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.

Mid Century Butterfly Chair

Blue Painted Chair

Knoll Butterfly

Hans Wegner Butterfly Chair

Red Butterflies

Modern European Chairs

Pink Boucle Chair

Butterfly Iron

Furniture With Pierre Frey Fabric

Mid Century Butterfly Chair with Yellow Canvass Sling

$475

Mid Century Butterfly Chair with Yellow Canvass Sling

By Knoll, Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy

Located in New York, NY

Midcentury butterfly chair with yellow canvas sling seat. Clean, ready to use condition.

Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid Century Butterfly Chair with Black Canvass Sling

$475

Mid Century Butterfly Chair with Black Canvass Sling

By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll

Located in New York, NY

Midcentury butterfly chair with yellow canvas sling seat. Clean, ready to use condition. Please

Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Jacquard, Light Wood, Europe, 1960s

$837 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Jacquard, Light Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with light brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Linen Schwarzwald Dedar, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

$951 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Linen Schwarzwald Dedar, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Gray Wool, Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s

$969 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Gray Wool, Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Pink Wool Leopard, Europe, 1960s

$2,094 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Pink Wool Leopard, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with beautiful pink stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Beige Red Jacquard, Black Wood, Europe, 1960s

$904 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Beige Red Jacquard, Black Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with black stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Four Mid Century Butterflies Chairs, Blue Jacquard, Light Wood Europe, 1960s

$3,350 / set

Four Mid Century Butterflies Chairs, Blue Jacquard, Light Wood Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with light brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Tabacco Wool Millais by Dedar, Europe, 1960s

$1,100 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Tabacco Wool Millais by Dedar, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Scarabeo Velvet, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

$837

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Scarabeo Velvet, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Eight Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

$6,700 / set

Eight Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Pink Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

$837

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Pink Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Set of Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Blue Gray Wool, Europe, 1960s

$9,572 / set

Set of Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Blue Gray Wool, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, DELFI Carmine by C&C, Walnut Wood, 1960s

$1,178 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, DELFI Carmine by C&C, Walnut Wood, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Jacquard, Velvet

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Camel Craft Linen by Pierre Frey, Europe, 1960s

$1,094 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Camel Craft Linen by Pierre Frey, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Linen

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Denim Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

$1,148 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Denim Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Orage Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

$1,148 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Orage Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Six Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Hand Tufting Pink Wool Leopard, Europe, 1960s

$12,564 / item

Six Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Hand Tufting Pink Wool Leopard, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with beautiful pink stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Blue Green Orange Wool, Europe, 1960s

$1,184 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Blue Green Orange Wool, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with beautiful blue stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech

Set of Three Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Hand Tufting Wool, Europe, 1960s

$3,230 / set

Set of Three Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Hand Tufting Wool, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with beautiful blue stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Blue Green Orange Wool, Europe, 1960s

$1,184 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Blue Green Orange Wool, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with beautiful blue stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Blue Green Orange Wool, Europe, 1960s

$1,184 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Hand Tufting Blue Green Orange Wool, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with beautiful blue stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Wool

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Indigo Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

$1,148 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Indigo Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

$1,148 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Blue Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Eight Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Indigo Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, 1960

$8,924 / set

Eight Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Indigo Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, 1960

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Set of Twelve Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Navy Blue Velvet, Europe, 1960s

$12,779 / set

Set of Twelve Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Navy Blue Velvet, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Navy Blue Gray Fabric, Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s

$1,059 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Navy Blue Gray Fabric, Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Set of Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, White Boucle Fabric, Europe, 1960s

$9,453 / set

Set of Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, White Boucle Fabric, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, White Boucle Fabric, Oak White Wood, Europe, 1960s

$945 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, White Boucle Fabric, Oak White Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Six Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Tabacco Wool Millais by Dedar, Europe, 1960s

$6,581 / set

Six Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Tabacco Wool Millais by Dedar, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Set of Twelve Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Boucle, Light Wood, Europe, 1960s

$8,567 / set

Set of Twelve Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Boucle, Light Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Light Ivory Boucle, Light Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

$713 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Light Ivory Boucle, Light Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Blue Scarabeo Velvet, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

$8,376 / set

Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Blue Scarabeo Velvet, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Light Gray Boucle, Dark Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s

$837 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Light Gray Boucle, Dark Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair and Stool Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe 1960s

$1,017 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair and Stool Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Set of Eight MidCentury Butterfly Chairs, Linen Schwarzwald Dedar, Europe, 1960s

$7,658 / set

Set of Eight MidCentury Butterfly Chairs, Linen Schwarzwald Dedar, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Eight MidCentury Butterflies Chairs, Beige Red Jacquard, Black Wood Europe 1960s

$7,179 / set

Eight MidCentury Butterflies Chairs, Beige Red Jacquard, Black Wood Europe 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with black stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Jacquard

Eight Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Beige Tiger Silk by Dedar, Walnut Wood, 1960

$8,974 / set

Eight Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Beige Tiger Silk by Dedar, Walnut Wood, 1960

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chairs called "Butterfly" with brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Velvet, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Yellow Beige Tiger Silk by Dedar, Walnut Wood, 1960

$1,160 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Yellow Beige Tiger Silk by Dedar, Walnut Wood, 1960

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Velvet, Beech

Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Camel Craft Linen by Pierre Frey, Europe, 1960

$10,769 / set

Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Camel Craft Linen by Pierre Frey, Europe, 1960

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Linen, Beech

Set of Four Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Denim Pierre Frey Linen, Europe, 1960s

$4,547 / set

Set of Four Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Denim Pierre Frey Linen, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Blue Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960

$11,487 / set

Ten Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, Blue Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Six MidCentury Butterfly Chairs, Blue Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

$6,820 / set

Six MidCentury Butterfly Chairs, Blue Pierre Frey Linen, Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with oak stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Beech

Set of Six Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, DELFI Carmine C&C, Walnut Wood, 1960s

$7,020 / set

Set of Six Mid Century Butterfly Chairs, DELFI Carmine C&C, Walnut Wood, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacquard, Velvet, Beech

Set of Three Mid Century Iconic Butterfly Chairs with Canvas Fabric Covers

$1,600 / set

Set of Three Mid Century Iconic Butterfly Chairs with Canvas Fabric Covers

Located in New York, NY

Three Mid Century Butterfly Chairs The Butterfly chair also known as the Hardboy chair features

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chairs Set of 4 Space Age MCM 1960s 1950s Red Black

$2,074 / set

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chairs Set of 4 Space Age MCM 1960s 1950s Red Black

Located in London, GB

A super-stylish set of four Mid Century Butterfly chairs in lovely vintage condition. Likely made

Category

Mid-20th Century British Space Age Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Faux Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Wingback Chair

$3,900

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Wingback Chair

Located in Sheffield, MA

In the style of Paolo Buffa, this 1950;s butterfly wing back chair has been restored and newly

Category

Vintage 1950s European Hollywood Regency Club Chairs

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Mid-Century Butterfly Lounge Chair, 1980s

$2,602

Mid-Century Butterfly Lounge Chair, 1980s

Located in Brussels, BE

Mid-Century Butterfly Lounge Chair, 1980s

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Mid-Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Peony Cotton, Poland, 1960s

$1,064 / item

Mid-Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Peony Cotton, Poland, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Chairs by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy, 1960

$3,607 / set

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Chairs by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy, 1960

By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy

Located in London, GB

A good example of early production 1960’s’ Butterfly chairs by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. Seat covers

Category

Mid-20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Pink Boucle, Europe, 1960s

$837 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Pink Boucle, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark wenge stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Gray Boucle, Europe, 1960s

$837 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Gray Boucle, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid-Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Peony Cotton, Poland, 1960s

$837 / item

Mid-Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Peony Cotton, Poland, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech, Cotton, Linen

Mid-Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Yellow Boucle, Europe, 1960s

$837

Mid-Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Yellow Boucle, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Light Creme Boucle, Poland, 1960s

$832 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Light Creme Boucle, Poland, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Bouclé

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Pineapple Vegan Leather, Europe, 1960s

$897 / item

Mid Century Butterfly Dining Chair, Pineapple Vegan Leather, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Four Mid-Century Dark Gray Boucle Butterfly Chairs, Europe, 1960s

$2,871 / set

Four Mid-Century Dark Gray Boucle Butterfly Chairs, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Chairs designed by Prof. Rajmund Halas. Made of beechwood. Chair is after a complete upholstery

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Seating Under $2,000

Antique and Vintage Seating

Mid-Century Modern Seating

20th Century Seating

Metal Seating

Seating on Sale

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Mid Century Butterfly Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the mid century butterfly chair you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each mid century butterfly chair for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, animal skin and leather. Your living room may not be complete without a mid century butterfly chair — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each mid century butterfly chair bearing Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern or Folk Art hallmarks is very popular. A well-made mid century butterfly chair has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy, Knoll and Pierre Paulin are consistently popular.

How Much is a Mid Century Butterfly Chair?

Prices for a mid century butterfly chair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $250 and can go as high as $24,774, while the average can fetch as much as $2,478.

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 Mid Century Butterfly Chair

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.

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