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Modern Benches

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Creator: Cain Modern
"M" White Oak Planter with Integrated Benches by Cain Studio, USA Made
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the "M" White Oak Planter with Integrated Benches by Cain Studio - a stunning piece of furniture that seamlessly blends functionality and style. Made in the USA by skille...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Custom Lime Green Lucite Bench by Amparo Calderon Tapia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Fluorescent Green & Clear Lucite Bench by Amparo Calderon Tapia, a stunning addition to any contemporary living space. Crafted from high-quality Lucite material, this...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Lucite

Custom Bench in Deep Blue and Clear Lucite by Amparo Calderon Tapia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Cobalt blue & Clear Lucite Bench by Amparo Calderon Tapia, a stunning addition to any contemporary living space. Crafted from high-quality Lucite material. This bench...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Benches

Materials

Lucite

Lucite and Corian Bench by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful bench designed and manufactured in Los Angeles by Cain Modern, the bench is very sturdy and well constructed, it can easily accommodate 3 people, the bottom can also be use...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Lucite

Triple Rectangle Bench in Stainless Steel by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and modern bench executed in stainless steel and manufactured by Cain Modern as part of the Triple rectangle line. The bench is very modern and it can be customized both i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Triple Rectangle Bench in Solid Brass and Antique Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and modern bench executed in solid brass and manufactured by Cain Modern as part of the Triple rectangle line. The bench is very modern and it can be customized both in si...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench
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Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench
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Walnut and Corian Gallery Bench Mid-Century Modern inspired Minimal Handmade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This bench is composed of a Corian top floating on an elegantly detailed walnut frame. It is large enough for one's imagination or a group conversation. Spanning 7' long, it commands environments while subtly disappearing like its double miter joints that waterfall into the walnut grain. The bench is sawn from long hand-selected boards, carefully milled with a miter joint detail that cascades or 'waterfalls' a continuous grain from the seat down through the legs. To further accentuate the bench's slender span, we chose a double miter cut on the edge profile that almost makes the Bench's thickness at first glance disappear. The white-to-walnut bench refines the moment of repose. Its minimalism is as seductive as its touch to the senses. This bench is versatile and can just as easily define a vestibule or gallery window as it will sit aside a matching dining table. Finished in Tung oil it maintains a natural look and feel for the locally sourced black walnut. This item is available in custom sizes or finishes upon request. Due to natural materials used, the object received will be unique in material figuring and coloration. No item assembly or installation is necessary. Care for the object is minimal and can be conditioned every 2 years to maintain the original finish. All of our pieces are originally designed and handmade in the Brooklyn, NY based Figure+Ground studio; we don't believe in the separation of design and fabrication. Each item is handcrafted, serialized, and shipped with a “Certificate of Authenticity”, documenting its place in history. Own an original Figure+Ground Piece...
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Large Exterior Outdoor Bench with Modern Concrete Wood and Stainless Steel
Located in Middle Grove, NY
This is an outdoor version of the larger 60" long Jupiter bench by Peter Harrison. It is constructed of concrete, stainless steel, and mahogany and specifically intended for exterior use. Its design has nautical references. The hole through the top centers over the crossing point of the gently curved stainless...
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2010s American Modern Benches

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Solid Oak Mobley Bench in Natural Golden Finish
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Mobley bench in solid 1 3/4" oak using natural oils to give a golden finish Customizable to specifications.
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Benches

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Oak

Amy Solid Walnut and Maple Bench
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Amy bench is constructed of one and three quarter inch solid walnut on two solid maple pedestal bases. We use a high quality bees wax finish from Clapham's in British Columbia. T...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Benches

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Maple, Walnut

Amy Solid Walnut and Maple Bench
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H 18 in W 72 in D 16 in
Contemporary Bench in Carved Walnut with Natural Finish, Brass and Leather
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Modern White Velvet Upholstered Bench with Black Wenge Legs Gold Stainless Steel
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Bonnin Ashley Custom Made Bench in Repurposed Pine with Limed White Chalk Finish
Located in Miami, FL
Shown in repurposed pine with a limed white chalk finish, this Bonnin Ashley custom made bench can be ordered in other woods and with a variety of finishes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Poplar, Pine

Custom Lucite Vanity Bench or Stool with Thick Lucite Legs and Upholstered Seat
Located in Miami, FL
Custom Lucite Vanity Bench or Stool with Thick Lucite Legs and Upholstered Seat Offered for sale is a new Lucite vanity bench from our own worksho...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

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Fabric, Lucite

Oak Wood MiMi Bench White by Miduny, Made in Italy
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Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi bench creates a slender, elegant profile punctuated with painted surfaces that capture light. This modern an...
Category

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Essential Burnt Bench in Solid Natural Cedar Wood Burnt Finish
Located in Paris, FR
Bench essential Burnt in solid natural aromatic cedar wood in burnt finish. Made from a single block of cedar wood. Natural and Minimalist design. With solid natural aromatic cedar...
Category

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Sculptural Solid Mango Wood Bench with Burnt Finish Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A sculptural solid mango wood bench. To achieve is rich black pigment the bench was burnt three times and then finished with a clear coat. The bench f...
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Previously Available Items
Lime Green Lucite Bench by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 2" thick lime green Lucite bench. The bench is a new addition to our portfolio and it can be made to order in a color of your choice (blue, green, red, orange, yellow) we c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

Materials

Lucite

Custom Bench in Deep Blue and Clear Lucite by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
2 available for immediate delivery. Stunning 2" thick deep blue and clear Lucite bench. The bench is a new addition to our portfolio and it can be made to order in a color of your ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Benches

Materials

Lucite

Custom Lime Green Lucite Bench by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 2" thick lime green Lucite bench. The bench is a new addition to our portfolio and it can be made to order in a color of your choice (blue, green, red, orange, yellow) we ca...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

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Lucite

Deep Tufted Bench Upholstered in Cream Mohair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful deep tufted benches upholstered in a beautiful cream color mohair fabric, the bench is newly upholstered and is in excellent condition, the legs are finished in a dark waln...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

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Mohair, Wood

Custom Lime Green Lucite Bench by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 2" thick lime green Lucite bench. The bench is a new addition to our portfolio and it can be made to order in a color of your choice (blue, green, red, orange, yellow) we ca...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

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Lucite

Lime Green Lucite Bench by Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches

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Lucite

Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern benches 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 benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Marie Burgos Design, Emeco, Jasper Morrison, and Stephen Kenn. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $96,000 while the average work can sell for $4,139.

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