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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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48
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Style: Modern
Number in Set: Single Piece
"Julia" Minimalist Chair in Solid Wood, cane backrest and natural leather seat
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
When she created Julia chair with wooden arms, Alessandra Delgado wanted a piece with delicate features, exploring the curves of the wood with a design inspired by the master designe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood, Leather
Selene Chair - White
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
Selene Chair - White
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
"Julia" Chair with Wooden Arms, cane back and natural leather seat
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
When she created Julia chair with wooden arms, Alessandra Delgado wanted a piece with delicate features, exploring the curves of the wood with a design inspired by the master designe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Cotton, 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
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
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 gray anodized metal. In very good condition.
DV517
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Antique Copper Cloud Chair by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cloud Chair
Antique Copper
Hand Repoussé
Limited Edition
Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto s...
Category
2010s Modern Chairs
Materials
Copper
Estella Chair Design By Mehmet Orel for Capella
Located in İnegöl, TR
As Capella, our job is to ensure the perfect harmony between materials and present them to you in the most accurate and compatible way. We give them a soul and a life. This is our fi...
Category
2010s Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
CARE chair
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
When a chair represents a hug about to happen. The safety and security of an arm around you. The care chair drives you to envision attachment and protection through its carefully cra...
Category
2010s Egyptian Modern Chairs
Materials
Polyester
Aqua Botanica Step stool by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Aqua Botanica Step stool by WL Ceramics
Designer: Edward van Vliet
Materials: Porcelain
Dimensions: H36 x Ø56 cm
At WL CERAMICS we make porcelain with passion. We are a family run ...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Porcelain
Le Mautu by Naibu
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Mautu by Naibu
Materials: Stainless steel.
Dimensions: D 57 x W 40 x H 91 cm.
Naibu
We are a multidisciplinary studio founded by Mara Calderón de la Barca and Brenda Ochoa, based...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Cult Stool by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Cult stool by Panorammma
Materials: Black lacquer onyx.
Dimensions: D 25 x H 45 cm.
Also available in Onyx Conglomerate or Onyx Ice.
Panorammma is a furniture design atelier based i...
Category
2010s Mexican 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
By Stuart Scott
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
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
Basket Chair for Beach or Slope by de Vries of Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
Manufactured by deVries of Germany, this stylist basket chair is a must for beach or slopes! Made of brushed teak, the body is intricately braided in a circular pattern on both sides...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered in Leather or Textiles
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection.
The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood
Beetley Bar Stool
Located in North York, ON
Beetley Bar Stool. Crafted with a sleek and minimalist design, this bar stool exudes a sense of sophistication and elegance. Made with high-quality walnut wo...
Category
2010s Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Aqua Botanica Stool by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Aqua Botanica Stool by WL Ceramics
Designer: Edward van Vliet
Materials: Porcelain
Dimensions: H40 x Ø40 cm
At WL CERAMICS we make porcelain with passion. We are a family run compa...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Porcelain
CM 196 Side Chair by Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All original CM 196 side chair by Pierre Paulin. Measure: Seat height is 18" inches. Very comfortable and sturdy.
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
H Chair by Estudio Persona
Located in Geneve, CH
H chair by Estudio Persona.
Dimensions: W 46 x D 49 x H 79 cm
Materials: Mohair fabric.
Upholstered dining chair. Shown in mohair fabric.
COM option available.
Customizations availa...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Mohair
Modern Skirt Upholstered Accent Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Dressed in a softly textured chenille performance fabric with a silver metallic ground, this elegant tall back chair works beautifully in home office spaces, or bedrooms and dressing...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Wool Bouclé Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Margot bouclé dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redefines the standards of modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak, Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Wiener Stuhl Chair in Curry Yellow & Fabric Seating
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A simplified design to create an elegant, comfortable, popular item”. The structure has an all-embracing simplicity, and is formed from just a few elements in steam bent solid beech....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
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
Iconic Eero Aarnio Black Leather Swivel Ball Lounge Chair
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
The ball chair was designed in 1963 and debuted at the Cologne Furniture Fair in 1966. The chair is one of the most famous and beloved classics of Finni...
Category
2010s Finnish Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass, Leather
Bondi Stackable Dining Chair in Ashwood
By Please Wait to be Seated, Fräg Woodall
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
ONE SS CHAIR-Chair
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
What happens when two becomes one? “The Oness” objects or people. It is about how coming together creates chair entertains the thought of a merging, between two a new, sometimes sens...
Category
2010s Egyptian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Contemporary Dining Chair in Caribbean Walnut, in Stock
Located in PARQUE INDUSTRIAL OTHON P BLANCO, Quintana Roo
The Tamay Chair brings together personality and subtlety, based on simple lines and harmonious proportions, which underscore the natural beauty of the solid tropical wood native to s...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Hardwood, Walnut
e15 Karnak Chair with European Oak Base by Ferdinand Kramer
By Ferdinand Kramer, e15
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1925, the elegant and archetypal chair Karnak features Ferdinand Kramer's masterful grip on simplicity. Available in waxed solid European o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
White Oak Dining Chair with Leather Seat or Dining Chair GH2
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Reminiscent of an old farmhouse chair, the dining chair GH2 is second in the collection of chairs designed for the restaurant Auburn in Los Angeles. The piece is handcrafted by our t...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Minimal Style, Bar Stool in Solid wood, Textiles or Leather Seat, Black finish
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood
Minimal Style, Bar Stool in Solid Wood, Textiles or Leather Seatings
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood
Art Deco Margot Dining Chairs, Faux Fur Velvet, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
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
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
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
alvar aalto stoolE60 kids size painted green 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1950s.
There is evidence of overpainting
There is some damage to the leg of the chair, but there is no problem in using...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
HELLO - Chair With Resin Balloon
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
At first , the were two separate beings unaware of what they could be, he reached for her said “hello” , gave her a balloon, she accepted with a grin on her face and together they ma...
Category
2010s Egyptian 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
Claste For the Love of Solitude Small Chair in Glass with Sea Pearl Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that creates separation with transparency, solitude without disconnection. Within the walls of glass, a floating slab of marble adds weight and texture to the delicate nature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
Pair of Philippe Starck Miss Dorn chairs
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of Miss Dorn chairs by Philippe Starck for Disform 1982. Black metal frame and round cushioned seating.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Exquisite Klismos Chair in Blue/Gray Shagreen with Brass Sabots 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted Klismos chair in blue/gray shagreen with polished brass sabots by Maitland Smith, Philippines 1980's. The sensual form and exceptional materials and craftsmanshi...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Claste For the Love of Solitude Large Chair in Glass with Sea Pearl Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that creates separation with transparency, solitude without disconnection. Within the walls of glass, a floating slab of marble adds weight and texture to the delicate nature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
Bold Dining Chair
By Mohdern
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 - Anouk 105
By Mohdern
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 - Anouk 100
By Mohdern
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
Alien chair, plastic metal, modern Italian, Carlo Forcolini for Alias, 1982
By Alias, Carlo Forcolini
Located in MIlano, IT
Alien model chair with black metal rod frame and red-colored MDF seat and back.
Produced by Alias in c. 1980 and designed by Carlo Forcolini in 1982.
Very good condition.
Measures 38...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 304
By Mohdern
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
Seduta scultorea in legno curvato, produzione italiana anni 70
Located in Firenze, IT
Bellissima seduta scultorea in multistrato di faggio curvato, composta da due moduli che si uniscono ad incastro. Autore sconosciuto, ma di grande impatto visivo e di materiale di ot...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Plywood
Claste and Here I Sit Hall Chair Limited Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unexpected shift in appearance is the central idea behind the design of this chair. It switches from precariously balanced to solid and permanent through the clever use of a trian...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Bronze
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Artifort Black Mushroom Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin in STOCK
Located in New York, NY
Mushroom medium F 560
The Mushroom armchair is one of the world’s most famous designs. Designer Pierre Paulin distinguished himself with this armchair in the original shape, bright colours and revolutionary manufacturing technique for the time.
The idea for the Mushroom came to Pierre Paulin while he was watching women...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Italian modern Rectangular chair with black fabric and yellow metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Rectangular chair with black fabric and yellow metal, 1980s
Chair with rectangular seat and backrest, padded and covered in bla...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Modern Mary Dining Chairs, Beige Velvet 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
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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