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 Modern Linen Chairs

Margot Chair

Portuguese Leather Dining Room Chairs

Midcentury Modern Leather Dining Chairs

Swivel Mid Century Dining Chair

Leather Chair Swivel Wood

Mid Century Chair Stainless Steel

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...

Materials

Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Oak, Walnut

Pair of William Haines Mid Century Modern Klismos Lounge Chairs

$3,950 / set

$4,200

$2,490 / item

Regent Chair Slip Covered in Belgian Linen- Greige

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Regent Chair Slip Covered in Belgian Linen 31.5″ W x 39″ D x 35″ H Arm Height 22″ Seat Height 14″ / Seat Depth 24″ / Seat Width 20″ Leg Height 4″ / Removable Fabric: 100% Belgian L...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Linen

Brazilian Modern Set of Eight Chairs in Caviuna wood & Linen, Alexandre Rapoport

$15,000 / set

$3,656 / item

$4,114 / item

Mid-Century Modern Grand Dining Chairs, DEDAR Wool, Handmade Greenapple

By Rute Martins, Greenapple, Dedar

Located in Lisboa, PT

Mid-Century Modern Grand Dining Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Grand dining chair is a versatile piece that combines elegance with func...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

$3,656 / item

Mid-Century Modern Timeless Dining Chair, Boucle, Faux Fur, Handmade Greenapple

By Greenapple

Located in Lisboa, PT

Mid-Century Modern Timeless Dining Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless dining chair was designed to withstand the passage of...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Mid-Century Modern Style Accent Chair in Textured Neutral Linen w/ Brass Frame

Unavailable

H 34 in W 31 in D 31 in

Mid-Century Modern Style Accent Chair in Textured Neutral Linen w/ Brass Frame

By Modshop

Located in Compton, CA

A slick brass frame, a slight pitched back and tufted linen is the santorini chair. Perfect on its own or pair it up. Shown in Peppercorn Linen. Measures: 31" x 31" x 34" Seat...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Style Curved Accent Chair in Grey Linen & Brushed Brass Frame

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 31.5 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in

Mid-Century Modern Lounge Armchair, 1960s

Located in Warsaw Wesola, PL

This elegant lounge chair sets the tone for an entire room! Frame, legs and beautiful armrests are made of solid wood. The upholstery is made of a high quality 100% linen in grey col...

Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Linen

Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Dark Wood Chairs with Upholstered Seats

Unavailable

H 33 in W 21 in D 24 in

Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Dark Wood Chairs with Upholstered Seats

Located in New York, NY

Four dark wood chairs with curved arms and splayed back legs. Newly upholstered seats and backs in Belgian linen. (Priced individually). Available to see in our NYC Showroom BK ...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Scandinavian Mid-Century Easy Chair, 1970

Unavailable

H 31.5 in W 22.84 in D 29.93 in

Scandinavian Mid-Century Easy Chair, 1970

Located in London, GB

This chair from 1970s went through a complete restoration process. Chair has been stripped down, all the insides were replaced, foam, inner linen, support belts, upholstery. Wood has...

Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Danish Teak and Linen Stylish Easy-Chair

Unavailable

H 36.62 in W 27.96 in D 31.5 in

Danish Teak and Linen Stylish Easy-Chair

Located in Porto, PT

Danish teak and linen stylish easy-chair.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Linen, Teak

Pair of Mid-Century Modern in the Style of Jiun Ho Mopane Lounge Chairs

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 29 in W 22.75 in D 21.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Harvey Probber Pull-Up Side Chairs

By Harvey Probber

Located in Hudson, NY

These upholstered pull-up chairs are designed by Harvey Probber for the living room or office. Upholstered in a linen blend neutral fabric with walnut arms and a solid polished stain...

Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

H 35 in W 21.5 in D 19 in

Midcentury Rattan and Chrome Cantilever Chair

Located in Chicago, IL

• Chrome frame and rattan back seat • Reupholstered in Kelly Wearstler district tobacco 100% linen fabric • Mid-20th century • American Dimensions: • Overall: 21.5" W x 19" D ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Bistro Chairs in Chris Farcloth Linen, Set of 4

Unavailable

H 38 in W 14 in D 12 in

Midcentury Bistro Chairs in Chris Farcloth Linen, Set of 4

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Charlottesville, VA

Set of four Mid-Century Modern metal bistro chairs finished in a light dove grey lacquer with ikat seats adorned in a captivity ikat linen by Chris Farr Cloth.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Iron

H 31.5 in W 30 in D 29.5 in

Stripe's Own Custom Milano Lounge Chairs

Located in North Miami, FL

Inspired by a 1950s Italian original, our bench-made Milano lounge chair features bold square arms and clean masculine lines evocative of the stylish, no-nonsense city it was named a...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Bamboo Club Chair

Unavailable

H 34 in W 25.5 in D 31.5 in

Midcentury Bamboo Club Chair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Striking midcentury bamboo framed club chair, circa 1950s-1960s. This custom lounge chair is upholstered with seat and back cushions in a cotton linen striped button-tufted fabric. ...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan, Reed

Pierre Guariche chair for Airborne 50'S

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 25.6 in W 39.38 in D 37.41 in

Wittmann Atrium Lounge Chair Convertible Daybed, Austria, 1970

By Mario Bellini, Wittmann

Located in Vienna, AT

Wittmann Atrium Lounge Chair Convertible Daybed, Austria, 1970. - Dimensions W x D x H: 39.4 x 37.4 x 25.6 inch / 100 x 95 x 65 cm - Seat height 14.6 inch / 37 cm.

Category

Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Linen

Unavailable

H 28 in W 31 in D 30 in

Hans Olsen Lounge Chair

By Hans Olsen

Located in Houston, TX

Mid-Century lounge chair designed by the respected Danish designer Hans Olsen for Vatne Mobler, circa 1960s. Newly upholstered in a light green linen.

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut, Fabric

$5,255 / item

H 32 in W 36 in D 32 in

Lawson-Fenning Huxley Swivel Chair, Modern American Lounge Chair

By Lawson-Fenning

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The Huxley Swivel C hair by Lawson-Fenning is inspired by 1970s lounge furniture. A curvaceous form with a single line tuft and long seat cushion rest atop a brass base that swivels....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Materials

Aluminum, Silver Plate

H 29 in W 93 in D 30 in

Mid Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Black Leather Long sofa Georg Thams

By Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik, Georg Thams

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Rare Mid-Century Modern black leather Model 64 - four seat sofa Designed by Georg Thams made in Denmark by Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik. Has original broken in black genuine leather this...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Down

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Mid-Century Modern Linen Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of mid-century modern linen chairs is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of fabric, linen and wood, all mid-century modern linen chairs available were constructed with great care. We have 376 antique and vintage mid-century modern linen chairs in-stock, while there are 23 modern editions to choose from as well. Mid-century modern linen chairs have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Mid-century modern linen chairs bearing Mid-Century Modern or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Mid-century modern linen chairs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Milo Baughman, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler and Guillerme and Chambron are consistently popular.

How Much are Mid-Century Modern Linen Chairs?

Prices for mid-century modern linen chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, mid-century modern linen chairs begin at $430 and can go as high as $42,300, while the average can fetch as much as $4,933.

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 Modern Linen Chairs

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.