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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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4,644
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286
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95
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48
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2,242
1,953
1,105
1,034
3,561
1,583
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180
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90
Style: Modern
Number in Set: Single Piece
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
Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 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
Velvet
Kartell Spoon Stool in White by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original stool whose shape is as elastic in appearance as it is in function. The innovation of Spoon consists mainly in attaching the seat to a central support with a specially re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 102
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
Velvet
Modern De Castro Dining Chairs, Camel Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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 remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
alvar aalto stool60 painted red 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1930's.
This stool is painted red and white.
There is some peeling and damage in the paint here and there, but it is a ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Aluminum
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
Aluminum
The Walky Chair by Design VA . Maple & Walnut
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
Maple, Walnut
alvar aalto chair69 natural 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1930s.
It has a structure that seems to be an early product that is not found in current products.
The paint film from ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Contemporary Felix carver Chair in Yellow Mohair with Solid Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Felix Fluted Chair is our new take on our Felix Carver Chair, with its stunning fluted back adding a touch of elegance.
Shown here upholstered in Alt...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Mohair
Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 104
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
Velvet
Green River Project Chair GRP LLC Peruvian Walnut Chair 2020
Located in Vancouver, BC
Rare opportunity to own 1 of 1 signed Green River Project LLC Chair.
This chair was made while Green River Project was in British Columbia, it wa...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut
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
Arper Catifa 53 Chairs - Tan Leather with Steel Base and Arms - 10 Available
By Arper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10 Available (Sold individually). Retail $1,971 plus tax each. Buy now with no lead time.
Top of the line custom made Catina 53 chairs made by Arper in Italy.
They have steel ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
21st Century Kivu Chair in Leather by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A slim and essential design for the Kivu chair. The thin metal armrest that rotates around the structure is characterized by a particular bush-hammered finish that lends a rough and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Upholstered Walnut Corktown Stool Counter by Hollis & Morris
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstered walnut cork town stool by Hollis & Morris
Dimensions:
Seat diameter 13"
Base 12.5" x 14.5" x height 25.5"
Materials: Solid wood. Cold rolled steel. Fabric.
Also available...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
alvar aalto chair69 Painted Deep blue 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 69 .
Deep blue paint is applied all over.
This chair was manufactured in the 1930s.
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Bold Armchair - Azimut 101
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
Velvet
Cream Boucle', Bronzed Steel, Brass & Feather Trim, Ostrich Fluff Lounge Chair
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This lounge chair is part of the Ostrich Fluff collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa.
The lounge chair is constructed in two section, these are connecte...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
alvar aalto stool60 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
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
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Bold Dining Chair - Karakorum 003
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
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
There is some damage to the seat.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair65 black linoleum top
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 65 black linoleum top.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather black 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Miljevina Bench by Nortstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
Miljevina bench by Nortstudio
Dimensions: 40 x 120 x 46 cm
Materials: Mirror polished steel, mirror-look HPL.
Three abandoned buildings with a strong geometrical character were the...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Contemporary Vegas Sofa upholstered in Mark Alexander Velvet with walnut legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Vegas Sofa, features a pronounced high back and sweeping curved arms. This special edition is upholstered in Mark Alexander Empire II velvet, colour Otter, with legs in natural o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Velvet
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
By Carlo Bartoli, Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
Chair mod. 4875 with rounded seat and back, in brown plastic. The round section chair legs are removable. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
21st Century Iranja Armchair in Jacquard by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Iranja is a small armchair with compact proportions and a captivating geometric design. The cushion covered in animalier fabric makes the seat comfortable while enriching the decorat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Foam, Fabric, Wood
Italian Modern Red Wood Chair Kazuki by Takahama for Simone Gavina, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Red wood chair mod. Kazuki by Kazuhide Takahama for Simone Gavina, 1960s
Armchair mod. Kazuki in glossy red lacquered wood. The back is...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Modern De Castro Dining Chair, Dark Blue, Velvet Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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 remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Ebony, Beech
chair art. Ines in green leather for living room or restaurant, confortable
By EP Studio
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
The chair Ines is the excellent italian manufactures.
The frame in solid wood is curved by hand and work with skill.
Painted color walnut or oak.
The padding is soft ,comfortable and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
White Playdough Chair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
White playdough chair by kar
Materials: FRP
Dimensions: 37 x 39 x 89 cm
*This piece is suitable for outdoor use.
Soft like cotton, with a strong cont...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
21st Century Key West Chair in Silk Satin by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Appealing design and vintage lines for the Key West chair. Featuring sinuous and rounded shapes, it boasts an enveloping back with gold finishing and a comfortable seat upholstered w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Modern Margot Dining Chair, Brown Leather Camel, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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 redefines the standards of modern...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric
Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Black Leather Grey, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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 redefines the standards of modern...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric
Lula Chair, Ivory Bouclé & Natural Wood Chair by Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order bouclé and wood chair designed by Christian Siriano.
Base: Natural Maple
Fabric for seat/back cushion:
Ivory Bouclé
Meas...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Maple
alvar aalto chair68 Painted White 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 68 .
White paint is applied all over.
This chair was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Blue, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Brown, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Black, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Roly Poly Armchair in Concrete without cushion by Faye Toogood for Driade
By Driade, Faye Toogood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The distinctive, reassuringly chunky lines of Faye Toogood’s Roly-Poly furniture collection become even more inviting in her new collaboration with Driade. The latest line for the It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Red, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
1970s Set of 6 Modern Dining Chairs by Marcello Cuneo for Mobel Italia -Stendig
Located in West Reading, PA
This is a set of 6 unusual Bauhaus Cantilever Dining Chairs, designed by Marcello Cuneo for Mobel Italia in the early 1970s. These were imported from Italy via Stendig, and were init...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Green, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
GTV Thonet Postsparkasse Chair in Black and Aluminium by Otto Wagner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Extreme shape synthesis. Minimalism, exclusivity and an eye for detail. The “Postsparkasse” series was designed in 1906 by Otto Wagner for the headquarters of the Post Office Savings...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Grey, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Maarten Baas Where there is smoke chair, dutch design
By Maarten Baas
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven with his “Smoke” series, Maarten Baas has pushed the boundaries of art, design and aesthetics. “Smoke” is an investigation into beauty ...
Category
Early 2000s Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
De Sede DS-2100/156 Chair in Green Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The slats on DS-2100 in finest leather adapt to individual body contours and provide – with its embracing feeling – the highest level of comfort. Available as a low-backed, visitor swivel chair, a high-backed executive chair, with headrest, tilt mechanism, height adjustment and casters, and as a visitor chair with a four-star base.
Be it in James Bond films or in “Men in Black...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Modern Dining Chair in Exotic Wood and Sheepskin from Costantini, Luca Ovino
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Luca Ovino Modern Dining Chair in Exotic Wood and Sheepskin from Costantini
The Luca Chair’s gently curved, high back exudes elegance and has become one of Costantini's most specifi...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
21st Century Bare Chair in Fabric col. Bean by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Comfortable as an armchair, Bare chair stands out for its retro lines and enveloping backrest, upholstered with Etro Home Interiors iconic fabrics. The chair features a fir wood stru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with a sheet of natural thick leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable e...
Category
2010s South African 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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