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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Modern
Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Dedar Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Petite Ourse - Seat handmade in Palmwood
Located in Milano, IT
Seat made by hand, designed and produced in Tunisia. The Petite Ourse handcarved palmwood seat features an elementary yet captivating design, featuring rounded shapes that highlight ...
Category

2010s Tunisian Modern Chairs

Materials

Palmwood

Langskip and Leidangskip Chair made from Birch Multiplex Boards
Located in Prague 3, Vinohrady
The dining room collection is inspired by the construction of Viking boats and influenced by my internship at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. My aim was to design furniture wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Birch

Gaulino Easy Chair by Oscar Tysquets black lacquered ashwood, contemporary
Located in Barcelona, ES
“The challenge was to design a light armchair, not too high, using wood and leather. At the beginning, it was going in a different direction, but after making various models, prototypes and considering BD’s design team’s different perspectives on the matter, the result has inevitably drawn toward what is now the Gaulino chair, which was designed nearly 30 years ago. We did not envision it so, but the ergonomics and the aesthetic coherence of this piece has taken us toward a solution much like the Gaulino chair, an heiress of Gaudí and Mollino, and have decided to conserve the name.” OSCAR TUSQUETS The Gaulino Easy Chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Hide, Ash

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Natural 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...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Black Chubby Chair in 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

Celeste Chair in Boucle Fabric and Brass and Mint Metal by Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Celeste chair plays with contrasting shapes, materials and textures. The circles and squares join to make a chair that has both substance and lightness. ...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Chubby Chair in Eraser 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. The chubby chair...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

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

Pair Contemporary Counter Bar Stool Black Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Counter stool in black smoke polished steel and black saddle leather. The phrases "Less is more" and "God is in the detail" from the German-American architect and industrial designe...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Maui Armchair Terry Dwan Contemporary Natural Cedar Made in Italy Riva 1920
Located in Cantù, IT
Armchair made from a single block of scented cedar. A sculptured monolith with a curvy and sinuous design. It has an ergonomic seat in a continuous line with the back. Available with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Julian Mayor, "Metal Organic Loop", Chair, 2014
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Julian Mayor’s process encompasses both digital design and traditional fabrication. Each piece recasts technology as sculpture while glistening with a splendid metallic sheen and cur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Chair Art, 0023-CU Julie Beechwood Painted and Thick-Leather Different Colors
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
Julie Collection expands to include a new model featuring a backrest and seat with a interwoven thick leather. The frame in beechwood will be painted or ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech

Baleri Italia Cafè Chair by Philippe Starck
Located in Milan, IT
Structure in steel tubing painted with epoxy powders in metallic silver gloss. Seat in lasten: latex rubber and polypropylene belting in black (y9).    
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Gravel Chair
Located in Klosterneuburg, Niederösterreich
The Gravel Chair is another experimental chair designed and produced by Philipp Aduatz by using solely construction materials. The idea was to use materials designed for an application in large scale for an experimental furniture design process. First, a polystyrene foam model was shaped by hand. After that it was encapsulated with resin and glass fibres...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stone

Modern Timeless Office Chair, Bouclé Faux Fur, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Greenapple Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless bouclé office chair was designed and craft...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Gaulino chair by Oscar Tusquets ash wood black lacquer leather hide seat, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Gaulino Chair is one of the best designs by Oscar Tusquets and has become an iconic Spanish design. Made exclusively from wood and leather, the name comes from the influences th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

Authentic Early Modernist Chair Robert Mallet Stevens, France, 1930s
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Robert Mallet-Stevens (1886-1945) came from an art-loving family and was one of the most influential French avant-garde architects and designers. He met very early on René Herbst and...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Sculptural Tall Chairs designedby Krish Ruhs for Cappellini, 1990s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Krish Ruhs, an American artist, designed these two chairs for a solo exhibition sponsored by Cappellini and presented at their Carugo showroom in 1990. Craftsmanship, inspiration fro...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern Eleanor Dining Chairs, Jacquard Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Eleanor Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Eleanor dining chair, named after Queen Eleanor of Avis, embodies all the virtues of its ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Beech, Leather, Bouclé, Oak

Pouf Pill S by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf pill S by Houtique Dimensions: H 45 x D 35 cm Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes Pill Pouf S Art Deco style pouf with wood structure and vel...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Nubuck Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Modern De Castro Dining Chair, Ruby Pink Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Mary Swivel Bar Stools, Leather Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, The Mary bar stool transcen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Modern Mary Swivel Bar Stools, Leather Brass, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary bar stool transcen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Figueroa Dining Chair, Velvet & Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in the sunny California, the charming Figueroa Mountain is a magical landscape that led to the creation of the Figueroa dining chair. Evo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Timeless Office Chairs, Cotton-Linen, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Timeless Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless modern office chair was designed and crafted to endure the passage of time, ser...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Timeless Office Chairs Set/2, Bouclé Fur, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Greenapple Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless bouclé office chair was designed and craft...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Bouclé, Velvet, Wood, Faux Fur

Modern Laurence Bar Stool, Turquoise, Steel, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence bar stool was created...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Modern Anjos Dining Chairs, Camel Leather, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Anjos chair, Contemporary Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Anjos ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Beech, Oak

Modern De Castro Dining Chair, Blue Beige Woven, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Anjos Dining Chairs, Italian Leather, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Anjos Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Anjos ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Beech, Oak

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

Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Leather Cotton, 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

Velvet, Bouclé, Leather, Fabric

Modern Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Black Leather, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary bar stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

De Sede DS-51 Chair in Cafe Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Modern Mary Dining Chair, Black Italian Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary lea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Brass

De Sede DS-51 Chair in Black Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-51 Chair in Umbra Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Chair Armchair Mirror Metal Steel Blue Leather Upholster Curvy Shaped Design
Located in Ancona, Marche
The chair 'Berserker' is made of mirror polished stainless steel with upholstering in genuine aquamarine leather. Tipping over the chair it turns into a side-table which also contains a magazine rack...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

La Luna Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
La Luna easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: Rattan, polyurethane foam, maple. Also available in other colors. Dimensions: 75 cm x 77 cm x H 72 cm La Luna’s quiet sop...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Foam, Maple

Herman Miller by Brian Kane Green Swoop Plywood Armchairs, Set of Two
Located in London, GB
Designed by Brian Kane for Herman Miller, the Swoop furniture collection came from the designer’s observations while teaching students at the California College of Art. Taking its name from the sweeping curves of the silhouette, the Swoop chair...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

Set of 5 Classic Counter Stool 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

Silhouette Dining Chair, Wood & COM, Insidherland by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Silhouette is a surreal reminiscence of a woman’s sensual curves that arise designed in an eye-catching dining chair. The joint dimension of people and objects represented by severa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pink Ribbon Chair by Nika Zupanc, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The ribbon chair is the object that expresses the female language of Nika Zupanc with a strong and essential icon. The ribbon chair is an object whose identity expresses feeling and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

MARLON dining chair
Located in Frazão, Porto
The impressive design of the MARLON chair was thought to accommodate and comfort you, thanks to its enveloping shape. The bold design finds balance in the relaxing, immersive seating...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood

Handcrafted Matrice Chair in Gold Steel and Blue Velvet
Located in MONTROZIER, FR
Matrice side chair is a steel corset compressing a velvet fleece, an organic, carnal form, compressed by a wire mesh. The interaction of two antagonistic materials reminds us of the poetry of blown glass, the bodice on the waist, the imprint left on the body by the wicker chairs. We tried to give the seat a feeling of comfort, both visually and in its use. The iconic Chesterfield sofa quickly became a reference to be summoned. Matrice is a reinterpretation, a sensitive statement of its imprint: the upholstery here is turned over like a glove, revealing the wire mesh structure. The latter forms a corset compressing the softness of the seat and backrest to give it an organic geometry. Matrice is customizable on demand (colors of steel and fabrics, other fabrics), modular in chair or multi-seater bench, and each piece is numbered. This handcrafted chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Metal

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Yellow Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

De Sede DS-2100/156 Chair in Green Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
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

Marlen Chair, pink, indoor, chair, made in italy, home, contract
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
Comfort, an ergonomic shape and a hardy structure are the characteristics of the Marlen design, the new Trabà chair designed by EP Studio. Hints of a 1950s vibe can be glimpsed in t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Spade Ashwood Corner Chair by Faye Toogood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Spade chair is an ode to the rural life in the English countryside in which designer Faye Toogood grew up and had her first encounters with shapes and colors of the natural world. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 50xStacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
Located in London, GB
42 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually. There are 5 x steel trolleys available se...
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Italian modern grey metal and solid wood Fly Line Chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern grey metal, brass and solid wood set of four Fly Line Chairs, 1980s. Fly Line model chairs with dark gray metal structure, as well as the backrest, while the seat is r...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chair by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, 1938
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair, plywood construction, dark stained, ash veneer Design / Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig 1938 Dimensions / H.84cm W.40cm D.50cm Manufacturer / Maggioni Italy Designed for the Bocco...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash, Plywood

Set of 6 Robert Mallet-Stevens Model No. 222 Chairs for Pallucco Italia, 1928
Located in Zagreb, HR
Robert Mallet-Stevens (1886–1945) was a French modernist architect and designer. He believed in simple, functional designs which should be capable of mass production, and these princ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Monk chairs in leather, Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Molteni, 1973
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Monk chair is distinguished by its inherent essence of expressive quality of materials, embodying elegance through the skillful use of national walnut, natural ash, leather and r...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Baleri Italia Juliette Stackable Chair in Black Steel by Hannes Wettstein
Located in Milan, IT
Out of the frenetic turmoil of Wettstein's design activity, one day emerged the idea of a chair; defying all known logic, the structure of the back, curved forwards. With this idea a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

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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