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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
Period: 20th Century
2 ART-DECO MODERNIST ARMCHAIRS by ROBERT MALLET-STEVENS & DARIEL, France 1925
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular pair of large -outside or terrasse- armchairs, Modernist, Bauhaus, Constructivist, white lacquered massive wood geometric structures, seatings made in strong fabric rub...
Category
1920s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Bent Steel Lounge Chair by Jacques Hitier for Tubauto, France, c. 1955
Located in New York City, NY
Two Available; Priced Individually
Graphic bent metal lounge chairs by celebrated architect and designer Jacques Hitier. These chairs are a gr...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Italian orange velvet armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange velvet armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
Pair of armchairs mod. Coronado in orange velvet with high back. The seat, armrests and backre...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Plastic, Fabric
Italian brown leather armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
Pair of armchairs mod. Coronado in brown leather with high back. The seat, armrests and backre...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Plastic
Le Bambole armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 2022
Located in Athens, Attiki
B&B Italia’s Le Bambola has received a radical redesign for its 50th anniversary by its original designer, Italian architect Mario Bellini.
Le bambola was designed in 1972 and awarde...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Pair of Knoll Brno Flat Bar Chairs by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Knoll Brno Flat Bar Chairs, Cantilever Design, Newly Chrome Plated and Reupholstered in a Sage Color Mohair, Padded Armrest
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cut Steel, Chrome
Italian Modern Red Wood Chair Kazuki by Takahama for Simone Gavina, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Red wood chair mod. Kazuki by Kazuhide Takahama for Simone Gavina, 1960s
Armchair mod. Kazuki in glossy red lacquered wood. The back is...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Brass Vidal Grau Swan Chair
By Vidal Grau
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant Vidal Grau chair with swan head details in the armrest.
Polished brass frame and legs, mahogany backrest, upholstery in nappa leather.
Very nice vintage condition as shown in...
Category
1990s Spanish Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
20th Century Modern Wrought Iron Sculptural Black Outdoor Armchairs, Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
20th century modern wrought iron sculptural black outdoor armchairs - set of 4. Item features (4) armchairs, stacking frames, wrought iron const...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Guillerme et Chambron oak armchairs
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
a Guillerme et Chambron "Elmore " seat in oak
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak
1970s Arne Jacobsen "Lily" armchair , oak / niger leather.
Located in København V, DK
Arne Jacobsen. Pair of armchairs. Model 3208 ("The Lily" ). 1970s edition. Armrests in oak, seat and back upholstered in patinated natural cognak coloured niger goat leather.
The mo...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Pierre Paulin “Ben” Lounge Chairs for Artifort
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair Artifort Lounge Chairs designed by french designer Pierre Paulin. Labeled. Original fabric. 28w 29d 29h 17s
Category
1990s Dutch Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Pair of "Wassily" Armchairs, Breuer (designer) Knoll (Manufacturer), Circa 1980
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of “Wassily” model armchairs designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925. These armchairs are in chrome tubes and black leather. Published by Knoll.
Marcel Breuer designed this ...
Category
1980s Hungarian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Poltrona S148, Centro Progetti Tecno, Tecno Spa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
La Poltrona S148, realizzata dal Centro Progetti Tecno per Tecno Spa, è un'icona del design moderno. Presentata nel 1965, questa poltrona rappresenta l'eccellenza dell'artigianato it...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Italian modern armchairs in black fabric, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern armchairs in black fabric, 1970s
Pair of black fabric armchairs. The seat, backrest and armrests have linear, squared and essent...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Set of 3 Pierre Cardin Chrome Armchairs
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Three vintage chrome frame armchairs with upholstered seats and backs. The upholstery is original.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
Antique Olive Green Painted Armchair, Sweden, 1900s
Located in Rīga, LV
Vintage Swedish green-gray painted armchair with new olive green washed linen upholstery. The decoration ribbon was left original to save the character of the chair.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Brazilian Leather Armchairs
Located in Toronto, CA
Soft caramel leather wraps and curves over the tubular wood frame of these substantial yet sophisticated armchairs that strike a chord from any angle. Suspected 1970s production, unm...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Fauteuil Zanotta "Hillroad" en cuir design Christophe Pillet Italie 1990 Modern
Located in AIX-LES-BAINS, FR
Fauteuil pivotant en cuir Marron foncé avec piètement métal.
Dessiné par Christophe Pillet ,pour Zanotta il trouvera sa place dans un salon lounge, pop, Space Age
Christophe Pillet,...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Model 5003, Rudolf Wolf, 1950. set of armchairs
By Rudolf Wolf
Located in The Hague, NL
Amazing pair of minimalist and constructivist armchairs model 5003 for Elsrijk, The Netherlands, 1950
The solid steel rod frames are repainted but still have a bit of a patina.
Two ...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Montana armchairs by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort, 1990s - set of 4
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Set of 4 black fabric armchairs on casters designed by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort.
The chairs are labeled on the side with a round metal plate and marked underneath the seates.
...
Category
1990s Belgian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Cy Mann Chrome Lounge Chairs in Lime Green, C. 1970
By Milo Baughman, Cy Mann
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Pair of Cy Mann Chrome and Bright Green Lounge Chairs, Circa 1970. Featuring flat bar Chrome construction, ergonomic slant back design, attached original upholstered tufted Sp...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Pierre Jeanneret Sofa Chair PJ-SI-36-A / Authentic Mid-Century Modern Chandigarh
Located in Zürich, CH
This iconic piece of furniture with its characteristic A-shaped profile is a rare classic of history. Through its sophisticated proportions and its elegant shape, the chair represent...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cowhide, Teak
A pair of ebonized Italian armchairs circa 1980 with new fabric.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of ebonized Italian armchairs circa 1980 with new fabric.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of modernist Baumann armchairs, France, 1970s/80s
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Rare pair of designer armchairs by Baumann.
Manufacturer's label present.
France, circa 1970-1980
In good condition.
Dimensions:
height 79 cm
seat height 45 cm
width 62 cm
depth 62 cm
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Le Stelle armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1974.
Located in Athens, Attiki
Le Stelle armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1974.
Awards:Moma, Design Study Collection,New York.
Elastic membranes, polyurethane cartilage, straps. Muscles flexed by a light ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Pair of ‘A 60 F’ armchairs for Thonet Mundus, Austria 1929
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
With their Bauhaus form this pair of ‘A 60 F’ armchairs by Thonet Mundus epitomise avant-garde design. Their arms and legs connect round to form a soft rectangular form, giving the c...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cotton, Bentwood
Rustic Modernist Armchair, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Early modern armchair from Sweden, approximately dating back to 1920, crafted from stained oak and preserved in its original condition. While the upholstery showcases elements of Exp...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Oak
B2 Arm chair, design Tito Agnoli for Bonacina Italy
Located in Den Haag, NL
A beautiful designer chair designed in the mid-90s by Tito Angoli for the Italian furniture manufacturer Pierantonio Bonacina 1889. Magnificent chair with armrests. The chair is in...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Poltrone a pozzetto, italiane e moderne, in velluto blu scuro, 1970 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Coppia di poltroncine a pozzetto in velluto blu.
1970 ca.
Ritappezzate, ottime condizioni.
Misure in cm 50x70x58h 42h seduta
Una bellissima coppia di poltroncine con forma a pozzetto...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet
10 silver leaf open armchairs having hand carved frames. Priced Individually.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
10 silver leaf open armchairs having hand carved frames and elaborate fabric treatment. The chairs do not appear to be very old, these were sourced in Paris and were sure to be a for...
Category
20th Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Modern Italian armchair, composed of slanted wooden slats, c. 1980.
Located in MIlano, IT
Armchair with parallel wooden slatted frame on the inclined seat and backrest and irregularly shaped squared arms.
1980 ca.
Very good condition.
Measures 80x66x84h cm
Large and comfo...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Poltrone Nastro CL9 in GPR giallo, Franca Stagi e Cesare Leonardi per Elco, 1969
Located in MIlano, IT
Coppia di poltrone modello Nastro CL9 gialle, composte da una striscia continua di GRP, ossia vetro resina, montata su una struttura in tubolare di metallo tramite un attacco per sup...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Poltrona Nastro CL9 in GPR giallo, Franca Stagi e Cesare Leonardi per Elco, 1969
Located in MIlano, IT
Poltrona modello Nastro CL9 gialle, composta da una striscia continua di GRP, ossia vetro resina, montata su una struttura in tubolare di metallo tramite un attacco per supporti anti...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern Squared armchair in black leather and metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Squared armchair in black leather and metal, 1980s
Armchair with squared seat and back, padded and covered in black leather. The structure of the armchair is entirely ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Arflex armchair mod. Springtime designed by Marco Zanuso
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous armchair designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex.
A beautiful and functional lightweight armchair perfect for any living room that can be easily moved with its original chrome...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Mario Bellini Vintage Chocolate Brown Leather Dining Chairs Cassina 1970s Italy
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini vintage set of six dining chairs or armchairs Mod. Cab 413 from high quality leather in chocolate brown color Italy 1970s. Executed by Cassina, 1990s, Italy.
While the ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Armchair chair model Orgone production Cappellini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Armchair Chair Model Orgone designed by Marc Newson and produced by Cappellini Italia.
Sculpture polypropylene/plastic armchair for indoor or outdoor use. Marc Newson has designed an...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Plastic
Italian Plona armchair by Piretti for Anonima Castelli in leather and steel 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Plona model armchair, folding, with chrome-plated oval aluminum tube frame and original black leather seat.
Circa 1970 production by Anonima Castelli and 1969 design by Giancarlo Pir...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Armchair Interview by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltrona Frau, Italy 1989
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
By Poltrona Frau the "Intervista" model designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli in 1989 , which originated as a television studio armchair. Proposed here in a beautiful brick orange c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Six Chairs with a Pair of 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Located in Madrid, ES
Six Chairs with a Pair of 20th Century Italian Armchairs
SIX CHAIRS
in walnut with Italian vintage white fabric h 95.5 x 45 x 45cm
PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS
in walnut with Italian vintage ...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Modern Italian armchairs, brown leather and chrome-plated steel, Cassina ca. 1970.
By Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian and modern period armchairs in brown leather and chrome-plated steel, produced by Cassina ca. 1970.
Pair of brown leather office or desk armchairs with chrome-plated steel ar...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Digamma by Ignazio Gardella, Set of 2 with 2 Pouf
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Designed by Ignazio Gardella in 1957, the Digamma armchair is a comfortable chair rooted in the tradition of late Italian modernism.
Its rational structure features two geometric sec...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Mario Bellini "Forma" Cantilever Armchair for Vitra, Italy 1990s
Located in Budapest, HU
The now historic story goes:
“About 20 years ago Rolf Fehlbaum, the Chairman of Vitra, called me up and said: The things we’re making are too boring. We want to change that, and you...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern armchair Proust by Alessandro Mendini for Cappellini, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern armchair Proust by Alessandro Mendini for Cappellini, 1990s
Armchair mod. Proust with fabric and hand-painted wood. The pattern of the fabric and the decoration on the...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Surrealist Salivasofa 'Original' Prototype Red Lips Sofa By Salvador Dali
Located in Barcelona, ES
In the pioneering year of 1972, the visionary duo of Salvador Dalí and Oscar Tusquets unveiled their very first prototype sofa, a testament to their inn...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Armchairs
Materials
Foam
Pair of French Bamboo & Woven Seagrass Armchairs with Bouclé Seat Cushions
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Bamboo & Woven Seagrass Armchairs with Bouclé Seat Cushions
France, Late 20th Century
Offering exotic French elegance and comfort, this pair of Late 20th Century Fre...
Category
20th Century French Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan, Seagrass, Reed, Willow
1970s upholstered armchair with headrest
Located in Premariacco, IT
Italian 1970s design armchair with black fabric-covered frame and removable upholstered cushions.
It has a removable headrest that can be removed as desired.
H 39cm seat.
Height wi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Plastic, Polyester, Rubber
Art Deco / Modern Club Chairs in Ivory White Ultrasuede
Located in Stratford, CT
Simple yet really elegant design, the metal structure going though each armrest shows only its narrow side, giving the chair an illusion of lightness. In the style of Milo Baughman o...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Chauffeuse d'angle Togo "peau de pêche" par Michel Ducaroy pour Ligne Roset
Located in SAINT-ESTÈVE, FR
Très belle chauffeuse d'angle, modèle Togo, créée par Michel Ducaroy pour Ligne Roset dans les années 70. Modèle en "peau de pêche" datant du début des a...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet
Flat Bar Armchair in Cream Leather and Chrome, in the style of Mies van der Rohe
Located in San Francisco, CA
A modern, timeless classic, this chair has a perfect sense of proportion, as well as minimalist form and exquisitely refined details. The cantilevered base and padded arms support th...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Solid Wood and Woven Papercord Armchair, Europe 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Twisted paper cord as a form of upholstery has been used to form the seats of European chairs since the 1940s, but through the 1950s and 1970s, paper cord became perhaps the most dis...
Category
1970s European Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Papercord, Wood
Pair of guillerme et chambron oak armchairs
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A large pair of oak arm chairs "Romeo" by Guillerme et chambray edition votre maison
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Poltrona Plona italiana di Piretti per Anonima Castelli in pelle e acciaio 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Poltrona modello Plona, pieghevole, con struttura in tubo di alluminio ovale cromato e seduta in pelle nera originale.
Produzione di Anonima Castelli del 1970 ca. e disegno di Gianca...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Piazzesi Armchairs model "Okay," A. Piazzesi, Italy, 1970s
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pair of Okay model armchairs in black Sky and steel. The armchairs designed by designer Adriano Piazzesi and produced by Studio Tre D Florence are distinguished not only by their wel...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Leather Armchairs by Paul Tuttle for Strässle International
By Knoll
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of lounge chairs by Paul Tuttle for Strässle International featuring soft cognac colored leather upholstery and strong and dynamic chrome structures. Each seat sits back to crea...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Patchwork Bean Bag brown Aniline Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Vintage Bean Bag upholstered with brown patchwork leather and filled with polystyrene beads. Armchair Lounge Chair in aniline leather.
Original leather f...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Foam, Polystyrene
Set of 2 rattan armchair by Lio Carminati, 1960 circa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The set of two rattan armchairs by Lio Carminati, circa 1960, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of mid-century design and the skilled craftsmanship of Italian designer Lio...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
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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