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Modern Benches

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
Bronze & Leather Bench, KIMANI Lounge by Reda Amalou, 2019, Gallery Collection
Located in Paris, FR
The Gallery collection showcases exclusive designs by Reda Amalou. The pieces are crafted by some of the best artisans around the world and are edited as a series of 8 and 4 artist’...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Bronze

Desert Tan Heavy Canvas & Blackened Steel Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Curve, 94 Inches Cedar Vulcano Bench, Designed Brodie Neill, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) Bench in a single block of scented cedar. Distinguished by its arched shape below the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Cedar

21st Century Elena Salmistraro Ione Bench Polyurethane Marble Resin Scapin
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Ione Bench, design by Elena Salmistraro for Scapin Collezioni Limited Edition. New Atomic Age Collection Ione was born from the encounter between smooth shapes and sophisticated graphic carvings. Circles, lines and orbits blended together give life to a marble and resin bench that seems to come from another world. Designer and artist Elena Salmistraro takes her inspiration from the historical period between the 1940s and 1960s. During those years the world was a victim of the Cold War and afraid of the imminent nuclear catastrophe, but , despite the scary climate, the public found the strength to imagine a better future. Bold and graphic shapes linked to the fear of the atom...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Marble

Set of 5 Contemporary Counter Stool Aged Brass Metal & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Ombra Cedar Bench with Red Accent, Designed by Hikaru Mori, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) Bench made of two parallelepipeds integrated with each other, like an object and its s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Pouf Philo Soft, for Outdoor, Waterproof Eco-Leather, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
VG furniture represent luxury in terms of exclusivity, distinction and high quality. They are the result of sophisticated and exclusive design with a strong identity and are the outc...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Faux Leather

Gestural Modern Bench with Curved Concrete Legs and Wood top by Nico Yektai
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The waves bench is comprised of two curved cast concrete legs which establish the dynamic movement of the piece. The bleached maple seat is layered in reaction to that movement. The ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Maple

9 French 1980s Solid Cherry Benches by Richard Peduzzi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Model conceived in 1989 by the scenographer and designer Richard PEDUZZI (born in 1943) for the completion of the Grand Louvre project and deployed in 1993 in the rooms of the Egypti...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Benches

Materials

Cherry

De Sede DS-777 Small Dining Table in Lapislazuli Stone by Bruno Fattorini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“I want to build a table for you” – marked the beginning of the collaboration on the DS-777 dining table series between the Milanese designer and de Sede. From the very beginning, Fa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Benches

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Coat Rack Bench in Black with Cane Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The two Swedish designers able to give a poetic and innovative touch to materials at the same time, have come up with Coat Rack Bench for the Wiener GT...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Modern Sculpted Walnut Bench with Dovetail Joinery
Located in Mendocino, CA
These benches are created from a single slab of walnut, providing a continuity of grain that wraps around the joints and moves your eye over the piece. Exposed dovetail joinery...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Traaf 'Large' Contemporary Bench in Granite Stone and MDF
Located in London, GB
Traaf's design language offers a selection of the ancient and the modern. The basic characteristics of the materials used determine how these materials relate to each other and thus ...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Benches

Materials

Granite

Beige Leather Bench Designed by Marco Zito
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) This Beige leather bench offers a multipurpose supp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Leather

Muji 1 Seater Chair Japanese Contemporary Style Bentwood Chair
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Muji 1 seater chair. Kenta Hirai created it with the technique "Free form lamination." It has characteristic streamlined combined back and seat. Made of Y...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Modern Natural Steel Bench
Located in toronto, CA
This modern styled steel bench is laser cut and folded from one sheet of metal. The visual lightness and elegance sets the perfect tone for any modern interior . Minimal leather...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Santa Clara, Outdoor Aluminum Bench with Gold Finish, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.5) Shiny and bright outdoor bench, ready to be sun kissed. A luxurious and timeless piece...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Aluminum

Coracle Bench with Storage, Walnut and eco-friendly Vegetable Tanned Leather
Located in Hamilton, ON
Inspired by ancient fishing vessels, the Coracle bench features a half hide of English bridle leather remarkably formed and stretched by hand about a fra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood, Walnut

Pure, 55 Inches Black Cedar Bench, Designed by Matteo Thun, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) Bench made from a single block of cedar. Distinguished by its Minimalist and extremely natural design. Rests on feet made from the same wood. Movements, cracks and changes in the appearance of the wood are intrinsic characteristics of these items and result from the natural settlement and diverse environmental conditions. The Pure bench...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Cast Bronze Patterned Jasper Bench in Dark Bronze Finish by Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Cast Bronze Patterned Jasper Bench in Dark Bronze Finish by Elan Atelier Sculptural bronze bench inspired by polished river rocks. Bronze bench produced using the superior lost wax ...
Category

2010s European Modern Benches

Materials

Bronze

Kitchen Counter Stool, Contemporary Design, Black Smoke Steel and Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Rare "Generation" Sculpture 1970s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important sculpture "Generation" with cast bronze figures and table top in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1970’s ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Benches

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Contemporary QD02 Bench in Walnut with Brass Details
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The QD02 contemporary wood bench is made of walnut wood with brass details. Each piece is made from a unique piece of wood making each and ev...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Oslo Bench in Ash by Studio Moe
Located in Portland, OR
Whether at the end of your bed, next to shoes at the door, or seating several at your dining table, this clean modern design was made with versatility in mind. Featuring our signatur...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Ash

Modernist Chrome Wrapped Ottoman in Cream Gaufrage Velvet, Manner of Springer
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist ottoman was realized in the United States circa 1970. Executed in the manner of Karl Springer, it features a subtly domed concave body newly reupholstered in ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Beam TV Bench by Damien Gernay & Mogg
Located in New York, NY
"Designed by Damien Gernay for Mogg, Beam is a multifunction low table made by an old oak beam, equipped with lead-painted metal top. Beam is a coffee table which has a young and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Chrome Vinyl Shiro Chair, Kuramata Tribute, Ideal for Waiting Areas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Now in stock in white and bright blue finish. The Shiro chair comes in several different colors, even custom or supplied by owner fabrics. Its language is a classic take on modern m...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Military Canvas and Antique Brass Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench can be used as a chaise extension on the sofa or two-seat sofa, as an independent seating option, or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

21st Century by M.Nocchi e A.Tazzini Recycled Polichrome Marble Bench Matrioska
Located in massa, IT
Bench in recycled polichrome marbles designed by Massimiliano Nocchi – Andrea Giacomo Tazzini. Size: Bench Big cm 97 x 50 x 105 H Materials: Polichrome marbles.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Marble

ASANA Ground Chair, Neutral Cotton, Copper Frame and Wooden Base by Mario Milana
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The ASANA is a floor seat with an aim to take us closer to the earth and facilitate physical and mental balance. In the sanskritic yoga tradition asana means “the posture that brings...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Bench Modern Hand Carved Handwoven Horsehair Brown Blackened Steel Tassel Fringe
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR BENCH NO. 1 - BROWN J.M. Szymanski d. 2019 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an exciting juxtaposition of...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Steel

21st Century Tape Bench by Fabricio Roncca and David Iain Brown
Located in Dubai, AE
Twisting the norm. Inspired by the iconic shapes and colors used by the abstract artist David Iain Brown, Tape is a combination of abstract art and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Large Bench Ottoman by Carla Sozzani in Milan, 1990s
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a very rare and unique Italian bench ottoman designed by Carla Sozzani for her gallery in Milano in the late 1990s. With strong architectural lin...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Bridge Bench C.R.&S. Riva1920 Contemporary Natural Cedar Wood Made in Italy
Located in Cantù, IT
Bench made from a single block of scented cedar that features an original and geometric design.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Marino Modular Bench with LeftLow Panel in Kvadrat Maharam Merit Fabric by E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Marino is a modular bench system for configuring spaces freely. With organic shapes, seats and backrests combine and transform, reinforced by a whole range of accessories that make i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery

Established & Sons Drift Bench by Amanda Levete
By Amanda Levete, Established & Sons
Located in London, GB
A piece of found driftwood initiated the design for the Drift bench. The naturally formed fluid lines of that found object provided inspiration for Amanda Levete’s exercises in compl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Benches

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Leather Bench, Ossicle N. 2 by Francesco Balzano for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary leather bench - Ossicle N. 2 by Francesco Balzano for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has following finish: F8...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Suede, Wood

Philippe Starck Custom Bench for the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two pieces are available. Custom leather, wood, and chrome bench designed by Philippe Starck and manufactured by Cassina exclusively for the SLS hotel in Lo...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

U Collection Wooden Bench
Located in CDMX, MX
U collection wooden bench made out of oak or tzalam wood.
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Bench Guise 4 Spray by Odd Matter
Located in Milan, IT
Guise 4 spray bench by Odd Matter, Italy, 2018. Nilufar edition. EPS foam, spray. Measures: 163 x 40 x H 36 cm, 64.2 x 15.7 x H 14.2 in. Guise explores the first encounter? Through t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Polystyrene, Paint

Black Hand Carved Bench in Cedar Wood, Oil Finish
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco. CP
A piece to touch it. The division in the surface between the carving and the smooth wood defines the area to sit as a symbol of respect for the work of the craftsman and to cares...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Benches

Materials

Cedar

Time of Action n. 20-2 Contemporary Bench in Wood
Located in London, GB
Work begins with a small idea of the form of life. What makes us valuable is not the possession of something but every moment that appears in the process. Series uses ebonizing and ...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Japanese Inspired Bench with Wild Cat Print and Faux Fur
Located in Greenwich, CT
Japanese inspired bench in supple maple frame with matte finish is adorned with an unexpected mix of fabrics giving it a vibrant pop. Sink into...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Velvet, Faux Fur

Contemporary Black Lacquer and Upholstery Square Footstools
Located in New York, NY
4 contemporary square footstools with shaped black lacquered legs and a black and beige patterned tapestry upholstered top cushion. (priced each).
Category

20th Century American Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery

21st Century by E.Sottsas "Hidebarad" Indoor/Outdoor Polichrome Marble Bench
Located in massa, IT
Name: Hidebard Materials: Pietra Serena and white Carrara and red Francia and Macchia Vecchia Size: cm. 117 x 66 x H 79 Designed by: Ettore Sottsass.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Marble

21st Century by Alessandro Gorla "APUANA" Marble & Wood Upcycling Bench
Located in massa, IT
"APUANA" marble & wood bench designed by Alessandro Gorla & Edoardo Maccari Size: Cm 145 x 50 x H55 Materials: Statuario + larice Designed by Studio Algoritmo.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Marble

Black Ash wood Bench with Brushed Brass Inlay "Montcalm Bench"
Located in Shelby Twp, MI
The Montcalm Bench is made of charred black ashwood and brushed brass. The brass accent is used to contrast the dark tone of the ash and add elegance and style to the bench. The armr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Farfalla Ottoman Bench Navy by Davide Barzaghi
By D3co
Located in Milan, IT
The Farfalla Ottoman Bench in Navy by Davide Barzaghi is firm, comfortable and exquisitely elegant. Fit for royalty, this ottoman bench features plush ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Other

Mid-Century Inspired Teak Bench with White Lacquer Dipped Legs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Mid-century inspired teak bench with protective clear coat finish and White Lacquer Dipped Legs. Topped with a 1 1/2" fixed cushion made from cotton/dacron wrapped foam and covered w...
Category

2010s American Modern Benches

Materials

Teak, Lacquer

Pair Gilt-iron Cowhide X-frame Benches in the Jean-Michel Frank Manner
Located in New York, NY
Pair gilt-iron cowhide x-frame benches in the Jean-Michel Frank Manner
Category

20th Century French Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

DeCastelli Wave Bench in Copper by Lanzavecchia+Wai
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wave Bench designed by Lanzavecchia+Wai for DeCastelli entirely made up of copper with 4mm thickness. The presence of an empty-pockets bowl creates a decorative perforated pattern. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Copper

Sunwind Bench by Fabricio Roncca and David Iain Brown
Located in Dubai, AE
Playful reinterpretation. Sunwind reflects material balance and stretches the imagination, accentuating an aspect of fantasy and modern design. With exquisite details, Sunwind is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

21st Century by Niccolò Raffaelli "TRA NOI" Marble & Glass Bench
Located in massa, IT
"TRA NOI" marble & glass bench designed by Niccolò Raffaelli Size: Cm 215 x 55 x H45 Materials: White carrara + imperial bardiglio The bench has always been a place for reflection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Marble

Wedge, Black Cedar Wood & Iron Bench, Designed by Boyan Grigorov, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) Bench made of a single block of scented cedar with a simple and linear geometrical sha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Benna Opposite Medium Bench
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
A Minimalist piece of functional decor that will make a statement in both indoor and outdoor areas, this exquisite bench is marked by a strictly geometric silhouette of sleek and ele...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

1930s Italian Bench
Located in New York, NY
This 1930s Italian bench is so over-scaled, and monumental in appearance, that it seems to have been made for the large room it was destined, rather than the comfort of a typical sitter. As such, it would function equally well as a low side table or a high cocktail table. We’ll allow the buyer to determine its use. The designer was Pierluigi Colli, and the fabricator Martinotti, the Turin furniture and interior decorating firm that was established in 1831, and exhibited at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition and the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair. Colli’s family owned a textile company that supplied Martinotti with upholstery fabrics, suggesting nepotism had something to do with his being hired as the firm's director in 1926. Nevertheless, he proved himself worthy as a designer and a businessman. Having studied in Paris at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs, he befriended leading French designers, and arranged for Martinotti to retail Lalique glass and Jean Perzel lighting. In addition, the quality of their work, and Colli’s dedication to the modern design movement, prompted Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, and Gino Levi-Montalcini, among others, to have Martinotti fabricate some of their furniture. Colli’s claim to fame, however, is his own work as a designer, and his ability to master the vocabularies of every trend from Art Deco to midcentury modern. During the Great Depression, when nearly every nation floundered economically, fascist Italy...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Benches

Materials

Other

Bench Series Contemporary Seating
Located in London, GB
The bench is an example of hot wire extensions’ bold innovative manufacturing process. Hot wire extensions are a young sustainable design brand, dedicated to ...
Category

2010s British Modern Benches

Materials

Nylon

Spazzola Cedar Wood Bench, Designed by Fabio Lo Jacono, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) Bench completely made of solid wood in glued lists, characterized by a single ergonomi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern benches 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 benches 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 wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Marie Burgos Design, Emeco, Jasper Morrison, and Stephen Kenn. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $96,000 while the average work can sell for $4,139.

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