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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: Late 20th Century
Karl Springer Modern Leather Bench
Located in New York, NY
Modern leather surfaced bench with waterfall rounded armrests, made by Karl Springer in 1987. Signed and dated by the designer. The piece is in great vintage condition with age-appro...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Leather
Custom White Biomorphic White Canvas Duck Upholstered Bench and or Settee
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful custom backless channeled floating organic kidney shaped bench and or settee is re-upholstered with white duck canvas. There are 7 t...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Ripple Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. We reupholstered them in snakeskin velvet. Perfect for an entryway or master bedroom
Category
1990s American Modern Benches
Materials
Velvet
Pair of Maui sofas by Vico Magistretti for Kartell
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of maui sofas by vico magistretti for kartell circa 1980.
Designed by well known italian architect and furniture designer vico magistretti (1920 - 2006)
Moulded plastic seats standing on tubular chromed legs...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Postmodern Steel Bench, two available
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern cotton steel bench with shelf underneath. Heavy and very sturdy. Two benches available. Please contact 1stdibs for international quotes.
Category
1990s American Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Karl Springer Stunning "Round Leg Lucite Bench" 1980s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made “Round Leg Lucite Bench” with polished brass stretchers and upholstered seat by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Springer” on front of stretcher). Brass...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Brass
Vintage Modern Aero Bench Styled after Lievore Altherr Molina for Sellex
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Modern Aero Bench Styled after Lievore Altherr Molina for Sellex
This wonderful aluminum bench was styled after one for Lievore Altherr Molina's Spanish design consultation ...
Category
1990s Spanish Modern Benches
Materials
Aluminum
Knoll International Green Capitonné Leather Steel feet Benches
By Knoll
Located in IT
Knoll International benches in green capitonné leather and steel feet. There are 2 benches and they have been completely restored both in the padding and reupholstered with new green...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Pair Mastercraft Contemporary Brass And Upholstered Benches Footstools
By Mastercraft
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Contemporary Brass And Upholstered benches / Stools / Footstools attributed to Mastercraft of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Recently reup...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Brass
George Koch Sons Chrome-Plated Steel Silk Velvet Upholstered Stool / Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
George Koch Sons Chrome-Plated Steel and Silk-Velvet Upholstered Stool / Bench. Velvet Upholstered. Clean and very solid.
Measures 19.5" i...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Brass
Chrome Bench with Magenta Pink Seat Milo Baughman Style
Located in New York, NY
A chrome bench with upholstered magenta pink seat, '60s '70s Modern / Hollywood Regency style, after designer Milo Baughman, circa late-20th century, USA. A single seat bench with a ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Chrome
Post Modern Ripple Wave Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International, 1980s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an authentic, vintage "Ripple" bench, designed by the pioneering and trailblazing Laurinda Hope Spear. Featuring its original burnt orange knit fabric, instantly recogniz...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric
Karl Springer Pair of Rare JMF Benches in Ox Blood Goatskin with Cushions 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare sculptural “J.M.F. Benches” in oxblood lacquered goatskin with seat cushions by Karl Springer, American 1970's. These exquisite benches are stunning in every way. Newl...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Goatskin, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Polished Steel and Leather Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Upholstered Beige Leather Bench with polished steel legs and edge.
Supported underneath with a steel cross frame. Excellent quality, heavy, sturdy...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
American Designer, Large Organic Bench, Fabric, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A large organic off white bouclé fabric over wood bench designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
Condition: Reupholstered in brand new fabric.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Wood
1989 Antonio Citterio for Vitra Area Montage Daybed Bench Sofa w/ Black Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original Montage, Area Series daybed/sofa, designed by Antonio Citterio for Vitra. This design was produced in 1988 and continued in production for a few years ...
Category
1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Vintage Pair Parsons Benches Stools Ottomans Newly Upholstered Coral Quadrille
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful pair of vintage 1970s parsons benches stools ottomans. In the style of Billy Baldwin. These have been newly upholstered a beautiful coral Quadrille fabric...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Upholstery
Rustic Solid oak benches -sold separately
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W60 D21 H32.5 SW60 SD13 SH17
Rustic Solid oak benches sold separately. These primitive benches have been restored, filled and sealed. Both benches are heavy and structurally sound. ...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Driftwood
Stainless Steel Bench by Vladimir Kagan for Gucci, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, PA
A stunning modernist stainless steel bench designed by Vladimir Kagan for Gucci, 1990s. This versatile bench would work in any interior, wheth...
Category
1990s American Modern Benches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Lucite Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Go retro with this transparent Lucite bench. Its ¾ inch thick Lucite material makes it sturdy, and ideal as a single-seat bench, vanity seat or foot stool.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Benches
Materials
Lucite
1984 Herman Miller Eames 3734 T&em Four Seater Arm Shell Bench in Gray Naugahyde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Herman Miller Eames Tandem four seater bench, model 3734 base and 3730 top, designed by Ray and Charles Eames. This set was manufactu...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Panca o divanetto Vienna in metallo di Rodney Kinsman per Bieffeplast 1980 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Divano o panca modello Vienna con struttura con braccioli dal profilo curvo, in metallo a sezione tonda con finitura in grigio opaco, schienale e seduta imbottiti e rivestiti nel lor...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Metal
Vintage Chrome Over Steel X Frame Bench With White Boucle Upholstered Seat
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely vintage chromed steel X frame bench is from the 80's and has been re-upholstered in an off white boucle fabric for the top as a sling seat. It remains modern and it has e...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Hannes Wettstein for Cassina Xen Cabinet Bench
Located in New York, NY
Hannes Wettstein (Swiss, 1958-2008) for Cassina, 1990's Xen Cabinet Bench L15 (designed) in beechwood stained cherrywood on a coated steel base.
Dimensions: 26.75"H x 39.25"W x 17.7...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Steel
Vintage Modern Verner Panton Pantonova Chrome Wire Cubes Set of 4
By Vitra, Verner Panton
Located in Topeka, KS
Iconic vintage modern set of four chrome wire Pantonova cubes by Verner Panton. These have been attributed based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that they are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. One cube had loose welds and was repaired. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s.
NOTE: We have these listed as a set of 4 however, we would consider splitting them up.
MY, MY, MY… What have we HERE? (insert your best James Bond voice here) Cubes. Chrome Cubes. LOL! Ok, more like we have a FABULOUS set of four Verner Panton Pantanova chrome wire cubes...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Benches
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Karl Springer Style Large Waterfall Bench in Leopard Velvet & Black Leather
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Bougie leopard velvet with black leather piping 1970s Karl Springer Style Waterfall Bench coming through. Instantly delivers a sexy lux vibe to any space. Treat yourself to this deli...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage Modern Oak Bentwood & Chrome Two-Seat Settee or Bench Attr to Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage modern two-seat settee or bench of oak bentwood, chrome, and upholstery attributed to Thonet. It is in wonderful vintage condition. The wood, chrome, and fabric are ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Benches
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Bentwood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Vintage Lucite Scroll Ming Vanity Bench Stool Newly Upholstered
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing lucite vanity stool bench with castors. Beautiful ming scroll rare design. Polished and newly upholstered. Dimensions: 17 H x 22.25 W x 13.7...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Benches
Materials
Lucite
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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