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Modern Armchairs

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Number in Set: Set of 3
Marc Newson Embyro Armchair in Chromed Steel and Fabric Upholstery by Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Marc Newson, the Embryo chair has three legs and a chromed steel structure padded with molded polyurethane foam. The fixed bi-elastic fabric c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Swivel Armchair In Cotton Velvet with Seaming Details on the Back
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
The front of this swivel armchair is composed as a verse, with a smooth seat, backrest and legs. The scene is set for the explosion of the chorus, bursting from its quilted back, inf...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Marc Newson Wooden Armchair in Beech Heartwood for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Successful proof of great experimentation and daring, the wooden chair by Marc Newson was born of the desire to push the manipulation of wood to its limits. Wooden chair is a modern,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Contemporary Velvet Armchair with Quilted Upholstery Back
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
Designed with a thorough but playful attention to geometry and form, this armchair has a glamorous 60s and 70s sci-fi retro look. Its quilted upholstery...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Velvet

BICAchair Modern Steel Armchair Melon Yellow, Upholstery in Soft Velvet
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAchair is a stackable steel dining armchair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in a bright yellow ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Wonatti Korcula Armchair, Walnut Wood Armchair, Suede Armchair, Yellow Chair
Located in Vila Nova De Famalicão, 03
A true statement of luxury Combining the finest and ancient craftsmanship with luxurious levels of design, quality, and comfort. Korcula Armchair, Modern Collection, Walnut Wood...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Suede, Wood

BICAchair Modern Steel Armchair Pastel Green, Upholstery in Eco-Fabric
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAchair is a sustainable stackable steel dining armchair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in a Pa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Wonatti Korcula Armchair, Walnut Wood Armchair, Suede Armchair, Blue Navy Chair
Located in Vila Nova De Famalicão, 03
A true statement of luxury Combining the finest and ancient craftsmanship with luxurious levels of design, quality, and comfort. Korcula Armchair, Modern Collection, Walnut Wood...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Suede, Wood

Modernist High Back Armchairs, Walnut Veneer Fabric/ Leather Upholstery, Bespoke
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant modernist high back armchairs with walnut veneered frame and original upholstery, Austria, circa 1935 This armchairs are restored on request and available in different amo...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Palmspring Armchair by Anderssen & Voll
Located in Geneve, CH
Palmspring armchair by Anderssen & Voll 2020 Materials: Bronze lacquered metal structure, seat and back in polyurethane foam, upholstered in fabric Dimensions: 89 x 83 x 69 cm ...
Category

2010s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Bronze

BICAchair Modern Steel Armchair Strawberry Red, Upholstery in Soft Velvet
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAchair is a stackable steel dining armchair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in bright Red-pink ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Jaime Hayon, Contemporary, Leather Upholstery Lounger Armchair for BD
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair structure base in cast aluminum. Seat, backrest are in plywood with exteriors in walnut nature effect NG EN2 Upholstered in Testa di Moro V19. Various fabrics and lea...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Wonatti Nazaré Armchair, Walnut Wood Armchair, Suede Armchair
Located in Vila Nova De Famalicão, 03
A true statement of luxury Combining the finest and ancient craftsmanship with luxurious levels of design, quality, and comfort. Nazaré Armchair, Modern Collection, Walnut Wood,...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Finn Juhl Chieftain Armchair Wood and Leather
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1949, relaunched in 2002. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. The iconic Chieftain chair is one of Finn Juhl’s absolute masterpieces, re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Leather Dining Armchair Made to Order in Walnut Finish
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary chair with armrests, solid beech structure in walnut finish. Expertly stitched with a modern channel design, this striking arm chair invites comfort with its supple lea...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Modern Organic Style Collana Armchair in Solid Wood, Leather Flexible Seating
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS 

The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile

21st Century Home Collection White Braided Leather Armchair by Patrizia Garganti
Located in Sesto Fiorentino, IT
An incomparable artisan mastery typical of our land is the distinguishing feature of this collection. The Home collection by Patrizia Garganti includes chairs, armchairs, sofas, cof...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Leather

21st Century Home Collection Brown Leather Armchair by Patrizia Garganti
Located in Sesto Fiorentino, IT
An incomparable artisan mastery typical of our land is the distinguishing feature of this collection. The Home collection by Patrizia Garganti inclu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

21st Century Home Collection Ivory Leather Armchair by Patrizia Garganti
Located in Sesto Fiorentino, IT
An incomparable artisan mastery typical of our land is the distinguishing feature of this collection. The Home collection by Patrizia Garganti inclu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Finn Juhl 45 Chair, Wood and Fabric
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1945, relaunched in 2003. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. In the Autumn of 1945, Finn Juhl presented the 45 Chair at the annual Cabi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Arflex Katrin Armchair in Natural Fur with White Metal Legs by Carlo Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The continuous search for elegance and simplicity has brought the architect Carlo Colombo to the realization of Katrin Armchair, conceived as a body to be dressed with an elegant and luxurious dress...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fur

Arflex Botolo Low Back Armchair in Natural Fur & Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fur

Palmspring Pouf by Anderssen & Voll
Located in Geneve, CH
Palmspring Pouf by Anderssen & Voll 2020 Materials: Bronze lacquered metal structure, seat and back in polyurethane foam, upholstered in fabric Dimensions: 80 x 67 x 40 cm An...
Category

2010s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Modern Black Armchair in Patinated Raw Steel by Arno Declercq
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary armchair in patinated raw steel by Arno Declercq Limited edition of 8 Dimensions: D 80 x W 90 cm x H 80 cm Material: Patinated and raw steel combined with belgium...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

BICAlounge Modern Outdoor Steel Lounge Chair Admiral Grain with Ipê Wood Slabs
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAlounge is a sustainable stackable steel Lounge Chair made for the outdoors from recycled and recyclable steel and finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel

Organic Modern Twins Outdoors Curved Sofa, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Twins Sofa Outdoors, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Contemporary Armchair Offered in Velvet & Metal Base
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
this armchair is an elevated homage to the golden age of gentleman drivers. The piece’s flawless structure is deceivingly simple, yet undeniably striking. The detailed upholstery and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

BICAchair Modern Steel Armchair Pastel Turquoise, Upholstery in Eco-Fabric
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAchair is a sustainable stackable steel dining armchair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in aPas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Carson Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Carson armchair by Collector. Materials: Fully upholstered in boho 10 fabric Solid walnut feet Dimensions: W 86 x D 76 x H 70 cm SH 43 cm Available in different fabrics an...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Hollywood Regency Style Armchair with Slimmed Down Armrests
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This armchair is a tribute to the golden age of filmmaking, featuring the classic Hollywood Regency look. Its deep seat, open back and slimmed down upholstered armrests brings back t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Gervasoni Armchair Saia 05 by David Lopez Quincoces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With balanced lines, the Saia upholstered collection is created from a classic ideal reinterpreted in a contemporary key. The name, meaning "skirt" in Portuguese, illustrates its dis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Armchair in Orange with Plywood & Birch Feet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Black Armchair with Upholstered Seat & Beech
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Kartell Foliage Armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage collection is a family of soft chairs. The key players are a two-seater sofa and an armchair, that seem to have grown "naturally": the frame provides support for a comfortabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

BICAlounge Modern Steel Lounge Chair Melon Yellow, Upholstery in Soft Velvet
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAlounge is a stackable steel Lounge chair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in a bright yellow co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Kissing Large Armchair by Lara Bohinc in Bronze Metal and Red Boucle Fabric
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Kissing armchair features two semi-circle layers; one bearing the cupped seat and a second forming the back-rest. All the lines are covered with soft ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Modern Toro Armchair made with oak and suede, Handmade by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
The Toro armchair encourages you to play with the organic, natural, calm influences that reflect the latest trends but simultaneously translate these det...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Suede, Oak

Kartell Uncle Jim Armchair in Clear by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Uncle collection designed by Philippe Starck adds the Uncle Jim armchair. The armchair echoes the lines and sinuosity of Uncle Jack and lends itself to b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Modern Organic Style Collana Armchair in Solid Wood, Leather Flexible Seating
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS 

The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Fiberglass, Upholstery, Textile

Black Sculptural Three-Legged Armchair in Resin-Covered Foam by Michal Cihlar
By Michal Cihlar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The three legged armchair is an experiment in construction and finish, its form inspired by a 13th-century Mycenaean terracotta sculpture — “Fema...
Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Resin, Foam

BICAchair Modern Steel Armchair Basil Grain, Upholstery in Natural Leather
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
The BICA chair is a comfortable stackable dining armchair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in a tex...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Leather Dining Armchair Made to Order in Graphite Finish
Located in New York, NY
This armchair is comfortable, sturdy and very appealing to the eye with its midcentury modern style. Rounded ash wood frame painted in graphite black finish. Natural hide leather wit...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Stacking Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Stacking armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: Polyethylene, steel, stainless steel. Dimensions: 60cm x 60cm x 76cm The signature dents in t...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Teddy Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Teddy chair is our first official seating piece. The upholstered, tubular legs contour up and around the seat cushion, transitioning from leg, to arm, ...
Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Faux Fur

Finn Juhl Pelican Chair Skandilock Sheep Offwhite and Wood
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pelican chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1940. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. Pelican chair was probably the one furthest ahead of its time. When it was presented a...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Jaime Hayon, Contemporary, Oak, Fuchsia Upholstery Low Lounger Armchair
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair structure base in cast aluminium. Structure base in tubular steel and painted. Seat, backrest are in plywood with exteriors in ash - stained oak FT18, and Fuchsia Y09 uph...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

21st Century Curacao Bergère in Fabric by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A dynamic and embracing shape with sinuous lines for the Curaçao armchair. With four sloping legs with references to the Fifties, the armchair is proposed in different fabrics of the collection, including the new zebra silk in a bright citron shade, that perfectly fits in rooms with an urban glam appeal. Curacao Bergere...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Jaime Hayon, Contemporary, Lounger Armchair for BD
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair structure base in cast aluminium. Seat, backrest are in plywood with exteriors in walnut nature effect NG EN2 Upholstered in Aged camel V18 Various fabrics and leathe...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

BICAchair Modern Steel Armchair Oyster White, Upholstery in Soft Velvet
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
BICAchair is a stackable steel dining armchair made from recycled and recyclable steel, finished with our premium selection of powder-coating colors, in this case in an off-white col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Cove 2.5 Seater Sofa in Woodland Green
Located in London, England
The Cove sofa’s adapts to any interior environment and beckons to be sat in all day. The modular design allows versatile combinations and lengths of two-, th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Bouclé, Oak

Moss Green Bloom by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Bloom by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: microfiber, fiberglass reinforced polymer, and steel. Dimensions: 98 x 105 x H 87cm Inspired by a delicate blossom, Bloom is composed of hun...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Cassette Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Cassette armchair by Collector Dimensions: W 110 x D 85 x H 60 cm Materials: Fabric, oak wood Other materials available The Colle...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Trevor Chair with Armrests Bronze Colour Frame Pink Bouclé Fabric by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Trevor dining chair makes a perfect accompaniment for the tea room, its round spheres forming backrest and armrests, floating on thin metal rods, just like bonbons speared on cocktai...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

SAVOY lounge chair with brass rear leg
Located in Frazão, Porto
Straight lines, a perfectly balanced silhouette, and a minimal design. This is SAVOY, the notable lounge chair. This modern armchair embodies its magnificence. Fits in any space, adding great harmony to homes, offices, hotels, lobbies, and lounging areas. Shown upholstered with Lumière Jacquard Velvet 06 and Paris Ebony...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Archibald Gran Comfort Genuine Leather Armchair Pelle Safari Elefante Grey
Located in New York, NY
Jean-Marie Massaud adds a surplus of softness to the Archibald collection: the Archibald Gran Comfort armchair. The central element is the large, soft s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Blue Bloom by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Bloom by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: Microfiber, fiberglass reinforced polymer, and steel. Dimensions: 98 x 105 x H 87cm Inspired by a d...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Cast Brass and Leather Primal Lounge Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Primal lounge chair is part of the Primal collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This Brutalist style lounge chair was inspired by the rough, brutal beauty of Africa. The solid brass cast leg...
Category

2010s South African Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Trevor Chair with Armrests Bronze Colour Frame in Bouclé by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Trevor dining chair makes a perfect accompaniment for the tea room, its round spheres forming backrest and armrests, floating on thin metal rods, just like bonbons speared on cocktai...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Modern armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern armchairs 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 armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, De Sede, Jaime Hayon, and Philippe Starck. 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 $139 and tops out at $497,965 while the average work can sell for $4,833.

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