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Modern Chairs

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Color:  Beige
Archibald Swivel Dining Chair in Genuine Leather Nest Salgemma Beige
Located in New York, NY
The Archibald swivel dining chair is sculpted, clean and contemporary, softened with a sartorial touch that is evident in every detail, like the sumptuous folds on the inside of the backrest upholstered in leather. Or the understated armrest that resembles a shirt collar that has been left slightly open with a casualness that is both deliberate and undeniably elegant. Or the precious contrast stitching, which discreetly and skilfully underlines the curved line of the back and profiles. The most recent addition to the Archibald collection, which ten years ago arrived on the scene as a contemporary take on the classic English tub chair, the new Archibald dining chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

Vienna Chair, in Beach Wood and Straw, Beige Full Grain Leather Padded Seat
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Vienna is an extraordinarily comfortable and elegant chair designed by Emmanuel Gallina who loves to quote Brancusi when saying that “simplicity is complexity resolved”. Inspired to the 1950s of Marcel Gascoin, but also to Vienna at the end of the 19th century. A tribute to Alfred Sloan’s American pragmatism joined to European styling and, in this particular case, to the renowned Italian talent constantly aiming to harmonize beauty and functionality. In solid beech and straw, it is a perfect combination between digital machines and handcraft. The structure is in solid beech. The back is in hand-braided Vienna straw fixed in a milling. The padded seat is upholstered and lined in different fabric categories: cotton, felt, linen, eco-leather, wool, velvet or can be coated with C.O.M. fabric. Finishing is in natural beech or beech painted walnut Canaletto. In the collection you can also find a Vienna little armchair with armrest, Vienna soft chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Beech

Diplopia Armchair in Marsala Red Lacquer, Metal Frame, by Skrivo Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Here you are shown the Diplopia armchair with the Lacquered Red Marsala metal frame and upholstery. The armchair is available for custom orders with a metal frame lacquered in white,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Leda Cushion Armchair in Black Metal Base, by Francesco Beghetto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Leda chair with is shown with an upholstered cushion and armrests, as well as in the black Metal structure. The chair is available without arms as well...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Iola Armrest Chair in Black Ashwood Base and Foam Seat, by E-ggs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iola chair comes with a seat, back and armrests in a injected flameretardant polyurethane foam covered with the listed fabrics. The structure base is available for custom orders in w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Diverge Chair in Wood Structure, Dove Gray Cushion, by Skrivo Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Diverge chair is offered in wooden ash, stained black, anthracite or walnut leg structure, with the upholstered Twins Dove Gray cotton cushion. The seat cushion is available in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Ash

GAN Rugs Grapy Soft Seat Cotton Lounge Chair in Pink by Kensaku Oshiro
Located in New York, NY
This innovative easychair is available in two different cotton fabrics, canvas and velvet, in five colour choices with reinforced seams with contrasting colours and a filling of polystyrene balls that adapt to body movement. The result an origi- nal and comfortable seat with a 100% ergonomic design. Additional Information: Material: 100% cotton. Mix of polystyrene and chopped foam rubber filling Color: Pink Technique: Sewn fabric...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

e15 Aswan Stool with Oak Waxed Base by Ferdinand Kramer
Located in New York, NY
The simple and elegant stool Aswan features a handwoven seat surface finished in a textile band or vegetable tanned leather, which is luxuriously soft and will patinate with exposure...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Brogliato Traverso Newood Light Stool in Solid Ashwood for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
BrogliatoTraverso studio has continued to amplify its celebrated family, inspired by Classic Windsor chairs, this time in two ultra-light versions: Newood Light chair and Newood Ligh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam, Ash, Beech

Jasper Morrison Lotus High Chair in Polished Chrome for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The Lotus (High), by Jasper Morrison, is part of a complete collection of chairs, envisioned to be easily adaptable for both domestic and variegated professional settings. Available ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Dwell Lounge Chair, by Hans Olsen from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
The Dwell lounge chair is a beautiful design element in itself, and just as elegant as part of a bigger conversation grouping: for example, accompanied by the sofa in the same timele...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam

Fried Egg Chair Sheep Chair, by Hans Olsen from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
A unique asymmetrical lounge chair, designed by the highly acclaimed Danish architect, Hans Olsen in the 1950s. Fried egg is also available in an exclusive anniversary edition with s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam

Progetti Tecno Modern Pair of Italian Chairs, 1980s
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Modern pair chairs series 148_S designed by Progetti Tecno, inspired by the S142 by Eugenio Gerli. Made of solid wood, reupholstered in bouclé Centro...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Saturn Chair Bronze Oxidized Steel and Cream Boucle Wool by Lara Bohinc in Stock
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The distinctive Saturn chair is a return to the split sphere concepts Bohinc originally created for her jewelry collections such as Sun and Moon (2007) an...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Modern Red Lacquered Metal Folding Chairs 1980s
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Set of four red metal folding chairs dating from the 80s. A decorative set to spice up your kitchen, dining room or even terrace. Very playful set,...
Category

1980s European Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Phillip Adams, Chair
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Wise, calm, and powerful. The Phillip Adams chair is perhaps the most respected chair of all time, its contributions to civilization and artistic awarene...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Valerie Armchair with Coral Seat and Wood Base, by Giopato & Coombes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Valerie armchair is available in an upholstered Kvadrat - Coral Steelcut Trio cushion, with a solid wood structure. Here you are offered wooden finishes in Stained Aniline, Oak, Canaletto Walnut, Beech or Lacquered. The Valerie Chair is also available as a stool or without armrests, or in additional seating upholstery's. If you are interested in a height that is not offered with this listing, please contact the dealer for further information.tructure available with or without seat-cushion, upholstered in the listed fabrics. Here you are shown the Valerie chair in oak with upholstered seat. Cristiana Giopato...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Oak

De Sede Stepped Leather Longue Chair by Christophe Marchand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-2660/101 longue chair by De Sede. Technical details: Standard configuration: Armrests covered in leather. For further versions, please inquire. If not specified otherwise, the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Solar Chair, Cream Boucle Wool Fabric and Brushed Brass Frame, by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
In this collection, Lara Bohinc develops her stellar themes, finding inspiration in planetary and lunar orbits, whose gravitationally curved trajectories drive the lines and shapes of the chairs. Constructed from thin square rod, the chairs are elegant, minimal and delicate. The Solar chair...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Brass Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Gervasoni Allu 24 I Armchair in Aluminium Frame and Woven with Natural Rawhide
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Versatile and comfortable, the Allu chair family combines the lightness and essentiality of the anodised aluminium tubular structure with a dynamic mix of textures, created by the we...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Brogliato Traverso Newood Light Chair in Solid Ashwood for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
BrogliatoTraverso studio has continued to amplify its celebrated family, inspired by Classic Windsor chairs, this time in two ultra-light versions: Newood Light chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam, Beech, Ash

Set of 3 Beige Cordoba Dining Chair with Brushed Brass Tips
Located in Frazão, Porto
Elegant and timeless design, the Córdoba velvet chair is very comfortable and engaging.? The upholstery runs through the legs, finishing with beautiful metal tips in brass. Uphols...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Customizable e15 Bessy Lounge Chair by Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
The stool bessy with its round upholstered seat is made from flexible oak-veneered plywood. Space-saving Bessy is suitable for private use as well as for contract use especially in h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

e15 Tafel Table Bench by Hans De Pelsmacker
By e15, Hans De Pelsmacker
Located in New York, NY
The table bench tafel draws special interest with its sculptural, functional appeal. Tafel is included in various museum collections. The combination of table and bench creates a uni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Opinion Ciatti Mammamia High Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia high chair with die-cast aluminium shell, steel structure and rubber-covered footrest. Lacquered, not for outdoor use. Non stackable. Available in gold structure with white,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Sled Non Stackable Chair with Armrests
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia Sled has non-stackable steel sled base with armrests. For indoor use only. Available in gold structure with option of fabric or leather upholstery.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Ola Chair in Violet 19 Beige Upholstery with Satin Brass Legs by Saba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ola family extends to the dining room: Ola chair originates from the same concept of curved sheets, each converging towards a single center point. Four sheets become two sheets f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Orbit Chair, Brushed Brass and Cream Boucle Wool Fabric, by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
With orbit chairs Lara Bohinc develops her stellar themes, finding inspiration in planetary and lunar orbits, whose gravitationally curved trajectories dri...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Multi-Color Jacquard Fabric Dining or Accent Chair by Marcel Wanders
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
The B.B collection consists of a dining table with seats, which recall Wanders' "New Antiques" collection, seeking a contrast between the weight of th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Dumbo Beige Upholstered Chair by Zaven
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dumbo is the universal padded chair, generous yet lightweight. Its backrest appears to have two ears extending from it, making it even bigger and cosier. Founded in 2006 by Enric...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Modern Liberty Armchair Low Back Aged Polished Brass and Beige Bouclé Cushions
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration: The sculptural forms of the 30s inspired the Liberty Collection. The tubular and steel structures that have marked those years are combined with a new inspiration that e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Werner Aisslinger Juli Plastic Chair with Ash Base & Plastic Shell by Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The Juli Plastic armchair, by Werner Aisslinger, reflects new experimental frontiers. Over the decades, this chair has lent itself to numerous creative and constructive interpretatio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash

Brogliato Traverso Newood Chair in Solid Ashwood Structure for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The result of a contemporary re-interpretation of the timeless charm of Windsor-style chairs. Newood chairs and stools express the successful harmony between technologically advanced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Joly Chair and Silent Butler, Yellow Velvet Seat Black Metal Made in Italy
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Joly Chairdrobe design Lorenz + Kaz, 2019 Made of gold powder-coated metal with padded cushion seat in green velvet fire class E1 (the listed version). Available in 4 different fabr...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Spy 660 Beige Chair by Emilio Nanni
Located in Milan, IT
A luxurious design intriguing in its tailored detailing, this plush chair is sure to uplift the look of any modern dining room. The structure in solid beec...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Cream Leather, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Margot leather dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redef...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric

Diverge Stool in Ash Structure, Upholstered Seat, by Skrivo Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stool in wooden ash structure, stained black, anthracite or walnut. Seat upholstered in the listed fabrics. Here you are shown the Diverge stool in wooden ash structure with uph...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash, Upholstery

Outdoor Cream and Charcoal Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, this collection is composed of steel frames that have been zinc primed and powder coa...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Gesture Chair in Pure Wood, by Hans Olsen from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
This beautiful, moulded gesture chair, designed in the 1950s, was the work of the acclaimed Danish architect, Hans Olsen. With its welcoming design, the gesture chair creates a warm ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Brogliato Traverso Newood Barstool in Solid Ashwood Structure for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The result of a contemporary re-interpretation of the timeless charm of Windsor-style chairs. Newood chairs and stools express the successful harmony between technologically advanced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Jannis Lounge Chair in Foam with Beige Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dainelli Studio, owned by the creative duo of Leonardo and Marzia Dainelli, designs JANNIS, a collection of upholstered furniture that are eminently suitable for contract use. Two...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Modern Ivory Beige Fabric Dining Chair with Oak Base
Located in Mexico, MX
Helsinki collection. Helsinki chair: simple, elegant, comfortable. Available in oak and walnut base or in custom materials, may be upholstered with variety of fabrics and colors. Als...
Category

2010s North American Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Italy Ghidini 1961 Set 6 Brass Dining Chairs Contemporary Design
Located in Brescia, IT
The design of this iconic Ghidini 1961 chair was inspired by the Californian coastline. Blending refined architectural elements with fluid gestures, the chair's form brings surprisin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Katana Lounge Chair in Fabric and Satin Brass by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
In the Katana sofa, Paolo Rizzatto, being the refined and expert designer he is, puts great care in the proportions of the structural elements of the produ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Modern Ivory Beige Fabric Dining Chair with Walnut Base
Located in Mexico, MX
Helsinki collection. Helsinki chair: simple, elegant, comfortable. Available in oak and walnut base or in custom materials, may be upholstered with variety of fabrics and colors. ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Saturn Pouffe Small, Oxidized Brass and Ivory Boucle by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Saturn pouffe utilizes gathered bilboquet seat construction, to create a more simplified but still incredibly distinctive form. The sumptuously undul...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Jasper Morrison Tate Stool in Beech Plywood with Matte Lacquer for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Easy to stack – to a maximum of 6 pieces – the Tate chair designed by Jasper Morrison is part of a range that includes chairs and stools. This series has a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Carlotta Chair by Cappelletti&Pozzoli
Located in Milan, IT
This four-legged, steel-framed chair is completely covered in rope-colored leather. The sinuous, embracing lines of its seat and back create a trendy silhouette, while the shape of i...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Mula Chair in Stained Black Ash Base, Upholstery Seat, by E-GGs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mula chair is offered with black stained wooden ash base with seat and back in injected flame-retardant polyurethane foam upholstered in the listed fabrics. The body is packed separately from the base. The leg base finish is also available in a natural ash finish, anthracite metal or ash, black metal, and copper metal. If you are interested in one of the previously listed bases. Formed by Gaia Giotti, Giona Scarselli and Cristina Razzanelli, E-GGS deals with design with a transversal approach, ranging between product design, interior and architecture. Attention and curiosity are captured by the discovery of the unusual in everyday life, in the search for new expressive and material languages. Additional information: Dimensions: Seat height 46.7 cm, overall chair height 78 cm, width of chair 57...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Non Stackable Chair with Armrests
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia chair with armrest, made with die-cast aluminum shell and steel structure. For indoor use. Non-stackable. Available in gold structure with whit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Flow Contemporary Chair in Metal and Fabric
Located in London, GB
An element, a continuous wire drawing geometries born from the projection of a circle on a triangle, in which the rigour of the continuous lines plays with the circular shapes that e...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Customizable Artifort Orange Slice Armchair F437 by Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
The orange slice armchair by designer Pierre Paulin is one of the most popular design armchairs in the world. The iconic armchair makes every roo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile

Emeco Alfi Low Back Chair with Black Powder-Coated Aluminum Frame by Jasper
Located in Hanover, PA
Emeco and Jasper Morrison together, designed and engineered the Alfi collection with the conviction that what you don't see is as important as what you do see. Made of reclaimed mate...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 5 Contemporary Bar Stool Aged Brass Metal & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of Minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Fuga 531 Beige Lounge Chair by Paul Loebach
Located in Milan, IT
The dainty aesthetic marking this refined lounge chair designed by Paul Loebach merges classic and modern influences. Fashioned of solid beech, the silhouette echoes the curves typic...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Warm Nordic Gesture Monochrome Fully Upholstered Lounge Chair in Teak Oak
Located in Viby J, DK
Now the distinctive 1950s gesture design is also available as a sculptural lounge chair. The popular moulded design was the brainchild of the renowned Danish architect Hans Olsen, wh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Dinning & Office Showtime Chair Jaime Hayon Mustard Medium Backrest
Located in Barcelona, ES
A new version of the Showtime chair by Jaime Hayon which does not make the original design obsolete, but rather compliments it. The Showtime Nude Chair is simpler than the previous v...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Other

Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. 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 $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.

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