Modern Classic Chair
2010s Italian Gothic Armchairs
Steel
Late 20th Century American Modern Club Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
1990s American Modern Slipper Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Suede, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak, Teak, Papercord
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mahogany, Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs
Brass, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bentwood, Naugahyde
20th Century Club Chairs
Mohair
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Cane, Teak
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Chairs
Oak, Lambskin
Vintage 1920s Austrian Bauhaus Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Dutch Modern Chairs
Steel
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Brass
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Leather, Fabric, Bouclé, Velvet, Beech, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Brass, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass, Metal
Late 20th Century American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Oak, Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Ash
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
2010s American Modern Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs
Brass, Stainless Steel
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs
Brass, Stainless Steel
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Modern Classic Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Modern Classic Chair?
Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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