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Modern Chairs

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, this inspiration gave us the freedom to create a collection where the design appropriate subtle elements, harmonic transitions and thin but resistant wood thicknesses, that gave life to a unique and contemporary collection. Our studio objective was to abstract most of the figurative elements and arrive in the very sweet spot in this design, the “cream”, driving the details in a three dimensional way. All our objects are drawn using the Da Vinci's "golden section", and the wing collection is not an exception, this assures pleasing proportions and contrast between each design part that composes the object in a deep study in the thicknesses and the relationship between each component sizing. The Wing chairs and stools are crafted with passion using premium materials and the latest technologies in furniture manufacturing, with a very precise quality control, on its beauty there is the subtle variations between the wood veins in a real living item without ethnic appeal yet been warm resulting in well-rounded comfortable pieces, delicate in design and sturdy in construction. All this qualities converge in and merge in a collection made to participate in the life of our clients as a breeze, comfortably, pleasant, harmonic and positive. We offer a caning back solution and a solid back option, stools and chairs versions. There are three solid wood tonalities as standard and a solid Ebonized black, we also offer wood harmonisation if needed, so we work the tonality to approximate a particular target. All woods and materials are certified and responsibly sourced and manufactured. Listing features the black ebonized solid wood stool...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Leather

Modernist Organic Vintage Three Foldable Dining Chairs Beech Mesh Chrome, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist organic vintage three vintage chromed metal, beech and Viennese mesh dining chairs or chairs, 1970s, Italy. A wonderful set of three (3) dining chairs with a chromed met...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

White Arch Bench by Karstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Arch bench by Karstudio. Materials: FRP. Dimensions: 120 x 40 x 43 cm. *This piece is suitable for outdoor use. Both display ways make it the ...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Mid-Century Modern to Modern Oak Maroon Vinyl Rolling Game or Dining Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern to modern rolling game or dining chairs comprised of oak frames, maroon vinyl seats and backs, brass sabots, and casters. Beautiful condition, keeping in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Oak

Vanity Seat in Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vanity seat. Grey lacquer. Handmade. Wood base. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at least 60 coats of org...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Lacquer

Postmodern Metal Vintage Aluminum Patio Chairs Toledo Jorge Pensi Spain 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern vintage set of five aluminum stacking dining chairs patio chairs designed by Jorge Pensi, 1986-1988, and produced by Amat-3. Provide with the stamp "Toledo Design Jorge Pe...
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Eric Schmitt (*1955), Osselet Chairs, 1996
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural " Osselet " side chairs by Eric Schmitt. Patinated bronze frames and cognac leather seats.
Category

1990s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Modern Brown Leather Vintage Dining Chairs Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi, 1979
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern set of 8 cognac brown vintage dining chairs or chairs, which were designed by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi 1979, Italy. A special feature from the model of chair Korium is hi...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Gaulino Easy Chair by Oscar Tysquets black lacquered ashwood, contemporary
Located in Barcelona, ES
“The challenge was to design a light armchair, not too high, using wood and leather. At the beginning, it was going in a different direction, but after making various models, prototypes and considering BD’s design team’s different perspectives on the matter, the result has inevitably drawn toward what is now the Gaulino chair, which was designed nearly 30 years ago. We did not envision it so, but the ergonomics and the aesthetic coherence of this piece has taken us toward a solution much like the Gaulino chair, an heiress of Gaudí and Mollino, and have decided to conserve the name.” OSCAR TUSQUETS The Gaulino Easy Chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Hide, Ash

Wassily Style Leather Chair in the Manner of Marcel Breuer
Located in Austin, TX
A fine, comfortable Wassily style lounge chair from France featuring bands of stitched leather attached to a seamless tubular chrome frame, inspired by Marcel Breuer’s original desig...
Category

20th Century French Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass frame, seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests. Limited edition of 360 chairs produced in 1999. This is chair #234 and #235. Excellent...
Category

1990s Swedish Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Black Bar Stool Suede Upholstery Wood Base & Polished Brass
Located in Porto, PT
Moa Azure Bar Stool is a mid-century modern stool with a square velvet seat with unique softness and refinement tops a pyramidal foot in wood marquetry with polished brass details. H...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

"Joca" Chair Solid Wood and Customized Handwoven
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
When she created Joca chair, Alessandra Delgado wanted a piece with delicate features, exploring the curves of the wood with a design inspired by the master designer Joaquim Tenreiro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Polyester, Wood

Apollo Armchair, Club Chair, Chrome Finish Frame and Cream Boucle by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo armchair further evolves the Apollo design family, through the addition of an elegant backrest to the chair, embodying a further contrasting combination of intricate metal...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Saturn Pouffe Small, Chrome Steel Frame and Ivory Boucle Fabric by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Saturn pouffe utilises gathered bilboquet seat construction, to create a more simplified but still incredibly distinctive form. The The Saturn pouffe utilises gathered bilboque...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

"Bruna" Minimalist Armchair in Painted Steel and Velvet Handwoven
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Alessandra Delgado was once thinking about wire. What would emerge if one started to fold lengths of wire randomly? Bruna armchair is the materialization of these thoughts. The armch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Minimalist Organic Chair in natural Solid Wood, black leather Seating tone
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Bar or Counter Hight, Caning and Leather
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood

Gaulino chair by Oscar Tusquets ash wood black lacquer leather hide seat, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Gaulino Chair is one of the best designs by Oscar Tusquets and has become an iconic Spanish design. Made exclusively from wood and leather, the name comes from the influences th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

Teak Wood Framed Chair, with Woven Leather Seat
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A hand-crafted teak framed & woven leather strap chair. These chairs are crafted by local artisans using a wood joinery technique without the use of nails. They feature a subtle wood...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Natural Leather and Polished Stainless Steel
Located in Lisbon, PT
Embracing the purpose to take a break, LISBOA chair invites you to just sit and relax. Combining many observations from different cultures of how people use chairs...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Moooi Smoke Armchair in Shade Pitch Black Upholstery by Maarten Baas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Furniture finished with fire. The beauty and character of burned wood is now captured in a long lasting material, creating the strange sensation of sitting on burnt furniture Maarten Baas interpreted his fascination for the element fire with a groundbreaking approach. Capturing the burning flames into the solidity of wood. Each chair is unique due to this exceptional production process. Just like the Phoenix, the Smoke objects are reborn from their ashes, gaining new vitality and beauty in a very unusual way. Additional information: Material: Burnt wood finished with epoxy resin, fire retardant foam, leather upholstery Upholstery: Shade pitch black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Moooi The Golden Chair in Black Steel Frame with Vesper, Bronze Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Under a mysterious magic spell, a retro-looking school chair is dipped in enchanted golden nectar, which washes away its austerity and crows it with a shi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Celeste Chair in Boucle Fabric and Brass and Mint Metal by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Celeste chair plays with contrasting shapes, materials and textures. The circles and squares join to make a chair that has both substance and lightness. ...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Chubby Chair in Eraser 3D Printed Recycled Plastic
Located in London, GB
Dirk van der Kooij first fell in love with low resolution 3D printing as a student, fulfilling his search for honest and functional ornamentation. The chubby chair...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Chubby Chair in Moss 3D Printed Recycled Plastic
Located in London, GB
Dirk van der Kooij first fell in love with low resolution 3D printing as a student, fulfilling his search for honest and functional ornamentation. T...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Pink Ribbon Chair by Nika Zupanc, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The ribbon chair is the object that expresses the female language of Nika Zupanc with a strong and essential icon. The ribbon chair is an object whose identity expresses feeling and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Strelitzia Modern Solid Brass Upholstered Luxury Dining Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Strelitzia bespoke, dining chair is designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This luxury dining chair has a backrest of so...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Kartell Pilastro Stool in Black by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pilastro stool is part of the Kartell goes Sottsass, a tribute to Memphis collection, launched in 2015 in homage to design guru Ettore Sottsass....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Pilastro Stool in Green by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pilastro stool is part of the Kartell goes Sottsass, a tribute to Memphis collection, launched in 2015 in homage to design guru Ettore Sottsass....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Maui Armchair Terry Dwan Contemporary Natural Cedar Made in Italy Riva 1920
Located in Cantù, IT
Armchair made from a single block of scented cedar. A sculptured monolith with a curvy and sinuous design. It has an ergonomic seat in a continuous line with the back. Available with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Sun Bubble Hanging Swing Chair Modern Steel In / Outdoor Black, 21st Century
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The bubble hanging swing chairs’ round shape creates a cozy feel. The is available in modern patterns that are striking in its visual appeal. The ch...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with a sheet of natural thick leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable e...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Iconic Eero Aarnio Yellow Pastil Chair
Located in New York, NY
Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability. ...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Chair Art, 0023-CU Julie Beechwood Painted and Thick-Leather Different Colors
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
Julie Collection expands to include a new model featuring a backrest and seat with a interwoven thick leather. The frame in beechwood will be painted or ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Post Mundus Chair in Beech
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Five pieces of bent wood make up the unique profile of Post Mundus, the chair designed by Martino Gamper that plays on the iconic lines of the historic Aus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Seletti Pink "Lipsticks" Upholstered Occasional Chair by Toiletpaper
Located in Doral, FL
Mix and match the wildest graphics designed by Toiletpaper and get the most iconic dining room of all. Also available in blue. - Material: Fabrics in polyester, frame in wood with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 50xStacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
Located in London, GB
42 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually. There are 5 x steel trolleys available se...
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Customizable e15 That Lounge Chair by Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
The lounge chair That is part of the distinct This That Other seating series. Named after the famous card trick, Stefan Diez uses the same plywood material as for the iconic Houdini ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Stool/Bench Modern Medieval Handmade Horsehair Iron Woven Textile Fringe Tassel
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR BENCH NO. 1 - WHITE J.M. Szymanski d. 2019 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an exciting juxtaposition o...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron, Steel

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Black Leather 21st Century Modern
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the sheets of soft leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable experie...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Sun Bubble Hanging Swing Chair Modern Steel In/Outdoor White 21st Century
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The Bubble hanging swing chairs’ round shape creates a cozy feel. The is available in modern patterns that are striking in its visual appeal. The chair has been designed to be ve...
Category

2010s Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Oversized Tub Chairs by Sally Sirkin Lewis for J Robert Scott- a Pair
Located in Roanoke, VA
A pair of oversized lounge chairs by Sally Sirkin Lewis for J. Robert Scott beautifully redone in luxurious moss green velvet. Feeling a little Royere, a little Kagan, and a lot comf...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

René Herbst Set of Six 'Sandows' Dining Chairs in Steel and Cord
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Herbst, set of six 'Sandows' chairs, model '101', chrome-plated steel, elastic rope, France, design 1928, produced, 1970s. The 'Sandows' chair epitomizes the industrial advance...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Handcrafted Velvet Dining Chair in Retro Silhouette
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This dining chair is elegant, mysterious and charismatic. Its bold retro lines and soft seat make it an effortless head turner. Upholstery: Velvet Legs: A...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Black Chubby Chair in 3d Printed Recycled Plastic
Located in London, GB
Dirk van der Kooij first fell in love with low resolution 3D printing as a student, fulfilling his search for honest and functional ornamentation. T...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Chubby Chair in Dijon 3d Printed Recycled Plastic
Located in London, GB
Dirk van der Kooij first fell in love with low resolution 3D printing as a student, fulfilling his search for honest and functional ornamentation. T...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Chair, Leather or Textile Seating, Caning Backboard
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Cane, Hardwood, Leather

Limited edition Salvador Dali Armchair "Invisible Personage" sheepskin LED light
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Invisible Personage design was developed Salvador Dalí’s painting, Singularities (1935) and was introduced by BD in 2016. The painting is a member of a series of works representi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

Figueroa Dining Chair, Velvet & Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in the sunny California, the charming Figueroa Mountain is a magical landscape that led to the creation of the Figueroa dining chair. Evo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Swift Easy Chair, Modern Spindle Back Walnut and Rope Woven Lounge Chair
Located in Stevenson, WA
With a high spindle back and handcrafted bridle joinery clearly displayed, the Swift Easy Chair frame is studio favorite. Each Swift is a complex build for a skilled craftsperson: th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Rope, Hardwood

Sunlounger by Salvador Dali model "Portlligat" surrealist design iroko wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Dalí’s creativity and fascination with the human body takes the form of a sunbed, intimately created and exquisitely designed. Dalí’s original Portlligat was made in 1962 from olive...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

De Sede KT-221 Armchair in Black Upholstery by Kurt Thut
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the KT-221, de Sede launches another re-edition classic from Swiss Design – one of whose founding members was Kurt Thut. Good design, timelessness and quality are the attributes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Black Lacquered Harlow Throne Chairs by Blackman Cruz
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous pair of black lacquered ‘Harlow Throne’ chairs design in 2000 by Blackman Cruz. The chair was name after actress Jean Harlow. Both chairs have ...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Upholstered Dining Chair with Solid Wood Legs - Lollipop Chair by Kunaal Kyhaan
Located in Pune, IN
Round solid wood legs with an arched backrest, the statuesque Lollipop Dining Chair by Kunaal Kyhaan is hand carved by master artisans on a lathe for hours and then upholstered with ...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Pair of Armchairs, Italy, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Inox steel frames featuring wraparound backs upholstered in dark brown leather, the seats and backs upholstered in the original crushed velvet with leaf pattern. These chairs were de...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Basket Chair for Beach or Slope by de Vries of Germany, including Accessories
Located in San Francisco, CA
Manufactured by deVries of Germany, this stylist basket chair is a must for beach or slopes! Made of brushed teak, the body is intricately braided in a circular pattern on both sides...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.

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