Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
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
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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 legendary 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.
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.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1940s
Vintage Eames / Zenith PAW Swivel Base Armchair, 1940s
Located in Renens, CH
First generation Eames rope-edge swivel base armchair.
Manufactured only for a very short period in the late 1940s by Zenith. This chair is a true collector’s item with less than ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fiberglass, Wood
Italian Armchairs Attributed to Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian armchair 1940s attributed to Gio Ponti. Chair and ottoman reupholstered. The ottoman was add to original chair later.Italian sophisticated look addition to your home .
Ottom...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cotton, Linen
High Style French Deco Sculpted Arm Occasional Chair
By Jean Prouvé
Located in St. Louis, MO
French deco, French Moderne or midcentury single armchair, circa 1940s with sculptural scroll arm and dramatic triangle form legs. Older upholstery should be updated, would look grea...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Paolo Buffa 1940s Armchair in Original Pink and Light Grey Stripes Fabric
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
A spectacular Paolo Buffa 1940s armchair in original fabric.
All original. untouched.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Leather and Chrome Armchairs, Midcentury, Germany, circa 1940
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of leather and chrome armchairs. Midcentury, Germany, circa 1940.
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Italian Armchair in Green Walnut in 1940 Silk Flowers Orient Turns Into a Bed
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian Armchair in Green Walnut in 1940 Silk Flowers Orient Turns Into a Bed.
Detail of Armchairs from around 1940, made of walnut, turns into a single bed, very particular and stu...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Silk, Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Morris" Armchairs
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare and unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar adjustable back lounge chairs. Known as "Morris" chairs they allow for 3 positions-l...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Brazilian Adjustable Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brazilian adjustable sit back armchair, circa 1940 (With Fur).
Category
1940s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Rosewood
Cantilever "RS 7" Two Dark Red Faux Leather Chairs, Manufactured by Mauser
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Cantilever "RS 7" set of two chairs, manufactured by Mauser. The chairs are in original condition. Seat and back are covered with dark red faux leather, armrests are made of lacquere...
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Ornate Wrought Iron Armchair in Oxblood Red Vinyl
Located in Buchanan, NY
A very ornate wrought iron armchair. Welcome the ultimate combination of glamorous luxury and class with this wrought iron armchair in oxblood red vinyl. Crafted with exquisite atten...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Leather and Wood Armchairs by Englander and Bonta, Argentina, 1940
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of leather and wood armchairs by Englander and Bonta. Argentina, 1940.
Englander & Bonta where two European designer that migrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1930 and manufa...
Category
1940s Argentine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Elegant Italian Armchairs of the 1940s about Class and Refinement
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elegant Italian armchairs of the 1940s, about class and refinement.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Beech
Chrome Round Tubular Armchair by Royal Metal
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Made by royal metal manufacturing, this elegant modernist tubular armchair set features two heavily made chromed round tubular frames with or...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Slipper Chair by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A wonderful Robsjohn-Gibbings armchair with carved teak frame and a tufted eggshell white seat for Widdicomb.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak
Midcentury Sculptural Olive Wood and Walnut French Chair, 1940s
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-20th century sculptural chair. Composed of remains of ancient farming implements. Handmade of olive wood and walnut structure, France, 1940s.
Every item LA Studio offers is chec...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Olive, Walnut
Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs in the Style of André Arbus, circa 1940
By André Arbus
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of neoclassical armchairs in the style of André Arbus, circa 1940.
Good condition, a few lacks in the straw sits.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Straw, Beech
1940s Midcentury Franco Buzzi Grey Velvet Armchair
By Franco Buzzi
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful midcentury velvet armchair by iconic Italian designer Franco Buzzi from the 1940s.
This unique piece is covered in Lelievre Paris bright grey velvet fabric, with elegant ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Fauteuil en chêne de René Gabriel, France, 1950
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Rare modernist armchair René Gabriel oak and wool fabric mottled, France, 1950. The base formed by two arches trapezoid receives the seat and backrest, punctuated by four spacers. Da...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Pair of Bridge Chairs, Urban Camo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French 1940s bridge armchairs. Restored with a black lacquered finish and recovered with urban camouflage fabric. A classic armchair with a twist.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
huge Wingback Chair with floral silk fabric, Italy, 1940s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This wing chair was designed in Italy in the 1940s. The well-upholstered furniture body is covered with the extravagant and very striking original cover with floral motif. The armcha...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Charles Dudouyt Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of oak armchairs (signed below) by Charles Dudouyt.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak
French Mid-century Armchair, by Jean Pascaud & Vadim Androusov
Located in New York, NY
French mid-century light mahogany armchair with gilt bronze sabot feet and armrest supported by gilt bronze eagles with brown upholstery. Signed by Vadim Androusov for Jean Pascaud (ref: Les Decorateurs des annee 40, pg 172).
Jean Pascaud was born in Rouen in 1903. He took a degree in engineering from the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, but his passion for furniture and décor, and the influence of his father in law, Auguste Bluysen, (then President of the Société des Architectes Modernes), led Pascaud to abandon a more traditional career and take up furniture design instead. By the late 1920s Pascaud regularly at the Salon des Tuileries, at the Salon d'Automne, the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, and the Arts Ménagers. His work is simple, yet technically ambitious and brilliant; his pieces are impressively large, but aesthetically balanced.
Vadim Androusov was born in St. Petersburg in 1895. He was a grandson of the archeologist Schliemann. He arrived in Paris in 1920 and took classes at La Grande Chaumière academy; Bourdelle was one of his professors. His first sculptures date from 1925 and depict female figures and characters drawn from classical antiquity. He rarely used bronze, preferring terracotta, plaster, wood, and stone. He showed his creations at the Salon des Tuileries and the Salon des Indépendants. While a sculptor, he also collaborated with interior decorators and created wall-mounted light fixtures, furniture pulls...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
4 Fine 1950s Cherry Armchairs by Roger Landault
Located in Long Island City, NY
Four fine French Mid-Century cherry armchairs by Roger Landault.
Please see original doc. and last pictures for the different possibilities to re-upholster the chairs.
Price is per ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Pair of 1940s Italian Wing Armchairs Light Blue Tufted Back by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
A great pair of 1940s wing armchairs, Italian design by Poalo Buffa.
Tufted back, light blue fabric upholstery tapered cone shaped dark wooden feet, compl...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Hardwood
Marguerite Dubuisson Pair of Armchairs in Oak and Elm, France, 1947
By Marguerite Dubuisson
Located in The Hague, NL
These striking armchairs were designed by Marguerite Dubuisson in 1947. Dubuisson was a French artist mostly working in textile design. However, in the late 1940s she designed a few ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Elm, Oak
Rare Swedish Armchair in Pine by Goran Malmvall voor Svensk Fur, 1940s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Swedish armchair in pinewood designed by Goran Malmvall, Manufactured by Svensk Fur, circa 1940. The chair is completely made of pinewood.
Features a curved back, seat, and arm...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Pine
Set of 12 Attr. Studio BBPR Armchairs Withe Laquered Wood Torino 1945
By Studio BBPR
Located in Rome, IT
12 armchairs white laquered attr. STUDIO BBPR (BANFI,BELGIOIOSO,PERESUTTI, ROGERS)
produced for Michelin Sport Club D.A.M.I. (Dopolavoro Aziendale Michelin Italia) 1935-1945 for " ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of Clean Lined French Lounge Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of clean lined modernist lounge chairs, French, circa 1940s. We had two pair of these chairs. The pair seen in the photos is currently sold. We have another pair, which is curre...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Rare Eero Saarinen 'Grasshopper' Armchair in Laminated Birch, 1946
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare and substantial Eero Saarinen 'Grasshopper' armchair designed in 1946. This piece retains its original--and very durable--oil cloth upholstery to seat and back, along with its original finish on wooden frame--overall the chair remains in excellent condition for its age.
Bent-laminated birch...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Lacquered Mahogany Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
1940s Art Deco Bedroom Chairs, Stool, Leatherette, Guglielmo Ulrich Attributable
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1940s Art Deco Italian bedroom chairs with stool, leatherette in excellent conditions. Polished to wax.
Measures cm: armchairs H 80\35 x W 50 x D 60, stool H 35 x W 50 x D 40.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Italian Mid-Century modern Armchair Poltrona Frau by Cassina in letherette
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-century modern Poltrona Frau by Cassina in leatherette: it ricalls the famous 904 model from the 1930 Poltrona Frau catalog, which has become the archetype par excellence of the ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
1940, Han Pieck, Plywood Lounge Armchair for Lawo in Green as Published on Book
By Han Pieck
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Category
1940s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Plywood
Mid Century Modern Vintage Metal Chairs Max Fellerer Eugen Wörle Austria
By Max Fellerer & Eugen Wörle
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage set of five garden chairs for indoor and outdoor designed attributed to the famed architects Max Fellerer and Eugen Wörle circa 1948, Austria.
Four red co...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Art Deco Mid Century Modern Hollywood Regency French 1940 Directoire Armchairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Pair of curved bent open arm chairs from the forties. Created from beech, chairs have a clean, simple and elegant pleasing look. Large seats that are very comfortable, recen...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
"Bocconi" by Giuseppe Pagano Rationalist Design Plywood Armchair and Stool
Located in Brescia, IT
"Bocconi" armchair and stool
design Giuseppe Pagano by Gino Maggioni
1940s
Plywood and rope seat
Excellent condition
Measure: Armchair: H 65 x W 60 x D 65 cm...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Rope, Plywood
French Sycamore Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
French 1940s sycamore arm chair with open design gilded back & trim and slip seat (att: BATISTIN SPADE)
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of French Jacques Adnet Oak Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Mid-Century (1940s) oak high back Armchairs with open spindle design sides and upholstered seat and back (Attributed to JACQUES A...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak, Upholstery
Birch Bentwood Easy Chair by Gustav Axel Berg
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Gustav Axel Berg, this 1940s lounge chair features an exuberant bentwood birch frame. The seat has been restrapped with vintage cotton web...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cotton, Birch, Bentwood
Open Armchair by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Dark stained mahogany frame with modernist lines and open arms. Cut-out, plunging neckline to upholstered seat back. Up to four of these armchairs are available.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Set of 4 French Sycamore Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 French 1940s sycamore open arm chairs with "U" shaped legs and brass finials on front of arms.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Armchairs / Lounge Chairs by Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important Pair of French MId-Century Modern Neoclassical Armchairs / Lounge chairs by Maison Jansen, Paris, circa 1940. These elegant chairs express the heart of Maison Jansen furniture, they are handmade of the finest materials and completely hand carved just as they were in the 18th Century. These elegant Neoclassical forms reflect the dignity of the past and and express the sobriety of the present. The legs are carved with saber legs in the rear and elegantly tapered legs in the front. The arm structures are gently curving and extend naturally all the way to the feet giving a sense of unlimited fluidity and movement. The back rails gently slope extending the continuous sense of line of the pieces. The lines are modern and sober throughout. The backrests are in a Curile form with an X form united by a circle centered with circular brass medallions adding a dynamic and distinctive finishing touches. The cross form and the circle form are ancient symbols relating earth and sky, masculine and feminine. Finally, the cushions are hand fitted around the leg structure allowing the chairs to breathe and to show off their architecture. And, the patina is hand finished in dark walnut. These Jansen Chairs are masterpieces of design and emblems of our history. They echo the greatness of one the world's leading design companies over a 100 year span.,
Documentation: An exact model of these chairs is pictured in Jansen Furniture, James Archer Abbott, Acanthus Press, New York, 2007, p. 12. See last photo. Tom Thomas Gallery / Thomas Gallery Ltd...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Lounge Chairs Attr. to Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, sober pair of French Mid-Century armchairs / club chairs in the modern neoclassical style attributed to Andre Arbus.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Lounge Chairs by Pierluigi Colli
Located in New York, NY
A rare and Important pair of Italian Mid-Century hand carved walnut lounge chairs, club chairs or armchairs in a 'Modern Craftsman' style by the Italian architect, Pierluigi Colli (1...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 1940s Ivory Spool Armchairs in Brown Cow Hide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 1940s ivory spool armchairs upholstered in brown cow hide.
Category
1940s Argentine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cowhide, Hide, Wood
Audoux & Minet for Vido Pair of Armchairs in Braided Hemp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet for Vibo, pair of armchairs, beech, rope hemp, France, late 1940s.
Pair of naturalistic dining chairs designed by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet. The se...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Hemp, Beech
Italian mid-century modern wood and green grey white fabric armchair, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wood and fabric armchair, 1940s
Pair of armchairs with wooden structure and armrests. The rectangular back presents four cross strips. The seats are padde...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Coppia di poltrone mod. 401, Studio Tecnico Cassina, Italia
By Cassina
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Coppia di poltrone mod. 401 di produzione Cassina risalenti a fine anni '40.
Le poltrone sono in legno di ciliegio e tessuto di lana di alta qualità.
Sono state restaurate e per desi...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
Hans Wegner "Round" Walnut & Leather Armchair for Johannes Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
New Top-Grain Leather ‘Round’ chair designed by Danish craftsman, Hans J. Wegner, for cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in Denmark circa 1940’s. Internationally known as “The Chair,” Wegn...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair of “Laila” Bouclé Armchairs by Ilmari Lappalainen 'Attr.', Finland 1948
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Laila” model by the Finnish designer, Ilmari Lappalainen, originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection.
This pair of “nr. 238” armchairs are from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating, that it prevented back problems. These armchairs have a cosy modern style, modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushions and back with five tufted buttons. The bodies have the classic Nordic look, which explains the contemporary popularity of these armchairs both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the soft sheepskin upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well.
Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. These chairs were created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930, the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s present Laila armchairs...
Category
1940s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
French Armchairs, a Pair, 1940s
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
One of a kind armchair, France, 1940.
Structure in solid oak and seat in woven wicker.
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
1940s Restored Armchair, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- newly upholstered
- carefully refurbished.
Category
1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Danish "Model 111" Wood Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard in Yellow
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of midcentury Danish armchairs, "Model 111" Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard with wood frames and original mustard yellow upholstered seating. The Portex furniture series (anagram ...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
Danish Midcentury Lounge Chair with Slat Back Attributed to Edmund Jorgensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful high quality easy chair, circa late 1940's likely made by Master Carpenter, Edmund Jorgensen of Denmark. The chair is very much in his style although it is not marked and w...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Beech
Pair of “Laila” Armchairs by Ilmari Lappalainen for Asko, Finland, 1948
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Laila” model by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection.
This pair of “nr. 238” armchairs are from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. These armchairs have a cosy modern style, modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with tufted buttons. The bodies have the classic Nordic look, which explains the contemporary popularity of these armchairs both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well.
Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. These chairs were created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. After the war, the damage it caused and the new homes of Karelian migrants concentrated production on essential furniture, which the Finnish Ministry of Public Affairs ordered to sell at an affordable price. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila...
Category
1940s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of green Armchairs by Paolo Buffa, polished and reupholstered, Italy, 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of armchairs by Paolo Buffa with cross braced armrests and elegantly curved backs with vertical braces. The seat cushions have been reupholstered in a sophisticated green fabric...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Beech
Oak and Rush Armchair by Rene Gabriel, France, Late 1940s
By Rene Gabriel
Located in La Teste De Buch, FR
Armchair by french designer René Gabriel.
Solid oak and rush seat.
Made in France during the Reconstruction period, late 1940s.
Signed.
Outsta...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Frits Henningsen Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frits Henningsen Armchair With Original Horse Hair Upholstery
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-century Modern armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Artifort, Knoll, and Pierre Paulin. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $145 and tops out at $134,145 while the average work can sell for $3,694.
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