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Modern Seating

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
1970s floral fabric armchairs with wooden feet
Located in Premariacco, IT
Large 1970s Italian modern antique armchairs with upholstered cushion and wooden feet. Sound structure and sturdy chair. The fabric needs to be replaced as pictured.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Sapele Wood

Set of 6 Erik Jorgensen EJ 2 Eyes Chair by Foersom + Hiort-Lorenzen in Purple
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of six Erik Jorgensen EJ 2 Eyes Chair by Foersom + Hiort-Lorenzen. These chairs are beautifully upholstered in a purple Kvadrat wool material with contrastin...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

18"Ø Ball Ottoman in Latte Leather by Moses Nadel
Located in Oyster Bay, NY
Round, sculptural and uniquely abstract, crafted with supple European leather, the Ball Ottoman has the cleanest Silhouette of our ottoman collection. Our ottomans are hand-filled w...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Leather

Archibald Genuine leather Armchair in Pelle SC 66 India Light Brown
Located in New York, NY
The Archibald by Jean-Marie Massaud is the perfect combination of substance and form, the armchairs and poufs boasting a comfortable and enveloping design ideal for meditation and re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of 5 Classic Counter Stool w Backrest Navy Blue Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as t...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

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

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Teak

Set of 3 Counter Bar Stool w Backrest Natural Tan Saddle Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter height stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces whe...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Ottoman pouf DROVA 4 Wool fabric WOO
Located in Kyiv, UA
Ottoman pouf Drova 4, a versatile and stylish addition to your living space. Handcrafted with precision in Ukraine, this cube pouf embodies the perfect fusio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

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 Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

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 Seating

Materials

Plastic

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 Seating

Materials

Plastic

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 Seating

Materials

Leather, Teak

Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Chairs in New Bouclé Upholstery, Germany 1970
Located in Almelo, NL
Presenting this stunning set of ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifully shaped chrome bases creating an incredibly sturdy and stately pre...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Modern Drama Swivel Pouf Chair in White Boucle
Located in Chicago, IL
Swivel pouf upholstered in white Italian merino wool/poly blend performance boucle. COM upholstery option available as well.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Bouclé

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 Seating

Materials

Plastic

Famed Brass Bench
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The FAMED BENCH...harmoniously combines brass and fabric brining a refined elegance and comfort to your home. Length: 59.1'' / Depth: 17.7'' / Height: 18.5'' -Brass -Registered Design. BRASS USE...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Foam

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 Seating

Materials

Brass

Geppo Stool Marco Baxadonne Contemporary Natural Cedar Made in Italy Riva 1920
Located in Cantù, IT
Stool in solid wood of scented cedar made from a single block, is characterized by its “soft” and curvilinear shape. Its particular shape with an open space under the seat is useful ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Cedar, Wood

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 Seating

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 Seating

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 Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Plastic

Low Black Stained Milk Stools
Located in Geneve, CH
Low black stained milk stools Dimensions: Diameter 30cm x height 30cm Materials: Natural wood. Pigment. Available in multiple materials and finishes. Technique: Carved wood. Handmade...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

DIG IT Pouf Jacquard Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Dig It is a pouf with a cylindrical seat. The wooden shell is covered with polyurethane foam and finished with a top layer of acrylic fiber. The base can be ma...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Brass, Metal

Lily Stool, Charcoal Bouclé Stool by Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order bouclé stool designed by Christian Siriano. Also available in: Ivory bouclé, taupe bouclé, light gray bouclé, dark gray bouclé, char...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Bouclé

Amy Solid Walnut and Maple Bench
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Amy bench is constructed of one and three quarter inch solid walnut on two solid maple pedestal bases. We use a high quality bees wax finish from Clapham's in British Columbia. T...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Seating

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Modern Steel Basket Hanging Swing Chair
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The basket twig hanging swing chairs’ round shape creates a cozy feel. It is simple and striking in its visual appeal. The pattern detail is inspired by nature and reminiscent of th...
Category

2010s South African Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Lawrence Peabody Wing Chair for Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, velvet Yardage: 6 yards This Lawrence Peabody wing chair for Craft Associates...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Solid Oak Mobley Bench in Natural Golden Finish
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Mobley bench in solid 1 3/4" oak using natural oils to give a golden finish Customizable to specifications.
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Seating

Materials

Oak

Iconic Eero Aarnio Small Black Mushroom Stool
Located in New York, NY
He mushroom is one of Eero’s oldest designs and in its fibreglass form is part of the same design family that includes the ball chair, Pastil and Tomato. It can be used as a stool or...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Layla Stool, Large Boucle Stool by Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order ivory boucle and wood base with ball legs designed by Christian Siriano. Fabric: Ivory Boucle (available in custom fabric) Base: Red Oak (available in custom finish) ...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Oak, Bouclé

Mono Contemporary Side Table in Wood
Located in London, GB
Mono is an object between a stool and a sidetable. It´s monolith- like, static appearance makes it a stand-alone piece but also works great in company. The object provides the functi...
Category

2010s German Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Black Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Counter stool in black smoke polished steel and black saddle leather. The phrases "Less is more" and "God is in the detail" from the German-American architect and industrial designe...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Toledo Low Armchair, Wicker Back and Solid Oak, Contemporary Mexican Design
Located in Mexico City, MX
This distinctive armchair can add boldness to your living room. The soft, big-cushioned seat makes it very comfortable and the small leather cushion perfectly supports the lower back...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Seating

Materials

Wicker, Hardwood, Fabric

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 Seating

Materials

Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood

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 Seating

Materials

Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Leather

Contemporary Swivel Chair in Shearling, Customizable
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Tyler Swivel chair is a contemporary swivel chair design that features track arms that curve up to the back. The loose cushion seat is h...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Tractor Counter Stool in Carved, Solid Wood by Craig Bassam
Located in Ridgefield, CT
Since debuting at the Milan furniture fair in 2003, the BassamFellows Tractor stool has become a bona fide modern icon. From the outset, it has proven to be a piece of infinite varie...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Hand-Tailored Curved Sectional Sofa in Mustard Yellow Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern inspired sectional sofa featuring curved design with luxurious mustard yellow velvet fabric. Supported by walnut base. Standard dimensions: 293 cm x 157 cm x 84 cm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Modern Genuine Ochre Soft Leather Tan Sling - Swing Chair
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 Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Marenco Sofa is designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. This sofa features the system with making the armrest and seat as the base portion. There is a metal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Cat Cave, Bordeaux House for Cats, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) In Stock in Los Angeles Cat Cave is project by Stefano Giovann...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Plastic

Pair Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool , Old Silver Metal & Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Iconic Eero Aarnio Silver Bubble Chair
Located in New York, NY
The bubble chair was designed by Eero Aarnio in 1968. According to Eero’s notes, the bubble hangs from the ceiling because ‘there is no nice way to make a...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless 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 Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Pair of Chic 'Méandre' Side Chairs by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic undulating 'Méandre' side chairs by Design Frères. Bronzed steel frames. Natural linen upholstered cushions. These Méandre™ chairs from our exclusive Design Frères® li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

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 Seating

Materials

Beech

Vao Sofa 380 by Paolo Castelli
Located in Boston, MA
Three-seat sofa with a sinuous shape and ample dimensions, supported by a structure with legs made of discarded eco-friendly solid ash with an acetic finish, whose imperfections give...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Wool

Gigi Radice Attributed Armchair for Minotti in Blue Linen 1960's
Located in New York, NY
This chic armchair recently upholstered in blue linen is attributed to architect and designer Louigi "Gigi" Radice and was made for Italian furniture company Minotti. Radice collabo...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Brass, Steel

Solid Bentwood Side Chair Stool, Velvet Upholstery by Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
A side/filler chair made in solid ashwood by bending wood. Three of the legs have been made using the wood-turning technique to adopt an abstract natural wave-like design. It has bee...
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Seating

Materials

Ash, Bentwood, Velvet

Early 2000s Recycled Material Chishen Chiu "Flexible Love" Accordion Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 2000's "Flexible Love" accordion chair designed by Chishen Chiu, made with recycled cardboard paper and recycled wood fiber. The honeycomb structure allows this chair to extend...
Category

Early 2000s Taiwanese Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Paper

1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in New York, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Kartell Eur Stool in White by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The EUR stool by Fabio Novembre is a cube printed with shapes and geometries inspired, to scale, by Italian rationalist architecture of the 1930s and 1940s. The stool can be multi-pu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Plastic

Dainty Pouf, by Charlotte Høncke from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Sophisticated, two-colored pouf with soft shapes and a clean idiom. The Dainty pouf can be used in any room of your home as extra seating or as a leg rest....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Foam

De Sede DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' in Cognac Leather, 22 Elements, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic twenty-two (22) element cognac leather DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' by Swiss maker De Sede and distributed by Stendig, also referred to as the 'Snake' sectional sofa...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Modern seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Finn Juhl, Emeco, and Moooi. 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 seating 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 $497,965 while the average work can sell for $3,803.

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