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Mid-Century Modern Chairs

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Black
Mid Century Modern Max Fellerer Eugen Wörle Vintage Garden Chair Steel 1948
By Max Fellerer & Eugen Wörle
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage garden chair from green lacquered tubular steel. Designed for the public bathing beach "Gänsehäufel" in Vienna, circa 1...
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Lounge Chair, Steel
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34 lounge chair features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Frank Mariani Leather Desk Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Frank Mariani for PACE Furniture Collection Desk Chair, Tilt swivel with adjustable height on five star polished cast aluminum base.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Aluminum

Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA Pair of black Armchairs, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Very rare pair of armchairs from Gastone Rinaldi with its original upholstery. This rare couple of chairs is in its original condition with some small signs of use but very authentic...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Sofa, Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34/3 sofa features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, Denm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Hans Wegner GE-34 Sofa, Brushed Steel
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34/3 sofa features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, Denm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Two Brown Armchairs in the Manner of Marco Zanuso, Ladychairs, Italy
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchairs - Italy, 1950s. This piece is identically constructed to the Lady chair, a design by Marco Zanuso, only the base of the chair differs. The arm...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hans Wegner Century 2000 Lounge Chair, Down Top
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the Century 2000 lounge chair features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouvé Side Chair
Located in Stockton, NJ
Side chair for Martel de Janville Sanatorium, Plateau d'Assy. Ateliers Jean Prouvé, France, 1936.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Rare Armchairs by Walter Coons for Clark & Burchfield
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of bronze powder-coated steel armchairs by California Designer Walter Coons for Clark & Burchfield.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Baker Occasional Chairs in Black Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
This pair of stunning occasional chairs were realized by Baker in the United States, circa 1960. They feature an abstracted geometric Greek Key design that comprises the arms as well...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Lacquer

Unusual Vintage Cantilever Blue Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern lounge chair with a flat bar metal base and royal blue velvet fabric. The uniquely shaped armrests ensure maximum comfort without sacrificing style. A ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hans Wegner GE 236 3-Seat Sofa, Lacquered Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1955, the 236 sofa features unparalleled craftsmanship and ergonomics. Flawless joinery throughout. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Sofa, Brushed Steel
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34/3 sofa features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, Denm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Loveseat, Stained Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34 loveseat features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, De...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Loveseat, Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for Getama in 1957, the GE 34 loveseat features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at Getama’s factory in Gedsted, De...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Loveseat, Lacquered Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34 loveseat features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, De...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Loveseat, Brushed Steel
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34 loveseat features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, De...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Maison Jansen, Set of two chairs and a table, iron, circa 1970, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Maison Jansen, Set of two chairs and a round table, Black lacquered iron and golden brass, With cane decoration, Table with curved base, circa 1970, France Measures: Chairs: depth...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Iron

Herman Miller Vintage Eames DKX Chair Black Upholstered Padded Vinyl Wire Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Eames upholstered DKX wire frame chair for Herman Miller on its original low black base. Item features believed to be an original 1st edition ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Modern Vinyl Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great pair of white midcentury chairs by The Bunting Co. featured in vinyl cushions. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Hans Wegner GE-34 Sofa, Stained Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34/3-sofa features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, Denm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner GE-34 Sofa, Lacquered Oak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA in 1957, the GE 34/3 sofa features clean, modern lines perfect for any home or office. The chair is hand built at GETAMA’s factory in Gedsted, Denm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Robert Haussmann De Sede Rh 305 Highback Chair Black
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Robert Haussmann RH 305 armchair design of 1957 and manufactured by De Sede. Black aniline leather an a chrome steel frame. This is a Classic Swiss design cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Kaare Klint Armchair Dark Stained Oak and Original Patinated Niger Leather 1930s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
KAARE KLINT AND RUD RASMUSSEN SNEDKERIER - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A rare Kaare Klint armchair with profiled legs in dark stained oak, brass nailheads, original patinated niger leather...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

20th Century Italian Vintage Brass Armchair, 1970-1980
Located in Paris, FR
A beautifully crafted 20th-century statement large vintage armchair or side accent chair composed of polished solid gold brass and designed with...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Set of Six Chrome Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs with Arm Milo Baughman Style
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of six Mid-Century Modern chrome dining chairs with ultra suede upholstery.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Mid-Century Modern James Mont Style Black Lacquer Armchairs by Century
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of unique vintage James Mont style armchairs feature stylish sculpted backs, brass feet, comfortable seats, and make a great addition to any interior space. Please confirm ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

"La Fonda" C. Eames by H. Miller Space Age Design Fiberglass Shell Two Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Black fiberglass shell seat Aluminium base.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Chairs by Louis Paolozzi For Zol, New Upholstered
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of chairs by Louis Paolozzi for Zol, new upholstered.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Borge Mogensen 3171 Bench, Black Lacquer, Fabric
Located in Berkeley, CA
Børge Mogensen designed this solid wood dining bench in 1956. With its robust simplicity the bench is an ideal example of Mogensen’s lifelong drive f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Scoop Lounge Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of lounge chairs with chrome frames and new upholstery in Donghia Skyline/Charcoal.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Flat-Bar Chrome Dining Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
Located in Dallas, TX
These hard to find and highly coveted set of original flat bar dining chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, circa 1976. The chairs ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Modernist Metal Garden Chairs with Dedar Milano Seat Cushion
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Meticulously restored and powder-coated black Seat cushion upholstered in Dedar Milano outdoor 'Pool' houndstooth fabric (Col. 3 Nero) 8 x Chairs Availab...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

1950s Black Ebonized Compass Side Chair After Allan Gould or Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century American Modern 'Compass' accent chair in the Manner of Allan Gould and Pierre Jeanneret. Item features a solid wood frame, original black ebonized finish, sculpt...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

"P16" armchair pair, designed by Gastone Rinaldi and manufactured by Rima, Italy
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Gastone Rinaldi, as a renowned designer, has created a piece of furniture with the "P16" armchair pair that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The combination of comfort ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather

1950s by Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA Midcentury Italian Design Pair of Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
1950s by Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA midcentury Pair of chairs black sky and black metal.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Three Vintage Swiveling Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 Vintage Swiveling Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller. One black, one gray and one dark yellow.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Borge Mogensen 3236 Dining Chair, Black Lacquer, Leather
Located in Berkeley, CA
Børge Mogensen’s evolution of ‘The People’s Chair’ – Designed in 1956 and dimensioned as a generously proportioned and sophisticated upholstered dining chair.    
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

6 Dining Chairs in Lucite and Chrome by Charles Hollis Jones, Metric Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of 6 Lucite and chrome dining chairs from the Metric collection by Charles Hollis Jones 5 upholstered in black vinyl and 1 upholstered in white vinyl. The chairs date ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of Six Chrome and Saddle Leather Dinning Chairs Attributed to CY Mann
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare set of six polished chrome and black saddle leather dining chairs attributed to CY Mann. According to the person that we purchased this from, they were originally purchased from...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Treniq the Royal Air Force RAF Uniform Armchair Rare Unique Find
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this brand new Royal Air Force uniform armchair from Treniq. And specification: The Royal Air Force uniform armchair is a delightful little ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Super Slick Pair of Thonet Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Thonet tub chairs in great original condition. We believe they are upholstered in leather, however it's possible the upholstery is actually vi...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Armchair by Mario Bellini
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sublimely spare and masterfully constructed arm or dining chair having a lean rectilinear form wrapped in supple oiled leather with piping, zippered side panels and a down-filled ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Vintage Metal Violin Chair in the Style of Arman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage side chair features the unique design of Fernandez Arman, drawing inspiration from the violin. Unique feet resemble the instruments headstock while the seat and b...
Category

Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Vintage Modern Italian Lucite Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern style Lucite chair featuring chrome legs and upholstered cushion. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Set of Two Mid-Century Modern Silvered and Leather Chairs
Located in London, GB
These two chairs are designed and executed with the sleek, minimal design of French modernism. They are crafted with chic, curving silvered metal which takes an X-form. Between the s...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Cy Mann Chrome Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Chrome lounge chair by Cy Mann with new "suede" Upholstery.
Category

19th Century American Antique Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Wrought Iron Armchair after Weinberg
Located in New York, NY
Stylish midcentury wrought iron armchair design after Weinberg, or Umanoff, probably manufactured by Woodard. Measures: seat H 16.5 arm H 25. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Pai...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Edward Wormley Chairs
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Edward Wormley Dark Walnut and off white cord chairs for Drexel co,fabric in and off white ultra suede.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Hans Wegner 1788 Easy Chair, Black Laquered Oak and Leather
Located in Berkeley, CA
Hans Wegner designed the sophisticated 1788 armchair in 1963. The lightweight wooden design with interchangeable cushions is ideal for both exclusive public spaces and private homes....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

The Philodendron Leaf Lounge Chair in Solid Brass by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Philodendron Leaf Lounge Chair is one-of-a-kind, edition of 8 and is a beautifully crafted hand-forged brass sculpture. The Philodendron leaf shape lent itself perfectly to mak...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of 4 AP 40 Airport Chairs by Hans Wegner for AP Stolen, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The Airport chair, model AP40, is a design from 1959 by Hans J. Wegner for the Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen. It was produced by the company AP Stolen. These cha...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Original Edition Nagasaki Chair by Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
A highly rare original Mathieu Matégot "Nagasaki" chair designed in 1954 and one of his best known creations. It incarnates the innovative techniques Matégot is praised for: The thre...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Chairs Designed by Marc and Pierre Simon
By Marc and Pierre Simon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model "Deauville" designed for the liner France in 1962, edited by Airborne.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Borge Mogensen 3236 Dining Chair, Black Lacquer, Leather
Located in Berkeley, CA
Børge Mogensen’s evolution of ‘The People’s Chair’ – Designed in 1956 and dimensioned as a generously proportioned and sophisticated upholstered dining chair.                 
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

1958, Eames, EA 107 for Vitra, Static Non Swivel Black Net Weave
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Mid-century Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA, and Fritz Hansen. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $84 and tops out at $244,500 while the average work can sell for $2,904.

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