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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set of 4 dining chairs by Philippe Starck for Baccarat
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
Very rare for sale, set of four dining chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Baccarat from their Crystal Dream collection - France 2009. Structure in polished steel Baccarat clear c...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Viva Gradient Yellow and Blue Contemporary Sculptural Velvet Bench by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Viva Gradient Yellow and Blue Contemporary Sculptural Velvet Bench by Houtique Dimensions: D 100 x W 45 x H 48 cm Materials: Velvet, Upholstery, Wood Also available in different colours. Please contact us. VIVA BENCH...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Modern Thick Leather Sling Hanging Chair
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the seat made of leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable experienc...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

MARLON Modern dining chair
Located in Frazão, Porto
The impressive design of the MARLON chair was thought to accommodate and comfort you, thanks to its enveloping shape. The bold design finds balance in the relaxing, immersive seating...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood

Celestial 8
Located in FITZROY, AU
Celestial 8 represents an evolved synergy between earthly materials and otherworldly elegance. The term ""Celestial"" invites a sense of connection to the heavens, while the numeral ...
Category

2010s Balinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stone

Set of 2 Brutus Lounge Chairs by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brutus lounge chairs by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl Dimensions: L91 / W61 /H61 CM Seat height: 38 CM ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Concrete

Moooi Shift Lounge Chair in Blue Grey Upholstery & Steel Frame by Jonas Forsman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
When folded, the chair is flat to facilitate shipping and storing, yet once unfolded it acquires a rounded, three-dimensional shape thanks to its comfy outfit, with a soft knitted backrest and padded seat. The Shift Launch Chair fits & shifts comfortably in any space, from a small metropolitan apartment to a villa. Additional information: Material: Steel, foamed seat, polyester knitted covers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

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

Contemporary Saddle Up Armchair in Tan Hide Saddle Leather and Natural Walnut
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The handsome Saddle Up showcases the skill of our master saddler, with the stitching and solid brass buckles echoing the detail of riding gear. Shown here in natural oiled walnut wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Armchair in Premium Leather Molteni&C by Gio Ponti Round D.154.5 - made in Italy
Located in New York, NY
Armchair in Premium Leather Molteni&C by Gio Ponti Round D.154.5 - made in Italy More than 60 years after the original idea, Round (D.154.5) was rebo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mini Boga for Taaru, Teak & Woven Rope Occasional Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mini Boga for Taaru, teak & woven rope occasional chair India, Circa 1960s A fine example, of doweled teak construction, with hand-woven geometri...
Category

20th Century Indian Modern Chairs

Materials

Rope, Wood, Teak

Tacchini Costela Chair with Ottoman in Green Bryony Fabric by Martin Eisler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tacchini is delighted to reissue Costela by Martin Eisler, icon of Brazilian 1950s design. An elegant yet informal armchair. With its sensual aesthetic, natural materials and intelli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Nick Crosbie for Inflate UK "Chair" Pair of Inflatable Cushion Chairs ca 1996-97
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Nick Crosbie for Inflate UK "Chair" Pair of Inflatable Cushion Chairs ca 1996-97 As much a piece of art as a piece of furniture, this pair of inflatable chairs was produced in Engla...
Category

1990s English Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Customizable Designer Chair with Curved Backrest and Ergonomic Design
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This beautifully crafted, elegant piece of furniture combines classic design elements with modern comfort and versatility. Its high-quality materials, customizable options, and metic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

"Revoar" Hanging Swing Chair in Natural Leather Handmade in Caramel
Located in Centro, RS
The project starts from leather threads, valuing the manual work of various craft techniques, such as braids, cords, chains and fringes. The chains were represented in three-dimensio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

DOOQ NEW Slide Counter Chair
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Inspired by the continuous flow of water and the softness of natural movement, the Slide collection was born from a desire to create pieces that embrace the body and invite stillness...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Set of 2 Leather You Chaise Chairs by Luca Nichetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather You chaise chair by Luca Nichetto Materials: Structure in black lacquered metal, seat covered with fabric or leather Technique: Lacquered metal. Dimensions: 63 x 57 x H 74 ...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Customizable Iconic Eero Aarnio Swivel Ball Lounge Chair
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

Fabric, Fiberglass

Kartell A.I. Bar Stool in White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability with eco-friendly products which are part of the broader project expressed by the industrial manifesto Kartell loves the pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Forest Lounge Chair with Brass Inlay by Marcantonio
Located in Kolkata, IN
Forest lounge chair with brass inlay by Marcantonio, is a luxurious, pop chair, a conversation piece in any space. It is covered in brass "fur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Outdoor Lounge Chair – Weather‑Resistant Fabric & Stainless Steel, Made in UE
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Enjoy effortless outdoor living with this Outdoor Lounge Chair — weather-resistant fabric paired with stainless steel, made in Portugal. Designed by Keiji Takeuchi as the outdoor ve...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Low Sass Stool from Souda, Dining Chair, Seating, Shape A
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 2 Sass Stool from Souda. We offer three different shapes (A, B, & C). This listing is for 'A', which is the stool in the first image. 'B' and 'C' are available in...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Ash

Arrben Italy Modern red Dining Chair Model Marylin
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This comfortable chair is manufactured from the 1980s by Arrben Italy and the Model is Marylin. It can be used as Dining chair or also as a lady desk office chair. This version has a...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Dig It Chair Java Shiny Fabric
Located in Milano, IT
Dig It is a chair with a cylindrical seat and an curved backrest. The wooden shell is covered with polyurethane foam and finished with a top layer of acrylic fiber. The base can be made of matte black lacquered wood or covered with a metal casing in brushed brass. This version of DIG IT chair...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

De Sede DS-51 Chair in Nougat Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

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

Mimimalist Design, Fiberglass Frame and Fabric Circular Lounge Chair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Circular lounge chair by kar Dimensions: W 105 x D 93 x H 80 cm Materials: Fabric, MDF frame Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

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

Dragon Bench by Daniel Nikolovski
Located in Geneve, CH
Dragon bench by Daniel Nikolovski Dimensions: W 160 x D 28 x H 31,5 cm Materials: massive walnut Also available in oak. The Dragon Series is a mini colle...
Category

2010s Macedonian Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Armchair, Model '109', by Finn Juhl, 1955
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant armchair, model '109', was designed by the danish designer Finn Juhl and manufactured in 1955 by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. It is above all the detailed armrests that m...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Synthetic, Teak

Waterfall Dining Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Waterfall Dining Chair by Egg Designs Dimensions: 57 L X 52 D X 68.5 H cm Materials: Bronze Coated Steel, Leather Upholstery Founded by South Afr...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 5 Counter Stool w. Backrest Dark Brown Leather & Black Rubber Metal
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

Minimal style, solid wood chair, textiles or leather seatings
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

Leather, Textile, Hardwood

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

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

Aro Chair, Black by Ries
Located in Geneve, CH
Aro chair, black by Ries Dimensions: W60 x D60 x H67,5 cm Materials: Round steel tube, high-density foam, and velvet upholstery Also available: Merlot, dark blue, mika, oceano,...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Pair of Charlotte Perriand Dordogne Chairs for Robert Sentou, France c1950
Located in London, GB
Set of four or six available. Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999), a key figure of European modernism, famously started her career with a rebuff from Le Corbusier’s studio: “We don’t em...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Pine

Contemporary Reposer Special Edition Chair in British Wool and Walnut Legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Reposer chair has been thoughtfully created with a relatively low, soft back and a generous seat depth encouraging you to repose. Construction: solid...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Indoor Lulu Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Indoor Lulu Easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: Abaca, Nylon, Steel. Also available in other colors and for o...
Category

2010s Philippine Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Classic Bar Stool Black Smoke Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary barstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned metal ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Cambre Lounge Chair in Ebonized Ash with Grey Upholstered Cushion by Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
For this Wooda original design, we were looking for a supremely comfortable lounge chair. This contemporary take is loosely based on a 1920s vintage design. Cambre invites you to get comfortable. The deep seat and cantilevered angle offers the ultimate design for long-term sitting, reading, movie watching...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood, Ash

Willy Rizzo C2 70s Production Chromed Steel Frame Gray Vintage Leather Set of 4
Located in IT
Willy Rizzo chairs C2 70s production with chromed steel frame and gray vintage leather seats. Set of 4 chairs. The seat has been re upholstered with vintage leather. The chairs are in excellent condition, the steel shows only light signs of use. Set of 4 chairs. Measurements: L seat 45 cm, total P 55 cm, H 83 cm, seat P 41...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Customizable Artifort F587 Swivel High Lounge Chair by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting leather We cherish an armchair with such a clear Artifort signature as the F500 series. Such a classic armchair is part of our collection and is therefore s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Contemporary Nelligan Chair
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Nelligan chair emerges as an unfinished structure, rooted within the internal confines of the solidity of a cube. This latter, envisioned as the epitome of stability, stands in s...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

alvar aalto chair611 50's natural
Located in Tomi, Nagano
designed by alvar aalto . Manufactured in the 1950s. Paint is in original condition. The paint film is thin.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

alvar aalto chair611 50's natural
alvar aalto chair611 50's natural
$1,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Outdoor Lounge Chair – Weather‑Resistant Fabric & Stainless Steel, Made in UE
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Enjoy effortless outdoor living with this Outdoor Lounge Chair — weather-resistant fabric paired with stainless steel, made in Portugal. Designed by Keiji Takeuchi as the outdoor ve...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bertu Side Chair, Suelo Side Chair, Leather and Maple
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Turned leg Suelo® side chair in leather and maple is beautifully constructed from solid white maple in Ohio, USA. The chair's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable reversible back...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Maple

Frenchkiss Low-Back Counter Stool by Stefano Bigi
Located in Milan, IT
Designed and made in Italy, this counter stool combines a sleek, modern design with natural wooden legs for a style that is both elegant and welcoming. Its thin, spindly legs seem to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Ledermann Chair by Tom Kelley
Located in Milan, IT
The Ledermann chair's seat and back are joined and completely covered in taupe-colored leather. The frame and four tapered, conical legs are made from gray ash wood. Its sturdy, shar...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Modern Bar Chair Flock CS2 / 75 cm with Wooden Legs in Carnival boucle by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
The design bar chair Flock is not just a modern chair; it's a masterpiece that seamlessly blends timeless elegance with comfort and meticulous craftsmanship. This bar-height chair fe...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Velvet

Moroso Shortwave Chair by Diesel Living
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Although this chair is small in stature with a feminine side, it still has a lot of attitude. Perfect as a dining chair or side chair, the wing arms are designed for style and functi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Polyester, Birch, Ash

Skeleton, Counter Chair in Brushed Stainless with Boucle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Skeleton Counter Chair Materials: brush stainless and boucle Dimensions: 21"W x 19"D x 34"H Seat Height: 24.5” H Skeleton Counter Stool is an elevated iteration of the Skele...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Stainless Steel

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

Six Mid-Century Modern Steel Z Dining Chairs
Six Mid-Century Modern Steel Z Dining Chairs
$2,500 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Set of 6 Pierre Jeanneret “Box” Armchairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful set of six "box" armchairs by Pierre Jeanneret, circa late 1950s. These chairs show some the most intricate caning we've ever seen on Jeanneret chairs. Please look carefully. The chairs have aged gracefully over the past 70 years and now show fantastic character. Please note: original Jeanneret chairs...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Modern Chairs

Materials

Teak

Contemporary Felix carver Chair in Yellow Mohair with Solid Walnut Legs
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

1965 Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli DSC 106 Stacking Dining / Side Chairs in Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) DSC 106 chair designed by Giancarlo Piretti and produced by Castelli in Italy. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Minimalist Style, Stool in Black Ebonized Solid Wood
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Our Evo collection is based in the harmonic fusion between geometrical forms in a modern interpretation of wood archetypes, combining a rational defined outcome with the warmth of or...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Upholstery, Hardwood

Arflex Delfino Chair in Mistral Fabric with Golden Legs by Erberto Carboni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Delfino armchair by Erberto Carboni is a significant example of the so-called ""organic"" furniture, which develops in the 1950s and draws inspiration from the forms of nature. With ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

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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