Lindberg mustard glazed ceramic vintage vase for Gustavsberg

 

 

Ted Faiers---Space Machine wall hanging,-1955

Ted Faiers — ‘Space Machine’ wall hanging,

1955

 

 

Valentine-Schlegel Mid Century vase

Valentine-Schlegel Mid Century vase

 

 

 

Vintage California Style Ceramic Pottery Boomarang Ash Tray

Vintage California Style Ceramic Pottery Boomarang Ash Tray

 

 

Washington Jesdesma_vase with nude female motif

Washington Jesdesma

 

 

penny-dhaemers-modern-studio-art-pottery-ceramics-prieto-volckening-feves

Penny Dhaemers Mid-Century pottery

 

 

El-Gato-Gomez--1950 atomic art

El Gato Gomez

1950

 

 

Retro Ceramic lamp by Marcello Fantoni

Ceramic lamp by Marcello Fantoni

 

 

Lampe_Accolay_ceramique_1960_Rare-and-Imposing-Red-Ceramic-Modernist-Lamp-with-Geometrical-Decoration

Accolay Ceramique Lampe

1960

 

1968-Huber avocado Lounge Chairs

 Huber avocado lounge chairs

1968

 

 

Silberdistel vase Fat Lava Wadersloh-flickr

Silberdistel vase

Fat Lava Wadersloh-flickr

 

 

Vintage-California Pottery USA-3-pc-Console Set Ashtray Bird Figurines in Orange and Gold

Vintage California Pottery USA 3 pc Console Set Ashtray Bird Figurines in Orange and Gold

 

 

ackerman modernA-monochromatic-Warrior-King-in-sand-cast-aluminum-is-enlivened-by-bold-texture-and-form--

 Warrior King in sand cast aluminum enlivened with bold-texture and form – Evelyn and  Jerome Ackerman

Ackerman Modern

 

 

 

1950's-Reglor-of-California-chalkware-hula-girl-lamp-with-coolie-lamp-shade

Reglor of California chalkware hula girl lamp with coolie lamp shade

1950’s

 

 

Hedi-schoop-wall-plaque dancers

Hedi Schoop wall plaque masked dancers

 

 

Guido-Gambone-Large-Ceramic-Vase---My-Modern---Dronten---1950----15inch

Guido Gambone Large Ceramic Vase

1951  —    height 15 inches

Pamono

 

 

Zaha_Hadid_tea_and_coffee_set_metal

Zaha Hadid tea and coffee set

 

 

1960s-Large-ALDO-LONDI-Bitossi-RAYMOR-Figural-Elephant---moderneform---ebay

Large Aldo Londi-Bitossi-Raymor Figural Elephant, 1960’s

moderneform—ebay

 

 

George Barsony African-Figurines---Flickr-7--Photo-Sharing

George Barsony African Figurines

Australia

 

 

Alvar-Aalto---Beehive-lamp-53-54 in white

Alvar Aalto—Beehive lamp

1953-54

 

 

Space-Age-Furniture -- pod style in red and white

Pod style Space Age Furniture in red and white

 

 

 

Antoine-Pevsner,-Spatial-construction-in-the-3rd-and-4th-dimensions,-1961,-Bronze,-National-Museum-of-Modern-Art---Georges-Pompidou-Center,-Paris

 ‘Spatial construction in the 3rd and 4th dimensions’ – Antoine Pevsner, 1961

National Museum of Modern Ar t— Georges Pompidou Center, Paris

 

 

Atomic-Orb-lidded and footed ceramic ovoid vessel --Sascha-Brastoff

Atomic Orb – lidded and footed ceramic ovoid vessel –Sascha Brastoff

 

 

 

Art Smith’s-“Modern Cuff”-Bracelet -circa-1948

Art Smith’s-“Modern Cuff” bracelet  circa-1948

 

 

Mid Century lamp with sputnik base

Mid Century lamp

 

Rafael-Martinez-red-sculpture

Rafael Martinez

 

 

California-Contempora-Boomarang-Jawbone-Serving-Dish-by-Metlox-Poppytrail,-Mid-Century

Mid-Century California Contempora Boomerang Jawbone-Serving Dish by Metlox Poppytrail

 

 

 

Dancers sculpture-by-Kostas-Dikefalos

Dancers sculpture by Kostas Dikefalos

 

 

Continental-Art-Company Mid Century showgirl Lamp

Continental Art Company Mid Century showgirl Lamp

 

 

 

Modern-Artemis-Bronze-Sculpture by GReek sculptor Yiannis-Nanouris

Modern Artemis bronze sculpture by Yiannis Nanouris

 

 

vintage-mid-century-modern-lighting--with dance figures

Vintage tango couple Mid Century modern lighting

 

 

Designs West Stoneware Art Pottery Flared Vase Mid Century Vintage California

Designs West Stoneware Art Pottery Flared Vase Mid Century Vintage California

 

 

Dora De Larios California Studio Pottery-Mid-Century

Dora De Larios California Studio vintage Pottery

 

 

 

Erhard Goschala Meuselwitz Art Pottery Vase Midcentury Modern East German

 

 

French-Modernist-Ceramic-Handled-Vase-by-Marius-Bessone-Vallauris

French Modernist Ceramic Handled Vase by Marius Bessone

Vallauris, France

 

 

German-Art-Pottery-Ceramic-Pitcher-by-Roman-Elsold,-1958-Modern-Design-Connection

German Art Pottery Ceramic Pitcher by Roman Elsold, 1958

Modern Design Connection

 

 

Guido-Gambone---Glazed-ceramic-vase---Los-Angeles-Modern-Auctions-(LAMA)

Guido Gambone – Glazed ceramic vase

Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA)

 

 

 

Modernist-Polished-Brass-Sculpture-by-Alain-Chervet

Modernist Polished Brass Sculpture by Alain Chervet

 

 

Ior  Maria Martins (1894-1973), ‘The Impossible III’

 Rio de Janeiro  Museum of Modern Art

 

 

Tile Mural by artist Jay Rivkin , California

 

 

Helmut-Schaffenacker-Ulm-West-German-Pottery-Ceramic-Modern-Mid-Century

Helmut Schaffenacker Ulm vintage portal vase

W.Germany

 

Jetson-Coco-Tropical-Hawaiian-Fabric Mid Century

Jetson Coco Tropical Hawaiian Fabric

 

 

 

James-Bearden-black brutalist Sculpture,-'Rex'WEINBERG-MODERN

James Bearden – black brutalist sculpture – ‘Rex’

Weinberg Modern

 

 

Joel-Edwards-Abstract-Modern-Stoneware-Lamp with native Australian plant motif

Joel Edwards Abstract Modern Stoneware Lamp

 

 

 

Jonathan-Adler-Pair-Minimalist-Tall-White vases

Pair minimalist tall white ceramic vases – Jonathan Adler

 

 

 

Large 1950s Modernist Japanese Porcelain Vase in brown and gold

Large 1950s Modernist Japanese Porcelain Vase

 

 

Kitschy 1950s Polynesian - Belly Dancer Chalkware Lamp by TikiTiger,

Kitschy Polynesian – Belly Dancer Chalkware Lamp by TikiTiger

1950’s

 

 

Vintage-barsony kneelin Balinese lady figurine

Vintage Barsony kneeling Javanese lady figurine

 

 

 

Large-Lava-and-Blue-Glaze-Italian-Mid-Century-Modern-Gambone-Style-Pottery-VaseDavid-Sterner-Antiques-LLC

Large Lava and Blue Glaze Italian Mid Century vase

 

 

Laurel Mid-Century 50's Atomic Sputnik vtg lamp

Laurel Mid-Century 50’s Atomic Sputnik vintage lamp

 

 

Marc-Bellaire-mid-century-modern-California-10inch-plate---Balinese figure

Marc Bellaire mid century modern  Balinese dancer plate

10 inch Dia. – California

 

 

Mid_Century_Modern_Ceramic_Lamp naked torso

Mid-Century Modern Naked Torso ceramic lamp

 

 

 

Mid-Century carved ceramic flared vase

Mid-Century carved ceramic flared lip vase

 

 

Mid-Century-California-Original-Pottery-981-Orange-Boomerang-Atomic-Ashtray-14inches

California Original Mid-Century Orange Boomerang Atomic Ashtray

14inches

 

Mid-Century-Modern-drip-lava glaze pottery-table-lamp-&-fiberglass-shade

Mid-Century drip lava glaze pottery table lamp & fiberglass shade

 

 

Mid-Century-Modern-ATOMIC-Sputnik-PENDANT-Lamp-CHANDELIER-Sartatti

Mid-Century Atomic Sputnik Pendant Lamp-Chandelier by Sartatti

 

 

 

Mid-Century-Modern-Freak--Danish-modern-quality-crafted-open-back-Queensland

Mid-Century teak Danish sideboard cabinet

 

 

 

Mid-Century-Modern-Oval-Planter-with succulents by-DesignPaws-on-Etsy,

Mid-Century Oval Planter with succulents

DesignPaws on Etsy,

 

 

Mid-Century-Modern-Raymor-Italy-Ceramic dish

Mid-Century Modern Raymor Italy Ceramic ashtray

 

 

Retro-lamp-by-Jetset-retro-design

Mid Century lamp by Jetsetretro design

 

 

Modernist-Perignem-vase,-decorated-by-Hans-Heinz-Goll

Large modernist Perignem vase, decorated by Hans Heinz Goll

Belgium

 

Otto-60s-West-German-Pottery-Modernist-Pop-Art-Space-Age-UFO-Fat-Lava-Vase-17cm

Otto West German Modernist Lava glaze Space Age UFO Vase

Height 17cm, 60’s

 

 

Peter-Voulkos-ceramic-vase striped

Peter Voulkos ceramic vase, California

 

 

Pair-of-Midcentury-Lamps with orange glaze

Pair of Midcentury space-age lamps with orange glaze

 

 

Blue Hoenig-of-California-Ceramic-Pottery-Sculpture

Blue Hoenig of California ceramic sculpture

 

 

 

 

Red-Bay-West-Germany-Modernistic-20-th-Mid-Century-Vintage-Retro-Vase

Bay Modernistic Mid-Century red vase

West Germany

 

Ron-Hitchins-abstract wall panel--MODERN-FORMS

Ron Hitchins abstract ceramic wall panel

MODERN FORMS

 

 

 

Robert-and-Jean-Cloutier;-Glazed-Ceramic-Figure,-1950s

Robert and Jean Cloutier; abstract Figure

1950’s

 

 

Tiki mask teal ceramic lighter-Sascha Brastoff

Tiki mask ceramic lighter – Sascha Brastoff

 

 

Sascha-BRastoff-ceramic ashtray

Sascha Brastoff vintage ashtray

 

 

Sascha-Brastoff----Aztec-Priest-platter

Sascha Brastoff—- Ceremonial Aztec Priest platter

 

 

stylish_modernist_scandinavian_tile_painted_with_a_warrior_figure_20th_century

Modernist Scandinavian tile panel with a warrior figure_

20th century retro

 

 

Vintage-1950's-Rose Dodd incised pottery Tray

Vintage 1950’s Rose Dodd incised pottery tray

 

 

Vintage American California-art-pottery-Kay-Finch-large-cocker-spaniel-

Vintage California art pottery large Cocker Spaniel by Kay Finch

 

 

 

Vintage Hedi Schoop Lady Console California

 

Vintage 60’s Hedi Schoop Console Centerpiece

 

 

Guido Gambone, squat bottle vase Polychrome-earthenware

 

Guido Gambone

Height 10 inches  — Cube Art and Vintage, Bern

 

 

 

French fat lava pourer

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1 Comment

  1. Posted September 27, 2020 at 7:31 am | Permalink

    Great post. I really would love that Balinese dancer plate! Technical note: The El Gato Gomez painting shown is dated 2015. She was born in the 1970s, and all of her art is retro.

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