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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: Late 20th Century
"Free Swinger" Armchair in Leather by Poul Kjaerholm, circa 1974
Located in New York, NY
Rare PK 13 "Free Swinger" cantilevered armchair with chrome-plated spring steel frame, black leather cushion and armrest. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark,...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Christophe Pillet Y's Swivel Armchair Cappellini, 1997
Located in Vienna, AT
Christophe Pillet Y's chair by Cappellini, molded foam seat (Polyurethan) over swivel metal base with white lacquer finish, 22" W x 24" D x 31.5" H, good condition, some rust marks a...
Category
1990s French Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian Vintage Metal and Red Leather Armchairs by Formanova, 1970s
By Formanova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian vintage metal and red leather armchairs, 1970s.
Armchairs with black metal structure and steel details, armrests in iron rod and reclining seat and back covered in the origi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Pair of De Sede 'DS-14' Armchairs Lounge Chairs, Cognac Leather Teak, 1989
By De Sede
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of De Sede 'DS-14' armchairs in a warm high quality cognac brown leather with a solid Teak base, designed in 1989 and manufactured between 1989 and 1997.
The chairs are in gre...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Teak
Matteo Grassi Korium Leather Armchair or Chair Korium by Tito Agnoli
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This leather armchair Korium KM 3/1 was designed by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi.
It is upholstered in thick black leather.
The frame is made of sadddle leather.
Great Italian de...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Pair of Hannah Morrison for Knoll Sling Armchairs in Black and Blue
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of sling armchairs designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison circa 1971 for Knoll International, Inc. This pair is in wonderful vintage condition. The blue vinyl sli...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Beautiful Channel Back Chairs
By Samuel Marx
Located in Miami, FL
Black painted wood legs and frame with channel back design. Very pretty chairs.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
De Sede Model DS 49 Cognac Brandy Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede Model DS 49
This armchair and ottoman was produced in Switzerland by De Sede and is made of cognac brandy aniline leather.
It has a great comfort and a...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Matteo Grassi Esquire Neck Leather Armchair by Luigi Massoni & Giorgio Cazzaniga
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This armchair model esquire was designed by Luigi Massoni & Giorgio Cazzaniga for Matteo Grassi.
It is upholstered in thick dark brown neck leather. With patina on the armrests.
Th...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Paolo Piva, 1 armchair Edition WITTMANN circa 1980
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Paolo Piva, 1armchair, Edition WITTMANN circa 1980
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
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
Pair of Armchairs in Black Lacquered Wood, 1970s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ico Parisi, in the style of.
Pair of armchairs in black lacquered wood standing on four tapered and inclined legs linked each other with two stretchers on sides. Curved shape armr...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Postmodern Vintage Swivel Plastic Armchair Black Silver Philippe Starck, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern vintage swivel armchair or desk chair from plastic, aluminum and steel in black and silver by Philippe Starck 1980s.
The curved armrests flow into the seat and you can fi...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Memphis Style Black Brown Modernist Office Chair Desk Chair Matteo Grassi, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Memphis style Black and Brown modern swivelling desk chair or office chair attributed to Matteo Grassi, Italy. The armchair consists of steel ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
De Sede Ds 17 Pair of Grey Leather Lounge Chair Armchair
By De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede leather armchair DS 17.
The leather is the DS Club leather a thick grey aniline leather.
Great comfort and a classic timeless design by De Sede.
In a ...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Fanciful Pair of American Aluminum Antler Armchairs Designed by Arthur Court
By Arthur Court
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fanciful pair of American 1970s aluminium antler arm chairs designed by Arthur Court, San Francisco (1928-2015); a new and innovating aluminum casting process led Arthur and Arthur Court Designs into a New Era; his unique aluminum furniture...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of 20th Century Girogetti Armchairs by Umberto Asnago
Located in Marbella, ES
Pair of 20th century Girogetti armchairs by Umberto Asnago
Pair of wooden armchairs with their original upholstery, crafted by Giorgetti following the designs by Umberto Asnago.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Lucite and Leather Lounge Chairs by Leon Frost, Signed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Six leather dining chair armchair with bent Lucite by Leon Frost for the Lion in Frost Company, circa 1975. Signed in the Lucite.
We have two more of came...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Lucite
Cassina Model Lazy Working Chair Blue Leather Armchair by Philippe Starck
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Philippe Starck designed this Model Lazy working armchair for Cassina
Blue leather.
Feet made of aluminium.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Danish Modern Fritz Hansen Arne Jacobsen Knoll Series Seven Arm Chairs a
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Authentic pair of Danish modern Fritz Hansen Arne Jacobsen series seven armchairs for Knoll Studio. Item features manufacturer labels found ...
Category
1990s Danish Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
De Sede Leather Lounge Chair Armchair Creme Paolo Piva
By De Sede, Paolo Piva
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede leather armchair designed by Paolo Piva.
Great comfort and a Classic timeless design by De Sede.
With patina on the leather and beec...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Armchairs, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Over-upholstered seats are supported by a chromed sleigh base, fitted with loose brown leather sleeves in the back.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Chrome-Framed Lounge Chair after Milo Baughman for Pace
Located in Dorchester, MA
Styled after Milo Baughman's work for Pace, this 1970s lounge chair sets a gently curved upholstered seat into a sharply geometric frame in polished chrome.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
20th Century Pair of Girogetti Armchairs by Umberto Asnago
Located in Marbella, ES
20th century pair of Girogetti armchairs by Umberto Asnago
Pair of wooden armchairs with their original upholstery, crafted by Giorgetti following the straight line designs of Umber...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Armchair Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron, oak armchair. Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Armchairs
Materials
Oak
1970s Pair of Armchairs, Lacquered Wood, Blue Loop Pile Fabric - Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Rare pair of armchairs, white lacquered wood, seats and backs cushions upholstered in dark blue loop pile fabric, with pressure clips. Nickel-plated brass hardware.
Italy, circa 1...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Italian Design / Mid-Century Style Modern Lounge Chair by Andrea Branzi, 1993
Located in New York, NY
An iconic, visually stunning modern design armchair by Andrea Branzi in a matt anodized steel frame with a molded beech wood back support and arm structure in the form of reverse rib...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
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
French Pair of Christian Biecher Armchairs for Poltrona Frau, 1990s
By Poltrona Frau, Christian Biecher
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage pair of armchairs designed by French architect Christian Biecher for an elite Parisian restaurant named le Korova in 1999. These were edited by Italian notable f...
Category
1990s French Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Modern Lounge / Garden Chairs in the Style of Gerrit Rietveld
Located in New York, NY
Stunningly visual, early 20th century style modern rustic lounge chairs /armchairs /club chairs using natural materials in comfortable dimensions for indoors, porch or garden in Gerr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Materials
Poplar, Pine
Pair of Swivel Armchairs at cost price.
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Pair of swivel armchairs newly upholstered with Dominique Kieffer fabric.
Can be sold separately.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare pair of wishbone armchairs studio made by Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006), Bolinas, CA. In grained walnut with visible dowel construction, a shaped back that continues in...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
"Plante Carnivor" Armchair, Louis Durot, 1970
By Louis Durot
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair in polyuréthane
Lacqued in red, green and black
Signed and dated.
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Armchairs
Materials
Polyurethane
Pair of Vintage Chrome Armchairs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Two chrome and upholstered armchairs by Pieff & Co. Furniture, U.K. Newly upholstered in cotton velvet. Freshly polished chrome. Good scale for dining or as occasional chairs. Priced...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Vintage Modern High Back Vinyl Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique pair of high back upholstered armchairs feature brushed aluminium frame and padded vinyl covering. Stylish pair offer comfortable proportions and attractive modern shape ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Faux Leather
Set of Six Italian Avant Garde Dining Chairs
Located in Danville, CA
Set of Six Sculptural Italian Armchairs. The solid wood chairs have been restored from the ground up and refinished in Espresso Lacquer. The splats are connected by a contrasting p...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood, Leather
Pair of Large Channel Cube Dunbar Chairs
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of impressive, large-scale, cube-shaped Dunbar chairs in original leather. Designed by Roger Sprunger, ca'1970's.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Decorative Modern Sculptural Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sculpted metal armchair features comfortable high back design with ornate detail. Uniquely shaped decorator chair offers stylish and comfortable seating for any setting. Please ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Armchairs
Pair of Elegant 1970s Chrome Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of elegant 1970s chrome armchairs.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Vintage side chair, model Pixi, by Gillis Lundgren for IKEA, 1970s
By IKEA, Gillis Lundgren
Located in Denventer, NL
Vintage armchair, model “Pixi” designed by Gillis Lundgren for IKEA, 1970s. The armchair has a tubular steel frame (demountable) in which a canvas seat is stretched. There is a black...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Cassina Andrea Branzi Mod952 Revers Six Armchairs, 1993
By Cassina, Andrea Branzi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Armchair produced by Cassina, design Andrea Branzi, year 1993.
Dynamic design for the armchair with aluminum structure, wooden seat and a continuous band of curved solid beech that forms the backrest and armrests.
This is a vintage product, made between the 1990s and 2000s, in excellent condition.
The Cassina Vintage Reverse chair...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Poltrone Plona italiane di Piretti per Anonima Castelli in pelle e acciaio 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Coppia di poltrone modello Plona, pieghevoli, con struttura in tubo di alluminio ovale cromato e seduta in pelle nera originale.
Produzione di Anonima Castelli del 1970 ca. e disegno...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Usa modern Armchair and ottoman 670 671 by Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Usa modern Armchair and ottoman mod. 670 and 671 by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
Iconic and vintage set of armchair and ottoman mod. 670 and 671 with wooden structu...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
LC1 Chair by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
An LC1 armchair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand during the late 1920 and built up using chromed metal tubes and leather.
Our version dates from the...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Folding designer armchairs designed by Teun van Zanten for Molinari, Italy 1970s
Located in Denventer, NL
Beautiful designer armchairs designed by Teun van Zanten and produced by the Italian Molinari in the 1970s. The design classic from the Netherlands ha...
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Armchair "Ovalia " by Thor-Larsen" 1970
By Thor Larsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
egg chair, fiberglass, Sweden
wear consistent with age and use
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Modern Armchairs
Materials
Acrylic
'Fratina' Chair by Mario CEROLI, 1972, SIGNED, POLTRONOVA
By Mario Ceroli
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Totem Chair designed by Mario Ceroli. Italy, Poltronova, 1972.
Two 'FRATINA' chairs by Mario Ceroli, produced by Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova. Unrefined Russian pine, stamped o...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Pine
Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair in Steel Produced by Vitra, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early "High High The Moon" chair designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Vitra in 1986. In great original condition with almost no signs of age and use.
A spectacular...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Armchair LC3 Le Corbusier Jeanneret and Perriand for Cassina 1980
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Armchair mod. LC3 by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Perriand for Cassina, 1980s
Armchair mod. LC3 with metal tubular structure. The squared seats, backrests and armrests...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Italian Modern Semi-Oval Outdoor Armchair in Rattan, Orange Tubular Metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Semi-oval outdoor armchair in rattan and orange tubular metal, 1980s
Semi-oval armchair in wicker and metal. The backrest and the long sea...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Olivier De Schrijver, 'Hollywood' Leather Armchairs, Belgium, Signed & Numbered
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Olivier De Schrijver, Ode design edition, 'Hollywood' woven leather armchairs, Belgium, signed/numbered.
Leather, teak.
Category
1990s Belgian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Modern Bungee Armchair after René Herbst
By René Herbst
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern bungee armchair after René Herbst, a nice vintage 1990s version, measures: arm height is 25-inches, seat height is 17-inches.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Chair in Leather and Chromed Metal, 1970s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rudolf Glatzel pour Knoll, attributed to.
Cantilever shape chair, “Pattino” model, in leather and chromed metal. Dark brown leather back and seat. Chromed metal structure without ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
De Sede DS 86 Vintage Neck Leather Armchair
By De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Vintage leather armchair by De Sede.
Model Ds 86.
Thick neck leather with bright nature brown color.
Great comfort.
With patina on the armrests and seating p...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery
Team by Wellis or De Sede Sena Ds 2620 Lounge Armchair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This small armchair Sena DS 2620 was designed by Kurt Erni 1995 for the Swiss manufacture team by Wellis.
De Sede was buying Team by Wellis in the year 2012 a...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Leather
Wittmann Leather Armchair Chair Model Alta Design by Paolo Piva
By Wittmann, Paolo Piva
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Leather armchair by Austrian, Italian architect Paolo Piva.
Model Alta manufactured by Wittmann.
Cognac aniline leather. The design is a basic design from the model aura.
Wittmann...
Category
1990s Austrian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Wittmann Leather Armchair Chair Model Alta Design by Paolo Piva
By Wittmann, Paolo Piva
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Leather armchair by Austrian - Italian architect Paolo Piva.
Model Alta manufactured by Wittmann.
Blue aniline leather. The design is a basic design from the model aura.
Wittmann ...
Category
1990s Austrian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
De Sede Ds 17 Leather Lounge Chair Armchair Dark Blue
By De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede leather armchair DS 17.
The leather is the DS Club leather a thick Semianiline leather in dark blue.
Great comfort and a Classic timeless design by De ...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
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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