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Modern Armchairs

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Design armchair Mw02 "Jungle", handmade in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
"Elevate furniture aesthetics to an artistic level" High-end designer armchair, custom-made in France This MW02 "Jungle" Armchair, limited to 20 pieces, is an exceptional French cr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Italian space age modern black leather wood Armchair by Westnofa, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age modern black wood and leather Armchair by Westnofa, 1980s Armchair with round base in black painted wood. The armchair has back and...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

Contemporary Fabric Bisou Armchair
By DOOQ
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary Bisou armchair Dimensions: D 70 x W 65 x H 74 cm Seat height 44 cm Materials: Fabric, solid wood Also available leather.  
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Sculptural Black Galaxy Fiberglass Popcorn Armchair by Kunaal Kyhaan
Located in Pune, IN
Contemporary, hand sculpted fiberglass armchair - Popcorn Armchair by Kunaal Kyhaan. The sensual form, is imagined in a Galaxy finish with a unique composition of gloss black, iride...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fiberglass

William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Bronze with Tan Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a prototype arm chair in Brushed Bronze with Tan leather, designed by Bill or William Katavolos and produced by Gratz Industries in 2009. This example came from the private c...
Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Molteni&C D.151.4 Velvet Armchair by Gio Ponti
Located in Boston, MA
Gio Ponti leaned on nautical inspiration to design this armchair that was destined for use on ocean liners and today is a part of Molteni&C's Heritage Collection. A contoured backres...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Organic Modern Arc Sofa Cream Wool Linen Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arc sofa, contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. A masterfully crafted sofa whose robust wooden structure and high-quality memory foam retain their...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Massimo Iosa Ghini Armchair New Tone in white long pile cotton for Moroso, Italy
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish armchair model 'New Tone' designed by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Moroso, Italy. Wooden seat shell covered with tension-resistant polyurethane foam with different densities and po...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Steel with Black Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a developmental prototype arm chair in Brushed Steel and Black Leather, designed by Bill or Wililam Katavolos and produced by Gratz Industries in 2009. This example came from...
Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Mw05 and Nep limited edition "Passage" design armchair, handmade in France
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
Signed and numbered edition "MW X NEP" No. 1/10. Model identification number: MW052309. We all know that street art is a contemporary style that loves to surprise us. The creation t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Super Jardim, Green Armchair by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Super Jardim - Green armchair by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 105 x 80 x 73 cm Materials: Stainless steel, PVC hose, nozzle and faucet Also available: blue, red, black, yellow ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Stylish American 1960s Grand Ledge Caned High-back Arm Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
with deep brown lacquered finish, the tall graduated caned back above a loose cushion flanked by down-swept arms all over splayed legs
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Design armchair Mw01 "Sun", made in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
Olivier SANTINI's "MW01" armchair, handmade in France, signed MW edition, with the edges of the panels covered in stainless steel trim. The panels are made of yellow-colored glass. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

NEW armchair in white fabric. By Legame Italia
Located in Pistoia, IT
The Di Nuovo armchair echoes the characteristic lines of 1970s design; it has an abundant and generous shape, with a wide seat and high back. The name in Italian is meant for what this furniture represents to designer Ricardo Antonio, an armchair that welcomes us like a hug. 'Again' every moment, as if it were the first time. Di Nuovo line includes sofa and armchair. It can be upholstered in fabric in the range offered by Legame Italia...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Modern Low Armchair in Argentine Rosewood & Leather or COM by Costantini, Bruno
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Modern Low Armchair in Argentine Rosewood & Leather or COM/COL by Costantini Measurements are 23" W x 21" D x 32" H with an 18" SH as shown. The Bruno Arm Chair...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

C. 2000s "Frank" Chair Prototype by Frank Gratz in Polished Stainless
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a prototype Frank chair, designed and fabricated by Frank Gratz, patriarch of Gratz Industries in the late 1950s. This is a recent production example from the 2000s as Gratz ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

MW02 design armchair, handmade in France by french designer Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
Olivier SANTINI's "MW02" armchair is handcrafted in France. The sides are made of transparent PMMA, allowing it to blend seamlessly into any style of space. This subtle and airy armc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Modernist Vintage Four Dining Chairs Cognac Brown Leather Chrome, 1980s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage four ( 4 ) dining chairs or armchairs from cognac brown leather and chromed base by Fasem, Italy 1980s. A beautiful set of four ( 4 ) dining chairs or armchairs fr...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Credenza Ramón, Special Edition (Centinelas), Contemporary Mexican Design
Located in Mexico City, MX
Ramón is a credenza, a horizontal storage unit with a distinctive shape that gives it a concave surface. On the front, it has 4 doors, while inside it houses a pair of drawers and sh...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood, Upholstery

Shiro Kuramata 1985 Sing Sing Sing Armchair
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the Sing Sing Sing armchair, a stunning and iconic piece of furniture designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1985 and produced by xO in France. This ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

THOMASVILLE SAFARI LEATHER WOVEN ARMCHAIR & FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN BROWN LEATHEr
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite Thomasville Safari Collection armchair with matching ottoman and brown leather cushions seated on woven frames which are part of a large suite I have a rather lovely suite of this Thomasville furniture to include an eight person extending dining table with chairs, an extra large coffee table, an extra large size table, two sofas and one armchair with ottoman, this sale is for the item mentioned above alone with the other pieces being listed under my other items This armchair and stool set are super comfortable and very decorative, they are made with what looks like pewter plaques...
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Stylish Pair of Swedish 1960s Walnut Arm Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
each with padded crest rail above an openwork back over a tight seat with a channeled apron; flanked by upright arm rests
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Design armchair Mw05 "Big Blue", handmade in France by designer Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
Winner of the DNA Paris Design Awards 2023. No. MW0522 This MW05 "Big Blue" armchair is a unique piece, signed and handmade in France. The glass sides of the armchair are crafted by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Poltrona Frau Leather Armchair
Located in Austin, TX
Leather armchair of black leather by Poltrona Frau.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Mw05 design armchair, handmade in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
This MW05 armchair has won the Design DNA Paris Design Awards 2023. Signed and numbered (No. MW052208), it is a handmade collectible piece from France. A rare and unique item, target...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Mw02 "Gold" design armchair, handmade in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
This MW02 "Gold" armchair is a handmade collector's piece from France. The inclusions of gold leaf in the PMMA sides make this armchair a rare and unique piece, appealing to decorato...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other, Gold Leaf

CHERRY armchair in mustard yellow fabric. By Legame Italia
Located in Pistoia, IT
Brazilian designer Ricardo Antonio, famous for his ability to create iconic design pieces, has transformed the organic shapes of a fruit, the cherry, into an armchair, a distinctive ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Pair of "Ring" Armchairs by McGuire for the Laura Kirar Collection, 2011
Located in Hamburg, PA
A stunning pair of bamboo "Ring" armchairs by McGuire for the Laura Kirar Collection. The chairs are described as having Mid-Century Modern flair on the McGuire website. The ebonized...
Category

2010s Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo

Contemporary Leather Blop Armchair
By DOOQ
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary Leather Blop Armchair Dimensions: D 78 x W 80 x H 75 cm Seat height : 44 cm Materials : top: fabric or leather feet: lacquer metal - choos...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Mw04 "J'adore" design chair by Olivier Santini and Leah Kirsch, made in France
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
The MW04 "J'adore" chair (identification number MW042305) is limited to 20 pieces worldwide. It is the result of a collaboration between Olivier SANTINI, the designer of MOJOW...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Pair of Swedish Grace Birch Armchairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Swedish Grace armchairs. Made of birch and reupholstered in woven petroleum blue textile. Sold as a pair (Price is for the pair)
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Mw02 "Plume" design armchair, handmade in France by designer Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
This MW02 "Plume" armchair, in a special limited edition, is a handmade collector's piece from France. The sides of the armchair are embedded with white feathers, making it a rare an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Modern Mel Armchair, White DEDAR Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mel Armchair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Mel armchair, named after nature’s purest and sweetest gift, brings forth the comforting e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Mw02 x Nep design armchair, Limited Edition "Interface(s)", handmade in France.
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
Signed and numbered edition "MW X NEP" Model identification number MW022314 We all know that street art is a contemporary style that loves to surprise us. The artwork "Interface(s)...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

OVUNQUE armchair in taupe fabric. Ash wood base. By Legame Italia
Located in Pistoia, IT
Designed by Brazilian designer Ricardo Antonio, a student of Oscar Niemeyer, the Ovunque armchair features a contemporary design with a solid ash wood frame with clean lines that fra...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

MW02 Cane armchair by Olivier Santini - cane weaving, an iconic code of Dior
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
This "Cannage" armchair, in a special edition, number MW022323, is a handmade collector's piece from France. The glass sides of the armchair are engraved and sandblasted by a French ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

Poltrona CILIEGIA in tessuto rosso. By Legame Italia
Located in Pistoia, IT
Il designer brasiliano Ricardo Antonio, famoso per la sua capacità di creare pezzi iconici di design, ha trasformato le forme organiche di un frutto, la ciliegia, in una poltrona, un...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Mw03 "Seven Blue" design armchair, made in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
This MW03 "SEVEN Blue" armchair is a unique piece, signed and handmade in France. The glass sides of the armchair are crafted by a French glassmaker. Newly structured, surprising, a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other

"Olav" Armchair in Black Carbon Steel, Upholstered and Wood Detail
Located in Centro, RS
The structure of the OLAV armchair is made of carbon steel in the painted with black ink, has a matte gold detail at the bottom. It has percinta elastics at the base. The upholstery ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Jaime Hayon, Contemporary, Playwood Walnut Green Upholstery Lounger Armchair
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair structure base in cast aluminium. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Seat, backrest are in plywood with ext...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mw05 "Gold" design armchair, made in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Notre Dame d'Oé, FR
This limited edition MW05 "Gold" armchair is a handcrafted collector's piece from France. The PMMA walls of the armchair are adorned with gold leaf. A rare and unique piece that appe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Molteni&C D.153.1 Leather Armchair by Gio Ponti
Located in Boston, MA
The iconic D.153.1 armchair is a mid-century design by acclaimed Italian designer Gio Ponti. With a high backrest and slight recline, it features a lush fabric mix offering a contemp...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of armchairs by Jacques Hitier, Tubauto edition
Located in PARIS, FR
Jacques Hitier was a French decorator and furniture designer born in Paris on March 28, 1917, and died in La Frette-sur-Seine on March 6, 19991. Patrick Favardin describes him as "on...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Modern Leather Accent Chairs
Located in North York, ON
This pair of modern leather accent chairs are perfect for any living space. The chairs feature natural wood oak arms, sleek powdered black...
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Continuum Armchair, Gio Ponti, Bonacina 1963
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Continuum armchair by Bonacina 1889 bears a signature of great prestige, that of the great "noble father" of Italian design, Gio Ponti. The Continuum armchair was created in 1969...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Textile, Rattan

Set of two Flap armchair, De Pas, D'urbino, Lomazzo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Flap armchairs exemplify the revolutionary culture of post-68 design. These ultra-modern armchairs were prooged to exapnd into a sofa or bed, to be in short flexible objects in revol...
Category

1970s European Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

1960s Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Arm Chairs with Bronze Frames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Platner Armchairs, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. These are early examples, dating to the late 1960s. The frames of these chairs are composed of pati...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Organic Modern Twins Curved Sofa, Navy Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Twins Sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, The Twins curved sofa and day bed shar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Bouclé, Fabric

Erich Dieckmann Modernist Art Deco Rope Chair 1930s
Located in Forest, BE
Wooden armchair by modernist Erich Dieckmann. Made of massive bentwood and rope. Elegant and minimalist with a great combination of materials. Lightweight, easy to move around. The s...
Category

1930s German Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rope, Hardwood

Molteni&C D.156.3 Leather Armchair by Gio Ponti
Located in Boston, MA
The D.156.3 armchair by Gio Ponti was chosen for the 10th Milan Triennale as an exemplary model of furniture design. Defined by geometric shapes, this armchair is hand-crafted by ski...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid 20th Century Set Of 2 Armchairs, Tatra Pravenec, Circa 1960
Located in Lučenec, SK
This is a beautiful set of 2 armchairs designed and produced by Tatra Nabytek, Czech Republic. They provide comfortable seating. The armchairs are in original condition, no restorati...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

Pair of Modern Cerused Oak Faux Bamboo Bouclé Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of armchairs or lounge chairs featuring large oak frames with a whimsical, modern faux bamboo motif. The arms and legs are square with a chic, cerused finish. The gener...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Modernist Armchair by Dom Hans van der Laan, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Dutch modernist chair, Dom Hans Van Der Laan, Jan De Jong, 1961, Bossche School One of 12 ever made, from the boards room of the townhall of Budel, 1961, The Netherlands. It was com...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Copper

Poltrona CIOE' in tessuto bianco, con base a croce in metallo. By LEGAME Italia
Located in Pistoia, IT
Progettata dal designer brasiliano Ricardo Antonio, allievo di Oscar Niemeyer, la poltrona CIOE’ si contraddistingue per le sue forme generose che avvolgono chi ci si siede come un a...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Capelinhos Lounge Chair, Swivel, Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Capelinhos modern lounge chair stands as a testament to timeless comfort...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Oak, Velvet

Organic Modern Twins Sofa, DEDAR Beige Mohair, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Twins sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Twins ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Lacquer, Velvet, Mohair, Leather, Wood, Bouclé, Fabric

Italian modern Black leather steel Armchair Wassily B3 by Breuer Gavina, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black leather and steel Armchair Wassily or B3 by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1980s Iconic and vintage armchair mod. Wassily or B3, with chromed tubular steel structure ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Twins Curved Couch, Mint Green Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Twins Sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Twins ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Oak

Modern armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern armchairs 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 armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, De Sede, Jaime Hayon, and Philippe Starck. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $139 and tops out at $497,965 while the average work can sell for $4,833.

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