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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: Late 20th Century
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Chairs in New Bouclé Upholstery, Germany 1970
Located in Almelo, NL
Presenting this stunning set of ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifully shaped chrome bases creating an incredibly sturdy and stately pre...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Mastercraft Brass Dining Armchairs with Grandma Fabric, Set of Four, circa 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This super cute set of four (4) dining armchairs by Mastercraft feature a brass base with light patina and a very unique and interesting fabric that features light pink and baby blue...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of armchairs Garouste & Bonetti ‘Koala’ bronze green velvet 1995
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of armchairs by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bonetti began their co...
Category

1990s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Armchairs, Italy, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Inox steel frames featuring wraparound backs upholstered in dark brown leather, the seats and backs upholstered in the original crushed velvet with leaf pattern. These chairs were de...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

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

Italian modern Blu fabric Armchair Felix by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Blu fabric Armchair Felix by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, 1980s Armchair mod. Felix with squared seat and backrest, padded and covered in blue fabric with abstract fl...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Vintage side chair, model Pixi, by Gillis Lundgren for IKEA, 1970s
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

"Koala" Armchair by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, France, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Armchair upholstered in a beige, tightly woven boucle fabric. Model "Koala". Chair: Height: 32” back, 16”, seat width 30”, depth 30”  
Category

1990s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Armchair in the Manner of Adriano Piazzesi, Italy, c. 1970
Located in New York City, NY
This armchair is reminiscent of Adriano Piazzesi's bold, quintessentially Italian designs.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of armchairs, François Bauchet 1990's
Located in Barcelona, Cataluna
Pair of armchairs, François Bauchet 1990's Model Pluriel armchair. Cinna editions. Designer François Bauchet. Reupholstered with Guell Lamadrid fabric
Category

1990s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Textile

Italian modern brown leather armchair with a triangular base, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather armchair with a triangular base, 1970s Armchair with triangular base. The seat and backrest are composed of a single padded cushion covered in brown leat...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Armchair, Le Bambole, Mario Bellini, B&B
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Throughout their history, Le Bambole have seen slight adaptations in shapes, proving that they are able to stay in step with the times. In addition to appearance, comfort is a key de...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

D120 armchair by Valeria Borsani and and Alfredo Bonetti for Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
The D120 armchair, designed by Valeria Borsani and Alfredo Bonetti for Tecno in the 1970s, stands as a testament to the era's innovative approach to furniture design. This remarkable...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Italian rattan and chromed metal armchair by Lyda Levi, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian rattan and chromed metal armchair by Lyda Levi, 1970s Armchair with rectangular base. The supporting structure is made of chromed metal rod with a square section, and makes u...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern brown leather Wassily armchair by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Iconic Italian modern brown leather Wassily armchair by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s Wassily or B3 model armchair, with chromed tubular steel structure. The seat, armrests and bac...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

'Sara' Leather Lounge Chairs by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, c 1971, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful off-white leather pair of lounge chairs by illustrious architect and designer Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, Italy. Designed in the 1970s, this pair of soft, comfy, lea...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Upholstered Armchairs with Floral Velvet in Shades of Blue 1980
Located in Florence, IT
Pair of newly Upholstered Armchairs with Floral Velvet in Shades of Blue. Perfect vintage condition.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

Italian modern dark red rattan armchair 981 with footrest by Bonacina, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern dark red rattan armchair 981 with footrest by Bonacina, 1980s Rattan armchair or deckchair mod. 981 with armrests and footrest. The structure is painted dark red, with...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Divi Divi Fauteuils by Mark van Tilburg for Leolux, 1980s
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
An exclusive pair "Divi Divi" fauteuils by Mark van Tilburg for Leolux. Manufactured in 1988. Reupholstered with a wonderful france white and red structured fabric form the hig-end ...
Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Koala armchair by Garouste & Bonetti, France, 1990's
Located in Paris, FR
Red velvet Koala by Garouste & Bonetti, created circa 1995 Bronze feet, signed BG, with its cushion Exceptional condition of the fabric which is original
Category

1990s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Armchair mod. Le Témoindi Man Ray for Gavina, 1971
Located in Baranzate, IT
Polyurethane foam structure and skai upholstery. Rigid PVC supports. Prod. Simon Gavina, Italy, 1971 "The great eye, the witness, watches you persistently in the house, when your con...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Plastic, PVC

"Virgola" Chairs By Yaacov Kaufman with Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Virgola Armchairs Matches with Of-The-Period Trayed Ottoman Pair Ottomans are Asymmetrical in Shape, But Same Height One Chair Has Small Burnhole on the Back As Shown
Category

1990s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

A Pair Arrben Italy Stiletto Armchairs
Located in Vienna, AT
Arrben Italy armchairs, chromed metal frame, upholstered with patinated black leather. Seat height 46 cm. Produced by Arrben Design, Italy. 2 pieces available price for 2
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian modern black Spaghetti armchairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black plastic and metal Spaghetti armchairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s Spaghetti armchair with black painted metal structure with a geometric shape and s...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern Dark brown leather Reclining armchairs and pouf by De Sede, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Dark brown leather Reclining armchairs and pouf by De Sede, 1970s Pair of reclining armchairs and pouf in dark brown leather and dark wood. The square back and seat ar...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Paire de chaises vintage années 1980
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Paire de chaises des années 1980 en état correct mais le tissu est fatigué. Le chrome est piqué un peu partout.
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Fauteuil de bureau simili cuir en état moyen
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Fauteuil de bureau en simili cuir en état moyen (petites déchirures, système de réglage de hauteur à réparer, ...
Category

1990s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Synthetic

Brass Vidal Grau Swan Chair
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

Luciano Frigerio (1928-1999), Armchair with ottoman, circa 1970
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Luciano Frigerio (1928-1999), Armchair with ottoman, wood and leather, circa 1970, Italy. Armchair: Height 83 cm, seat height 35 cm, depth 112 cm, width 92 cm. Ottoman: height 40 c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Italian modern black Spaghetti armchairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black plastic and metal Spaghetti armchairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s Spaghetti armchair, with armrests and structure in black lacquered metal and seat ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Rush cane armchair designed John Hutton for Donghia 1980s mahogany accents
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Heavy well made John Hutton design for Donghia from DD Building NYC. No longer in production.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rush

Italian modern Black armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s Vintage and fantastic armchair mod. Artona with seat, armrests and backrest composed of soft cushions...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

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

Shiro Kuramata 1985 Sing Sing Sing Armchair
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the Sing Sing Sing armchair, a stunning and iconic piece of furniture designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1985 and produced by xO in France. This ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Philippe Starck armchair
Located in PARIS, FR
Chair model Pat Conley II by designer Philippe Starck for XO, from the 1980s. Gray anodized metal structure. In perfect condition. DV515
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Pair of "Wassily" Armchairs, Breuer (designer) Knoll (Manufacturer), Circa 1980
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

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

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

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

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

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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wingback Chairs by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti / Progetti in Bouclé Wool Fabric
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of two Modern Progetti wingback chairs / arm chairs by Umberto Asnago For Giorgetti In New Bouclé Wool Fabric. Stylish and very comfo...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

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

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 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

Mario Bellini Vintage Chocolate Brown Leather Dining Chairs Cassina 1970s Italy
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

Pair of Vintage LC2 Corbusier Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage LC2 Corbusier armchairs. Original leather and chrome frame.      
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

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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