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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Modern
Milling Road Baker Furniture Upholstered Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Milling Road 20th century bench with hardwood frame and upholstered seat and sides. Versatile design style that can easily compliment either home or office environment. Please confir...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Willy Guhl Concrete Curved Bench, 1960s, Switzerland
By Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial midcentury concrete seat/ bench by Eternit, circa 1960s. Perfect minimal concave design with convex sides that bow out gently. The bench is made of solid fiber cement which allows it to develop an incredible patina. Factory drilled drainage holes in the seat. A beautiful piece with a strong presence. Very sturdy and able to hold 1-2 adults. These can also be placed together in a variety of arrangements to make a different designs and seating arrangements. These seats are also perfectly compatible with our Willy Guhl Concrete Benches...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Concrete
Italian Modern Wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1970s
Bench mod. Torbecchia entirely in solid wood. The rectangular seat...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Modern Bench with Curved Metal Legs
Located in North York, ON
Modern bench with curved metal legs. Beautiful textured beige fabric with thick cushioning for maximum comfort. Completed with curved metal legs in an ant...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Metal, Brass
1980s Hollywood Regency Lucite Bench New Gray Tufted Fabric
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Hollywood Regency lucite bench
Fresh new gray tufted tweed fabric
Measures: 17 tall x 23.5 w x 16 d
Preowned original vintage.
See images provided.
LA OC delivery.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Lucite
Pair of Claw and Ball Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of claw and ball painted wood benches. Upholstered in a cotton-blend fabric.
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Verdigris Color Iron Vintage Bench in Vintage Italian Modernist Style
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This bench is so unusual and fabulous. A dark green verdigris that looks like itvwas painted by an Italian artist. The bench is extremely well made and the heaviest bench we have ever seen. Perfect for under a console or by by the side of a living room table. The bench retains its original fabric by choice. It is so unusual as well. A green and purple iridescent chenille. Of course it could reupholstered in a bright color velvet or animal print velvet for contrast if preferred. In researching this special piece, only one other has been found (marked SOLD) at a very high end vintage store...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Iron
Chrome and Lucite with Snakeskin Leather Bench by Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1980’s clear acrylic and polish chrome with Italian snakeskin embossed leather bench
By renowned designer Karl Springer (1931 - 1991).
Newly recovered.
The bench has ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Brueton Undulatus Wave Bench with Stainless Steel Legs Tan Leather Top
Located in North Miami, FL
This long and 3 seat wave chaise sculptural bench was designed by Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton in the 1980s. It has been coined the undulatus bench as in waves. There is a feelin...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Poltronova Bench
By Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Little bench produced by Poltronova. 1960s design modern and fresh, thanks to the yellow color cushion.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Textile, Wood
Contemporary Modern Upholstered Bench Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish chrome frame bench seat makes a comfortable occasional seat for any home or business interior. Chrome frame, wood finish decorative trim, and ...
Category
20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Galvanized Steel Manelco Bench, Cannes, France 1958
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial and very heavy galvanized steel "Manelco" bench, from Cannes, France in 1958. Only produced for two years. Beautiful modern design with a large circular back rest and fra...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
German Retro Folding Brewery Bench
Located in Tarleton, GB
German Retro folding bench
This is an original bench from the Braurer Brewery in Germany. Circa late 1980's the bench just looks super cool. Right siz...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Camilla Bench with Armrests by Achille Castiglioni Zanotta, 1984
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Camilla Bench with armrests by Achille Castiglioni Zanotta, 1984
Fantastic folding bench with armrests mod. Camilla Bench with seat and back in light gray painted laminate. The structure is in black painted metal. Totally resealable. Suitable to use in the garden or outside. it is suitable to create a vintage outside...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
Stylish Clean Line Upholstered Bench 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Stylish fully upholstered bench with beautiful graphic fabric, American, 1970s.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French Vintage Bamboo Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
French vintage bamboo sofa with new seat and back cushions. Two available and sold individually priced $3,600 each.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Cotton, Bamboo, Foam
panca design in legno, anni 90.
Located in Felino, IT
Panca design a doghe di legno tinto noce, con incastri a rondine. Piedi in legno laccato nero. piano seduta in listelli di legno massiccio . piedi in legno massiccio laccato nero. ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Pair of Benches, Italian Manufactory, 1960s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of benches with extendable recliners made of beech wood. Very nice natural patina.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Beech
Tommy Bahama Tres Chic Modern Natural Teak Wood Steel Outdoor Patio Dining Bench
By Tommy Bahama
Located in Dayton, OH
Sculpted in hand-rubbed teak and brushed stainless steel, the sinuous lines of Tres Chic redefine the allure of contemporary design. The recurring horizontal motif imparts a clean, sophisticated Pan...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Panca Design in Faggio Laccato Nero, Anni '90
Located in Felino, IT
Panca in faggio laccato nero, anni 90, seminuova.
panca design, realizzata iin faggio laccato nero. Piano seduta H 35, tutto in listelli massicci. Gambe in faggio massiccio.
robust...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Panca Design a doghe di legno, Con Incastri a Rondine, Anni 90
Located in Felino, IT
Panca a doghe di legno laccato nero , con incastri a rondine. Piedi in legno laccato nero. piano seduta in listelli di legno massiccio, piedi in legno massiccio.
h seduta 35 cm. pan...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Triposto Bench by Gio Ponti for Techno
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Gio Ponti for Techno, this Triposto bench features a highly unusual design with a detachable cabinet component. Metal legs and dark leather cushions complement this bench...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
De Sede DS47 Two-seater black heavy Buffalo leather Switzerland 1970
By De Sede
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
De Sede DS47 Two-seater black heavy Buffalo leather Switzerland 1970
Rare beautiful DS47 sofa designed and produced by De Sede,
Switzerland 1970.
These heavy quality sofas are mad...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Leather
Ahrend/ De Cirkel no. 600 Museum Bench by Bas Puyser, 1990s, Rijksmuseum
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Born in 1950 and educated at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, Bas Pruyser designed school furniture and ranges of tables and chairs for Dutch manufacturer Ahrend. Funnily, Pruyser drew his biggest succes from his designs for the waste management group Bammens. His work included the design of the iconic yellow waste...
Category
1990s Dutch Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
1 of 2 Modern Brueton Industries Silver Gray Bouclé Fabric Wave Daybed Bench 90
By Brueton
Located in Miami, FL
1 of 2 Custom made Modern Brueton Industries silver grey Bouclé fabric upholstery daybed, sofa or bench in wave design.
Very comfortable and sturdy mounted on 4 chrome legs.
Has a ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Modern Lucite Waterfall Benches or Drink Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charles Hollis Jones style pair of matching modern acrylic Lucite benches or drinks tables. Featuring a stylish waterfall form made from 1 inch thick bent Lucite. Very versatile piec...
Category
20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Rare "Generation" Sculpture 1970s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important sculpture "Generation" with cast bronze figures and table top in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1970’s ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
ELEMENT 00002 Swimming Bench 1
By POLCHA
Located in PARIS, FR
Bench molded in one piece, certainly from the 70 ies.
Water is at the center of our life, this element offers us hundreds of vibrations, reflections.
We play with the waves to d...
Category
20th Century European Modern Benches
Materials
Fiberglass
ELEMENT 00002 Swimming Bench 2
By POLCHA
Located in PARIS, FR
Bench molded in one piece, certainly from the 70 ies.
Water is at the center of our life, this element offers us hundreds of vibrations, reflections.
We play with the waves to d...
Category
20th Century European Modern Benches
Materials
Fiberglass
ELEMENT 00002 Swimming Bench 3
By POLCHA
Located in PARIS, FR
Bench molded in one piece, certainly from the 70 ies.
Water is at the center of our life, this element offers us hundreds of vibrations, reflections.
We play with the waves to d...
Category
20th Century European Modern Benches
Materials
Fiberglass
Louis XV Style Bench, Red Velvet, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Louis XV style bench, red velvet, Belgium.
Category
20th Century Belgian Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Large Mid Century Modern Lucite Feet Natural Wood Coffee Cocktail Tables Bench
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Modern natural wood resting on lucite feet coffee, cocktail table or can also be used as a bench.
Dimensions: 16" x 25" x 57".
Category
20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Lucite, Wood
Modernist Chrome Wrapped Ottoman in Cream Gaufrage Velvet, Manner of Springer
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist ottoman was realized in the United States circa 1970. Executed in the manner of Karl Springer, it features a subtly domed concave body newly reupholstered in ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Sculptural Walnut Benches in Boucle, Each
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural walnut bench upholstered in Boucle. By the each. Kagan style.
Category
1990s Modern Benches
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Directional Red Upholstered Large Modern Charles Bench Seat Ottoman
By Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Red upholstered 56" large modern "Charles Bench" seat ottoman by Directional. Item includes a solid wood frame, upholstered seat, original label, clean modernist lines, quality Ameri...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Wood
9 French 1980s Solid Cherry Benches by Richard Peduzzi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Model conceived in 1989 by the scenographer and designer Richard PEDUZZI (born in 1943) for the completion of the Grand Louvre project and deployed in 1993 in the rooms of the Egypti...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Cherry
Large Bench Ottoman by Carla Sozzani in Milan, 1990s
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a very rare and unique Italian bench ottoman designed by Carla Sozzani for her gallery in Milano in the late 1990s. With strong architectural lin...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
Spiros Zakas Vintage Rare Smoked Lucite Bend Bench, Off White Upholstery Cushion
By Spiros Zakas
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful large overscale rare vintage sculpted smoked gradient lucite bench with squared off arms is the work of a Greek designer from Atlanta in the 60's named Spiros Zakas. H...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
1930s Italian Bench
Located in New York, NY
This 1930s Italian bench is so over-scaled, and monumental in appearance, that it seems to have been made for the large room it was destined, rather than the comfort of a typical sitter. As such, it would function equally well as a low side table or a high cocktail table. We’ll allow the buyer to determine its use.
The designer was Pierluigi Colli, and the fabricator Martinotti, the Turin furniture and interior decorating firm that was established in 1831, and exhibited at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition and the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair. Colli’s family owned a textile company that supplied Martinotti with upholstery fabrics, suggesting nepotism had something to do with his being hired as the firm's director in 1926. Nevertheless, he proved himself worthy as a designer and a businessman. Having studied in Paris at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs, he befriended leading French designers, and arranged for Martinotti to retail Lalique glass and Jean Perzel lighting. In addition, the quality of their work, and Colli’s dedication to the modern design movement, prompted Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, and Gino Levi-Montalcini, among others, to have Martinotti fabricate some of their furniture. Colli’s claim to fame, however, is his own work as a designer, and his ability to master the vocabularies of every trend from Art Deco to midcentury modern.
During the Great Depression, when nearly every nation floundered economically, fascist Italy...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Other
Pair Gilt-iron Cowhide X-frame Benches in the Jean-Michel Frank Manner
Located in New York, NY
Pair gilt-iron cowhide x-frame benches in the Jean-Michel Frank Manner
Category
20th Century French Modern Benches
Materials
Iron
Italian Black and Rush Seat Nesting Stools after Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
A set of Italian genuine rush seat nesting stools, in the style of Italian designer, Gio Ponti, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Seats are made of genuine rush with black ebonized wood bases. Each have paper label authentication "Genuine Rush", please see closeup images #17 and 18. And both are marked "Made in Italy" on underside of wood stretcher; shown in image #19.
Measurements include:
Top seat/stool: 15.75" D x 19.63" W x 18" H
Nesting seat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Rush, Wood
Contemporary Black Lacquer and Upholstery Square Footstools
Located in New York, NY
4 contemporary square footstools with shaped black lacquered legs and a black and beige patterned tapestry upholstered top cushion. (priced each).
Category
20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Contemporary Blue Pony Hair Stool
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Italian folding stool / luggage rack with a black base and cornflower blue pony hair seat.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Leather, Wood
Modern Sculptural Bench Clad in Scored Brown Leather by Karl Springer
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern sculptural bench clad in brown scored leather by Karl Springer. Very good condition. Dimensions: 18" depth x 44" W x 22" H, seat height 16.5".
Category
20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Leather
Oversize Vintage Modern Bench or Daybed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This simple yet stylish oversized daybed stretches to seven feet long and makes a comfortable seating addition to any home or business. This vintage m...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Benches
Karl Springer Stainless Steel & Leather Bench, 1980’s
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer stainless steel and leather bench, circa 1980’s. All original.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Brushed Aluminum and Leather Bench
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A 1980s brushed aluminum with soft leather bench.
Very well constructed.
The legs are adjustable for two different positions, they unscrew and there...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Aluminum
Modern Chrome and Cowhide Bench
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Modern bench having chrome frame and upholstered in cowhide. Having beautiful geometric designs throughout.
Category
1990s Modern Benches
Materials
Cowhide
Dark Brown Scored Leather Bench by Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970s H dark brown scored leather bench by renowned designer Karl Springer.
The bench is constructed of wood covered in dark brown scored leather.
Newly restored. Shows minor wear consistent with age.
Sheep rug...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Leather
Laredo Bench Contemporary Design Traditional Joinery, Hardwood w/ Lacquer Finish
Located in San Antonio, TX
Influences from Mexico, Japan and Stickley are combined in this contemporary bench using traditional mortise and tenon joinery and solid Rosa Morada hardwoo...
Category
1990s Mexican Modern Benches
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Chrome Modernist Benches
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of newly upholstered chrome Modernist benches, circa 1970s.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Gerrit Rietveld Church Pew for Hoeksteen Church, Uithoorn, Netherlands, 1963
Located in Berlin, DE
Gerrit Rietveld church pew for the Hoeksteen church, Uithoorn, Netherlands, 1963.
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
Pair of Jørgen Høj 'Danish, 1925–1994' Aluminum Stools/Benches
By Jorgen Hoj
Located in San Francisco, CA
Each square stool composed of rectilinear tubes fitted with leather strapwork supporting loose cushions; Jørgen Høj was originally trained as a metal worker and upholsterer at the Copenhagen School...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Aluminum
Thonet Bench
Located in Vienna, AT
two Thonet benches from the late 1930's still unrestored. (the second one a little bit different pictures will be sent on request)
Will be restored soon so you have the possibility ...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Pair of Hollywood Regency Reed Upholstered Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Hollywood Regency, reed upholstered benches with blue upholstered seats.
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Reed
Modern Chrome Stool with Classic X-Style Frame in Original Condition
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern chrome stool, with a Classic chrome "X" style frame.
Light scratches and scuffs on the chrome. Fabric is discolored in one corner (image 6...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Modern Reed Console with Matching Benches
Located in New York, NY
Modern console table with matching benches. The set has a reed frame, a glass beveled top, and matching blue upholstered benches.
Measures: Con...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Glass, Fabric, Reed
Philippe Starck Custom Bench for the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two pieces are available.
Custom leather, wood, and chrome bench designed by Philippe Starck and manufactured by Cassina exclusively for the SLS hotel in Lo...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
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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