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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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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
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425
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3,634
4,523
2,972
2,994
2,408
1,443
1,366
4,850
2,231
917
679
490
235
198
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150
103
Style: Modern
CARE chair
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
When a chair represents a hug about to happen. The safety and security of an arm around you. The care chair drives you to envision attachment and protection through its carefully cra...
Category
2010s Egyptian Modern Chairs
Materials
Polyester
Steelcase i2i Ergonomic Dual Swivel Graphite Lounge Chair with Writing Tablet
By Steelcase
Located in Miami, FL
Steelcase i2i Ergonomic Dual Swivel Graphite Lounge Chair with Writing Tablet
The Modern i2i lounge chair is very comfortable and well designed, Featu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
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
Modern Skirt Upholstered Accent Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Dressed in a softly textured chenille performance fabric with a silver metallic ground, this elegant tall back chair works beautifully in home office spaces, or bedrooms and dressing...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
White Onyx Sugar Daddy Chair by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
White Onyx Sugar Daddy Chair by Pietro Franceschini
Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 59 x W 55 x H 50,5 cm.
Materials: White onyx.
Pietro Franceschini is an architect and ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Onyx
Pair of EGO Meeting chairs in Bright Yellow Leather by Poltrona Frau Italy
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of Bright Yellow Leather EGO Meeting chairs Designed by Paolo Pininfarina for Poltrona Frau. The Ego Meeting armchair is considered one of the bestsellers of the Poltrona Frau c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
H Chair by Estudio Persona
Located in Geneve, CH
H chair by Estudio Persona.
Dimensions: W 46 x D 49 x H 79 cm
Materials: Mohair fabric.
Upholstered dining chair. Shown in mohair fabric.
COM option available.
Customizations availa...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Mohair
Sculptural Organic Vintage Side Chairs Pair Bohuslav Horak 1988 Czech Republic
By Bohuslav Horák
Located in Vienna, AT
Sculptural metal vintage chairs model Pupeny or Buds by Bohuslav Horak, 1988.
A sculptural and fairy-tale design with a twist, these side chairs s...
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Wool Bouclé Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Margot bouclé dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redefines the standards of modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak, Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric
Four Legs Stool Naturel by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Four legs stool naturel by Arno Declercq
Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 50 cm
Materials: African walnut
Arno Declercq
Belgian designer and art deal...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass frame, seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests. Limited edition of 360 chairs produced in 1999. This is chair...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
ONE SS CHAIR-Chair
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
What happens when two becomes one? “The Oness” objects or people. It is about how coming together creates chair entertains the thought of a merging, between two a new, sometimes sens...
Category
2010s Egyptian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Pair of EGO Meeting chairs in Hot Pink Leather by Poltrona Frau Italy
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of Hot Pink Leather EGO Meeting chairs Designed by Paolo Pininfarina for Poltrona Frau. The Ego Meeting armchair is considered one of the bestsellers of the Poltrona Frau compan...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
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
Set of 6 Modern Chicago Dining Chairs, Oak Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern set of 6 Chicago Dining Chairs, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Wooden chairs in American Oak uph...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak, Cotton, Bouclé
HELLO - Chair With Resin Balloon
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
At first , the were two separate beings unaware of what they could be, he reached for her said “hello” , gave her a balloon, she accepted with a grin on her face and together they ma...
Category
2010s Egyptian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of 3 Pierre Cardin Chrome Armchairs
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Three vintage chrome frame armchairs with upholstered seats and backs. The upholstery is original.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Exquisite Klismos Chair in Blue/Gray Shagreen with Brass Sabots 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted Klismos chair in blue/gray shagreen with polished brass sabots by Maitland Smith, Philippines 1980's. The sensual form and exceptional materials and craftsmanshi...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
2 African carved thrones, Bamileké
Located in Firenze, IT
2 beautiful African thrones of the Bamileké people, Cameroon, hand-carved from a single log of Cola hardwood, stained black.
It features the typical Bamilekè perforated 'spider's web...
Category
1980s Cameroonian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
4x Shaker Counter Stool AMBROZIA, Sedona Leather, Dull Champagne, Oxidized Maple
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The shaker modern counter stool chair is handmade to order. Featuring our optional Luxurious Dull Champagne metal frame and a Genuine leather seat and back. Also offered in COM or CO...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Modernist Organic Vintage Three Foldable Dining Chairs Beech Mesh Chrome, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist organic vintage three vintage chromed metal, beech and
Viennese mesh dining chairs or chairs, 1970s, Italy.
A wonderful set of three (3) dining chairs with a chromed met...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Claste For the Love of Solitude Small Chair in Glass with Sea Pearl Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that creates separation with transparency, solitude without disconnection. Within the walls of glass, a floating slab of marble adds weight and texture to the delicate nature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
Claste For the Love of Solitude Large Chair in Glass with Sea Pearl Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that creates separation with transparency, solitude without disconnection. Within the walls of glass, a floating slab of marble adds weight and texture to the delicate nature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
Italian modern straw and black wood chair, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern straw and black wood chair, 1970s
Chair with rectangular base. The seat is in straw, the structure is in black lacquered wood with a gl...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
Bold Dining Chair
By Mohdern
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
Black Lacquer Chinese Chippendale Teal Chair by Jonathan Adler
Located in Pasadena, CA
The Jonathan Adler Black Lacquer Faux Bamboo Chippendale Chair embodies a contemporary take on Chinoiserie style. Its classic design, finished in a graphic black gloss lacquer, refle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Faux Bamboo
Seduta scultorea in legno curvato, produzione italiana anni 70
Located in Firenze, IT
Bellissima seduta scultorea in multistrato di faggio curvato, composta da due moduli che si uniscono ad incastro. Autore sconosciuto, ma di grande impatto visivo e di materiale di ot...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Plywood
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 100
By Mohdern
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
The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Bronze
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
Bronze
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 105
By Mohdern
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
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 304
By Mohdern
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
alvar aalto stool60 painted red 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1930's.
This stool is painted red and white.
There is some peeling and damage in the paint here and there, but it is a ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
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
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
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
Ciottolo 04 by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Ciottolo 04 by Imperfettolab
1999
Dimensions: W 110 x D 91 x H 54 cm
Materials: Fiberglass
Avalaible in black, white / gold, chrome
Imperfetto lab
Who we are ? We are a famil...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Claste and Here I Sit Hall Chair Limited Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unexpected shift in appearance is the central idea behind the design of this chair. It switches from precariously balanced to solid and permanent through the clever use of a trian...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
By Carlo Bartoli, Kartell
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
Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Henrik Bønnelycke Black Leather and Wood Armchair, Model 102
Located in Madrid, ES
Lounge chair, model 102, designed by Henrik Bønnelycke and made of steam-bent black-stained oak. Seat upholstered in black leather. Soft lines, comfortable round back and armrests.
Category
Early 2000s Danish Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Modern De Castro Dining Chairs, Camel Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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
Basket Chair for Beach or Slope by de Vries of Germany
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
Kartell Spoon Stool in White by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original stool whose shape is as elastic in appearance as it is in function. The innovation of Spoon consists mainly in attaching the seat to a central support with a specially re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
alvar aalto chair69 natural 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1930s.
It has a structure that seems to be an early product that is not found in current products.
The paint film from ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Set of 8 Dining Chair Available in COM
Located in New York, NY
This minimalist dining chair exemplifies modern sophistication and comfort. It features a fully upholstered design, providing a seamless, elegant look that harmoniously blends with c...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
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
Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 102
By Mohdern
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
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
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
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
There is some damage to the seat.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
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
Super Jardim, Green Armchair by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Super Jardim - Green armchair by Cultivado Em Casa
Dimensions: 105 x 80 x 73 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, PVC hose, nozzle and faucet
Also available: blue, red, black, yellow
...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
alvar aalto stool60 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
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
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Pair Late 20th Century Modern Drexel Heritage Swivel Barrel Chairs Orig Fabric
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage modern Drexel Heritage swivel barrel chairs with original contemporary style mauve, green & beige bird fabric, a pair. Beautiful conditio...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Felix carver Chair in Yellow Mohair with Solid Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
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
Alien chair, plastic metal, modern Italian, Carlo Forcolini for Alias, 1982
By Carlo Forcolini, Alias
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
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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