Modern Chairs
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona 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.
14
5,705
683
175
to
479
3,875
1,866
6,563
1,333
2,663
8,461
6,563
1,271
655
343
240
190
187
186
175
175
162
151
137
112
99
82
73
1
5
677
5,880
15
177
425
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14
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40
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113
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to
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to
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to
5,075
4,571
3,809
4,636
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4,384
3,681
4,529
3,714
4,221
3,634
4,523
2,972
2,994
2,408
1,443
1,366
4,850
2,231
917
679
490
235
198
180
150
103
Style: Modern
Basic Stool by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Basic Stool by Hot Wire Extensions
Dimensions: D 35 x W 34 x H 48 cm
Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe.
5 kg
Different colors upon request.
A...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Copper
Pair of Sculptural Tall Chairs designedby Krish Ruhs for Cappellini, 1990s
By Cappellini
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Krish Ruhs, an American artist, designed these two chairs for a solo exhibition sponsored by Cappellini and presented at their Carugo showroom in 1990. Craftsmanship, inspiration fro...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Mid Century Modern Clam Chairs by Seymour Weiner for Kodawood - Set of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Clam Shell Chairs by Seymour James Weiner for Kodawood - Set of 4
Featuring 4 vintage MCM “Clam Shell” armchairs designed by Seymour J. Wiener for Kodawoo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 2 Basic Trestles I by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Basic Trestles I by Hot Wire Extensions
Dimensions: D 75 x W 43 x H 72.5 cm
Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe.
9 kg
Different dimensi...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Copper
Counter High Stool by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Counter High Stool by Hot Wire Extensions
Dimensions: D 38 x W 39 x H 75 cm
Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe.
9 kg
Different colors upon requ...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Copper
Set of 2 Basic Trestles II by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Basic Trestles II by Hot Wire Extensions
Dimensions: D 75 x W 38 x H 72.5 cm
Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe.
9 kg
Glass top not in...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Copper
Set of 6 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, XXth Century.
By Knoll
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 6 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, XXth Century.
Set of 6 tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll for dining room in black fibreglass and fabric, cushions reno...
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Fiberglass
A Pair of Frank Lloyd Wright Robie Chairs for Cassina Italy 1986
Located in Bjuråker, SE
A pair of 2 Cassina chairs Crafted with precision and attention to detail, these chairs blend exquisite design with supreme comfort, making them a perfect addition to any modern or c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Set Of 4 Black Leather Chairs by Matteo Grassi
Located in Brussels , BE
Set of 4 very elegant chairs.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Modern Red Plastic Vintage Seven Dining Chairs Ron Arad for Kartell 1999 Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern set of 7 red plastic vintage chairs or dining chairs from red plastic and aluminum FPE Fantastic Plastic Elastic by Ron Arad for Kartell Italy 1999.
An amazing set of seven ( ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern white plastic 860 Universale Chairs, Joe Colombo, Kartell, 1970s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white plastic 860 Universale Chairs, Joe Colombo, Kartell, 1970s.
Set consisting of four model 860 chairs, also known as Universale Chair, in cream white ABS plastic. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Primi Personal Chair by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Primi Personal Chair by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 60.3 x W 62.2 x H 76.2 cm.
Materials: Powder-coated steel and upholstery.
Solid steel flat bar available in a flat black or white...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian modern five metal, beech and white cotton Cesca style chairs, 1970s
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of five metal, beech and white cotton Cesca style chairs, 1970s
Set of five Cesca style chairs with tubular steel structure, armrests in solid curved beech and pad...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Primi Personal Chair by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Primi Personal Chair by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 60.3 x W 62.2 x H 76.2 cm.
Materials: Powder-coated steel and upholstery.
Solid steel flat bar available in a flat black or white...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian modern Boulevard aluminium chairs by Ferdinand A. Porsche for Ycami 1990
Located in MIlano, IT
Set of four Boulevard model chairs with round seat, entirely in aluminium. The seat and backrest have decorative perforations with curved lines and the structure of the armrests and ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Primi Personal Chair by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Primi Personal Chair by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 60.3 x W 62.2 x H 76.2 cm.
Materials: Powder-coated steel and upholstery.
Solid steel flat bar available in a flat black or white...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian modern black leather and tubolar chromed metal chairs by Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather and tubolar chromed metal chairs by Zanotta, 1970s.
Set composed of six chairs with chromed metal tubular structure and black leather seat and back. Unde...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Italian modern Boulevard aluminium chairs by Ferdinand A. Porsche for Ycami 1990
Located in MIlano, IT
Set of eight Boulevard model chairs with round seat, entirely in aluminium. The seat and backrest have decorative perforations with curved lines and the structure of the armrests and...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pouf Pill S by Houtique
By Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf Pill S by Houtique
Dimensions: H 45 x D 35 cm
Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes
Pill Pouf S
Art Deco style pouf with wood structure and velvet fabric.
2 fiber-board...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
Pair of 1980s Lacquered Wood Modular Chairs.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 1980s Lacquered Wood Modular Chairs.
Pair of 1980s modular chairs in black lacquered wood.
w: 88cm, h: 98cm, d: 50,5cm
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Robert Van Horn Lucite Ribbon Chair & Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Chair & Ottoman Are In Overall Good Condition
There Are Minor Scratches On The Lucite Consistent With Age
Newly Upholstered Cushion & Ottoman
Chair Is Hand Signed With Patent ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Basket Chair for Beach or Slope by de Vries of Germany, including Accessories
Located in San Francisco, CA
Manufactured by deVries of Germany, this stylist basket chair is a must for beach or slopes! Made of brushed teak, the body is intricately braided in a circular pattern on both sides...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
"OTI" armchair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, circa 1980
Located in LYON, FR
Very pretty tubular steel armchair created by the Danish designer Niels Gammelgaard on behalf of the publisher IKEA. An iconic piece in very good condition and with a lovely patina.
...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Lula Chair, Ivory Bouclé & Black Lacquer by Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order bouclé and wood chair designed by Christian Siriano.
Base: Black Lacquer
Fabric: Ivory Bouclé
Measures: Overall depth: 28”
Overall height: 40”
Seat depth: 21”
Seat ...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Maple
Camber Chair, Paul Coenen
By Paul Coenen
Located in Geneve, CH
Camber Chair, Paul Coenen
Dimensions: L 40.5 x W 42.0 x H 84.5 cm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Custom materials, sizes and finishes possible on request. Please contact us.
The Camber ...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
White Stool by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
White stool by kar
Materials: FRP.
Dimensions: 32 x 32 x 45 cm.
It shapes in a curl-up position, casual meanwhile restrained. The side designed as a cross-section of the furniture t...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson
Limited Edition Of 3 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 99.06 x W 167.64 x H 208.28 cm. SH: 45.72.
Materials: Brass and brown leather.
Limited editio...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Vintage Modern Leather and Steel BoConcept Jet Chair
By BoConcept
Located in Weymouth, MA
Pair of heavy steel and leather BoConcept arm chairs. Finely detailed with sturdy steel base.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson
Limited Edition Of 3 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 99.06 x W 167.64 x H 208.28 cm. SH: 45.72.
Materials: Brass and black leather.
Limited editio...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Paire de chaises vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Paire de chaises en bois en état moyen. Le bois est vermoulé. Le tissu est déchiré à certains endroits et le métal est rouillé.
Category
1990s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Softwood
New Design "Ball" Chair Leather Upholstery
Located in Madrid, ES
High gloss black lacquering, leather upholstery, stainless steel base.
Dimensions
92 x 90 x 85 cm
36.2 x 35.4 x 33.5 in
Weight
37 kg
81.6 lbs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
NEW DESIGN Armchair Coconut finish, Leather Upholstery COLLECTION 2024
Located in Madrid, ES
NEW DESIGN Armchair Coconut finish, leather upholstery.
Dimensions
73 x 94 x 103 cm
28.7 x 37 x 40.6 in
Weight
22 kg / 48.5 lbs
Embrace the comfort of the supple leather cushion as ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Resin
Paire de chaiss en plastique vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Paire de chaise en plastique et pieds métal en état moyen. Le plastique est taché et décoloré. Le métal est rouillé.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
PVC
Minimalist Organic Chair in Solid Wood, camel leather Seating tone
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Petite Wood Float Chair, Walnut Wood and Acrylic Chair
Located in Houston, TX
The Petite Wood Float Chair blurs the lines between art and furniture and encourages an internal dialogue with the viewer. Is this art or can I sit in it? Both. Handcrafted from soli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Chairs
Materials
Acrylic, Walnut, Wood
Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Off-White Bouclé, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Wood
Tre Sedie grigie Modello 441 Bigframe di Alberto Meda per Alias 2000
By Alias, Alberto Meda
Located in Milano, IT
Gruppo di 3 sedie, in alluminio e la seduta e lo schienale in rete plastificata. Buone condizioni.
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Rare Pair of Dorothy Schindele Hairpin Leg Chairs, Circa 1949
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of rare 1949, ergonomic, spring back chairs by noted California designer Dorothy Schindele. Fully restored.
Category
20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
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 Chairs
Materials
Steel
The Berg Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
The Berg Chair by William Emmerson
Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 36,5 x W 66,5 x H 39 cm.
Materials: Naxos marble.
A shape. A floating mass...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
The Berg Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
The Berg Chair by William Emmerson
Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 36,5 x W 66,5 x H 39 cm.
Materials: Naxos marble.
A shape. A floating mass...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
The Drift Credenza by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
The Drift Credenza by William Emmerson
Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 12.75 x W 69.25 x H 32.5 cm.
Materials: Naxos marble.
A shape. A float...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
Lapalma Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Great dining chair in vegetal natural saddle cognac leather. Manufactured in Italy by Lapalma.
The leather is in vegetal natural leather which is now cognac.
Beautiful backrest.
The ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Sedie Medea, Vittorio Nobili per Fratelli Tagliabue, 1960
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Le sedie Medea, progettate da Vittorio Nobili per Fratelli Tagliabue negli anni ’60, sono un’icona del design italiano del XX secolo. Caratterizzate da una silhouette slanciata e ele...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Car Designer Pininfarina for Reflex Angelo Occasional Chairs
By pinin farina, Reflex
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of RRP £1980 occasional chairs designed by the racing car manufacturer Pininfarina for Reflex Angelo...
Category
20th Century German Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Duo of Fast Forest chairs
Located in LYON, FR
We have had these aluminum chairs that we love professionally powder-coated in a current color that will fit perfectly into your garden or terrace. Indeed, initially intended for out...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Eight Grassi & Bianchi Pasqualina "CAB" Leather Chairs, Pellizoni, Italy
Located in Dronten, NL
Gorgeous set of 8 Enrico Pellizzoni Pasqualina chairs designed by Grassi & Bianchi. These chairs are covered in wonderful white all ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
1980s Postmodern Sculptural Arc Chairs - a Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
These chairs are incredible. Very heavy with a wooden swivel base in excellent condition. Use as is or redo in glue favorite fabric.
DIMENSIONS: 32ʺW × 32ʺD × 31ʺH
STYLES: Modern...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Minimalist Organic Chair in black Solid Wood, cian textiles Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Beech Prague Model 811 Chairs in Black and Leather Weave
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In the 1920s, Michael Thonet's company crafted the iconic No. 811 Bentwood Chair. Josef Hoffmann is commonly credited with creating the "Prague chair," the design is also attribute...
Category
1960s European Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Cane
Minimalist Organic Chair in Solid Wood, camel leather Seating tone
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Ballerina Chair - Version: T
Located in Jaipur, IN
The Ballerina Chair, a masterpiece of design by Siddhant Bothra from XYZ DESIGNS, embodies the essence of ballet—stability, balance, and expressive freedom—through meticulous craftsm...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Chairs
Materials
Linen, Foam, Wood, Ash
Minimalist Organic Chair in black Solid Wood, camel leather Seating tone
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Bride’s Veil Static Chair by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bride’s Veil Static Chair by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 75 x W 83,2 x H 68,6 cm.
Materials: Upholstery, steel and smoked brass.
Solid steel bar available in a smoked brass, polished...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Minimalist Organic Chair in black Solid Wood, cian textiles Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Minimalist Organic Chair in black Solid Wood, camel leather Seating tone
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Minimalist Organic Chair in natural Solid Wood, black leather Seating tone
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Bride’s Veil Static Chair With High Back by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bride’s Veil Static Chair With High Back by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 85,7 x W 91,4 x H 121,9 cm.
Materials: Upholstery, steel and polished chrome.
Solid steel bar available in a ...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.
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