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Modern Seating

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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1,416
1,208
1,088
951
920
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690
646
508
473
365
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10,180
9,548
5,172
4,797
16,360
6,247
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715
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Style: Modern
Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Dedar Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Strelitzia Modern Solid Brass Upholstered Luxury Dining Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Strelitzia bespoke, dining chair is designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This luxury dining chair has a backrest of so...
Category

2010s South African Modern Seating

Materials

Brass

Hand-Tailored Curved Sectional Sofa in Mustard Yellow Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern inspired sectional sofa featuring curved design with luxurious mustard yellow velvet fabric. Supported by walnut base. Standard dimensions: 293 cm x 157 cm x 84 cm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Modern Mel Armchair, Velvet Pearl Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mel Armchair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Mel armchair, named after nature’s purest and sweetest gift, brings forth the comforting e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Rattan/Cane Dining Chair Set of 6
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century Modern style dining chairs in walnut finished frame. Backrest in natural woven cane and seat upholstered in black faux leather. Dimensions: 23.2" W x 22.8" D x 29.1" H ...
Category

2010s European Modern Seating

Materials

Rattan, Wood, Faux Leather

1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in New York, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Bespoke Traditional Beige Upholstered With Piping Office Chair
Located in London, GB
This traditional upholstered office chair with piping has an impressive design that would elevate any living space or bedroom. Its neutral colour palette means it would harmonise wel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Tubular Brass Chairs by ChromeCraft- Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W22 D21 H33 SW18 SD19 SH17 AH24 Vintage Rolling Chairs by ChromeCraft in overall great condition. Chairs features structurally sound brass frames with light patina, three units are ...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Custom Mixed Material Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W73 D27 H29 SW65 SD19 SH18 AH27.5 Gently used curved back sofa with a great mix of colors and materails. Custom ordered specs and size and materials by previous owners. Fabric shows...
Category

2010s Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Floral LoveSeat
Located in London, GB
Black and white sofa with black velvet seat and back in embroidered cotton. The back is decorated with opaque black and white beads shaped like f...
Category

2010s British Modern Seating

Materials

Cotton, Beads

Modern LC3 Black leather chrome frame lounge chair by Le Corbusier
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A Single pre owned modern lounge or club chair by Le Corbusier. Wide Model LC3 in soft black Leather. Triple chrome plated steel frames. Show little to no signs of use. Made in italy...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Chrome

Delta Sofa - Modern White Upholstered Two Seat Sofa
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous sides of the Delta collection, give the design a modern and elegant look; blending together a sense of warmth and comfortableness with a touch of minimalist simplicity...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery

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

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Birch

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

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Birch

English Modern Large Wingback Armchair with its Matching Stool
Located in London, GB
A very large contemporary wingback armchair, a generously proportioned model with a modern look but incorporating classic comforts with its matching stool. The chair and the stools a...
Category

1990s English Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Petite Ourse - Seat handmade in Palmwood
Located in Milano, IT
Seat made by hand, designed and produced in Tunisia. The Petite Ourse handcarved palmwood seat features an elementary yet captivating design, featuring rounded shapes that highlight ...
Category

2010s Tunisian Modern Seating

Materials

Palmwood

Eric Schmitt (*1955), Osselet Chairs, 1996
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural " Osselet " side chairs by Eric Schmitt. Patinated bronze frames and cognac leather seats.
Category

1990s French Modern Seating

Materials

Bronze

Sculptural Stool in Marble, Italian Collectible Design
Located in Milano, IT
Marble Sculpture - Collectible side table - Sculptural Stool - Italian Design Past, present and future come together in this sculptural piece by Spinzi. Why you may ask? Because Med...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Marble

Ming Keng Lu Tsd Chair
Located in Toronto, CA
By Ming Keng Lu The moment is commemorated in an implicit form with a reverence for the past. In the process of sweeping graves, Ming ken Lu always felt he had to record something f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Modern Seating

Materials

Walnut

2010s Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chair and Ottoman Tan Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chair & Ottoman in tan leather. Two sets are available, though the price listed is for each set. The set is in very good to excellent condition...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

1960s Sigvard Bernadotte Rocking Chair for France and Sons & John Stuart in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a rocking chair designed by Sigvard Bernadotte, labelled with original tags from France and Sons as well as John Stuart. The chair was produced circa mid 1960s and...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Teak

1958 Set of 4 Herman Miller Eames DKR-2 Wire Bikini Chairs in Yellow Naugahyde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DKR-2 wire dining chairs, designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1951. This particular set of four chairs dates to circa 1958. They have steel wir...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Naugahyde

Emanuele Rambaldi for Chiappe Dining Chair in Wood and Woven Straw
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Emanuele Rambaldi for Chiappe, chair, beech, straw, Chiavari, Italy, design 1933, production afterwards Italian painter and furniture designer Emanuele Rambaldi (1903-1968) created ...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Straw, Beech

1985 Eames Herman Miller EC175 Upholstered Fiberglass Shell Chair Museum Quality
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare and marvelous EC175-8 chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, produced by Herman Miller. This is one of the more unique and later Eames designs, buil...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Giorgio Collection Dune Outdoor Garden Chair
Located in New York, NY
Giorgio Collection Dune Outdoor occasional chair in special treated fabric. Cushion filling in waterproof dacron. Structure in combination of satined black metal treated in cataphore...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak & Dark Tan Fabric Dining Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and dark tan fabric armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner designed for CI Designs...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Ming Keng Lu Water Caltrop Chair
Located in Toronto, CA
By Ming Keng Lu Ming Keng Lu's uncle would always brings snacks to his studio in the afternoons, and one day he brought freshly steamed water caltrops. It is a small, white nut that...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Outdoor Pouf in weather resistant foam with yellow leather and white fabric
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Flow Pouf The Flow pouf features a resistant base that provides stability and support, ensuring that you can fully sink into it. Its soft and cozy design creates a true cloud of com...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Leather

Unique Wrought Iron and Wicker Gossip Bench in the Style of Arthur Umanoff 1950s
Located in Mexico, DF
Very unique wrought iron and wicker Gossip Bench from the 50s. in the very simple yet sophisticated style of Arthur Umanoff (doesn´t have authentication)....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Armchair PLAY Boucle Best of year 2022 winner Interior Design Magazine
Located in Kyiv, UA
“PLAY” armchair has an unusual shape that was assembled from several geometric elements. The bagel-shaped detail serves the back of the chair. Handcrafted in Ukraine, this armchair embodies the perfect blend of comfort and style. Its sleek design and attention to detail make it a true statement piece for any space. With its ergonomic features, it offers superior comfort, allowing you to relax and unwind in style. Armchair PLAY...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

Ottoman ouf DROVA 4 in White color by WOO
Located in Kyiv, UA
Ottoman pouf Drova 4, a versatile and stylish addition to your living space. Handcrafted with precision in Ukraine, this cube pouf embodies the perfect fu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Ottoman pouf DROVA 4 choose your fabric
Located in Kyiv, UA
Ottoman pouf Drova 4, a versatile and stylish addition to your living space. Handcrafted with precision in Ukraine, this cube pouf embodies the perfect fu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Modernist Cantilever Armchair by Jindrich Halabala, Chromed Metal, Veneered Wood
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist cantilever chair H-128 designed by Jindrich Halabala and manufactured by UP Závody, Brno. This item is restored on request and available in different amounts. Delivery...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Seating

Materials

Chrome

Langskip and Leidangskip Chair made from Birch Multiplex Boards
Located in Prague 3, Vinohrady
The dining room collection is inspired by the construction of Viking boats and influenced by my internship at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. My aim was to design furniture wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Birch

Armchair PLAY Best of year 2022 winner by Interior Design Magazine
Located in Kyiv, UA
“PLAY” armchair has an unusual shape that was assembled from several geometric elements. The bagel-shaped detail serves the back of the chair. Handcrafted in Ukraine, this armchair embodies the perfect blend of comfort and style. Its sleek design and attention to detail make it a true statement piece for any space. With its ergonomic features, it offers superior comfort, allowing you to relax and unwind in style. Armchair PLAY...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

William Lounge Chair, Oak
Located in Monte-Serzedo, 13
William lounge is a chair with statement character, inspired by the classics of 20th century design. We bring our own interpretation of a classic archetype that will bring you a nost...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Wood, Oak, Walnut

Layout Stool
Located in Toronto, CA
By Studio Super Sunday Designed By Vincent Le Sauteur Like a grid, Layout is adaptable and structural in nature to meet the different storage needs of the space. The formal flexibi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Seating

Materials

Ash

Contemporary Modern Martin Brattrud Kinsale Red Barrel Lounge Chairs, a Pair
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Elegant and stylish pair of Kinsale barrel chair by Martin Brattrud. Featuring a very comfortable seat cushion and ergonomically embracing rounded back. Beautifully shaped and hand...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Seating

Materials

Chrome

Concrete Y Stool
Located in Hawthorne, CA
Concrete Y stool Made to Order. Made of Fiber Glass Reinforced Concrete. The color of concrete and type of wood can be customized upon request. Standard Color options are Off-Whit...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Concrete

White Mohair Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgerous custom made mohair ottoman with a light wooden base.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Mohair, Upholstery

Contemporary Modern Orangebox Bloom Swivel and Tilt Guest Side Chairs, a Pair
By Orangebox
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Bloom is a multi-use upholstered swivel chair, it provides a more upright posture with a dynamic tilting mechanism, allowing a gentle rocking movement. Manufactured in moulded foam for a refined level of comfort and durability. The eye-catching curves design is elegant, inviting and has presence in its simplicity. A great multi-use chairs for your home or office use, can be used as dining or conference or guest chairs. Please note the price listed is for a Pair "two chairs" Description: Upholstered in woven two tone color fabric Maroon and Blue...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

Kerry Hastings, Handbuilt Ceramic Sculptural Side Table
Located in London, GB
Inspired by a winter walk in the hills of Scotland this table was sculpted by hand and finished with a textured dolomite glaze to evoke a memory of landscape and time. Exploiting the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Seating

Materials

Ceramic

Channeled Alpaca Benches
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of channeled benches with alpaca upholstery.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Alpaca

Set of 3 Counter Bar Stool w Backrest Natural Tan Saddle Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter height stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces whe...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Teak Wood Framed Bench, with Woven Leather Seat
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A hand-crafted teak framed & woven leather strap bench. These benches are crafted by local artisans using a wood joinery technique without the use of nails. They feature a subtle woo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Teak

Copytopia Stool, Pierre Castignola, Dark Blue
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Amsterdam based designer Pierre Castignola (France - 1995) graduated Cum Laude from the Design Academy in 2018. He aims to have a conceptual backgro...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Space Age Togo Love Seat Two Seater Blue Ultra Suede Ligne Roset 1970s France
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age authentic vintage loveseat or two seater sofa Togo from ultra suede alcantara in cornflower blue color tone by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset 1970s. An iconic freestanding ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Seating

Materials

Ultrasuede

Ottoman pouf DROVA 4 Wool fabric WOO
Located in Kyiv, UA
Ottoman pouf Drova 4, a versatile and stylish addition to your living space. Handcrafted with precision in Ukraine, this cube pouf embodies the perfect fusio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Teak Wood Framed Chair, with Woven Leather Seat
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A hand-crafted teak framed & woven leather strap chair. These chairs are crafted by local artisans using a wood joinery technique without the use of nails. They feature a subtle wood...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Teak

Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Chairs in New Bouclé Upholstery, Germany 1970
Located in Almelo, NL
Presenting this stunning set of ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifully shaped chrome bases creating an incredibly sturdy and stately pre...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Log Armchair C.R.& S. Riva1920 Contemporary Natural Cedar Made in Italy Riva1920
Located in Cantù, IT
Armchair made from a single block of scented cedar. Distinguished by its squared lines and ergonomic seat.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Italy Modern Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Tube Stackable Dining Chairs Set of 3
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The HAL Tube stackable chair by Vitra is very sleek with clean contemporary look. The shape of the seat shell provides great freedom of movement in a variety of sitting positions. T...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Famed Brass Bench
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The FAMED BENCH...harmoniously combines brass and fabric brining a refined elegance and comfort to your home. Length: 59.1'' / Depth: 17.7'' / Height: 18.5'' -Brass -Registered Design. BRASS USE...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Foam

Maharam Covered Stool by Scholten & Baijings
Located in New York, NY
Covered Stool by Scholten & Baijings Small Dot Pattern by Charles and Ray Eames, 1947 105 Charcoal Tinted beechwood base with Small Dot pattern textile....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Seating

Materials

Textile, Wood

Contemporary Ottoman in African Walnut and Sheep Wool, Senufo by Arno Declercq
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary ottoman in African walnut and sheep wool - Senufo by Arno Declercq Dimensions: diameter 45 x height 40 cm Material: African walnut and sheep wool. (ask for different...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Moooi The Golden Chair in Black Steel Frame with Vesper, Bronze Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Under a mysterious magic spell, a retro-looking school chair is dipped in enchanted golden nectar, which washes away its austerity and crows it with a shi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Modern Light Gray Fabric Desk Chair with Walnut Base
Located in Mexico, MX
Helsinki collection. Helsinki desk chair: simple, elegant, comfortable. Available in oak and walnut base or in custom materials, may be upholstered with variety of fabrics and colors...
Category

2010s North American Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Celeste Chair in Boucle Fabric and Brass and Mint Metal by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Celeste chair plays with contrasting shapes, materials and textures. The circles and squares join to make a chair that has both substance and lightness. ...
Category

2010s British Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Modern seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Finn Juhl, Emeco, and Moooi. 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 seating 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 $497,965 while the average work can sell for $3,803.

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