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Modern Office Chairs and Desk 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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Karl Springer "J.M.F. Chair" in Embossed Lizard Leather 1982 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Elegant "JMF Chair" covered in pale celadon embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1982 (signed, “Karl Springer 1982” on leather label on bottom). Reference: Karl Spri...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Modern Blue Velvet Desk Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Industrial style swivel desk chair with channel quilting blue velvet upholstery on a metal frame with wooden armrests. Dimensions: 25" W x 28" D x 38" H Seat - 21" H Arm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Cast-Bronze Twig Barstool by Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Bronze Twig Barstool with cast gold-bronze frame and ivory boucle upholstery by Elan Atelier Inspired by the sculpture of Alberto Giacometti, the twig bar...
Category

2010s European Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Walnut and Aluminium Dining Chair Upholstered In Red Alcantara
Located in Loddiswell, Devon
This made to order, elegant and graceful, contemporary chair plays on form and function. The S shaped aluminium legs create lateral supports that catch the seat structure and the 'fl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Swivel Leather Desk Chair, Cubé Desk Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Cubé is a desk chair with modern lines combined with noble metal details. It has an elegant leather upholstery. The double cushioning on the seat adds to the level of comfort, while ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Swivel Upholstered Leather Desk Chair, Jenn Desk Chair
Located in Miami, FL
JENN is a leather desk chair slightly tilted to achieve a relaxed, ergonomic seating position. The unique proportions of the JENN desk chair make it a dainty accent that is “big” in ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Rectangular Glass and Oak Writing Desk with Drawers, Sky Bridge Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Sky Bridge is a glass desk with a pure multifunctional storage unit in white oak for the contemporary digital nomad – clean, light and functional. As shown wood: White milk oak g...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Glass

Original CM197 Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Thonet France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original CM197 armchair by Pierre Paulin. Designed for Thonet, France in 1958. Green vinyl upholstery in excellent original condition. Can be reupholstered easi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Penelope Chair by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli
Located in Athens, Attiki
Penelope chair designed in 1982 by Charles Pollock for Anonima Castelli. Steel-wire sled base supports a seat permeable to air which consists in a steel...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of ten Office Chairs, white and metal, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Set of ten office chairs on metal legs and white seat shells with armrests. The chairs feature a modern design with sleek metal legs and ergonomic white seat shells, providing both s...
Category

20th Century European Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Carol Chair in Bent Wood Walnut and English Walnut by Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
The Carol chair is a new design just completed in autumn 2021. The chair is handmade using bent walnut with the seat of English walnut. "I wanted to create a chair with a lightwe...
Category

2010s English Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Ergonomic contemporary doctors / dentist stool on castors, "Binaria", Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
This stool has been an icon in Spanish design since the beginning of the 21st Century. Developed by a Dentist and an Industrial Designer to improve the ergonomics of certain professions, and has since been placed in an infinity of clinics, opticians, hairdressers and laboratories. Steel structure and lever painted in a polyester powder coating and satin finish. Available in White RAL 1013, Red RAL 3002 or Black RAL 9005. Integral polyurethane injected seat. Gas piston for height regulation (200mm) in a polished steel finish. Castors are of a reinforced polyamide and a rubber grey ring.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

RH-305 Bauhaus Dining Tufted Armchair Leather, Stainless Steel Legs by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chair with armrests RH-305/01 by De Sede. A chair that has lost none of its elegance and style since it was created in the 1950s, an icon. The re-edition remains a Classic, but has b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Office Armchair 2019 Sycomoro Dark Wood
Located in Desio, IT
Office armchair, with veneered back in Sycomoro dark frisè wood, upholstery in polyurethane in different densities, base in metal, equipped with amortized mechanism adjustable in hei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Faux Leather, Velvet, Fabric

"DS-343/01" - Executive Chair by De Sede
Located in New York, NY
Revolutionary seating concept DS-343 is an armchair that moves when the person seated moves – because the object is constructed not with a classic seating surface that stops at the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Medical workspace polished steel stool "Binaria" spanish contemporary design
Located in Barcelona, ES
This stool has been an icon in Spanish design since the beginning of the 21st Century. Developed by a Dentist and an Industrial Designer to improve the ergonomics of certain professions, and has since been placed in an infinity of clinics, opticians, hairdressers and laboratories. Steel structure and lever painted in a polyester powder coating and satin finish. Available in White RAL 1013, Red RAL 3002 or Black RAL 9005. Integral polyurethane injected seat. Gas piston for height regulation (200mm) in a polished steel finish. Castors are of a reinforced polyamide and a rubber grey ring...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Ten Italian Leather and Chrome Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
A set of ten armchairs in beautiful caramel leather with polished chrome frames. The seats and backs are covered completely with the rich and supple caramel colored Italian leather a...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

15 KI Krueger International Modern Blue Plastic & Chrome Stacking Dining Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage modern dark blue plastic & chrome reverse cantilever Intellect dining chairs by Krueger International (a.k.a.) KI Seating 15 total...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

DS 35 Armchair in Brown Leather by De Sede, Switzerland
Located in Barcelona, ES
DS 35 office armchair designed and produced in 1960's by De Sede, Switzerland. Upholstered in extra quality chocolate aniline leather and swivel base in chromed ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Frank Mariani Leather Desk Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Frank Mariani leather desk chair, pillowed seat and back and arms covered with Black Leather, tubular steel chrome plated. Tilt swivel with 5 star base...
Category

1990s North American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Eva Leather Padded Swivel Chair
Located in Milan, IT
Eva swivel padded chair has a rigid polyurethane shell padded and covered in soft brown leather and a five star base painted in chrome. There is the possibility of height adjustment....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Eva Leather Swivel Chair
Located in Milan, IT
Eva swivel chair has a rigid polyurethane shell in white leather with a thin seat cushion integrated and four star base with height adjustment in chrome. • Seat Height (cm): 46 • S...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Italian Alberto Meda Office Chair for Vitra in Red Leather 1990
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Red Leather and aluminium adjstable office chair by Alberto Meda for Vitra 1990 Perfect working condition.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mario Bellini Post-Modern Executive Desk Chair for Vitra, Signed and Dated 1992
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A spectacular set of Mario Bellini signed desk chairs for the Vitra, dated 1992 production. This Post Modern set of task chairs feature soft and supple black leather in excellent condition, five star height adjustable bases on casters, and are extremely comfortable. *Note, 6 are available at the time of this listing, priced individually. We also have a 7th highback chair available as well in another listing. The black on black color combination of this set makes it perfect for Post-Modern interiors which are on-trend with upcoming design projects led by many of the worlds top interior designers. These design masterpieces are rare and hard to find, especially here in the United States, so interior designers: get this before your competition does! These Mario Bellini for Vitra leather...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Scriba Contemporary Oak and Black Leather Dining Chair
Located in Mexico City, MX
Scriba is a seemingly simple, delicate dining or desk chair; made by traditional Japanese wood joinery, and artisanal saddlery: two disciplines where texture, craftsmanship, and the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

8 KI Seating Modern Light Blue Plastic & Chrome Reverse Cantilever Dining Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage modern light blue plastic & chrome reverse cantilever Intellect dining chairs by Krueger International (a.k.a.) KI Seating - 8 tota...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Herman Miller Chrome & Black Pair of Armchairs Original Fabric
Located in Topeka, KS
Striking pair of Herman Miller chrome & black armchairs wearing their original gray iridescent fabric. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Scriba Contemporary Oak and Leather Dining Chair
Located in Mexico City, MX
Scriba is a seemingly simple, delicate dining or desk chair; made by traditional Japanese wood joinery, and artisanal saddlery: two disciplines where texture, craftsmanship, and the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Downtown Executive Office Chair Genuine Leather Pelle SC 28 Seppia Dark Grey
Located in New York, NY
Competent, elegant, timeless… the DownTown chair is for demanding decision-makers looking for comfort and sophistication. A sleek technical seat handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Downtown President Office Chair Genuine Leather Pelle SC 56 Siena Brown
Located in New York, NY
Competent, elegant, timeless… the DownTown chair is for demanding decision-makers looking for comfort and sophistication. A sleek technical seat handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Six Carol Chairs in Bent Wood Walnut by Jonathan Field.
Located in London, GB
The Carol chair is a new design just completed in autumn 2021. The chair is handmade in bent walnut with a seat of English walnut. "I wanted to create a chair with a lightweight fr...
Category

2010s English Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Downtown President Office Chair Genuine Leather Pelle SC 28 Seppia Dark Grey
Located in New York, NY
Competent, elegant, timeless… the DownTown chair is for demanding decision-makers looking for comfort and sophistication. A sleek technical seat handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Downtown Executive Office Chair Genuine Leather Pelle SC 26 Topo Light Grey
Located in New York, NY
Competent, elegant, timeless… the DownTown chair is for demanding decision-makers looking for comfort and sophistication. A sleek technical seat handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Faux Fur Office Desk Chair
Located in North York, ON
Mid-Century Modern faux fur office desk chair. Unique white faux fur fabric resting atop polished stainless steel and plastic frame. Chair swivels and is height adjustable. Price inc...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Kartell Sparkle Stool in Amber by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tokyjin Yoshioka's new Sparkle stool collection are as striking as a brilliant ray of sunlight. The plastic's unique pleating (both inside and out) is reflected in the end result: tw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Resin

Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Matt Orange Chair by Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, essential and rigorous chair. Its square line is designed by Piero Lissoni, with a wide seat and a wide, low backrest. Created for use around tables, it was born in a range ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Mies van der Rohe Flat Chromed Steel for Knoll Cow Fur 255 Brno Chairs
Located in IT
Mies van der Rohe chromed steel Knoll Int. Cow fur brno chair. Two available. Price per chair. This chair has been recently reupholstered in cow fur. Labelled with a tag of Knoll Int...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Herman Miller Rolling Office Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A nice pair of rolling office or desk chairs By Herman Miller USA, 2000s A nice pair of rolling office or desk chairs By Herman Miller USA, 2000s Measures: 18" W x 19" D x 3...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Downtown Executive Office Chair Genuine Leather Pelle SC 66 India Light Brown
Located in New York, NY
Competent, elegant, timeless… the DownTown chair is for demanding decision-makers looking for comfort and sophistication. A sleek technical seat handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Fernando Armchair Italian Leather Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Fernando Armchair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Fernando was designed to ensure maximum comfort and deliver exceptional craftsmanship. The armch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

6 Dauphin Stilo Conference Chairs by Jessica Engelhardt
Located in Pasadena, TX
Dauphin Stilo conference with 5 star base and casters Stilo’s clean lines with rounded edges and wide, uninterrupted surfaces offers the perfect platform for s...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Matt White Chair by Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, essential and rigorous chair. Its square line is designed by Piero Lissoni, with a wide seat and a wide, low backrest. Created for use around tables, it was born in a range ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Leather Chairs by Antonio Citterio for Vitra
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
This chairs was designed by Antonio Citterio for Vitra. The Visasoft flesh can be used as a visitor and conference chair and features canti...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Downtown President Office Chair Genuine Leather Pelle SC 26 Topo Light Grey
Located in New York, NY
Competent, elegant, timeless… the DownTown chair is for demanding decision-makers looking for comfort and sophistication. A sleek technical seat handcra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Kartell Spoon Chair in Black by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A monoshell light office chair on castors, spoon chair is the result of a totally avant-garde production process. The innovative dual-component injection m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

1 Vitra Meta Conference Chair by Alberto Meda 12 Available
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vitra Meta Conference chair Design by Alberto Meda 1996 The Meda Office swivel Chair Successfully combines comfort, technology, and elegance. Its simple design follows the movem...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Matt Black Chair by Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, essential and rigorous chair. Its square line is designed by Piero Lissoni, with a wide seat and a wide, low backrest. Created for use around tables, it was born in a range ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Matt Gray Chair by Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, essential and rigorous chair. Its square line is designed by Piero Lissoni, with a wide seat and a wide, low backrest. Created for use around tables, it was born in a range ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Midcentury German Modern Brown Aluminum Chairs from Mauser Werke Waldeck
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of two modern chairs was manufactured in Mauser, Germany during the 1970s. The frame was made from solid anodized aluminum tubulars and it is characteristic for Mausers design. The upholstery is original and is in brow color. The seat is located on belts. The history of the Mauser company dates back to 1896, when Alfons Mauser opened a factory for metal products - Zaunkönig. In 1903, Mauser also developed hermetic, lockable iron...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Showtime Chair Jaime Hayon Walnut Wood Swivel Base
Located in Barcelona, ES
A new version of the Showtime chair by Jaime Hayon which does not make the original design obsolete, but rather compliments it. The Showtime Nude Chair is simpler than the previous v...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Other

Berman Rosetti Dining Desk Chair
Located in Countryside, IL
Berman Rosetti dining desk chair This chair measures: 20 wide x 22 deep x 35.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19 inches This chair is in good vintage condition with some st...
Category

2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Dietiker Felber C14 Metal Dining Chair, Modular Design, Set of 2
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
The Felber C14 is a reedition of a 1940s Classic Dietiker chair. The chair which was at first developed as a simple wooden chair in the early 40s, has been ...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

KT-221 Bauhaus Occasional Chair in Tufted Natural Leather and Metal by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lounge chair KT221/01 by De Sede. Relaunch and update of the design created in 1956. Objectively functional design of an iconographic, architectural construction through the transfer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Dietiker Felber C14 Metal Dining Chair, Modular Design, Set of 4
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
The Felber C14 is a reedition of a 1940s Classic Dietiker chair. The chair which was at first developed as a simple wooden chair in the early 40s, has been ...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

1 Stylex Sava Conference Chair 6 Available
Located in Pasadena, TX
Stylex Sava conference chair Designed by award-winning architect Sava Cvek and backed by more than half a century of Stylex know-how, SAVA Mesh Back repre...
Category

Early 2000s North American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mariani Wing Conference Office Chair by Luca Scacchetti Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mariani Wing Conference Office chair i 4 Mariani WING Swivel conference chair with 5-spoke base by Designer Luca Scacchetti. Conference armchair, covere...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Dietiker Felber C14 Sled Dining Chair, Modular Design, Set of 4
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
The Felber C14 is a reedition of a 1940s Classic Dietiker chair. The chair which was at first developed as a simple wooden chair in the early 40s, has been ...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Kartell Sparkle Stool in Smoke by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tokyjin Yoshioka's new Sparkle stool collection are as striking as a brilliant ray of sunlight. The plastic's unique pleating (both inside and out) is reflected in the end result: tw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Resin

Modern office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern office chairs and desk 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 office chairs and desk chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with animal skin, leather and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern office chairs and desk chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original office chairs and desk chairs, popular names associated with this style include Herman Miller, Kartell, Charles and Ray Eames, and De Sede. 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 office chairs and desk chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $156 and tops out at $49,000 while the average work can sell for $2,000.

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