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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
Indoor Pigalle Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Indoor Pigalle easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue. Materials: Abaca, Nylon, Steel. Also available in other colors and for outdoors. Prices for upholstery and fabric upon request. ...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Arflex Botolo High Back Armchair in Natural Fur & Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fur

Mid-Century Modern to Modern Oak Maroon Vinyl Rolling Game or Dining Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern to modern rolling game or dining chairs comprised of oak frames, maroon vinyl seats and backs, brass sabots, and casters. Beautiful condition, keeping in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Oak

Modern Bar Chair Gropius CS1/75 Fully Upholstered in Wool Fabric by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of Craft...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Velvet

Armchair model "Leda" Black Edition by Salvador Dalí Spanish Surrealism
Located in Barcelona, ES
Taken from “Femme à tête de roses" (1935)” 1935 (Woman with a head of roses). It was sufficient for this sculpture to be made as a three dimensional piece, remaining faithful to ever...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Italian modern Sof metal and fabric chairs by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Sof metal and fabric chairs by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1980s. Beautiful pair of Sof Sof model chairs in light blue metal rod, with seat and back of the chair padded and ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Cant Lounge Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Cant lounge chair by Egg Designs Dimensions: 88 L X 84 D X 70 H cm Materials: solid oak cants, cast brass, fabric upholstery Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg an...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

ClassiCon Roquebrune Chair in Cognac with Black Legs by Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
For the terrace of her second house in Castellar Eileen Gray designed a very comfortable chair with a deep seating area. It was covered with blue canvas. She created another version,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Indoor Lolah Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Indoor Lolah easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: Rattan, nylon. Also available in other colors and for outdoors. Dimensions: 103cm x 1...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Outdoor Hanging Chair in Stainless Steel with Waterproof Black Fabric
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Fable Outdoor Hanging Armchair Hold by premium outdoor leather straps, this inviting outdoor hanging armchair will allow quality outdoor moments with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Portugal Chair No.3
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Portugal Chair No3, designed in 2024 This chair is part of a series with eight different designs with a graphic shaped backrest and structural legs. Hand-carved in solid walnut by s...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

1990s Cassina “Utrecht” Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld, a Pair
Located in Roanoke, VA
Fantastic pair of modernist lounge chairs, model 637 Utrecht by the designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina from the 1990s. Fabric is a cool silvery blue. Check out the incredibl...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Barbara Barry for Henredon Lounge Chairs - Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Barbara Barry for Henredon Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 34 wide x 35 deep x 34 high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Metallic Frame
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary chair with four legs in metal. Seat and backrest upholstered in faux leather. Elegant and soft steel structure with comfortable fine lines. A metal contour outlines the ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Qoticher Chair by Ángel Mombiedro
Located in Geneve, CH
Qoticher chair Measures: Cm: Ø44 x 48 seat 80 back cm Inches: Ø17 x 19 seat 32 back in Any RAL metallic structure with synthetic velvet seat. Can b...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Rare Dorothy Schindele Hairpin Leg Chairs, circa 1949
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1949, ergonomic, spring back chairs by noted California designer Dorothy Schindele. Fully restored. Currently x14 in stock.
Category

20th Century American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

One of a Kind Pedro Friedeberg Hands and Ties Chair Gold Leaf
Located in Kansas City, MO
This is an extremely rare opportunity. One off chair by artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg. This stunning chair is upholstered in Mr. Friedeberg's own personal neck ties. 17 hand-c...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Afternoon Chair, Sculptural, Dining, Occasional, Cream Boucle
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Afternoon Chair has the majesty of a throne, with the huge circular backrest that reaches out and upwards, its legs curve to join the seat at angles. The chair is completely upholste...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Natural Leather and Polished Stainless Steel
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
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

Customizable Artifort Cleopatra Chaise Lounge by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
Located in New York, NY
Countless designers have been inspired by the IDEA behind the chaise lounge. Here is the interpretation of Geoffrey Harcourt from 1970. A perfect seat on which to stretch out and unw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile

Reclining Leather Chair and Ottoman By Ekornes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chair and ottoman by Ekornes for their stressless line. This piece features subtle leather seating, armrests and ottoman sitting on a ornate wood and metal base. If you are in need o...
Category

20th Century Norwegian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Customizable ClassiCon Bonaparte Chair by Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bonaparte is one of the seldom cases in which the luxurious comfort of an upholstered chair has been successfully united with a tubular steel construction. The result communicates bo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Finn Juhl Pelican Chair Upholstered in Wood and Fabric
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pelican chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1940. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. Pelican chair was probably the one furthest ahead of its time. When it was presented at t...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Lounge Chair and Footstool by Warren Platner, 1966
Located in Berlin, Berlin
VINTAGE Easy chair and footstool designed by Warren Platner. U.S.A, Knoll International, 1966. The lounge chair, model number 1725. Welded curved steel and wool upholstery. Beautifu...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Viva Checkerboard Red and Pink Bench by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Viva Checkerboard Red and Pink Bench by Houtique Dimensions: D 100 x W 45 x H 48 cm Materials: Velvet, Upholstery, Wood Also available in different colour...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Velvet, Bronzed Steel, Brass & Ostrich Feather, Ostrich Fluff Lounge Chair
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 connected via two bronzed steel brackets which are then fixed with solid brass pins. The velvet upholstered seat section is finished off with a colored, delicate, genuine ostrich feather skirt...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Italian modern steel and black leather chair by Alessandro Mendini, Zabro 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern steel and black leather chair by Alessandro Mendini, Zabro 1980s. Modern Italian chair, steel and black leather, Alessandro Mendini for Zabro 1980s Chair with chromed ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

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. The Laurence dining chair is an artistic tribute to the essence of femininity in contemporar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood, Leather, Mohair, Linen, Velvet

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

Strelitzia Modern Solid Brass Upholstered Luxury Dining Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Strelitzia bespoke, dining chair is designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This luxury dining chair has a backrest of soli...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Herman Miller Ergonomic Aeron Side/Guest or Desk Chair Size B in Nickel Mesh
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Herman Miller Aeron side/guest or desk chair size (B) by Herman Miller. It's the best and most admired and recognized ergonomic office chair ever made. Its innovative design and supp...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Velvet, Bronzed Steel, Brass & Ostrich Feather, Ostrich Fluff Lounge Chair
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 connected via two bronzed steel brackets which are then fixed with solid brass pins. The velvet upholstered seat section is finished off with a colored, delicate, genuine ostrich feather skirt...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Brass

Modern Chair from "Fancy-Routine" Collection by Supaform
Located in Florence, IT
This piece is part of Sight Unseen’s 2020 offsite offline show. Supaform’s latest collection, a shelf, chair, coffee table, bench, and lamp called Fancy-Routine and debuting at Offs...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Melting Chair by Philipp Aduatz
Located in Geneve, CH
Melting chair by Philipp Aduatz 2011 Edition of 12 + 3 A/P Dimensions: 95 x 93 x 78 cm Materials: Glass fibre reinforced polymer with a special silver coating New since 2012: special black chrome edition of 12 + 3 A/P Philipp Aduatz´ intention in the design of the Melting Chair is to capture a transient transformation within a sculptural object. The Melting Chair, which is suitable for use, is carefully crafted to appear to the viewer either as a solid chair melting away or as a solidification of a liquid melt. Usually, materials can be observed in certain aggregate phases: they can be solid, fluid or gaseous, but not at the same time. Only during phase transitions the borders between these phases become blurred. This moment of change seems utterly fragile and filled with fascinating possibilities at the same time. Aduatz main goal in the design of the Melting Chair was to hold on to this fleeting moment and phrase his fascination for it into a usable object. To create a realistic illusion, Aduatz studied the solidification of fluids as well as the melting of solids with modern 3D animation software. With this background, he designed the surface of the object down to the smallest detail - like an architect plans...
Category

2010s Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Lyndon Chair by Aleiya Olu
By Aleiya Olu
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Lyndon chair is a delightful union of simplicity, playfulness and warmth. Made from cherry oak, each hand-assembled chair is custom-made with a satin ...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Cherry

20th Century Grassi Red Leather Chairs Set of 4
Located in IT
Set of four vintage chairs by Matteo Grassi, dark red leather. From Italy form 1990s period. Shows light scratches and wear from previous use but remains in fair condition. No stru...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Mantis Chair in Carved, Solid Wood by Craig Bassam
Located in Ridgefield, CT
Inspired by the noble praying mantis, the signature stance and powerful limbs of this chair offers a study in contrasts. Strong and elegant, sharp and curved, thick and thin, the Mantis is sturdy and solid, yet visually light. Designer Craig Bassam conceived the chair to be a new American Classic, an object that possessed measurable gravitas and wasn’t overly indebted to the Classic dining chairs associated with midcentury Europe. From certain angles, the Mantis chair...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Customizable Leather ClassiCon Daybed by Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The daybed is rightly counted among Eileen Gray’s most famous designs. The lounge "offers pleasant and comfortable seating and is, moreover, particularly suited to relaxing." What sh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Chair Post Steltman by Alessandro Guerriero for Alchimia Redesign Collection
Located in Milan, Italy
Chair re-designed by Alessandro Guerriero for the Alchimia Redesign Collection. The piece is a tribute to the famous Steltman chair design...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plexiglass

Six Mid-Century Modern Steel Z Dining Chairs
Located in Toledo, OH
Six Mid-Century Modern steel and fabric Z-dining chairs. Cantilevered flat bar frame. Attributed to Milo Baughman. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 18.5" depth x 19" W x 36" H, seat ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mattiwatta Modern Solid Brass Upholstered Luxury Lounge Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Mattiwatta bespoke, lounge chair is designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This luxury lounge chair has a frame of solid sand cast brass, the method of san...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Minimalist Outdoor Lounge Chair in "Moss" Fabric and Polished Stainless Steel
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Embracing the purpose to take a break outside, the outdoor version of the LISBOA lounge chair invites you to just sit and relax under the sun, enjoying the long days and warm summer ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Famed Brass Framed Dining Chair
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The famed brass chair brings comfortable seating with luxurious design to your living room... It will also be a simple and elegant option for your dining r...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Grand Chairs, Swivel, DEDAR Jacquard Velvet, Oak, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chair Grand, Swivel, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Grand chair is a versatile piece with it's swivel base, that combines elegance with functi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Natural Ash
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Designed to have a calming and inviting presence, the Allay chair brings together craft and simplicity to create an honest, comfortable and timeless piece. By engaging in the process...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Ash

Dining Chair Urban by WOO
Located in Kyiv, UA
Motto Dining Chair with Armrests – Modern Elegance and Personalized Comfort Elevate your space with the Motto Dining Chair with Armrests, a perfect balance of modern elegance and ev...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian modern Yellow plastic chairs 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Yellow plastic chairs 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s Set of 4 chairs mod. 4875 in yellow plastic. The backrest and seat...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Blessing Modern Hand-Chiseled Ebonized Oak Upholstered Barstool by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Blessing upholstered barstool is part of our Blessing collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. The Blessing bars...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Fried Egg Three Tone Chair, by Hans Olsen from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
A unique asymmetrical lounge chair, designed by the highly acclaimed Danish architect, Hans Olsen in the 1950s. Fried egg is also available in an exclusive anniversary edition with s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam

Repose Bar Stool w. Backrest, Tan Leather & Aged Brass Powdered Coating Frame
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

Henge Noce Dining Chairs Set by Yabu Pushelberg
Located in Boston, MA
Structure: Swamp Oak Seat &Backrest: leather 300 Nabuck Grigio 94. These are floor sample models in excellent condition. Set of 3 Chairs.
Category

2010s Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

1990s XL Ralph Lauren Henredon Sculptural Curved Wing Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning chairs you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it bei...
Category

1990s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Upholstery, Wood

Set of 2 Kartell Masters Chairs in White by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The masters chair is a powerful tribute to three symbolic chairs, re-read and re-interpreted by the creative genius of Starck. The unmistakable silhouett...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Customizable ClassiCon Non Conformist Chair by Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
It piques and provokes what one might expect of it, and yet it is inexplicably aesthetic and harmonious, a nonconformist on velvet paws. Eileen Gray commented quite pragmatically on ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Gaulino Easy Chair occasional chair black stained ash black hide, contemporary
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Gaulino Easy Chair is the natural progression from the iconic Gaulino. It retains the functional artistry of the Gaulino while sitting lighter, wider, and lower. BD introduced ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

Verner Panton Set of Eight ‘S-Stuhls’, Model 276, Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A set of eight Verner Panton chairs executed by A. Sommer for Gebruder Thonet, Germany. Made of bent laminated wood.
Category

1950s German Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

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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