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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: Gray
Vanity Seat in Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vanity seat.
Grey lacquer.
Handmade.
Wood base.
Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at least 60 coats of org...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Lacquer
Postmodern Metal Vintage Aluminum Patio Chairs Toledo Jorge Pensi Spain 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern vintage set of five aluminum stacking dining chairs patio chairs designed by Jorge Pensi, 1986-1988, and produced by Amat-3. Provide with the stamp "Toledo Design Jorge Pe...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Chubby Chair in Moss 3D Printed Recycled Plastic
Located in London, GB
Dirk van der Kooij first fell in love with low resolution 3D printing as a student, fulfilling his search for honest and functional ornamentation. T...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Woven Black Ash Wood Dining Chair Molteni&C by Tobia Scarpa - made in Italy
Located in New York, NY
Miss Chair in Black Ash Wood and Leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa.
Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C.
Husband and wife powerhouse designers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Ash
Customizable e15 That Lounge Chair by Stefan Diez
By Stefan Diez, e15
Located in New York, NY
The lounge chair That is part of the distinct This That Other seating series. Named after the famous card trick, Stefan Diez uses the same plywood material as for the iconic Houdini ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Stool/Bench Modern Medieval Handmade Horsehair Iron Woven Textile Fringe Tassel
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR BENCH NO. 1 - WHITE
J.M. Szymanski
d. 2019
Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an exciting juxtaposition o...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron, Steel
Modern Maia Dining Chairs, Blue Italian Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Maia Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, The Maia lea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel, Metal
Vintage Barcelona Chair & Footstool by Knoll International, Early 1970s
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Lounge chair and footstool designed by Mies van der Rohe. U.S.A., Knoll International, Early 1970s.
Original super vintage and patinated 'BARCELONA CHAIR' in brown leather. Chrome...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Sentada Chair • Handmade Edition • in Steel by Pedro Paulo-Venzon
Located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
As outras moralidades [The other moralities / Series]
As outras moralidades start from an affect, in the rhizomatic molds of Deleuze and Guattari, cuir-suleado [queer and oriented t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
De Sede DS-2100/156 Chair in Green Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The slats on DS-2100 in finest leather adapt to individual body contours and provide – with its embracing feeling – the highest level of comfort. Available as a low-backed, visitor swivel chair, a high-backed executive chair, with headrest, tilt mechanism, height adjustment and casters, and as a visitor chair with a four-star base.
Be it in James Bond films or in “Men in Black...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Chair in Wood and Leather Molteni&C by Tobia Scarpa - Made in Italy - Miss
Located in New York, NY
Miss Chair in Wood and Leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa.
Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C.
Husband and wife powerhouse designers Afra and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Ash
Kartell Pilastro Stool in Pink by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pilastro stool is part of the Kartell goes Sottsass, a tribute to Memphis collection, launched in 2015 in homage to design guru Ettore Sottsass....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Roly Poly Polyethylene Armchair in Concrete with Cushions by Faye Toogood
By Driade, Faye Toogood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The distinctive, reassuringly chunky lines of Faye Toogood’s Roly-Poly furniture collection become even more inviting in her new collaboration with Driade. The latest line for the It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Green, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Grey, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Lucite and Boucle Vanity Stool by Hill Manufacturing
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1980’s clear lucite with chrome details vanity stool on casters by Hill Manufacturing Corp.
In beautiful vintage condition, the seat...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Caratos Dining Chairs in Sage-colored Velvet by Maxalto - Available Now
Located in Tulsa, OK
Caratos is a series of upholstered dining chairs by Maxalto, with a die-cast aluminum frame that have contemporary lines. These chairs are upholstered in a sage-colored velvet and th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Iron
Four Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France 1985
Located in London, GB
Set of six available.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing chair...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chair for XO, France 1985, six available
Located in London, GB
Six available in total.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing chair...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France 1985
Located in London, GB
Set of four or six available.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
New 4 Gray Velvet Upholstered Chairs with Floral Back
Located in Madrid, ES
New 4 gray velvet upholstered chairs with floral back
Data sheet:
-Design chair, multipurpose.
-Metal frame finished in black epoxy paint
-Seat and back upholstered in gray velve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Mink Brown Velvet Upholstered Metal Armchair New
Located in Madrid, ES
Mink brown velvet upholstered metal armchair new.
Data sheet:
-Design armchair, multipurpose.
-Seat and back in wood and foam rubber, upholstered in mink brown velvet 19 fabric
-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
Pair of Metal Velvet Upholstered Metal Armchair New
Located in Madrid, ES
Upholstered Metal Armchair New
Data sheet:
-Design armchair, multipurpose.
-Seat and back in wood and foam rubber, upholstered in mink brown velvet 19 fabric
-Tapered met...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
2019 Set of 8 Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Gray Fabric Chair Pad - Covers Only
By Vitra, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of eight slip-on seat covers for the HAL chairs, designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Vitra. These are slip-on covers, which came directly from Vitra....
Category
2010s German Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Pia Chair
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Slipcover Chair. Our Pia Chair is ideal as a Dining Chair but also great as a Side Chair in your favorite room. Bespoke configurations availa...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Set of 2 Kartell Masters Chairs in White by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The masters chair is a powerful tribute to three symbolic chairs, re-read and re-interpreted by the creative genius of Starck. The unmistakable silhouett...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Set of Four Attributed to Mathieu Matégot Dining Chairs, France, 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking set of four vintage dining chairs attributed to Mathieu Matégot in his trademark perforated and lacquered sheet steel. Wonderful lightness to these, masterful use of steel e...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Roly Poly Armchair in Concrete without cushion by Faye Toogood for Driade
By Faye Toogood, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The distinctive, reassuringly chunky lines of Faye Toogood’s Roly-Poly furniture collection become even more inviting in her new collaboration with Driade. The latest line for the It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of four René Herbst Sandows chairs Herbst studio, France, 1927
By René Herbst
Located in London, GB
René Herbst (1891-1982) was a French designer who studied in London, Frankfurt and Russia. He founded Établissements René Herbst in Paris and exhibited at the seminal “Exposition Int...
Category
1920s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Chair in Black Ashwood and Black Leather Molteni&C by Tobia Scarpa - Miss
Located in New York, NY
Miss Chair in Black Ashwood and Black Leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C.
Husband and wife powerhouse desi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Ash, Leather
Modern Black Green Gray White Orange Pink Red Purple or Blue Rabbit Accent Chair
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
Rabbit is a family of products with a strong media impact, one of Stefano Giovannoni's hat tricks, and immediately became a pop icon, a symbol of love and fertility, which brings goo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Louis Ghost Armchairs in Crystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comfortable armchair in transparent and colored polycarbonate in the Louis XV style, it is the quintessence of baroque revisited to dazzle, excite and captivate. Louis Ghost is the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Prince Aha Stool in Fennel Green by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thought up as a colorful game of building blocks, the Prince Aha stool is composed of two cones to resemble the shape of an hourglass. An entertaining and co...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Prince Aha Stool in Wax White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thought up as a colorful game of building blocks, the Prince Aha stool is composed of two cones to resemble the shape of an hourglass. An entertaining and co...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Galva Steel Outdoor Chairs by Atelier Thomas Serruys
Located in Geneve, CH
Galva steel outdoor chairs by Atelier Thomas Serruys
Dimensions: H 46cm, W 43cm, D 65cm
Materials: Galvanized steel.
Steel chair made o...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Minimalist Outdoor Lounge Chair in "Moss" 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
Skeleton, Counter Chair in Brushed Stainless with Boucle
By Jialun Xiong
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Skeleton Counter Chair
Materials: brush stainless and boucle
Dimensions: 21"W x 19"D x 34"H
Seat Height: 24.5” H
Skeleton Counter Stool is an elevated iteration of the Skele...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Column Stool, Celadon, Blue Glaze by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column stool, Celadon, blue glaze by WL Ceramics.
Design: David Derksen
Materials: Porcelain, celadon / blue glaze
Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 40 cm
Also available: different colors ...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 5 Vintage Midcentury French Modern Slickslick Chairs by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, XO Design
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of five Slick Slick chairs was designed by Philippe Starck in 1999 for the French manufacturer XO Design. Slick Slick is the essence of a chair. A...
Category
1990s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Arrben Italy Modern Grey Saddle Leather Dining Chair Model Solaria
By Arrben
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This comfortable armchair is manufactured from the 1980s by Arrben in Italy and the Model is Solaria.
Thick grey saddle leather.
It can be used as dining chair or also at the desk....
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
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
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
De Sede Smooth Leather Longue Chair by Christophe Marchand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-2660/01 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
Ribbon Chair - André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in CENTRAL, HK
Description: Ribbon Chair
Size: 56L x 62.5W x 84.5
Material: Solid oak and Fabric
Available upon request other combinations of wood color and fabric color.
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric
INVICTA dining chair with one back foot in Solid Wood
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA dining chair is a unique piece, and the impressive design with just one leg in the back, in solid wood, will make the dining room a so...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Lacquer
Peacock Iron Patio Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Peacock Patio chairs in the style of Salterini with satin black powder coating.
Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Iron
Minimalist Outdoor Lounge Chair in "Moss" 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
Afternoon Sculptural Chair with Large Back by Lara Bohinc Pink Boucle Fabric
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Afternoon chair has the majesty of a throne, with the huge circular backrest that reaches out and upwards, its legs curve to join the seat at angles. The chair is completely upholste...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Arflex Botolo Chair in Heidi Fabric by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Botolo Chair is designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex. An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Sculptural Concrete Chairs and Table, 1960s, Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible outdoor table and chairs set consisting of four chairs with a matching table, all made of solid concrete in Switzerland, circa ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Concrete
Hawa Beirut Pink Chair by Richard Yasmine
Located in Geneve, CH
Hawa Beirut pink chair by Richard Yasmine
Materials: Structure in powder-coated metal, fabric upholstery
Dimensions: H 92 cm x W 46cm x D 47cm
HAWA Beirut, a collection of very...
Category
2010s Lebanese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Modern Upholstered, Cocooning, Olifant Lounge Chair, with Brass Details
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The modern and cocooning olifant lounge chair designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa.
This lounge chair was named after it's inspiration the elephant. The backrest...
Category
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
After ago Chair by Richard Yasmine
Located in Geneve, CH
After ago chair by Richard Yasmine.
Materials: Foam, Lightweight concrete, plaster and acrylic.
Dimensions: H 90 x W 45 x D 52cm/65cm.
Seat height 45 cm.
Seat depth 45cm.
Seat w...
Category
2010s Lebanese Modern Chairs
Materials
Concrete
Column Stool, White Effect and Blue Glaze by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column stool, white effect and blue glaze by WL Ceramics
Design: David Derksen
Materials: Porcelain, white effect and blue glaze
Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 40 cm
Also available: dif...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Porcelain
Modern Maia Dining Chairs, White HOLLY HUNT, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Maia chair, Contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Maia dining chair takes its name f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
INVICTA II dining chair with brass rear leg
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA II dining chair has an exclusive and impressive design, with just one leg in the back, it brings sophistication to all dining room....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Iron, Stainless Steel
Rendez-Vous Chair by Part Studio Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Rendez-vous chair by Part Studio Atelier
Dimensions: H82.5 x W42.5 x D43 cm
Materials: buffalo steel, buffalo leather.
Images by: Amber Van Bossel
The frame of this chair is an...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Chainmail Chair by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Chainmail chair by Panorammma
Materials: steel, nickel plating
Dimensions: 120 x 60 x 60 cm
Panorammma is a furniture design atelier based in Mexi...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Nickel
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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