Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Brazil, 1954 Manufactured by Unilabor Iron tubular structure, fabric upholstery Literature: Mo´vel Brasileiro Moderno, FGV Projetos, Rio de Janeiro, 2012, p. 186-187; Nadia Simo...

Turned chairs — sometimes called thrown chairs or spindle chairs — represent a style of Elizabethan or Jacobean turned furniture that had a vogue in late 16th and early 17th century England, New England and Holland. The technique was carried on to the 20th century and was widespread in Europe as well, where craftsmen created durable pieces for various interiors and purposes. These chairs were designed by French designer, Charles Dudouyt, who originally created this pair of small carved chairs as ‘fireside’ chairs, hence the “chaises basses...

Roland Rainer, pair of dining chairs, stained beech, lacquered beech, Austria, 1950s. These dining chairs have a minimalistic design, distinguished by an open construction style wit...

This beautiful early midcentury pair of carver chairs combines historic elements with an organic design. Using natural materials and traditional techniques, the resulting aesthetic i...

Roland Rainer, dining chairs, stained beech, lacquered beech, Austria, 1950s These dining chairs have a minimalistic design, distinguished by an open construction style with emphasi...

Asko's present model “2464” chair charms with its curved shape. Better known as Marketta, this rare piece features a beech frame and a padded, upholstered seat. This chair makes a st...

Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, set of four model 72 chairs, in chrome and leather fabric, United States, 1948. Set of four organic shaped chairs designed by Eero Saarinen. ...

Pair of Easy Chairs and Stool in Jacaranda and Leather by Sergio Rodrigues, 1957 Additional Information: Material: Jacaranda and leather Style: Mid century, Brazil Rare pair of...

Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, set of four 'Thibault' dining chairs, oak, wool, France, 1960s. These chairs have characteristic frames with tapered legs and a sculptural ba...

Sofa in Jacaranda and Leather by Sergio Rodrigues, 1957 Additional Information: Material: Jacaranda and leather Style: Mid century, Brazil Rare sofa model Mole Produced in Bra...

An "Oxford" arm chair in white leather upholstery with a high back and a cast aluminum 5 point base with casters. Height adjustable +/- 5".

Dining chairs, wood, dark green leatherette, The Netherlands, 1960s. Modest set of twelve dining chairs. Its design shows clear lines and an open backseat. The dark green leatheret...

Armchair ‘The Red Chair’ Model 3758A designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark, 1930s. Mahogany, leather upholstery, and brass. This example was produced after 1930. The design detailing of this magnificent chair...

Stunning bamboo chairs designed by Lyda Levi in 1970 ca. The chairs can be paired with the whole set including two sofas, a set of 10 chairs, one large coffee table, two armchairs ...

Stools or footstools, fiberglass, coated steel, Europe, 1960s This stool embodies a minimalist aesthetic, characterized by its straightforward design with streamlined contours and...

Set of four dining chairs, stained beech, cane, Italy, 1970s. Set of four quirky Italian dining chairs. These chairs feature a dark stained wooden frame with a modest gloss finish ...

Douglas Brown for Grand Ledge Chair Company, highback chair, teak, cane, reupholstered fabric, United States, 1950s. Very elegant high back ...

Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Sawmill, set of six dining chairs, pine, Denmark, 1970s Beautiful, organic and natural dining chairs in solid pine designed by Rainer Daumiller. A simplistic design with a round seating...

Set of four barstools, chrome-plated metal, metal, leatherette, Europe, 1960s. Set of four eccentric barstools executed in black lacquered metal with ...

Set of twelve dining chairs, wood, fabric, Italy, 1970s This lovely set of Italian dining chair has a strong resemblance to Augusto Savin...

Tito Agnoli for Molteni, set of four 'Fiorenza' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1968 These chairs are an excellent example of Italian Mid-Century design. The back is slight...

Armchairs, ash, fabric, Italy, 1960s. Sturdy Italian armchairs in solid ash and beige checkered pattern upholstery. The x-shaped design elevates the overall elegancy of this rustic...

Gigi Sabadin for Stilwood, set of four dining chairs, ash plywood, Italy, 1970s. An inventive design by the Italian Gigi Sabadin, these chairs are made of bent plywood with a veneer...

Armchair model 4488 designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark, 1930s. Mahogany, ebony, cane, and black horsehair upholstery with cognac leather piping. Klint thought...

Stool model 927 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany and rattan. Measures: H: 43 cm W: 43 cm D: 28 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”. Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design. Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style. What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist. Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best sellers long after Frank was forced to hand the company over in 1938 after the Third Reich annexation of Austria. When Josef and Anna had moved to Sweden Frank had struck up a working relationship with Design shop owner Estrid Ericson. Ericson was the proprietor of Svenskt Tenn that at this point was a successful interiors shop in Stockholm with the royal warrant of appointment to the Swedish Royal Household. In 1935 Frank had become the chief designer for Svenskt Tenn and had set about putting all of his creative effort into his designs for the company. At the World Expositions in Paris in 1937 and New York in 1939 the world saw for the first time the wealth of products that Frank had been working on, ranging from candlesticks to cabinets, there was not a domestic object that Frank had not subjected to his colourful, comfortable and organic style of Modernism. Frank’s new school of Modernism championed ideas such as chairs having a freeing, open back and that “If one desires the room to be comfortable…all pieces of furniture should allow for a free view of the separating line between the floor and the wall. A cabinet without legs breaks this line and thus reduces the feeling of space.” A world-wide audience tired of classic Modernism’s furniture with solid planes and aggressive forms leapt upon these ideas and Franks natural and bright designs for Svenskt Tenn became internationally desired. Frank created over 2000 designs for Svenskt Tenn and his products continue to be the core of their brand. Frank’s rejections of tubular metal and heavy lacquers within his furniture have insured his unique light form of Modernism continues to influence and flourish today. His natural toned mahogany and walnut pieces along with his tactile leather covered and brightly shaded lighting still bring the forms of nature back into the home. Original Frank pieces are now increasingly rare, highly desirable and are the epitome of “Scandinavian Design”. Renowned Designer and Academic Isle Crawford...

A vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...

Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, set of six dining chairs, oak, fabric, France, 1960s. These chairs have characteristic frames with tapered legs and a sculptural back with a ...

A pair of armchairs designed by Kurt Östervig for Brande Möbelindustri, Denmark, 1960s. Rosewood and leather. Dimensions: H: 7...

Set of twelve dining chairs, beech, straw, France, 1960s. Set of twelve beautiful French dining chairs executed in beech and straw. The design of these chairs is interesting because...

PK 9 dining chair by Poul Kjærholm in patinated, black leather with steel frame. circa 1960s Denmark.

Stool designed by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, Denmark, 1950s. Brazilian rosewood and leather. Marked. Dimensions: H: 50 cm / 19 3/4'' W: 56 cm / 22'' D: 4...

Dining chair, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s A delicate chair that is well-proportioned and will elevate one's interior in a vigorous and strong way. The wooden frame is composed o...

Rare set of six chairs attributed to Adrien Audox and Frida Minet. The chairs are made of beechwood and wooden abaca rope seat and back. The legs present typical Audoux Minet carved ...

Chair ‘Spade’ model FD 133 designed by Finn Juhl for Frankrike & Søn, Denmark, 1954. Teak and fabric. Marked. Juhl initially wanted to be an art historian, but his father doubted the financial prospects of the profession. The compromise was that Juhl would become an architect, instead. Throughout his life, Juhl was continuously inspired by contemporary art, particularly by the artists Henry Moore, Jean Arp, Barbara Hepworth, Erik Thommesen, and Vilhelm Lundstrøm...

Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Savvaerk, set of six armchairs, pine, Denmark, 1970s. Beautiful set of six organic and natural armchairs in solid pine. A simplistic design with a rou...

This artisanal tripod chair is unique both visually and with regard to its material. Resin furniture of the 1970s are quite rare as most were made by hand, as mass production is almo...

This tripod chair has a simple composition that mixes the aesthetics of rural handicraft with international modernism. While many postwar French designers were embracing new indus...

This pair of chairs might seem bold and rugged at first glance, however, at closer inspection, it is clear that the design is very well-thought-out; the lines are precisely sculpted,...

Vico Magistretti for Cassina, set of eight dining chairs, model '122', walnut, velvet, 1967 This Italian set designed by Vico Magistretti features a remarkable sculpted back that is...

Set of six dining chairs model 2027 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany, leather and brass. Josef Frank developed his characteristic style combining e...

Among the many excellent European Mid-Century Modern designs, some were well-known for their flair for the dramatic, which becomes evident upon looking at this set of six accent chai...

Stool designed by Ingvar Kamprad for Habitat, Sweden. 2004. Lacquered pine. Stamped. Measurements: H: 36 cm / 1' 2" Diameter: 32 cm / 1' 1/2".

Easy chair designed by Alvar Andersson for Ferdinand Lundquist & Co, Sweden, 1940s. Textile and birch. Marked. H: 89 cm / 2' 11'' W: 71 cm / 2' 4'' D: 69 cm / 2' 3 1/4'' SH: 43 cm...

Janine Abraham and Dirk-Jan Rol for Edition Rougier sculptural woven rattan lounge chair on black enameled steel frame and tripod legs with round ivory bouclé cushion, France, 1950s....

Pierre Gautier-Delaye, pair of stools, beech, France, 1960s This subtle and modest stool is executed in stained beechwood. The seating area is divided into two organically shaped sl...

Manufactured by Arflex Brass, fabric upholstery Bibliografia Literature: G. Gramigna, Repertorio del design italiano per l'arredamento ...

Set of six model PK9 dining chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s. Leather and steel. Stamped. Dimensions: H: 75.5 cm / 2' 1/2" W: 56 cm / 1' 8"...

Armchair ‘Eva High’ designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1960. Birch framing, braided leather upholstery and a textile neck pillow. Stampe...

Armchair, anonymous, Sweden, 1940s. Fabric and birch. Measurements: H: 100 cm / 3’ 3 1/2’’ W: 66 cm / 2’ 2’’ D: 92 cm / 3’ 1/4’’ SH: 47 cm / 18 1/2’’ AH: 59 cm / 23 1/4’’

Dining patio chairs, lacquered steel, Italy, 1960s This collection of patio chairs from Italy has a strikingly refined design that is emblematic of the quintessential Italian patio ...

A set of (8) upholstered dining chairs on solid teak bases. Requires new upholstery.

This Arts and Crafts chair is perhaps the most well-known model of German designer, Albert Haberer. The flexible backrest made of thin spindles, held together with the woven leather ...

Ton, set of twelve armchairs, bentwood, fabric upholstery, beech, Czech Republic, 1960s This elegant set of dining chairs, manufactured by Ton, features a wonderful bentwood frame. ...

Set of twelve dining chairs ‘Darby’ designed by Torbjörn Afdal for Bruksbo. Norway, 1960s. Rosewood and leather. This dining chair model 'Darby' is simple yet elegant with a s...

Stool designed by Stig Lönngren, Sweden, 1947. Teak and leather. Stig Lönngren (1924-2022) received his carpentry qualifications in 1946. He went on to...

Set of six dining chairs, stained oak, brass, metal, France, 1960s Characteristic set of six French dining chairs. Modestly decorated, the rounded gap in the backrest gets an import...

Set of four dining chairs model 2027 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany and leather. Together with Estrid Ericson and her furnishing company, Svenskt...

Paco Muñoz for Darro, pair of 'Riaza' chairs for children, samara, leather, metal, Spain, 1960s This strong and sturdy low lounge chair is designed by Pa...