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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
Modernist Black Enamel and Bone Hued Leather Bench by B&B Italia
By B&B Italia
Located in New York, NY
This austere and refined bench was realized by the celebrated design firm B&B Italia, in Italy circa 1980. It features a four rectangular legs and a square apron of the same thicknes...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Enamel
Sober French Mid-Century Modern Bench Covered in Giraffe Skin
Located in New York, NY
A rare French Modernist bench covered in Giraffe Skin, circa 1930. A sober and exotic piece.
Category
1930s French Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Faux Shagreen Leather Modern Bench on Casters
Located in Miami, FL
Modern faux shagreen leather bench on casters.
Ideal for children or in front of a bed.
Category
2010s American Modern Benches
Materials
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Italian Design Rectangular Black Leather and Chrome-Plated Brass Bench
Located in Brescia, IT
This contemporary style bench in cow black leather, is totally hand made in Italy. The feet are in chrome plated brass. The dimensions make it useful as coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Brass
Brass and Leather Bench
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Beautiful bench with a brass structure, upholstered with Japanese hand-printed leather. This unique piece is designed by the Studio Glustin.
Category
2010s French Modern Benches
Materials
Brass
Handmade Modern Bench in Metal and Black Lacquered Wood, In Stock
Located in Middle Grove, NY
The Venus bench by Peter Harrison uses aluminum brackets with a linear edge texture to connect its legs to seat. There is a sexy reveal as the seat floats 1/4" above the legs. 16 cab...
Category
2010s American Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel, Aluminum
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 Poul Kjaerholm PK91 Folding Stools Created by E. Kold Christensen
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of PK91 stools each stamped EKC inside a square. Please note these are from the first edition of PK91 stools not the latter edition by Fritz Hansen....
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
'Helping Hands' Bench / Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Stunning bench / sculpture composed of helping hands with a solid stone top resting between them. The pieces are both modern and have a timeless neoclassi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
1970s Modern Brass Bench or Stool in the Style of Designer Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
A 1970s modern brass bench or stool with upholstered seat cushion in the style of designer Paul Evans, circa 1970s.
Measurements: 13.75" D x 15" W x 17.75" H
Postmodern decorative object...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Brass
Modernist Vintage Grey Leather Bench Loveseat De Sede 1980s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage sofa bench or loveseat Model DS-2011 from leather in grey color by De Sede.
An authentic gorgeous sofa or loveseat with a steel ...
Category
1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
A Classic Upholstered Bench With Caned Back
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic upholstered bench with original speckled finish. Caned back, reupholstered in Larsen fabric.
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Upholstered Bench Attributed to Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Walnut, upholstery. Sleek and modern upholstered bench.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Flavor Custom Design X Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of our Flavor Custom Design X benches. Benches are upholstered in velvet and tufted.
Category
2010s American Modern Benches
Materials
Velvet
Red and Purple Sofa in Fabric from 1970
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice vintage sofa in red and brown striped fabric from the 70s. This sofa has a vintage look and a design with clean lines allowing it to fit into a ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric
A Modern Stainless steel and leather bench in the manner of Karl Springer.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Modern Stainless steel and leather bench in the manner of Karl Springer, American , circa 1980.
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Gallery Bench in walnut, bespoke size by Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
Each bench is made to a bespoke size.
The first of this design was made of walnut with a Corian top and was exhibited by the Connaught Brown Gallery in 2010.
The Gallery Bench can be...
Category
2010s English Modern Benches
Materials
Composition
Tom Dixon Fat Chaise Lounge Right
By Tom Dixon
Located in Tulsa, OK
Tom Dixon Fat Chaise Lounge -
Designed to hug the body and allowing for multiple sitting positions, this Tom Dixon Fat chaise lounge is upholstered in K...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Benches
Materials
Velvet
Italian modern black metal wood brown leather 2seater benches Felicerossi, 1980s
By Felicerossi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black metal wood brown leather two-seater benches by Felicerossi, 1980s
Pair of two-seater benches with rectangular seat in black painted wood. The structure of the be...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Modern Gary Lee Partners for Cumberland Rectangular Livy Bench
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Livy Bench by Cumberland is a simplistic and captivating piece that brings gratification to any home.
This bench is the picture-perfect accent piece for any living room or bedroo...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Maple
Biche Bench II, USA, 2022
By Alex Roskin
Located in New York, NY
Todd Merrill Studio has been the exclusive representative of Alex Roskin since 2017. Roskin’s works blend functional design with modernist sculptural references. A natural successor ...
Category
2010s American Modern Benches
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Custom Upholstered White Bouclé Cloud Ottomans or Benches
Located in North Miami, FL
These new contemporary modern ottomans or small benches have beautiful new white bouclé fabric with dacron padding over the wood structure....
Category
2010s American Modern Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Oakwood and Slate Bench
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Oakwood and Slate Bench.
Can work also as a coffee table.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Slate
Hollywood Glam Vegan Leather and Gem Set Banquette
Located in New York, NY
Hollywood Glam vegan white leather tufted curved banquette with scroll back and splayed tapering square lucite legs. In good condition. Wear consisten...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Benches
Materials
Faux Leather, Lucite
Carol Egan, Sculptural Hand-Carved Bench, United States, 2012
By Carol Egan
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural hand-carved bench is part of a line of contemporary furniture designed by blending digital technology with fine traditional craftsmanship. Carved of American Walnut, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches
Materials
Walnut
Contemporary Bench Featuring a Small Cushion
Located in New York, NY
This bench expresses harmony through its special details. Featuring a small cushion that can be adjusted or even removed, this seating design has the rig...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Jacobean Style Small Grey Painted Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern Jacobean single bench constructed of acacia and finished in pale grey paint with a fine rush seat is perfect at the foot of a bed.
Dimensions: 38" W x 16" D x 25.25" H
Sea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Ripple Bench by Laurinda Spears for Steelcase
Located in San Francisco, CA
A sculptural ripple bench by Laurinda Spear for Steelcase. Newly reupholsterd in a luxurious lavender grey bouclé by Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca. The bench...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Paul Frankl Low Cork Table
Located in New York, NY
Asian-inspired form with cork-wrapped top above dark-stained mahogany base. This piece is designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture company from the post war period.
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Mahogany, Cork
Modern Upholstered Taupe Bench
Located in New York, NY
Modern upholstered taupe bench, unmarked.
Dimensions 17" H x 48" H x 22" D.
Dealer S138XX.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Benches
Materials
Upholstery
2 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
Design Institute of America Chrome Slat Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage chrome bench for the Design Institute of America in great vintage condition. Has light wear on the top surface. Retains DIA sticker.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Swedish Gray Dining Banquette in Green Leopard
By Bjork Studio
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautifully made custom banquette or bench in distressed Swedish gray finish with green leopard grospoint fabric by Bjork Studio. In excellent condition. Perfect for an entrance, a foyer, a hallway, as a dining banquette...
Category
2010s American Modern Benches
Materials
Hardwood
"Sofá Güell" in Laminated Jotoba Wood by Julia Krantz, 2008
By Julia Krantz
Located in New York, NY
Unique "Sofá Güell" in stack-laminated jatoba wood. Designed and made by Julia Krantz, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2008.
Category
Early 2000s Brazilian Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Polished Aluminium Leather Top Bench in the Manner of Milo Baughman
Located in Stamford, CT
A 20th century polished aluminium bench with recent leather top in the style of Milo Baughman.
Category
20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Aluminum
Carol Egan, Sculptural Hand-Carved Bench, United States, 2013
By Carol Egan
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural hand-carved bench is part of a line of contemporary furniture designed by blending digital technology with fine traditional craftsmanship. Carved of mahogany, the sto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches
Materials
Walnut
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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