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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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
Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, this inspiration gave us the freedom to create a collection where the design appropriate subtle elements, harmonic transitions and thin but resistant wood thicknesses, that gave life to a unique and contemporary collection. Our studio objective was to abstract most of the figurative elements and arrive in the very sweet spot in this design, driving the details in a three dimensional way. All our objects are drawn using the Da Vinci's "golden section", and the wing collection is not an exception, this assures pleasing proportions. The Wing chair collection is crafted with passion using premium materials and the latest technologies, and a very precise quality control, on its beauty there is the subtle variations between the wood veins in a real living item without ethnic appeal. All this qualities converge in and merge in a collection made to participate in the life of its users like a breeze, comfortably, pleasant and positive. Listing features the black ebonized solid wood stool...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood

Modern De Castro Dining Chairs, Camel Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Aluminum
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

The Walky Chair by Design VA . Maple & Walnut
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Woven Black Ash Wood Dining Chair Molteni&C by Tobia Scarpa - made in Italy
Located in New York, NY
Miss Chair in Black Ash Wood and Leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C. Husband and wife powerhouse designers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash

alvar aalto stool60 natural hedemora 1940's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This stool60 was manufactured in the 1940s. It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Shaker Backless Counter Stool by Ambrozia, Walnut, Black Steel, Sandle Vinyl
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The shaker backless modern counter stool chair is made to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame and a premium vinyl upholstered seat. Leather is available ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Eight Wheeled B&B MaxAlto Collection Alcantara Armchairs, 1990s
Located in IT
Eight wheeled B&B Max Alto Collection Alcantara armchairs from Italy from 1990s. Suitable both for office and living room chairs. No restoration needed. Excellent conditions. A vid...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Acrylic

alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s. It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden. It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s. It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden. It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Contemporary Felix carver Chair in Yellow Mohair with Solid Walnut Legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Felix Fluted Chair is our new take on our Felix Carver Chair, with its stunning fluted back adding a touch of elegance. Shown here upholstered in Alt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Mohair

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 Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Alien chair, plastic metal, modern Italian, Carlo Forcolini for Alias, 1982
Located in MIlano, IT
Alien model chair with black metal rod frame and red-colored MDF seat and back. Produced by Alias in c. 1980 and designed by Carlo Forcolini in 1982. Very good condition. Measures 38...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Chair, Leather or Textile Seating, Caning Backboard
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Cane, Hardwood, Leather

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Chair, Leather or Textile Seating, Caning Backboard
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Cane, Hardwood

alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s. It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden. It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Set of 2 Oak Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Oak armchair by Collector Dimensions: W 75 x D 70 x H 77 cm Materials: Fabric, oak wood Other materials available The Collector brand aims to be part of the daily lif...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 100
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Green River Project Chair GRP LLC Peruvian Walnut Chair 2020
Located in Vancouver, BC
Rare opportunity to own 1 of 1 signed Green River Project LLC Chair. This chair was made while Green River Project was in British Columbia, it wa...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 50xStacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
Located in London, GB
42 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually. There are 5 x steel trolleys available se...
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Customizable e15 That Lounge Chair by Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
The lounge chair That is part of the distinct This That Other seating series. Named after the famous card trick, Stefan Diez uses the same plywood material as for the iconic Houdini ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Arper Catifa 53 Chairs - Tan Leather with Steel Base and Arms - 10 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10 Available (Sold individually). Retail $1,971 plus tax each. Buy now with no lead time. Top of the line custom made Catina 53 chairs made by Arper in Italy. They have steel ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 104
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

21st Century Kivu Chair in Leather by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A slim and essential design for the Kivu chair. The thin metal armrest that rotates around the structure is characterized by a particular bush-hammered finish that lends a rough and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Upholstered Walnut Corktown Stool Counter by Hollis & Morris
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstered walnut cork town stool by Hollis & Morris Dimensions: Seat diameter 13" Base 12.5" x 14.5" x height 25.5" Materials: Solid wood. Cold rolled steel. Fabric. Also available...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Textile

Blackened White Oak Dining Chair with Leather Seat / Dining Chair GH1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We’ve been tasked to design an effortless, elegant, honest and most importantly comfortable dining chair for chef Eric Bost, whose restaurant Auburn, we've been designing for the past few years. After a good year...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Romme Recliner Chair by Ikea, 1990s
Located in Paris, ON
An extremely comfortable seat, perfect for reading or watching a movie. This chair is an iconic vintage Ikea piece and rare.
Category

1990s Swedish Modern Chairs

Materials

Polyester

Sedie in legno e metallo tedesche moderne, Egon Eiermann per Wilde + Spieth 1960
Located in MIlano, IT
Set di sei sedie modello SE68, con strutture provviste di quattro zampe in tubolare d'acciaio a sezione sottile, con supporto centrale sul retro, sempre in metallo, a cui è fissato l...
Category

1960s German Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Seletti "Revolver" Upholstered Occasional Chair by Toiletpaper
Located in Doral, FL
Mix and match the wildest graphics designed by Toiletpaper and get the most iconic dining room of all. - Material: Fabrics in polyester, frame in wood with polyurethane padding an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Seletti "Lipsticks" Upholstered Occasional Chair by Toiletpaper
Located in Doral, FL
Mix and match the wildest graphics designed by Toiletpaper and get the most iconic dining room of all. - Material: Fabrics in polyester, frame in wood with polyurethane padding an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs

Materials

Polyester, Wood

Bold Armchair - Azimut 101
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Italian modern Rectangular chair with black fabric and yellow metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Rectangular chair with black fabric and yellow metal, 1980s Chair with rectangular seat and backrest, padded and covered in bla...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather black 1950's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's. The seat is covered with vinyl leather. The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's. The seat is covered with vinyl leather. The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Sedie pieghevoli italiane e moderne, in metallo verniciato bianco, 1980 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Set di sei sedie da esterno pieghevoli, con struttura in ferro smaltato. La seduta e lo schienale della sedia sono microforati. Perfette per essere usate in giardino o in terrazzo. 1980 ca. Buone condizioni. Misure in cm 51x55x77h Set di sedie in ferro verniciato bianco, con alcuni segni del tempo sulla verniciatura, molto comode sia nel sedersi e accomodarsi, sia per quanto riguarda la possibilità di piegarle, chiuderle e riporle per quando si hanno molti ospiti e grandi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

alvar aalto chair65 black linoleum top
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This is chair 65 black linoleum top.
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

"Oscar" Minimalist Chair in Solid Wood with Leather or Fabric
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
When she created Oscar chair, Alessandra Delgado was inspired by the master architect Oscar Niemeyer´s work. The Oscar chair is made of solid wood and although very sturdy it is ligh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather, Canvas, Velvet, Polyester

Miljevina Bench by Nortstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
Miljevina bench by Nortstudio Dimensions: 40 x 120 x 46 cm Materials: Mirror polished steel, mirror-look HPL. Three abandoned buildings with a strong geometrical character were the...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

alvar aalto chair69 Painted Deep blue 1930's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This is chair 69 . Deep blue paint is applied all over. This chair was manufactured in the 1930s.
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Bold Dining Chair - Karakorum 003
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s Chair mod. 4875 with rounded seat and back, in brown plastic. The round section chair legs are removable. ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Set of 2, Nana Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail, No:2
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'. The elegant piece...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Beech

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Black Leather 21st Century Modern
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the sheets of soft leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable experie...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

NIDO Modern Lounge Chair in White Oak & Blush Leather by Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The NIDO chair was the result of playing with the juxtaposition of shapes. The egg-like shape of the leather upholstered wood seat nesting in the cross shap...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak, Leather

Pouf Pill S 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

Customizable Modern Dining Chair with Cubed Seat Design
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our tailored home exclusive "Branford" dining chair on casters is shown in our own ecru linen fabric. This chair is perfect for the dining table or as an accent chair in any living space. It features a simple and modern cubed seat...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Linen

chair art. Ines in green leather for living room or restaurant, confortable
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
The chair Ines is the excellent italian manufactures. The frame in solid wood is curved by hand and work with skill. Painted color walnut or oak. The padding is soft ,comfortable and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

alvar aalto chair68 Painted White 1950's
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This is chair 68 . White paint is applied all over. This chair was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Maarten Baas Where there is smoke chair, dutch design
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven with his “Smoke” series, Maarten Baas has pushed the boundaries of art, design and aesthetics. “Smoke” is an investigation into beauty ...
Category

Early 2000s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

21st Century Key West Chair in Silk Satin by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Appealing design and vintage lines for the Key West chair. Featuring sinuous and rounded shapes, it boasts an enveloping back with gold finishing and a comfortable seat upholstered w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Contemporary Vegas Sofa upholstered in Mark Alexander Velvet with walnut legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Vegas Sofa, features a pronounced high back and sweeping curved arms. This special edition is upholstered in Mark Alexander Empire II velvet, colour Otter, with legs in natural o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Velvet

UNA Dining Chair in Black Stained Oak with Leather Back by Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The UNA chair intersects a round wooden seat and legs with a leather upholstered cylindrical back. Using these fluid shapes allows greater focus on the detai...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

21st Century Iranja Armchair in Jacquard by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Iranja is a small armchair with compact proportions and a captivating geometric design. The cushion covered in animalier fabric makes the seat comfortable while enriching the decorat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam, Fabric, Wood

Vintage French School Chairs, Set of Four
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four vintage school chairs with high armrests manufactured in France circa 1950. These authentic metal chairs feature low backrests and ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 modern black leather Brno chrome tube chairs
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of 4 modern black leather Brno chrome tube chairs. Chrome tubular bent frame with soft black leather upholstery. classic modern design by Ludwig ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

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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