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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
Creator: Thonet
Mart Stam Cognac Leather and Chrome Dining Chairs for Thonet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four Cantilevered Cognac leather and chrome dining chairs, designed by Mart Stam for Thonet, circa 1970s. They retain their war...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

1970s Antonin Suman Set of Four Dining Chair by TON
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered white boucle fabric - high of seat 46 cm
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Six Midcentury Cane Bentwood Chair After Thonet 209, 1950s
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
They are in very good condition, ready to use. Very good structure and seat shaft. The chairs after Thonet is from the years 1950s The 6 chairs are in very good condition, ready to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Solid Beechwood and Cane no. 210 Armchair
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Chair nr 210 designed by Gebrüder Thonet in 1900, (as well as nr 209) of renown designer Le Corbusier. This chair is made in Czechoslovakia (pre WW2 factory of Thonet). New cane c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wicker, Cane, Bentwood

1970s Beech Bentwood Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - The height of armrests is 70cm - high of seat 46 cm
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood, Fabric

Le Corbusier for Thonet Mid Century Bentwood Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Countryside, IL
Le Corbusier for Thonet mid century bentwood dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 21 wide x 22 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 19 i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Set of Four 1950's Dining Chairs by Thonet
Located in Brno, CZ
A set of Mid Century Modern dining chairs, designed and produced by Thonet Furniture Company in the 1950’s Czechoslovakia. These chairs were designed with a clear influence of Scan...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

1970s Antonin Suman Chair By TON
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly reupholstered - Height of seat 47 cm
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

1970s Beech Bentwood Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - The height of armrests is 70cm
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Bentwood, Beech

1970s Antonin Suman Set of Four Dining Chair by TON
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered grey boucle fabric - high of seat 46 cm
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Bouclé

1970s Antonin Suman Chair by TON in Zinc Fabric
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered in Zinc luxury fabric :SOL silver grey
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of 1960s Mid-Century Thonet B 751 Wood Folding Chairs
Located in Carimate, Como
Pair of folding chairs model B751 designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Thonet, manufactured in the early 1960s at the Thonet factory in Radomsko (central Poland). Chairs ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

1970s Antonin Suman Chair by TON in Kirkby Fabric
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered in Zinc luxury fabric :SOL silver grey
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Thonet Bent Chairs made by ZPM Radomsko
Located in Prato, IT
This no.18 chair was designed by Gebrüder Thonet around 1875 and was one of the most popular chairs of Thonet. This set of 4 chairs was manufactured by ZPM Radomsko in the 1960s. The...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Oak

1960s Oswald Haerdtl Chair by TON Czechoslovakia, Up to 12 pieces
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of stained beech wood and beech plywood - The wooden parts have been repolished - Armrests 64
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood

1960s Set of 6 Oswald Haerdtl Dining Chairs by TON Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of stained beech wood and beech plywood - The wooden parts have been repolished - Armrests 64 cm - dimensions of chairs without armrests: 82x(47)x44x55cm
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Set of 4 1960s Mid-Century Thonet B 751 Wood Folding Chairs
Located in Carimate, Como
I offer a set of four folding chairs model B751 designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Thonet, manufactured in the early 1960s at the Thonet factory in Radomsko (central Po...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

1950s Pair of B751 Folding Chair from Thonet/Ligna, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use - Ligna is a nationalized Thonet factory after the Second World War - Stamped Ligna
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s It is a classic but very elegant model of chairs, made with the famous technique of bending beech using water vapor. An icon ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Chair Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Thonet Barrel Back Club Chair in Mohair
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a beautifully restored chair by Thonet. New upholstery and cushioning. In a faux snakeskin print.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Sedie Praga in legno e paglia di Vienna di Josef Hoffmann per Ligna 1970 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Set da dieci sedie con braccioli note come modello Praga o 811, con struttura in legno con finitura colore nero opaco, braccioli curvati e paglia di Vienna...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Wood

Chairs Thonet 209, Pair of Cane and Black Bentwood , 1940s or 1950s
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the years between 1950-1960 This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Four Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Perfect original condition, museum pieces. It is rare to find 4 chairs in this condition, including the original upholstery. Also interesting is the unique and very well-preserved su...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Textile

Midcentury Thonet Bentwood Upholstered Chair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Midcentury Thonet bentwood upholstered chair. Single chair with Classic midcentury design with bentwood base. Neutral cream Naugah...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Naugahyde, Wood, Bentwood

Thonet Cane and Black Ebonized Bentwood Chair After Thonet 209
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the years between 1950s This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has no...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Bentwood 'Chair of the Rings' Chair by Martino Gamper for Thonet / Conran
Located in Surbiton, GB
Sculptural bentwood 'Chair of the Rings' chair designed by Martin Gamper and produced by Thonet in 2008. Gamper was invited by Polly Dickens, creative director of the Conran Shop, ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Modernist Maple Josef Frank Fabric Eight Dining Chairs Karl Schwanzer, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist Mid-Century Modern vintage eight ( 8 ) dining chairs or chairs from maple wood in honey brown color tone by Karl Schwanzer for Thonet 1953 Vienna. A gorgeous set of eight (...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Maple

Thonet Chair HO. 41, 1905s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet chair HO 41, restored in good condition. Designed by Michael Thonet.
Category

Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plywood

1980s Set of Four Dining Chairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare model - carefully refurbished - newly upholstered - heigh of seat 45 cm
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 6, Mid Century Cow Hide Upholstered Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, 1950s
Located in Basel, BS
These make an incredible opportunity for a complete rare hard to find set of beautiful early American Made, Mid Century Thonet chairs after Eames. Stunning, very cool authentic Bruno Weil...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Cowhide

Austrian Midcentury Beech Stacking Chairs by Karl Schwanzer for Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
This set of two Austrian Midcentury stackable plywood chairs have been designed by one of the most important Austrian Midcentury Modern Architects Karl Schwanzer and manufactured by ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Childs Chair by David Rowland for Thonet
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Presenting a truly rare and exceptional piece of design history - the Child's Softech Chair, designed by the renowned David Rowland for Thonet...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of four chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet.
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid century dining chairs by Radomír Hofman, 1960´s, set of 2
Located in Prague 8, CZ
An interesting model of mid century upholstered bentwood dining chairs designed by Radomír Hofman for TON Bystrice pod Hostýnem (Thonet successor in Cze...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Bentwood, Plywood

Cocktail Chair, Thonet, Vienna, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The relatively small cocktail chair covered with a firm vinyl cover, the seams of which are stabilised by a piping strip. The backrest is not only decorated with upholstery nails in the lower arch, but also reinforced. The chairs stand sturdily on light beechwood legs. Original condition. Please note that upholstered chairs from the 1950s like to have a lower seat height of 41 to...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

1960s Ton/Thonet Beech Armchair, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 39cm
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery, Beech

1980s Beech Dining or Side Chair by Ton, Up to 20 Pieces
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - the chairs are stackable - material used : beech bentwood and plywood - height of seat 45 cm.
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Set of Two Bentwood Chairs, Ton 1989
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of wood, fabric - the fabric has some signs of use - good, original condition. - seat height 47 cm.
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Two '2' Minimalist Thonet Floating Walnut Armless Chairs, c. 1960s
Located in Deland, FL
A limited production by Thonet from the early 1960s. This minimal set draws influences from period designs by the likes of American Designers like Jens Risom and also from Danish Mod...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Set of Two '2' Bentwood Slipper Chairs in Original Fabric by Thonet, USA, 1940s
Located in Deland, FL
Comfort. Vintage fabric. Captivating bentwood legs. These two slipper chairs are the perfect addition to any space needing a pop of color and/or a minimal footprint. The original yel...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Mid-Century Design Chair No.515 by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Mid-century design chair no.515 by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet.
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Set of Four '4' Slipper Chairs in Original Yellow Plaid Wool Fabric by Thonet
Located in Deland, FL
Comfort. Vintage fabric. Captivating bentwood legs. These four slipper chairs are the perfect addition to any space needing a pop of color or a min...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

1970's Vintage Retro 6 Gert de Lange for Thornet ''The Flex'' Chairs
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 8 chairs designed by Gert De Lange and made by Thornet, the chair was call ''The Flex'' chair and was awarded the 'Gute Form' price in 1969, black...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Set of Five Chairs by Thonet, Vienna
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of five Thonet chairs. The chairs was made by Thonet in 1984 of dark lacquered wood and grey seat and back with silver upholstery nails. A new cover is necessary, otherwise ...
Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Folding Chair, Thonet, 1920's
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of wood - good, original condition.
Category

1920s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Fully Restored Thonet Office Chair, 1930s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This chair was made by Thonet in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1930´s. THONET brand embossed on the underside of the seat. The chair was renovated and is in excellent condition. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Thonet Chair 404 in Black Wood and Leather
Located in Brussels , BE
Thonet chair 404 in black wood and leather.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Thonet Chair in Birch and Plastic by Gerd Lange, West-Germany, 1973
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Designer: Gerd Lange Manufacturer: THONET Model: Flex chair Material: Birch / Plastic Design period: 1973 Size in cm: 49 x 49 x 79 seat height 46cm. Condition: Good...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic, Birch

Mid-Century Design Black Armchairs
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Black mid-century design armchairs by TON Bystrice pod Hostýnem 1950s. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category

1950s Slovak Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

4 Mid Century Rocking Chairs by Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and rare model Thonet wood, aluminum and vinyl rocking chairs, total of four available, three in green vinyl, one in turquoise vinyl uphol...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage 1980s Chrome Bar Stools by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
Located in San Antonio, TX
Designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, this beautiful pair of chrome bar stools feature Chiseled in Travertine upholstery by Knoll textiles, creating a unique and timeless design. Both...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of Four Chairs, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Maker Ton, Bystrice pod Hostýnem - Retro style, Expo 58, Brusel - Made in Czechoslovakia - Very good, original condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Midcentury Set of 5 Thonet High Back Bentwood Dining Chairs
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Set of 5 !!!!! Thonet high back bentwood beech chairs. Solid and stabile. Signed. Fabric can be changed easily.
Category

1980s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Rare Thonet Deck Chair Model 480, circa 1930
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rare deck chair manufactured by Thonet with original upholstery, circa 1930. The chair is possible to reclinate and to fold it totally. Beechwood and fabric. Labeled in the backside with Thonet G80. In great vintage condition, preserving a beautiful patina with some minor scratches in the fabric. One of the handles is new. First design named Siesta chair designed by Hans and Wassily...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Stacking Chairs by Karl Schwanzer, Thonet, Austria, 1950s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A rare set of two Viennese stacking chairs made of brown stained wood designed by Austrian architect Prof. Karl Schwanzer and manufactured by Thonet in the 1950s. This chair was des...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech

Thonet, Set of 3 Chairs, France, 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Set of 3 chairs variant of the CM 190 edited by Thonet, France, 1950. Seat in black faux leather, black lacquered tubular structure and back in curved ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

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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