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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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.
Style: Modern
Color: Black
Sedia DSC 106, Anonima Castelli, Anni 70
Located in Felino, IT
Sedia Anonima Castelli, mod dsc 106. Sedile di legno riverniciato con smalto bicomponente molto resistente all'usura. Colore caffè, gambe e piedini riverniciat...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian Modern Black Wood Base and Pied De Poule Cotton Seat Armchair, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black lacquered wood base and pied de poule cotton seat small armchair, 1970s.
Armchair with black painted wooden structure and seat and ba...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Ponti 969 Black Leather Chair By Gio Ponti
By BBB Italia
Located in Milan, IT
This striking chair is the contemporary reinterpretation of a design by Giò Ponti, one of the masters of 20th century Italian style, first introduced at the 6th Triennale di Milano in 1936. The name of this collection, Ponti 969...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Set of 4 Contemporary Bar Stool W. Backrest Cognac Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as t...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Stainless Steel and Leather Contemporary Adult Swing Chair by Egg Designs
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This contemporary adult swing is a specialty chair by Egg Designs, it has a stainless steel frame and yolk with leather upholstery. The swing chair can be ...
Category
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Mariolina Chair in Anthracite Metal Legs, Silk Gray Shell, by E-GGs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mariolina chair is offered with iron legs in anthracite, a shell in polypropylene silk grey and the option to select an upholstered cushion material for your chair. The iron leg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Dedo High Stool in Steel Lacquer Legs, Wooden Seat, by Miniforms Lab
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Here you are shown the Dedo high stool in lacquered steel legs with beechwood seat. This stool with an ergonomic seat is in solid beech and steel structure lacquered in 9 colors. The...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
De Sede Leather Beanbag Longue Chair
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-9087/60 beanbag chair by De Sede. Styrofoam ball filling.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Set of 2 Kartell Victoria Ghost Chairs in Glossy Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a chair born of Classic lines with a rounded backrest that recalls the shape of antique medallions, whilst the seat is linear and geometric. Victoria ghost...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Mies van der Rohe Flat Chromed Steel for Knoll Cow Fur 255 Brno Chairs
Located in IT
Mies van der Rohe chromed steel Knoll Int. Cow fur brno chair. Two available. Price per chair.
This chair has been recently reupholstered in cow fur. Labelled with a tag of Knoll Int...
Category
Late 20th Century European Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Modern Genuine Leather Brown Sling Chair in Black
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with a sheet of natural thick leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable e...
Category
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Modern Black & Chrome Cantilever Chair by United Chair Co Style of Steel
By Steelcase
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage modern black & chrome cantilever chair by United Chair Company in the style of Steelcase. Comprised of a chrome cantilever frame, black plastic armrests, and its original black hopsacking fabric with button details. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s.
What an EXQUISITE chair!!! This fabulous black and chrome cantilever chair was made by United Chair Company and it’s in the style of Steelcase. It is comprised of a gorgeous chrome cantilever frame with black plastic armrests, and it is wearing its original black hopsacking fabric with button detail on the seat back and cushion. Super stylish and super comfortable!! We say this chair is mostly modern...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Kartell A.I. Bar Stool in Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the pl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Jasper Morrison Small Hi Pad Stool in Fabric or Leather Upholstery by Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The Hi pad chair, and accompanying Hi pad Stool, are the result of a production process that represents the perfect balance between technology and artisan...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Foam, Beech, Plywood
Set of 6 Classic Contemporary Barstool Cognac Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details s...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 6 Handmade Barstool w. Backrest Navy Blue Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as t...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Kartell Spoon Chair in Black by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A monoshell light office chair on castors, spoon chair is the result of a totally avant-garde production process. The innovative dual-component injection m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Pair Timeless Contemporary Armchair Black Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary armchair belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such a...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Eames Wire Bikini Chair DKR-2 with Black Cover, Design 1951
Located in Greding, DE
Set of five DKR-2 Eames Wire chairs with black bikini upholstery on Eiffel Tower frame. Signs of age and use.
Category
1950s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Rare set of High Backed T Leather Chairs by Katavolos, Littell & Kelley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
William Katavolos in partnership with Douglas Kelley & Ross Littell designed the iconic sling-back T chair in 1952 as part of the Laverne International's sculptural New Furniture ser...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 6 Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Black Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details s...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Oltremare Armchair in Extra Grey Upholstery & Matt Black Legs by Antonio Marras
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The seating collection “Oltremare” designed by Antonio Marras and produced in collaboration with Saba, stems from a far-away past and place, ful...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Set of 5 Artisanal Contemporary Chair Black Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary armchair belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such a...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Black Steel Chairs Omstak by Rodney Kinsman Bieffeplast, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black steel chairs Omstak by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, 1970s
Fantastic pair of chairs mod. Omstak, with black painted steel rod...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Sleek Black Moisture-Resistant Leather and Stainless Steel Outdoor Bar Chair
By Myface
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Nero, bar chair
Contemporary outdoor dining chair made with structure: Legs black matte lacquered stainless steel, Metallic details in copper-plated stainless steel, Upholstery: Acr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern Sling Chair with Genuine South African Leather in Black
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with a sheet of natural thick leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable e...
Category
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Established & Sons Mauro Chair by Mauro Pasquinelli
Located in London, GB
An exemplar of great 20th century Italian design made possible by 21st century manufacturing techniques, the Mauro chair is a hardworking, irrepressibly stylish, stackable, timber chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Counter Bar Stool w. Backrest Black Metal & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as t...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 4 Dinning/Kitchen Chairs Black Steel Framed y Oscar Tusquets
Located in Barcelona, ES
In 2008 Oscar Tusquets reviewed his famous Varius chair design, and came up with this smaller and updated version presented in a painted Anodic Black. The seat is in black gas inject...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
e15 Houdini Armchair by Stefan Diez
By Stefan Diez, e15
Located in New York, NY
The chair Houdini with armrest is part of the iconic chair family designed by Stefan Diez. Its unique design language and scaled construction result in a modern and enduring design. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Minimalist Modern Chair in Solid Wood Solid Black Finish, Leather Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Evo Chair collection.
Our Evo collection is based in the harmonic fusion between geometrical forms and the modern interpretation of wood archetypes.
All elements that compose the chair are precisely engineered to input full hardwood blocks to a Hybrid 5-Axis CNC milling machine...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Pair Contemporary Classic Bar Stool Cognac Leather Black Rubber Frame
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details s...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 5 Classic Contemporary Armchair Dark Brown Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary armchair belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such a...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 3 Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Navy Blue Leather Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details s...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 3 Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Dark Brown Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details s...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Papillonne Black Metal Chair
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Papillonne black metal chair comes to your living room with its details, combining comfort with elegance.
Measures: Length: 23.6'' / depth: 19.6'...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Stich Leather Chair Model Beverly Cattelan, Italy
Located in Den Haag, NL
The modern chair Beverly stems from the creativity of Paolo Cattelan and combines an elegant and refined personality with the comfort that distinguishes a designer chair of excellent...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Vladimir Kagan Fettucini Single Back Chair in Black Leather with Metal Base
Located in Clifton, NJ
The kinetic lines of the Fettucini Chair fold together and gracefully join along the legs, drawing the eye across each contour.The floating backrest fl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Kartell Roy Stool in Black by Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Chinese-style stool featuring a pattern in homage to Roy Lichtenstein with the dots from his paintings.
Available in White, Black, Powder, Blue & Petroleum.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of 3 Classic Contemporary Chair Navy Blue Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary armchair belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such a...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 3 Handcrafted Contemporary Chair Black Leather & Black Rubber Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary armchair belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such a...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Matteo Grassi Vintage Grey Leather Chair or Side Chair, 1980s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
A Matteo Grassi vintage grey leather chair or side chair, which was designed and manufactured 1980s in Italy.
The stable and comfortable high-end c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Non Stackable Chair, Set of 2
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia chair with die-cast aluminum shell and steel structure. For indoor/outdoor use. Non-stackable. Available in gold structure with white or black ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Brown Leather and Polished Stainless Steel
Located in Lisbon, PT
Embracing the purpose to take a break, LISBOA chair invites you to just sit and relax. Combining many observations from different cultures of how people use chairs and which role the...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Diamond Non Stackable Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia knows how to be chic, very chic, incredibly chic! Mammamia Diamond is definitely the most sophisticated chair in the Mammamia range and stems from the co-operation between O...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Moooi Carbon Chair in Black Fiber with Epoxy Resin by Bertjan Pot
By Bertjan Pot, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Carbon Chair of Bertjan Pot and Marcel Wanders speaks of dedicated craftsmanship in connection to high tech materials only made possible by personal excitement, passion and enlightment. The Carbon Bar Stool...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Epoxy Resin
Set of 2 Contemporary Armchair, Nuit Noire Metal & Black Leather, Industrial.
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary armchair (set of two pieces) belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as th...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Minimalist Outdoor Lounge Chair in "Sky" Fabric and Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Lisbon, PT
Embracing the purpose to take a break outside, the outdoor version of the LISBOA lounge chair invites you to just sit and relax under the sun, enjoying the long days and warm summer ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of 2 Kartell One More Counter Stools in Mat Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you want to sip a drink at the bar in peace and quiet, you need a comfortable tall stool with a back to lean against. Sometimes one drink is not ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Artisan Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Cognac Leather & Black Rubbere Metal
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The “Repose” contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director chair collection, serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details s...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Black Dining Chair in Iroko Wood - V-Dining by Arno Declercq
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary dining chair in iroko wood - v-dining chair by Arno Declercq
Material:
Burned and waxed Iroko wood.
Dimensions:
46 cm W x 57 cm L x 81 cm H
18” W x 22,5” L x ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Moooi Monster Diamond Chair with Arms in Black Upholstery
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A soft, puffy and stylish chair as symbol of the eternal battle between opposite forces that take place in life and can be easily recognized inside ourselves, if we have the courage ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Ghidini 1961 Katana Lounge Chair in Leather and Burnished Brass, 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
Leather
Shaker Modern Chair by Ambrozia, Solid Walnut, Black Steel, Sandle Vinyl
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern dining chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame. Available in a large variety of premium vinyls colors or leather in op...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Black Rabbit Chair, Designed by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2)
The idea of the rabbit, a gentle, lovable and shy animal, comes from the association of its silhouette with that of a seat, where the rabbit's ears become the backrest of the chair. Designed for adults and children, this rabbit chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Minimalist Outdoor Lounge Chair in "Sky" Fabric and Polished Stainless Steel
Located in Lisbon, PT
Embracing the purpose to take a break outside, the outdoor version of the LISBOA lounge chair invites you to just sit and relax under the sun, enjoying the long days and warm summer ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Curved Back Chair from SS United States
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare curved back occasional chair from the famed ocean liner SS United States. Retaining original patent blue leather, aluminum legs covered in leat...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Modern Brass Armchair or Dining Chair in Black White Green or Pink
By Qeeboo, Andrea Branzi
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
Pupa armchair signed by Andrea Branzi is agile and voluptuous at the same time. It leans on a light metallic frame leaving the volume floating in the space. Born with chrome frame fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
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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