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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Chair "Oh Romeo, where is Juliet ?" by Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Church Chair contemporized, painted and multi-lacquered, cut, additional leg added. • Info about Markus • born 1964 in Aschaffenburg, Germany • since 1986 active as a visual artis...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech

Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti "Peggy 63970" Lounge Chairs, Italy 1990
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A pair of impressive lounge chairs with a “throne like” appearance, designed by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti in the 1990’s. The chairs are made of a wooden frame and new taupe velvet...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Contemporary Dining Chair 'Flock CS2' by Noom, Wool Pink Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Designer: Kateryna Sokolova Materials: wood, plywood, metal, molded foam, textile Available in a wide range of colors and other finishes and fabrics on request. Dimensions: H 78 cm, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé

Contemporary Dining Chair 'Flock CS2' by Noom, Kvadrat Vidar Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Chair flock CS2 Designer: Kateryna Sokolova Materials: wood, plywood, metal, molded foam, textile Dimensions: H 78 cm, W 55 cm, D 61 cm seat H 47 cm Available in a wide range of fa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé

Italian modern beige chairs DSC by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern beige chairs DSC by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s Set of four chairs mod. DSC padded and covered in beige tending to yellow leather. The seat and backr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern chromed metal and black leather curved shape chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed metal and black leather curved shape chairs, 1980s. Chair with armrests, with chromed steel structure and curved metal back and seat covered in black leather. ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Italian modern white lacquered curved chairs, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white lacquered curved chairs, 1970s Set of six chairs in white lacquered wood. The seat and backrest have curved and rounded lines, which are shaped in the lower par...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

Paire de chaises en métal doré
Located in PARIS, FR
TRAVAIL FRANÇAIS 1970 Paire de chaises en métal doré à patine nuancée à petit dossier évidé légèrement incliné et montants à têtes de chevaux. Piètement d'angle à quatre jambes te...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

6 chaises de Philippe Starck pour KARTELL
Located in PARIS, FR
La collaboration entre Philippe Starck et Kartell dans les années 1990 a donné naissance à une série de chaises révolutionnaires, notamment celles en polycarbonate rouge et transpare...
Category

1990s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Purple Cielo Bar Stool by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Purple Cielo bar stool by Sebastian Herkner Materials: galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings are made from recycled plastic. Technique: made from recycled plastic a...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 2 Purple Cielo Bar Stool by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 purple Cielo bar stool by Sebastian Herkner Materials: Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings are made from recycled plastic. Technique: Made from recycled ...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian modern black metal and leather chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black metal and leather chairs, 1980s Set of four chairs with black painted metal rod structure and original black leather seat and back. 1980 approx. Good condition, ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Afra & Tobia Scarpa Monk Black Chair for Molteni, Italy, 1974
Located in London, GB
Formidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Bianchin Scarpa created inte­ri­ors and furni­ture that embraced the mate­ri­als of each design and the interplay of tech­nol­ogy and ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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

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

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

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

Oscar Small Dining Chair, in Special Bouclé Fabric, Handcrafted by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Oscar Small Dining Chair, in Special Bouclé Fabric, Handcrafted by Duistt Inspired by the poetic curved lines of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, Oscar armchair allures for its sensua...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Wen Chair by objective OBJECT Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Wen Chair by objective OBJECT Studio Dimensions: D 45.5 x W 53.5 x H 78.5 cm Materials: Wood. objective OBJECT an embodiment of our architectural ethos. We represent an unwaverin...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Fen Hua Chair by objective OBJECT Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Fen Hua Chair by objective OBJECT Studio Dimensions: D 48 x W 56 x H 95 cm Materials: Limestone, wood. objective OBJECT an embodiment of our architectural ethos. We represent an u...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Limestone

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

Italian modern white Libellula chair by Giovanni Carini for Planula, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed metal and white leather Libellula chair designed by Giovanni Carini and produced by Planula in 1970s. Libellula model chair, stackable, with metal rod structur...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set Of 4 Black Leather Chairs by Matteo Grassi
Located in Brussels , BE
Set of 4 very elegant chairs.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Italian modern set of four wooden Milano chairs by Aldo Rossi for Molteni, 1987
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of four wooden Milano chairs by Aldo Rossi for Molteni, 1987. Set of four Milano model chairs, with a light wooden structure with a square shape, with a backrest a...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Basic Stool by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Basic Stool by Hot Wire Extensions Dimensions: D 35 x W 34 x H 48 cm Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe. 5 kg Different colors upon request. A...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Copper

Lee Broom - Hanging Hoop Chair Black
Located in New York, US
Suspended from above, two brass plated steel circular hoops join to create the Hanging Hoop Chair, with a seat and backrest upholstered in Kvadrat wool. Finishing: Satin black stee...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Stag T by Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Stag T by Rick Owens Dimensions: L 55 x W 30 x H 44 cm Materials: Plywood (natural), antler moose Weight: 7.3 kg Each piece is unique and may differ as the ...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Antler, Plywood

Set of 2 Basic Trestles I by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Basic Trestles I by Hot Wire Extensions Dimensions: D 75 x W 43 x H 72.5 cm Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe. 9 kg Different dimensi...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Copper

Steel Gold Arch Bench by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel gold arch bench by Pietro Franceschini. Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia. Materials: Steel. Finishes available:...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 2 Basic Trestles II by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Basic Trestles II by Hot Wire Extensions Dimensions: D 75 x W 38 x H 72.5 cm Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe. 9 kg Glass top not in...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Copper

Counter High Stool by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Counter High Stool by Hot Wire Extensions Dimensions: D 38 x W 39 x H 75 cm Materials: Waste nylon powder and responsibly sourced sand, copper pipe. 9 kg Different colors upon requ...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Copper

Italian modern white plastic 860 Universale Chairs, Joe Colombo, Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white plastic 860 Universale Chairs, Joe Colombo, Kartell, 1970s. Set consisting of four model 860 chairs, also known as Universale Chair, in cream white ABS plastic. ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Oscar Modular Sofa, End Module, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Oscar Modular Sofa, End Module, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt Inspired by the poetic curved lines of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, Oscar modular sofa middle allures for its sen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Modern Red Plastic Vintage Seven Dining Chairs Ron Arad for Kartell 1999 Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern set of 7 red plastic vintage chairs or dining chairs from red plastic and aluminum FPE Fantastic Plastic Elastic by Ron Arad for Kartell Italy 1999. An amazing set of seven ( ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of 1980s Lacquered Wood Modular Chairs.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 1980s Lacquered Wood Modular Chairs. Pair of 1980s modular chairs in black lacquered wood.   w: 88cm, h: 98cm, d: 50,5cm
Category

20th Century French Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of 6 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, XXth Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 6 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, XXth Century. Set of 6 tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll for dining room in black fibreglass and fabric, cushions reno...
Category

20th Century French Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass

Italian modern Boulevard aluminium chairs by Ferdinand A. Porsche for Ycami 1990
Located in MIlano, IT
Set of four Boulevard model chairs with round seat, entirely in aluminium. The seat and backrest have decorative perforations with curved lines and the structure of the armrests and ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

"OTI" armchair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, circa 1980
Located in LYON, FR
Very pretty tubular steel armchair created by the Danish designer Niels Gammelgaard on behalf of the publisher IKEA. An iconic piece in very good condition and with a lovely patina. ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian modern Boulevard aluminium chairs by Ferdinand A. Porsche for Ycami 1990
Located in MIlano, IT
Set of eight Boulevard model chairs with round seat, entirely in aluminium. The seat and backrest have decorative perforations with curved lines and the structure of the armrests and...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

A Pair of Frank Lloyd Wright Robie Chairs for Cassina Italy 1986
Located in Bjuråker, SE
A pair of 2 Cassina chairs Crafted with precision and attention to detail, these chairs blend exquisite design with supreme comfort, making them a perfect addition to any modern or c...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Italian modern five metal, beech and white cotton Cesca style chairs, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of five metal, beech and white cotton Cesca style chairs, 1970s Set of five Cesca style chairs with tubular steel structure, armrests in solid curved beech and pad...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern black leather and tubolar chromed metal chairs by Zanotta, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather and tubolar chromed metal chairs by Zanotta, 1970s. Set composed of six chairs with chromed metal tubular structure and black leather seat and back. Unde...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Camber Chair, Paul Coenen
Located in Geneve, CH
Camber Chair, Paul Coenen Dimensions: L 40.5 x W 42.0 x H 84.5 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Custom materials, sizes and finishes possible on request. Please contact us. The Camber ...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Paire de chaises vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Paire de chaises en bois en état moyen. Le bois est vermoulé. Le tissu est déchiré à certains endroits et le métal est rouillé.
Category

1990s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Softwood

Paire de chaiss en plastique vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Paire de chaise en plastique et pieds métal en état moyen. Le plastique est taché et décoloré. Le métal est rouillé.
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

PVC

NEW DESIGN Armchair Coconut finish, Leather Upholstery COLLECTION 2024
Located in Madrid, ES
NEW DESIGN Armchair Coconut finish, leather upholstery. Dimensions 73 x 94 x 103 cm 28.7 x 37 x 40.6 in Weight 22 kg / 48.5 lbs Embrace the comfort of the supple leather cushion as ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Resin

New Design "Ball" Chair Leather Upholstery
Located in Madrid, ES
High gloss black lacquering, leather upholstery, stainless steel base. Dimensions 92 x 90 x 85 cm 36.2 x 35.4 x 33.5 in Weight 37 kg 81.6 lbs.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s Set of 6 iconic and fantastic chairs mod. Gaudi in green plastic monocoque. The backrest and seat ar...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Bling Bling Chair by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Bling bling chair by Pietro Franceschini Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia Manufacturer: Stefano Minotti Dimensions: W 79 ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Ash

Italian modern red leather chairs Ed Archer by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red leather chairs Ed Archer by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1980s Pair of chairs mod. Ed Archer in red leather. The main structure is shaped to form the backrest, seat...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Ciottolo 04 by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Ciottolo 04 by Imperfettolab 1999 Dimensions: W 110 x D 91 x H 54 cm Materials: Fiberglass Avalaible in black, white / gold, chrome Imperfetto lab Who we are ? We are a famil...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Duo of Fast Forest chairs
Located in LYON, FR
We have had these aluminum chairs that we love professionally powder-coated in a current color that will fit perfectly into your garden or terrace. Indeed, initially intended for out...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

The Berg Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
The Berg Chair by William Emmerson Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: D 36,5 x W 66,5 x H 39 cm. Materials: Naxos marble. A shape. A floating mass of white marble turned into...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Marble

Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson Limited Edition Of 3 Pieces. Dimensions: D 99.06 x W 167.64 x H 208.28 cm. SH: 45.72. Materials: Brass and brown leather. Limited editio...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

The Berg Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
The Berg Chair by William Emmerson Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: D 36,5 x W 66,5 x H 39 cm. Materials: Naxos marble. A shape. A floating mass of white marble turned into...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Marble

Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ab Ovo Hanging Pod Chair by William Emmerson Limited Edition Of 3 Pieces. Dimensions: D 99.06 x W 167.64 x H 208.28 cm. SH: 45.72. Materials: Brass and black leather. Limited editio...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

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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