What is a mid-century chair?

A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?

Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?

Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Mexican Mid Century Chairs

Porset Clara

Don Brown

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair

Don Wood

Mexican Rosewood

Mexican Wood Furniture

Mexican Mahogany

Butaque Chair

Mid Century Mexican Hand Carved Leather Webbed Chair Spratling Attributed 1960

$3,500

Mid Century Mexican Hand Carved Leather Webbed Chair Spratling Attributed 1960

By William Spratling, Artes De Mexico Internacionales, SA

Located in Troy, MI

Mid Century leather strap chair attributed to William Spratling Crafted for Artes de Mexico Internacionales, S.A circa 1960 Hand carved frame with backrest cut-out detail Webbed lea...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Mid-Century Mexican Club Chairs

$7,160 / set

Pair of Mid-Century Mexican Club Chairs

Located in Dallas, TX

Unique pair of Mid-Century Modern Mexican club chairs with a beautifully textured fabric and structured oak frame.

Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Ricardo Legoretta Valarta Chair Shelf / Authentic 1972 Mid-Century, Mexico

$5,400

$24,000

Mid-Century Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Senal SA Sling Swinger Chairs Set of 4

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Forney, TX

A magnificent set of four rare original Mid-Century Modern Mexican bocote wood and black leather "Swingers" by legendary designer Don S.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Spanish Chairs by Borge Mogensen from Mexico

$7,700 / set

$4,950 / item

Solid Tropical Wood Armchair for Indoor Outdoor, Woven Cord Backrest and Cushion

By Luteca Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Based on a classic 20th Century design by Michael van Beuren, it offers a contemporary edge to a classic Mexican mid-century chair.

Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Pair Mexican Modern Lounge Chairs, Michael Van Bueren, Domus Mexico 1960s

$5,500 / set

Pair Mexican Modern Lounge Chairs, Michael Van Bueren, Domus Mexico 1960s

Located in Round Rock, TX

Pair of Mexican Woven Lounge Chairs, Attributed to Michael van Beuren for Domus A handsome pair of midcentury Mexican lounge chairs attributed to Michael van Beuren for Domus, circa...

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Cord, Mahogany

Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Chairs

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Dallas, TX

Spence´s design brilliance comes in with his ability to interpret the most important aspects of Mexican design but in a fancy Mid-Century Modern way."

Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Seagrass, Mahogany

Recent Sales

Pair of Mexican Midcentury Side Chairs

Unavailable

H 30.5 in W 48 in D 31.5 in

Pair of Mexican Midcentury Side Chairs

By Michael van Beuren, Clara Porset

Located in Toronto, ON

Beautiful pair of Mexican midcentury chairs with woven seats, made by Florida Muebles in Toluca, Mexico. Original owner attests to purchasing these in Mexico city in the late 195...

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Mexican Wide Chair

Unavailable

H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 17.72 in

Mexican Wide Chair

Located in Mexico City, MX

Mexican wide chair in tropical wood.

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Unavailable

H 28 in W 27 in D 22 in

Pair of Good Vintage Mexican Butaque Campeche Chairs - Circa 1940's

Located in San Francisco, CA

A pair of rare mid century Mexican Campeche chairs in rosewood with beautiful hand tooled and embossed leather Azteca motifs - each with folding wood frames.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly and Foot Chair, Full-Size, Mexico City, 1973

Unavailable

H 34.65 in W 20.28 in D 17.72 in

Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly and Foot Chair, Full-Size, Mexico City, 1973

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in San Diego, CA

An early example of the Iconic Surrealist "Butterfly" chair (Silla-Mariposa). By Pedro Friedeberg, Mexico City, 1973. Carved mexican mahogany chair with polychrome and gold leaf d...

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Set of 3 Mid Century Wrought Iron Patio Chairs with Finials

Unavailable

H 46 in W 21 in D 22 in

Set of 3 Mid Century Wrought Iron Patio Chairs with Finials

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A set of 3 gorgeous, Mid-Century Modern wrought iron monumental dining chairs with ball finials. These are a very big scale. And in wonderful antique patina condition. Sturdy heavy p...

Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Iron

Pedro Friedeberg "Butterfly" Chair

Unavailable

Pedro Friedeberg "Butterfly" Chair

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A really great example. Fully signed.

Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Pedro Friedeberg “Hand Chair”

Unavailable

H 36 in W 20 in D 23 in

Pedro Friedeberg “Hand Chair”

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Hampstead, QC

Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, b. January 11, 1936) is an Italian-born Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work. His best known piece is the “Hand Chair”, a sculptural...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Materials

Bronze

Early Walter Van Beuren Slipper Chair

Unavailable

Early Walter Van Beuren Slipper Chair

Located in San Miguel Allende, GTO

Van Bueren

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

$3,650 / set

H 31 in W 23.75 in D 22.5 in

Pair of Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

By Jens Risom

Located in New York, NY

Danish Jens Risom attributed Mid-Century Modern armchairs with new wool felt upholstery, circa 1960s . Button tufted. Tapered legs with minor loses and fading to wood. Good original ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool

Ernesto Hauner Caviuna Chair, Brazilian Midcentury Design, 1950

$7,000

$3,470

H 29 in W 18 in D 22 in

Spanish Modern Neoclassical Leather Strap Chair Attributed to Pierre Lottier

By Pierre Lottier

Located in New York, NY

A single Spanish Midcentury Modern Neoclassical leather strap slipper chair in black leather with each strap interlaced with each other. The beautiful lines and form are complimented...

Category

Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Early & Rare Chair designed by John Pyle for George Nelson American Mid Century

$3,750

H 29 in W 19 in D 17 in

Early & Rare Chair designed by John Pyle for George Nelson American Mid Century

By George Nelson

Located in San Diego, CA

Wonderful sculptural side chair. Pretzel designed in 1950s by John Pyle for George Nelson, amazing original finish and patina. Iconic and very rare chair only a few were made, hard t...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

$14,040

H 33.39 in W 21.34 in D 23.43 in

Mid-Century Modern Single Chair with Armrest by Martin Eisler, 1955

By Martin Eisler

Located in New York, NY

Martin Eisler is most known for well-shaped armchairs made in iron, but his production is far more complex and extensive. The wood pieces produced by Forma Móveis e Objetos de Arte...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

2010s American Modern Night Stands

Materials

Wood, Oak

1940s Bauhaus-Inspired Wardrobe by Hynek Gottwald – Czechoslovakia

$2,622

H 72.05 in W 45.67 in D 23.63 in

1940s Bauhaus-Inspired Wardrobe by Hynek Gottwald – Czechoslovakia

By Hynek Gottwald

Located in Żory, PL

A functional wardrobe designed in the spirit of Bauhaus modernism by Hynek Gottwald, produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1940s. The piece combines utilitarian design with a clean i...

Category

Early 20th Century Bauhaus Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Steel

$1,200 / item

H 18 in W 14 in D 19 in

Contemporary Step Stool "Steps" in White Oak by Casey Lurie USA

By Casey Lurie

Located in Chicago, IL

Given their usefulness, it is surprising that the common step stool is such an overlooked piece of furniture. Steps is a simple rethinking of this established type and is proportione...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stools

Materials

Ash, Cherry, Walnut, Oak

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Mexican Mid Century Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of Mexican mid century chairs is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct Mexican mid century chairs — often made from wood, animal skin and leather — can elevate any home. We have 232 antique and vintage Mexican mid century chairs in-stock, while there are 16 modern editions to choose from as well. Mexican mid century chairs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Mid-Century Modern, Folk Art and Modern Mexican mid century chairs are consistently popular styles. There have been many well-made Mexican mid century chairs over the years, but those made by Don S. Shoemaker, Pedro Friedeberg and Edmond J. Spence are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Mexican Mid Century Chairs?

Prices for Mexican mid century chairs start at $1 and top out at $48,000 with the average selling for $3,800.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Emerged during the mid-20th century
Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
A heyday of innovation in postwar America
Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
Promotion of functionality

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

Charles and Ray Eames
Eero Saarinen
Milo Baughman
Florence Knoll
Harry Bertoia
Isamu Noguchi
George Nelson
Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.

Questions About Mexican Mid Century Chairs

What is a mid-century chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.
How can you tell if a chair is mid century?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

How Top Designers Are Using Mid-Century Chairs in Today’s Interiors

Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood

The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.

Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home

The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.