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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
The Drift Credenza by William Emmerson
Located in Geneve, CH
The Drift Credenza by William Emmerson Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: D 12.75 x W 69.25 x H 32.5 cm. Materials: Naxos marble. A shape. A floating mass of white marble tur...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Marble

Italian modern chromed steel Sabrina chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed steel Sabrina chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s. Sabrina model chair, with seat and backrest made entirely of fine chromed steel tubing, which follows t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

6 Original Thonet 209 Dining chairs with rare blue upholstery
Located in Rümmingen, BW
The Thonet 209 is a timeless classic. The brother Thonet designed this elegant Chair design already in 1900. This chair has a simple and minimal aesthetic which almost gives the chai...
Category

1990s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Planet Bar Chair, Jean-Baptiste Souletie
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Planet bar chair - Jean-Baptiste Souletie Dimensions: 46.7 W x 50.2 D x 102 H cm Materials: black stained wood chair back - Lelièvre Sherpas Craie Different finishes and ...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Ash

Sedie Medea, Vittorio Nobili per Fratelli Tagliabue, 1960
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Le sedie Medea, progettate da Vittorio Nobili per Fratelli Tagliabue negli anni ’60, sono un’icona del design italiano del XX secolo. Caratterizzate da una silhouette slanciata e ele...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Tre Sedie grigie Modello 441 Bigframe di Alberto Meda per Alias 2000
Located in Milano, IT
Gruppo di 3 sedie, in alluminio e la seduta e lo schienale in rete plastificata. Buone condizioni.
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Car Designer Pininfarina for Reflex Angelo Occasional Chairs
By pinin farina, Reflex
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of RRP £1980 occasional chairs designed by the racing car manufacturer Pininfarina for Reflex Angelo The chairs are simply st...
Category

20th Century German Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Italian modern stackable chairs by Proinco in brown plastic, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern stackable chairs by Proinco in brown plastic, 1970s Set of five chairs with seat and backrest composed of a single brown plastic structure, shaped and curved on the se...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

LaPalma Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Great dining chair in vegetal natural saddle cognac leather. Manufactured in Italy by Lapalma. The leather is in vegetal natural leather which is now cognac. Beautiful backrest. The ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modernist Organic Vintage Three Foldable Dining Chairs Beech Mesh Chrome, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist organic vintage three vintage chromed metal, beech and Viennese mesh dining chairs or chairs, 1970s, Italy. A wonderful set of three (3) dining chairs with a chromed met...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern set of four solid wood chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of four solid wood chairs, 1980s Set of four chairs with structure entirely in solid wood. 1980 approx. Good conditions Measurements in 43x46x76h cm and seat 42h c...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 velvet fabric. 2 fiber-board...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Italian modern wooden chairs with brown leather seating, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wooden chairs with brown leather seating, 1970s Set of three chairs with square seat. The seat is in brown leather, it is fixed to the backrest via two metal strips th...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

70s Hall Chair
Located in London, GB
Hall chair hand embroidered with circles motif employing bullion, beads, silk, and metallic threadwork. 70s style design. This chair is part of a trio. The other two chairs still hav...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Metallic Thread

Set of Eight Grassi & Bianchi Pasqualina "CAB" Leather Chairs, Pellizoni, Italy
Located in Dronten, NL
Gorgeous set of 8 Enrico Pellizzoni Pasqualina chairs designed by Grassi & Bianchi. These chairs are covered in wonderful white all ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

V-Bench in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
V-bench in Iroko wood by Arno Declercq Dimensions: W 180 x D 38 x H 55 cm Materials: burned and waxed Iroko wood Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespok...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

'Infantes Chair', black, La Caja
Located in MADRID, ES
Designed by CASA&JARDÍN in the early 90s, the Infantes Chair is a contemporary adaptation of Habsburg furniture. In place of the wood the monarchs once used, the structure of the Inf...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

6 FENDI CASA Dining Chairs
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This beautiful set of 6 FENDI CASA original dinging chairs `Elisa` are very beautiful and unique in their classical but modern appearance. They are covered with a blue, slightly shi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Textile

Set 3 Counter Height Stool w. Backrest Black Leather & Black Rubber Metal Sample
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Those chairs were part of our exhibition at last Maison Objet show in Paris as display product. The “Repose” contemporary stool belongs to a collection that revisit the director cha...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Cockpit chair, modern Italian, made of vienna straw wood and steel, ca 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Cockpit chair, modern Italian, made of vienna straw wood and steel, ca. 1970. Cockpit chair, with Vienna straw seat and back and curved wood to form the seat frame, finished with a r...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Sculptural Organic Contemporary Bar Stool Old Silver & Black Leather Sample
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary barstool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double 3.5 ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Folding chair Tric Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Bonacina Italy 2000
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Folding chair Tric by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Bonacina, 2000s Folding chair mod. Tric entirely in transparent plexiglass. The seat and backrest are ro...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plexiglass

Sculptural Contemporary Bar Stool, Black Smoke Metal & Black Leather Sample
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Showroom sample The Hug contemporary barstool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility o...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair Spaghetti Chair by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Located in Den Haag, NL
These beautiful Spaghetti chairs were designed by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias ​​in Italy in the 1980s. It has chrome-plated steel frames and light beige straps. All PVC tapes are...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

PVC

Finn Juhl 45 Chair, Wood and Fabric
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1945, relaunched in 2003. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. In the Autumn of 1945, Finn Juhl presented the 45 Chair at the annual Cabi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Lee Broom - Hanging Hoop Chair Brass
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: Brushed brass pl...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

French modern black chairs by Philippe Gonnet for Protis Editions, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern black chairs by Philippe Gonnet for Protis Editions, 1980s Set of six chairs with rectangular seat. The chair develops "forwards" following a diagonal line. The seat is...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Peacock Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Peacock Easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue. Materials: Rattan Also available in other colors. Dimensions: 68.5 cm x 90 cm x H 198 cm Peacock is a modern take on the traditional wick...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Original Red Carimate Armchairs by Vico Magistretti
Located in MADRID, ES
Vico Magistretti (6 October 1920 - 19 September 2006) was an Italian industrial designer, dedicated to furniture and architecture. He graduated from the Milan Polytechnic in 1945, and became a follower of Ernesto Nathan Rogers. During the 1950s he devoted himself to designing mass-produced furniture. Some of his lamps are famous, such as the so-called Eclisse. Some of his designs can be found in important museums in Europe, the United States and Japan. The MoMA in New York houses objects...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Zebra Wood

Postmodern Metal Vintage Aluminum Patio Chairs Toledo Jorge Pensi Spain 1980s
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

Mera Chair
Located in London, GB
Inspired by a traditional cane chair design, this chair is a contemporary version of a much loved classic that we have seen in many forms. The spoke-shaved frame is a solid ash, give...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cane, Rattan, Ash

Slomo Chair, Walnut
Located in Monte-Serzedo, 13
The Slomo chair is based on the principles of the idea of chair that is familiar to us, combining different details that revive the memory of shapes from 20th century designs. Design...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Lacquer, Walnut, Oak, Ash, Wood, Faux Leather, Upholstery, Wool

Art Deco Margot Dining Chairs, Faux Fur Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot chair, modern collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Margot fur dining chair stands as a art deco piece that redefines the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Fur, Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric

Sedia Tiffany in velluto, gambe laccate e decori in metallo
Located in Bisceglie, IT
Una seduta pranzo dai tratti delicati, e dall elevato standard qualitativo. Rivestita in velluto, ma disponibile anche in tessuto bouclè, viene caratterizzata dal dettaglio in metall...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Korhogo Cloth, Velvet

Philippe Starck chair
Located in PARIS, FR
Chair model Wendy Wright by French designer Philippe Starck for Disform, from the 1980s. It is in white/grey anodized metal. In very good condition. DV516
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Philippe Starck chair
Located in PARIS, FR
Chair model Wendy Wright by French designer Philippe Starck for Disform, from the 1980s. It is in gray anodized metal. In very good condition. DV517
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern Black chairs by Adalberto del Lago for Misura Emme, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black chairs by Adalberto del Lago for Misura Emme, 1980s Black chairs in enamelled metal rod, with seat and high back in black leath...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Sedie pieghevoli italiane e moderne, in metallo verniciato bianco, 1980 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Set di sei sedie da esterno pieghevoli, con struttura in ferro smaltato. La seduta e lo schienale della sedia sono microforati. Perfette per essere usate in giardino o in terrazzo. 1980 ca. Buone condizioni. Misure in cm 51x55x77h Set di sedie in ferro verniciato bianco, con alcuni segni del tempo sulla verniciatura, molto comode sia nel sedersi e accomodarsi, sia per quanto riguarda la possibilità di piegarle, chiuderle e riporle per quando si hanno molti ospiti e grandi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Pair of Circular Throne Chairs by Carlo Bugatti, Vellum
Located in Shrewsbury, GB
Many of Carlo Bugatti's superior pieces were commissioned by a number of the Royal Houses of Europe, many of the Great Estates of America and some of the most successful families fro...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Modern Chairs

Materials

Copper, Pewter

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

Set of Six Anna R Chairs by L&R Palomba for Crassevig, Italy
Located in Dronten, NL
A set of six Anna R dining chairs designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba for Crassevig, Italy. These chairs feature a dark brown solid wood frame with double-paneled back and a se...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Plywood

Sculptural Organic Vintage Side Chairs Pair Bohuslav Horak 1988 Czech Republic
By Bohuslav Horák
Located in Vienna, AT
Sculptural metal vintage chairs model Pupeny or Buds by Bohuslav Horak, 1988. A sculptural and fairy-tale design with a twist, these side chairs s...
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Mawu Chair Printed
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish, flared legs. * Production lead time from 12 to 14 weeks. * Customize the fabric and dimensions of your chair.
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Satin, Oak

White Onyx Sugar Daddy Chair by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
White Onyx Sugar Daddy Chair by Pietro Franceschini Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 59 x W 55 x H 50,5 cm. Materials: White onyx. Pietro Franceschini is an architect and ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Onyx

INVICTA II dining chair in white boucle and 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 shophistication to your decoration...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Nickel

Contemporary Vertere Stool in Oiled Walnut with White Leather Seat Pad
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Turned from solid timber, the Vertere projects an exaggerated sculptural silhouette fully accentuating the stunning beauty of walnut. Our recommendation is an oiled finish to bring o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Arches Dining Chair, Brass & COM, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Chair Design at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2021 Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards 2021 The Arches dining chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Bondi Stackable Dining Chair in Ashwood
By Fräg Woodall, Please Wait to be Seated
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Please Wait to be Seated Bondi chair is inspired by designer Frag Woodall's earliest memories of watching artisans at work, fascinated by the way they joined and fitted timber. The s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

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

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

2 African carved thrones, Bamileké
Located in Firenze, IT
2 beautiful African thrones of the Bamileké people, Cameroon, hand-carved from a single log of Cola hardwood, stained black. It features the typical Bamilekè perforated 'spider's web...
Category

1980s Cameroonian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Henrik Bønnelycke Black Leather and Wood Armchair, Model 102
Located in Madrid, ES
Lounge chair, model 102, designed by Henrik Bønnelycke and made of steam-bent black-stained oak. Seat upholstered in black leather. Soft lines, comfortable round back and armrests.
Category

Early 2000s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Original Maurizio Peregalli 1988 Chair, Noto Zeus Milano Modern Art Piece
Located in Vienna, AT
Design: Maurizio Peregalli, Noto Zeus, Milano, 1988. Square steel tube, powder-coated, seating- and backrest surface formed Polyurethan.  
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 100
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Bold Dining Chair
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Italian modern straw and black wood chair, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern straw and black wood chair, 1970s Chair with rectangular base. The seat is in straw, the structure is in black lacquered wood with a gl...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Wood

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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