Galerie Magazine Lists 10 Iconic Midcentury Modern Furniture Designs
Galerie Magazine highlights ten iconic midcentury modern furniture pieces that merge Bauhaus principles with American optimism and Danish artistry. Featured items are: Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1956) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller; Barcelona Chair (1929) by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for Knoll; Womb Chair (1948) by Eero Saarinen for Knoll; Noguchi Coffee Table (1947) by Isamu Noguchi for Herman Miller; Tulip Table (1956) by Eero Saarinen for Knoll; Wishbone Chair (CH24, 1949) by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn; Egg Chair (1958) by Arne Jacobsen for SAS Royal Hotel; Bertoia Diamond Chair (1952) by Harry Bertoia for Knoll; Platner Armchair (1966) by Warren Platner for Knoll; Marshmallow Sofa (1956) by Irving Harper for Herman Miller. Auction results include $15,000 for an early Eames Lounge (2022), $44,800 for a Barcelona Chair (2023), and $444,500 for a rare Noguchi Coffee Table (2025). Most of these designs continue to be produced using sustainable materials.
Key facts
- The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1956) was designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller.
- The Barcelona Chair (1929) was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona.
- The Womb Chair (1948) was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll at the request of Florence Knoll.
- The Noguchi Coffee Table (1947) was designed by Isamu Noguchi for Herman Miller.
- The Tulip Table (1956) was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll to eliminate table leg clutter.
- The Wishbone Chair (CH24, 1949) was designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn.
- The Egg Chair (1958) was designed by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen.
- The Bertoia Diamond Chair (1952) was designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll.
- The Platner Armchair (1966) was designed by Warren Platner for Knoll.
- The Marshmallow Sofa (1956) was designed by Irving Harper for Herman Miller, with only 186 examples produced.
Entities
Artists
- Charles Eames
- Ray Eames
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
- Lilly Reich
- Eero Saarinen
- Florence Knoll
- Isamu Noguchi
- Hans Wegner
- Arne Jacobsen
- Harry Bertoia
- Warren Platner
- Irving Harper
Institutions
- Herman Miller
- Knoll
- Carl Hansen & Søn
- SAS Royal Hotel
- Design Within Reach
- Wright
- Sotheby's
- Museum of Modern Art
- Galerie Magazine
Locations
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- New Jersey
- United States