Modern Side 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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
1969 Verner Panton Cone Chair Green Fabric Made in Denmark for Plus-Linje Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a vintage Verner Panton Cone Chair in original green upholstery. The cone chair was originally designed for a restaurant in Denmark, though the novelty of the design has made...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Single Danish Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
A decorative single Danish side chair on wooden base and legs.
Upholstered in boucle fabric.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
1952 Franco Albini for Knoll No. 48 Desk / Dining Chair w Arms Walnut and Fabric
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare No. 48 desk/dining chair, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll. This was one of Knoll's earliest designs an...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Pair of Verner Panton Cone Chairs Made in Denmark for Plus-Linje Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original pair of cone chairs, designed by Verner Panton and produced by Plus-Linje. Whereas the current variations and now produced by Vitra, this early example...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
2019 Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Grey Side Chair With Wood Legs
By Vitra, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a HAL side chair, designed by Jasper Morrison in 2010. This clean contemporary chain features a molded plastic seat, and has legs made from wood. This particular example is d...
Category
2010s German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
1960s Danish Modern Walnut and Canvas Folding Campaign Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1960s walnut and canvas campaign chair, which is reminiscent of Borge Mogensen and Mogens Koch designs from Denmark. The chair is in gorgeous original cond...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Canvas, Walnut
1990s Mario Bellini Vitra Figura High Back Desk Chair in Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (multiple chairs are available, but the price is for each chair) 1990s vintage Figura desk chair by Vitra, designed by Mario Bellini. These are gorgeous o...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Antonio Cittiero Set of 4 Melandra Dining Chairs
Located in Highland, IN
An elegant minimalist design by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, these "Melandra" dining chairs feature seats upholstered in black leather supported by crisply tapered aluminum legs....
Category
1990s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Set of 6 Charles Hollis Jones American Multi-Colored Lucite Dining Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
SET of 6 American Contemporary dining side chairs with clear lucite frames with multi colored lucite circles in descending size inset in each chair back which matches the seat uphols...
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Lucite, Upholstery, Fabric
Garouste & Bonetti desk chair Palace Privilege Rubelli fabric 1980
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare desk chair or side chair by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Palace, made in solid oak painted in matte black panted. Garouste & Bonetti began their collaboration and ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
1947 Pair of George Nakashima for Knoll N19 Straight Chairs in Natural Birch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous pair of early George Nakashima for Knoll N19 birch straight chairs, produced by Knoll Associates. This chair appears to be natural birch. It shows some ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Birch
Bling Bling Chair by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Bling bling chair by Pietro Franceschini
Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia
Manufacturer: Stefano Minotti
Dimensions: W 79 ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Ash
C. 2019 Vitra Belleville Armchair in Brown Leather by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is Belleville Armchair designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and produced by Vitra. This chair was specified with a black plastic frame and brown leather upholstered...
Category
2010s Swiss Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Plastic
1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak & Dark Tan Fabric Dining Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and dark tan fabric armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner designed for CI Designs...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Oak, Fabric
1976 Michel Cadestin & Georges Laurent Beaubourg Chair Teda for Centre Pompidou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) original Beaubourg chair from the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. The chair was designed...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak and Brown Leather Dining Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and leather armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Oak, Leather
1970s "40/4” Chairs in Red by David Rowland for General Fireproofing Co
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) 40/4 chair, originally designed by David Rowland in 1964. This iconic chair has been praised as one of the most ingenious modern designs of the 20th century, and has been credited for being the first truly stackable chair. Each chair has a solid steel sled base, and has a red enameled steel seat. These particular examples were manufactured by GF Business Equipment (part of General Fireproofing Co...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Enamel, Steel
2019 Vitra Softshell Side Chair w Dark Brown Leather by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is Softshell Side Chair designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and produced by Vitra. This chair was constructed with a chocolate colored (very dark) plastic base and...
Category
2010s Swiss Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Plastic
2009 Piero Lissoni for Porro Spindle Stacking Side Chairs in Steel & Leather
By Piero Lissoni, Porro
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a ‘Spindle’ Side Chair, model 1526, designed by Piero Lissoni for Porro Italia in 1999. The listed price includes one chair, and we have several available for purchase. These...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
1990 David Rowland 40/4 Stackable Dining Chairs for GF in Bent Oak 8x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are '40/4' chairs, originally designed by David Rowland in 1964. This iconic chair has been praised as one of the most ingenious modern designs of the 20th century, and is cred...
Category
1990s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
1992 Knoll Handkerchief Stacking Chairs by Massimo & Lella Vignelli 12+ Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Knoll Handkerchief Chair by Lella and Massimo Vignelli in Red, introduced in 1983. The price listed is for each chair. These chairs are very resilient, and stackable with a...
Category
1990s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
2020 Hay Neu 10 Blue Wool Dining / Side Chairs by Sebastian Wrong
By Sebastian Wrong, HAY
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single Neu 10 swivel chair, designed by Sebastian Wrong and produced by Hay. Multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair.
The chairs have a m...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
2010s White Air Chairs by Jasper Morrison for Magis / Herman Miller
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four stackable air chairs, designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Magis of Italy, distributed by Herman Miller. We have multiple sets available, though the pric...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plastic
1975 Bodil Kjaer for CI Designs Rare Teak Slat Seat Arm Chair
By Bodil Kjaer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare Bodil Kjaer for CI Designs teak slat-seat chair. There are a few notable details to mention. First off, vintage Bodil Kjaer f...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Teak
1950s Pair of Ray Komai Side / Dining Chairs for JG Furniture Co
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare and original pair of fully upholstered dining and side chairs, designed by Ray Komai, produced by J.G. Furniture Company. These are highly unusual chairs, in that Koma...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
2012 Wilkhahn ON Cantilever Stacking Side / Dining Chair by Wiege Germany
By Wiege, Wilkhahn
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single ON Cantiliever stackable side chair, designed by the Germany design group Wiege and produced by Wilkhahn. The chairs are beautifully constructed from chromed tubular...
Category
2010s German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Memento Chair, Jesse Sanderson
Located in Geneve, CH
Memento barstool, Jesse Sanderson, WDSTCK Studio
Original signed chair by Jesse Sanderson
Dimensions: 80 x 40 x 45 cm
Seat height 47 cm
With a sturdy oak school chair...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather
Pierre Chapo S45 Dining Chair
By Pierre Chapo
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pierre Chapo S45 dining chairs
A set of six ‘Chlacc’ dining chairs model #S45 in solid elmwood. Extremely comfortable and in excellent condition.
Fr...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Tall Column Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Column Chair brings a striking architectural silhouette to any space. Solid steel rods transition into scrolls at the top of the chair, evoking classic ionic columns. The flared ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Phase Design, "Kickstand Side Chair", (With Arms)
By Phase Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important to note that this listing is for the Kickstand Side Chair (With Arms) in a Flat White Powder Coat Finish. Pricing is COM and this listing does not include the price of fabr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
American Designer, Side Chair, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side chair designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
15” seat height
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
American Designer, Side Chairs, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of stained wood side chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
16” seat height
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
American Designer, Side Chairs, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of stained wood side chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
16” seat height
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Spade Ashwood Corner Chair by Faye Toogood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Spade chair is an ode to the rural life in the English countryside in which designer Faye Toogood grew up and had her first encounters with shapes and colors of the natural world. Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Tusk Sling Chair by Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, CA
Tusk sling dining chair by Möbius Objects - hand-sculpted here in solid Honduran Mahogany. Raked legs offer a unique 'wind-swept' silhouette. The veg-t...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Lucite Acrylic, Brass Detailed and Leather Jetson Glamour Dining Chair
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Jetson dining chair is part of the Tala collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa.
This Futuristic style dining chair has a ...
Category
2010s South African Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
Set of Six Vintage Orchestra Chairs, Sweden
Located in Hudson, NY
The set of six vintage orchestra chairs, shown here, were designed in 1932 by Sven Markelius and originally used in the Helsingborg Concert Hall, Sweden. Made of beech wood, the sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Beech
Pair of Chic 'Méandre' Bronze Side Chairs by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Méandre™ dark bronze side chairs by DESIGN FRÈRES®
Chic and understated.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Emeco Broom Counter Stool in Dark Gray by Jasper Morrison
By Philippe Starck, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Philippe Starck and Emeco came together to create a new chair that is reclaimed, repurposed, recyclable – and designed to last. The chair is made from 75% waste polypropylene and 15% reclaimed wood that would normally be swept into the trash, “Imagine”, says Philippe Starck, “a guy who takes a humble broom...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Emeco Broom Counter Stool in Tan by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Philippe Starck and Emeco came together to create a new chair that is reclaimed, repurposed, recyclable – and designed to last. The chair is made from 75% waste polypropylene and 15%...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Emeco Broom Stacking Chair in White by Philippe Starck
By Emeco, Philippe Starck
Located in Hanover, PA
Philippe Starck and Emeco came together to create a new chair that is reclaimed, repurposed, recyclable – and designed to last. The chair is made from 75% waste polypropylene and 15% reclaimed wood fiber that would normally be swept into the trash, “Imagine”, says Philippe Starck, “a guy who takes a humble broom and starts to clean the workshop and with this dust he makes new magic”. That’s why we call it Broom chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Emeco Alfi Chair in Red and Ash with High Back by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Emeco and Morrison together, designed and engineered The Alfi Collection with the conviction that what you don't see is as important as what you do see. Alfi reflects Emeco and Morri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Emeco Alfi 3-Seat Bench in Sand and Ash with Low Back by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Emeco and Morrison together, designed and engineered The Alfi collection with the conviction that what you don't see is as important as what you do see. Alfi reflects Emeco and Morri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Emeco Alfi Counter Stool in Sand & Dark Ash w/ High Back by Jasper Morrison
By Jasper Morrison, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Emeco and Morrison together, designed and engineered The Alfi Collection with the conviction that what you don't see is as important as what you do see. Alfi reflects Emeco and Morri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Emeco Alfi Counter Stool in Sand & Ash w/ High Back by Jasper Morrison
By Emeco, Jasper Morrison
Located in Hanover, PA
Emeco and Morrison together, designed and engineered The Alfi Collection with the conviction that what you don't see is as important as what you do see. Alfi reflects Emeco and Morri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
"Coluna" Organic Form Horizontal Slat Polished Bronze Dining / Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
7 Contemporary / Modern "Coluna" dining side chairs in a biomorphic form constructed from polished bronze, featuring organically shaped horizontal slat backs. (PRICED EACH) (1 matchi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Salvador Hand-Forged Bronze Side Chair by Newel Modern
Located in New York, NY
2 "Salvador" side chairs featuring an organic biomorphic modern design inspired by natural forms and neutral tones, constructed of hand-forged bronze. (PRICED EACH) (BY NEWEL MODERN)...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Bronze
"Banquete" Contemporary Polished Bronze Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
12 "Banquete" Contemporary dining / side chairs constructed in an organic form from polished brass
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Kodak Leather Chair, Jesse Sanderson
Located in Geneve, CH
Kodak leather chair, Jesse Sanderson, WDSTCK Studio
Artist: Jesse Sanderson
Material: Steel frame; Nubuck leather
Dimensions: 87 x 55 x 51 cm (Seat height: 47 cm)
Exploring ant...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather
Nico Lounge Chair by DeMuro Das in Solid Walnut
By DeMuro Das
Located in New York, NY
The Nico Lounge Chair combines handsome proportions with timeless materials and an emphasis on comfort. Straight lines are tempered by curved edges and sloping arms, resulting in a t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Mid century, modern printed cowhide folding safari chair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century printed cowhide folding safari chair. This wrought iron chair base forms a frame for his fitted printed cowhide. This long hair cowhide has been printed in a ze...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Cowhide
Building Blocks, New Modern Side Lounge Chair with Bouclé and Walnut Back
By Jialun Xiong
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Building blocks side lounge chair: An illusion that plays with positive and negative shapes through its design, the white version is made from leather and a metal base.
Building ...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Leather and Metal Side Chair in the Style of Jacques Adnet, France, c. 1950s
Located in New York City, NY
Leather and Metal Chair in the style of Jacques Adnet, France, c. 1950s.
Simple yet sophisticated design consists of a clean tubular metal frame, leather seat, and hand-tied leathe...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
8 Modern Classic Steelcase Warren Snodgrass Dining Chairs Light Oak Bentwood
By Steelcase
Located in Topeka, KS
Stellar vintage modern classic Steelcase Snodgrass dining chairs in light oak bentwood by Warren Snodgrass, set of 8. Comprised of bentwood frames, be...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Bentwood
Chic 'Méandre' Bronze Side Chair by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Méandre'™ dark bronze side chair by Design Frères®.
Chic and understated.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Fernandine Dining Chair, COM, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Fernandine walls are a part of History that embraces the city of Porto, located in the north of Portugal. These medieval fortifications topped off by battlements were completed d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Atelier Linné, Sagitta Fireside Chair
Located in Paris, FR
The Sagitta fireside chair was made in 2023 by Atelier Linné. The structure of the fireside chair, the seat and the backrest are in leather, the base is in brushed oak, and the decor...
Category
2010s French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Oak, Leather, Linen
Set of 10 Carrocel Custom Verona Dining Chairs
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Set of 10 Carrocel Custom Verona Dining Chairs. Featuring sleek curved back leg design composed of oak material. Finished in a satin natural espresso color showcasing the unique knot...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Modern side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern side 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 side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern side 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 side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Emeco, Jasper Morrison, Philippe Starck, and Sir Norman Foster. 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 side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $90,000 while the average work can sell for $2,120.
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