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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Ciottolo 06 by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Ciottolo 06 by Imperfettolab 1999 Dimensions: W 162 x D 83 x H 54 cm Materials: Fiberglass Avalaible in black, white / gold, chrome. Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a fami...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Driade "Lirica" Armchair in Wood, 2017
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba and manufactured by Driade, the "Lirica" armchair has a wooden structure with elastic belting and padding in polyurethane foams with different d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Capelinhos Lounge Chair With Footrest, Swivel, Leather, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair with Footrest, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Capelinhos leather lounge chair stands as a testament to t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bouclé, Lacquer, Walnut, Oak, Velvet, Linen, Mohair, Wood, Leather

American Modern Walnut Armchairs with Leather Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American modern walnut armchairs with leather upholstery. USA, 21st Century.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fredrikson Stallard Camouflage Outdoor High Back Armchair in Laser Fretwork 2017
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Camouflage is an outdoor collection that includes a high and low armchair, a table and small table, all made of aluminum. In these sculptured elements the geometrical design of the s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Cecil Armchair Outdoor
Located in Ponsacco, IT
This outdoor armchair is features a sturdy wooden frame that combines durability with a natural aesthetic. The seat and back cushions are upholstered in fabric, offering a range of f...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Moooi Hana Swivel Armchair in Calligraphy Bird Jacquard Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Create your own world in your safe space that is the Hana Armchair. Let the softness of the folds lure you in and when you step into that abundance of soft fabric, you’re stepping in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

De Sede DS-255 Low Backrest Armchair in Snow Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The chair is the modern furnishing object that has occupied designers the most. No other piece of furniture has been so carefully tested, studied and closely examined for its composi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-291 Swivel Star Base Armchair in Taupe Leather by De Sede Design Team
Located in Brooklyn, NY
It’s like a chameleon: at first hidden and inconspicuous but due to his appearance it is adaptable and inexpressively full of character. We are talking about the dainty fauteuil DS-2...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Mw05 design armchair, handmade in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Beaumont-Louestault, FR
This MW05 armchair won the DNA Paris Design Awards 2023. It is a handmade collectible piece from France. A rare and unique object, targeting decorators and art lovers in search of or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Other

21st Century Modern Textile Small Armchair With Removable Cotton Velvet Cover
Located in Milan, IT
The Nova small armchair is the latest addition to the homonymous family of products. It is a light-weight textile armchair with a precious look and a fully removable fabric cover. Th...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

Italian Leather Armchair by Claudio Salocchi
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This unique armchair with its 1970s design by Claudio Salocchi is characterized by the rotating headrest and adjustable supports. Very unusual is also the abstract leather embossing...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Moooi Bart Swivel Armchair in Foam Seat with Solis, Dawn Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bart armchair brings a friendly sort of grandeur to your home. This single-seater does the rounded shapes of the Bart family even more justice, especially with the optional swive...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Italian modern rounded white metal armchairs with brown fabric cushions, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern rounded white metal armchairs with brown fabric cushions, 1970s Pair of armchairs with a round base. The structure is made of white painted metal rod, and is composed ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of 20th Century Memphis Movement Armchairs by Kostea Covamaad
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An interesting pair of 20th Century French armchairs in a constructivist style as part of the 'Memphis Movement'. They are by 'Kostea Covamaad Paris', a Romanian furniture designer. ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

21st Century Modern Steel Outdoor Armchair "Not Out" Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
A light and contemporary profile for the outdoor furnishing. The Not seating family grows even further, starting a new design approach of True aimed...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Curvy armchair designed by Luca Pasqualotti for Second Youth 2024
Located in Arezzo, Italy
ODE TO BALANCE IN ALL ITS FORMS It is from the attempt to unite two different and antithetical worlds in harmonious complexity that the design of the armchair is born "Curvy": the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

4 Contemporary Gray Leather Arm Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
4 contemporary "Ando" stone gray leather square back armchairs with straight walnut legs and short arms. (priced each).
Category

20th Century American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Twist armchair with Beige plain weave handcrafted by Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
The Twist armchair, a masterpiece from Murmurio, is a bold statement piece that redefines contemporary design. Entirely upholstered and perched on a golden plinth, it exudes a sense ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Gold Plate

1970 Pair of Armchairs Covered in Floral Print Linen, Metal Base
Located in Milano, IT
1970 pair of armchairs covered in floral print linen, metal base, padding in hypoallergenic polyurethane foam.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Carved Armchairs by Arpex
Located in New York, NY
Pair of carved armchairs by Arpex. Carved wood details.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

2022 Pair of Marcel Wanders for Moooi Charles Armchairs in Harald 182 Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of Charles Armchairs made with a chromed steel frame and dark grey velour fabric (Harald 182 by Kvadrat). The chairs were designed by Marcel Wanders and pro...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Contemporary Blue Leather Rounded Back Club / Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary blue leather club / armchair with a rounded back, black painted wooden legs on small casters with an x-shaped stretcher, and brass upholstery nail detail.
Category

20th Century American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Jiselle Armchair Outdoor
Located in Ponsacco, IT
An outdoor armchair featuring a sleek, glossy mahogany frame, offering both strenght and elegance. The chair is designed with comfortable fabric upholstery, perfect for outdoor relax...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Moooi Hana Armchair in Divina Melange 3, 457 Orange Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Create your own world in your safe space that is the Hana Armchair. Let the softness of the folds lure you in and when you step into that abundance of soft fabric, you’re stepping into your own space and away from the hustle and bustle of the world. A moment of contemplation and ultimate relaxation. Mindfulness made tangible in the shape of a chair.? The Hana is sculptured around the human body and its need to be pampered, embraced and accommodated for long stretches of time. The generous, cute, subtly curves allow for hours of lounging to daydream, read a book and let your imagination fly. Metal frame. elastic straps, cut and molded foam. Additional information: Material: Metal, foam, upholstery Upholstery: Divina melange...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Coalesce Steelcase Beige Leather Model 1510 Switch Guest Arm Chair (B) - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Coalesce Steelcase Beige Leather Model 1510 Switch Guest Arm Chair (B) - a Pair. Item features a metal frame, original label, very nice pair, quality craftsmanship, sleek sculptural ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Coalesce Steelcase Beige Leather Model 1510 Switch Guest Arm Chair (A) - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Coalesce Steelcase Beige Leather Model 1510 Switch Guest Arm Chair (A) - a Pair. Item features metal frames, original label, very nice pair, quality craftsmanship, sleek sculptural f...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

1970s Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1188 Chairs in Fabric and Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of 1188 Chairs, originally designed by Milo Baughman in 1968. These particular examples were produced in the 1970s by Thayer Coggin. The chairs are comprised of a chro...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of 1960s Armchairs in Orange Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of 1960s small armchairs in orange velvet, metal structure new fabric and padding.
Category

1960s Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

COR Conseta Back Pair of Leather Armchair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
COR pair of leather model Conseta Back aniline leather. Comfortable armchair with decent design. Design by Friedrich Wilhelm Möller A German masterpiece of functional design.    
Category

1960s German Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Down

De Sede DS-707 Armchair in Black Club Leather Upholstery by Philippe Malouin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-707 is the modern composition of handmade leather and contemporary design. The flowing, soft transitions combine the postmodern era of Swiss furniture design with the clear open structures of brutalism that inspired designer Philippe Malouin. Available as a comfortable armchair or as a modular sofa that can be combined in infinite ways, the DS-707 is the visual perfection of form that gives every room a unique highlight. Where the St. Lawrence River Montreal flows in a serpentine pattern, a residential complex marked by the architectural style of brutalism rises up on a small headland, the famous Habitat 67...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Space Oddity Designed by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Space Oddity Designed by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Armchair: L 100 * D 91 * H 90 cm Structure in solid timber and plywood • Memory foam Base and seating fully upholstered in fabr...
Category

2010s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

21st Century Weensquirm Bench by Alex Brokamp and Madsteez
Located in Dubai, AE
Inspired by creepy crawlers, the WEENsquirm Bench is a bold seating element that provides a large wavey upholstered surface. The unconventional seating features organic form with met...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Glass

1950s Set of Four Lewis Larsen for Lloyd Loom Tubular Steel Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Bent Tubular Steel Dining Chairs, designed by Lewis Larsen for the Lloyd Loom Company in ca. 1942. Lloyd Loom was operating under the ownership of the Haywood-W...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Marcel Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Marcel easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue. Materials: Polyethelene, Aluminum. Dimensions: 65cm x 69cm x H 80cm The Marcel collection complements any outdoor space with pieces t...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Four Sculptural Dining Chairs by Directional
Located in New York, NY
Set of four dining chairs by Directional. The chairs have the original upholstery and a nice sculptural design.
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

1990s Pair of Davis Allen Exeter Dining Chairs in Black with Red Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Exeter Dining Arm Chairs, originally designed by Davis Allen for Knoll in 1993. These particular examples date to the 1990s. They are comprised of a wood frame, wit...
Category

1990s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Foam, Wood, Fabric

Contemporary Swiveling Purple Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary swiveling circular shaped armchair with deep purple fabric upholstery.
Category

20th Century American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Rudolf Wolf, Armchair Model 5003, 1950
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking armchair, model 5003, was designed by Rudolf Wolf for Elsrijk in the Netherlands, circa 1950. Its minimalist and constructivist design features a sleek black steel fram...
Category

1950s European Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Toothpick Chair
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The traditional and tapered mortice and tenon have been rebranded many times. We continue this evolution, converging to a sharp a point, becoming a piece of domestic hostile design. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Philippe Starck Black Chair Armchair Driade Aleph Model Pratfall
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Armchair model Pratfall by Philippe Starck for Italian manufacture Driade Aleph. Black leather and black lacquered plywood shell on black steel tube. Th...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Giorgetti "Gallery 1975" Armchairs in Bouclé Upholstery Italy
Located in Almelo, NL
Giorgetti "Gallery 1975" Armchairs in Bouclé Upholstery Italy These pair of two Giorgetti "Gallery 1975" armchairs are a perfect blend of classical a...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech

Moooi Bart Swivel Armchair in Foam Seat with Divina 3 Red Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bart armchair brings a friendly sort of grandeur to your home. This single-seater does the rounded shapes of the Bart family even more justice, especially with the optional swive...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Vintage Armchairs by Verner Panton for Frits Hansen, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of vintage armchairs by Verner Panton for Frits Hansen, 20th century. Pair of fabric and steel armchairs by Verner Panton for Frits Hansen, pair from 1975, reupholstered in 200...
Category

20th Century French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Outdoor Gardenia Brown Armchair with Cover by Jaime Hayon
Located in Geneve, CH
Outdoor gardenia brown armchair with cover by Jaime Hayon Dimensions: D 89 x W 70 x H 166 cm Materials: Structure in cast aluminum and laminates in extruded aluminum. Powder coat...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

2015 Pair of Eero Saarinen for Knoll Dining Arm Chairs with Wooden Legs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International in 1950. These examples were produced in the USA in 2015. These pieces feature uphol...
Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Foam, Oak, Fabric

21st Century Modern Small Armchair in Cotton Corduroy with Solid Oak Armrests
Located in Milan, IT
It’s the younger sister of our homonymous armchair and while it shares the same aesthetic and constructive principles it introduces two new elements to the formal language of the Got...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Vienna Soft Little Armchair, Orion by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Vienna soft little armchair, orion by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H 78, W 53, D 50 cm Materials: Natural beechwood little armchair with upholstered seat and back ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Wood

21st Century Ginga XL Footstool in Solid Sandbrushed Black Oak, by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Ginga XL Footstool in Solid Sandbrushed Black Oak, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt Ginga is the swaying movement of Brazilian martial art, Capoeira. It is characterized by a flowi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Ara Pouf
Located in Desio, IT
Pouf combined with the Relax armchair, internal wooden structure, polyurethane padding in different densities, solid wood feet in dark Tay shade, also available in Canaletta walnut. ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Walter Knoll Pair of two Arm chairs in Bentwood and Cognac Leather, Germany 1970
Located in Almelo, NL
Walter Knoll Pair of two Arm chairs in Bentwood and Cognac Leather, Germany 1970s This set of two modern armchairs or side chairs was manufactu...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Lounger Black Armchair by Jaime Hayon
Located in Geneve, CH
Lounger black armchair by Jaime Hayon Dimensions: D 91 x W 76 x H 99 cm Materials: Armchair with a cast aluminum base structure and footstool with tubular steel legs and painted....
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of Six Lucite Upholstered Armchairs Attributed to Lion in Frost
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of six Lucite newly upholstered armchairs unmarked but strongly attributed to Lion in Frost.
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Lucite

Vienna Lounge Armchair Beech Blue by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Vienna lounge beech blue by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H 78, W 53, D 50 cm Materials: Lounge armchair in natural beech wood and straw; upholstered seat and back....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Wood

C. 1953 Pair of Herman Miller Eames Zenith MAX Fiberglass Arm Shell Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Pair of MAX Armchairs, initially designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1953. This particular pair of chairs was produced by Zenith and Herman Miller in the USA in ca....
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 2 Carson Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 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   Your favorite chair wi...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

2022 Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Collection Lounge Chair w/ Aluminum Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 1966 Collection Outdoor Lounge Chair, Model 1966-25, originally designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This particular example dates to 2022. The chair is construct...
Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Wood and Velvet Modernist Armchairs
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Armchairs, French, in the manner of Pierre Jeanneret, of cerused oak, upholstered in a brown velvet blend.
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Design armchair Mw01 "Black Wood", made in France, designed by Olivier Santini
Located in Beaumont-Louestault, FR
"Elevate furniture aesthetics to an artistic level" High-end designer armchair, custom-made in France. This MW01 combines comfort, design, and aesthetics. The HR40 foam seat, eleg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Other, Stainless Steel

1970 Set of Four Knoll Flat Bar Brno Dining Arm Chairs by Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Flat Bar Brno Chairs, Model 255, initially designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1930. These particular examples were manufactured by Knoll in 1970, and the listed p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

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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