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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Stool/Bench Modern Medieval Handmade Horsehair Iron Woven Textile Fringe Tassel
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR BENCH NO. 1 - WHITE J.M. Szymanski d. 2019 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an exciting juxtaposition o...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Iron

Round Stool Modern Medieval Handmade Horsehair Iron Handwoven Fringe Tassel
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR STOOL J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an excitin...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Iron

Rock 4 Red Chair by Marc Sadler
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
An exquisite armchair of sculptural allure, this piece is a tribute to Minimalist, essential lines. Its bold structure supported by four sturdy legs is defined by a large seat adorned with upholstery...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

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

Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Shaker Chair by AMBROZIA, Macchiato Shearling, Oxidized Maple & Blackened Steel
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker chair is handcrafted to order from refined blackened Steel metal frame with a leather seat and Shearling back. Featuring subtile solid wood insertion that will give a warm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Zeus Chair by Ron Arad for Zeus United Kingdom / Italy, 1992
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Rare Ron Arad Hotel Zeus Chair, 1990s A striking fusion of industrial design and sculptural artistry, this rare Hotel Zeus Chair by Ron Arad is a true collector’s piece. Manufacture...
Category

1990s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Barrel Chair from the B. Harley Bradley House by Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Francisco, CA
Barrel Chair from the B. Harley Bradley House by Frank Lloyd Wright Quarter-sawn oak barrel-form chair designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee, Il...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Illusion Pouf 'Orphisme' Upholstery by Alexandre Ligios, Organic Curves Chair
Located in New York, NY
Illusion Pouf by Alexandre Ligios Casamance 'Orphisme' Upholstery. 47.2" W x 35.4" D x 17.7" H “Illusion” takes on the silhouette of a coffee bean, with organic curves. Beneath i...
Category

2010s Moroccan Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Modern Dining Chair Flock CS1 in Dedar Nimbus Boucle Fabric by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
The "Flock" collection embodies the idea that home should be a haven of comfort, a sanctuary, and a gathering place adorned with personalized, character-rich, and visually striking statement objects. The name "Flock" reflects its role as a tranquil oasis and central meeting space within the home, where soft, voluptuous forms, natural materials, and pleasing tactile surfaces create an ambiance of warmth and cocooning. Designer Kateryna Sokolova explains, "Home is the most intimate place for rest, comfort, and gathering, and it should be filled with personalized, character-rich, and eye-catching statement objects like Flock design pieces. In addition to the distinct shape, I wanted to create furniture that would become part of the family, a friend, intimate, and beloved." Ergonomics plays a pivotal role in NOOM's design philosophy, ensuring that its products are aesthetically pleasing and incredibly comfortable. The Flock Chair...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé

Lucien Dining Chair, Ivory Bouclé & Wood by Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order wood & bouclé dining chair designed by Christian Siriano. Fabric: Ivory Bouclé (available in custom fabric) Base: Red Oak Wood (available in custom finish) Dimensions...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Chair Sculpture Mirror Steel Orange Leather Collectible Design Handmade Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The chair 'Berserker' is made of mirror polished stainless steel with upholstering in genuine orange leather. Tipping over the chair it turns into a side-table which also contains a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Customizable ClassiCon Daybed Grand 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

Sculptural Spiral Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Modern sculptural black leather accent lounge chair. Made in Canada.
Category

1990s Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Side Chair Modern Medieval Handmade Horsehair Iron Handwoven Fringe Accent Mane
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR CHAIR NO. 1 J.M. Szymanski d. 2017 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an e...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Iron

Customizable ClassiCon Chaos Chair by Konstantin Grcic
Located in New York, NY
When a highly individual Minimalist like Konstantin Grcic designs his first upholstered furniture, the result is bound to be extraordinary. With his Chaos chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Contemporary Occasional Chair Upholstered Seat, Walnut & Bronze Detail COM
Located in Tucson, AZ
COM OR COL ONLY The meticulously handcrafted Dudley dining or occasional chair, with its woven bronze back detail and plush seat cushion will provide for hours of dinner conversati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Modern Baby Gropius Chair CS1 for Kids by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
Baby Gropius chair is designed in the same spirit as the collection's flagman Gropius chair, which makes the brand signature. We noted that kids love minimalist design and are always happy to interact with our chairs, and this fact encouraged us to create a miniature version of the Gropius chair. A distinctive silhouette that is sculptural yet comfortable, a wide range of colorful upholstery...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé

Contemporary Pouf Beanbag in Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Half traditional Moroccan Classic, half 1960s beach ball. The shape is surprisingly useful put your feet up at the end of the day or pull it out for a part...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Intreccio Outdoor Chair
Located in Milan, IT
This timeless chair embodies the rustic-chic elegance of Tuscan countryside. Entirely made of forged stainless steel, this piece is exquisitely crafted boasting legs shaped in delica...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Stainless Steel

Occasional Armchair Upholstered in Light Gray with Black Oak Finish, Laguna Line
Located in Miami, FL
A Laguna occasional chair designed by Aciole Félix for Uultis, with black wood finish, black and gold cane and light gray fabric. The Laguna oc...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Lloyd Modern Barrel Back Solid Wood Bar or Counter Stool
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Lloyd bar stool Solid wood frame / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass rungs / leather wrapped back support / recessed leather seat cushion Measure...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Contemporary set of 2 chairs w/armrests by Studio Tecnico Interna8, Wood Fabric
Located in Pordenone, IT
Chair in solid beech wood. Seat with webbing and plywood frame padded with elastic expanded polyurethane. This listing is for 2 chairs.  
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Modern Counter Chair Flock CS2/65 cm with Wooden Legs in Dedar Karakorum 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

Arches II Dining Chair, Walnut & Tan, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Arches II dining chair is designed in the likeness of the architectural scale that suggests a crossing through the structures of a utopian city, organized by the principles of sy...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Black Leather Armchair with Walnut Finish and Wraparound Back – Abra Collection
Located in Miami, FL
An Abra armchair by Uultis in black leather with walnut wood finish. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. The Abra armchair, designed by Uulti...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut, Leather, Wood

Travertine, Brass, and Mohair Chair by Slash Objects
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Adri Chair is a unique take on a statement chair that brings timeless materials together in a new way. The Chair is made using two stone slabs, connecte...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Contemporary Dining Chair w/ Seaming Details
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Drawing from the impossibly elegant waistlines of the pin ups, this dining chair is a sensuous piece that offers a generous seat. The seaming details are e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Contemporary Dining Chair with Upholstered Seat & Back
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary and sophisticated line of dining armchair, lounge chair and dining bench. The design is structured around the legs, which support ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Ivory Anziano Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of two Donghia Anziano bentwood chairs designed by John Hutton. Ivory base with black hair pin metal legs. The chairs are stackable. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Customizable ClassiCon Aixia Chair by Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Aixia was one of Eileen Gray‘s personal favourites. She used this chair in all of her apartments, sometimes in the dining room, sometimes at a desk. Even in 1929, when she converted ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Anna R Chairs by L&R Palomba Crassevig Italy Dark Chocolate Wood Black Leather
Located in Dronten, NL
Very elegant Anna R dining chairs designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba for Crassevig, Italy. These chairs feature a dark brown solid wood frame with double-paneled back and a se...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Plywood

Customizable ClassiCon Banu Stool by Eckart Muthesius
Located in New York, NY
Banu is yet another gem from the Jewel Garden, which was the name of the Maharajah‘s palace of Indore for which Eckart Muthesius designed this stool. Through the use of polished stai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rock Stool with Leather Seat by Marc Sadler
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
A striking piece of design of contemporary inspiration, this stool boasts a superb combination of colors, geometric lines, and materials. Ergonomic and versatile, the structure is ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Angelo Mangiarotti Italian Leather and Wood Dining Chairs for Agapecasa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian dining chairs model 3T designed by Angelo mangiarotti from 1978 made of traditional materials like wood and leather feauturing simple but elegant constuction details. New pr...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

ISU Lowback Handcrafted Textured Satin Metal Chair by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
ISU Lowback chair has a handcrafted satin grazed textured metal finish that sheens when exposed to light. The 1.50" seat cushion is a lustrous black hair on hide. COM accepted upon ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Customizable Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-known ribbon form. Metal frame with horizontal springs, covered with foam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile

4 Contemporary Studio Tecnico Interna8 2x Chairs Wood Fabric
Located in Pordenone, IT
Chair in solid beech wood. Seat with webbing and plywood frame padded with elastic expanded polyurethane. This listing is for 2 chairs.      
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Finn Juhl Chieftain Armchair Wood and Leather
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1949, relaunched in 2002. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. The iconic Chieftain chair is one of Finn Juhl’s absolute masterpieces, re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Finn Juhl Chieftain Armchair Wood and Leather
Finn Juhl Chieftain Armchair Wood and Leather
$19,234 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Pair of Mid-Century Chiavari Chairs with Cane Seat
Located in Vienna, Austria
Set of two Chiavari chairs produced in the 1950´s. The chairs have a cane seat in on excellent condition with a high back (66 cm). The cherry wood frame has been refresh and receive...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Legless Floor Chair Japanese Modern Style Bentwood Chair
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Legless floor chair in the Japanese modern style. In tradition Japanese style, floor chair is set on traditional Tatami Igusa floor along with tabl...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Modern Dining Chair Gropius CS1 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 concise...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Mohair, Bouclé, Felt, Cotton, Velvet, Acrylic, Ash

Wassily-Inspired Black Wood Box Chair w/ Swiveling Backrest by N. Bijan Pourfard
By Nicholas Bijan Pourfard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Box chair is a minimal occasional lounge chair created by California-based designer N. Bijan Pourfard to emphasize linear simplicity and an “airy” quality that allows you to see through the chair as much as possible. Built using solid wood with equal dimensions in all axes, the Box Chair creates a sort of cube that pays homage to Marcel Breuer's Wassily chair and other Bauhaus creations. With a swiveling backrest and oversized plank seat. Chair shown...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Classic Counter Bar 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

'Set of 2' Nana Solid Walnut Chair Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail by Lagu
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
"Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'." The elegant pie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Walnut

Contemporary Dining Chair with Seaming Details on the Back
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The front of this dining chair is composed as a verse, with a smooth seat, backrest and legs. The scene is set for the explosion of the chorus, bursting from its quilted back, infuse...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

ClassiCon Roquebrune Chair in Black with Chrome 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

Collector Core Bar Chair in OAK
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
The Core Bar Chair blends architectural rigor with sculptural softness. With its strong, geometric oak frame and gently curved upholstered backrest, it offers both structure and comf...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Contemporary Solid Caribbean Walnut Armchair, Handcrafted in Mexico – In Stock
Located in PARQUE INDUSTRIAL OTHON P BLANCO, Quintana Roo
The Tamay Chair combines character and subtlety through a design based on simple lines and harmonious proportions, highlighting the natural beauty of solid tropical woods endemic to ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Contemporary Dining Chair Offered in Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This dining chair redefines the need for curves in an interior. As playful as it is graceful, its superbly detailed segments in the front and reverse provide a plateau where the seat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Customizable Artifort Orange Slice Armchair by Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
The Orange Slice armchair by designer Pierre Paulin is one of the most popular design armchairs in the world. The iconic armchair makes every roo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile

Hollywood Regency Style Dining Chair with Slimmed Down Armrests
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This dining chair is a tribute to the golden age of filmmaking, featuring the Classic Hollywood Regency look. Its deep seat, open back and slimmed down upholstered armrests brings back the retro glam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Old Silver Steel & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Black Sculptural Three-Legged Armchair in Resin-Covered Foam by Michal Cihlar
By Michal Cihlar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The three legged armchair is an experiment in construction and finish, its form inspired by a 13th-century Mycenaean terracotta sculpture — “Fema...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Resin, Foam

Modern Dining Chair Archipen in Baloo Boucle by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
The concept behind our latest creation, the "Archipen" chair, celebrates movement and dynamism through its distinctive design. With its minimalist aesthetic, characterised by clean l...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wool, Alpaca, Bouclé, Faux Leather, Acrylic, Wood, Ash

Dining chair Balance by WOO for Elegant Contemporary Interiors
Located in Kyiv, UA
Dining chair Balance invites you to experience the balance that we all seek in life. This designer chair draws inspiration from the art of rock balancing, where natural stones are ca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Dining Armchair Offered in Walnut & Leather
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary armchair crafted of solid wood frame in walnut finish, with upholstered seat and back in grey beige leather. Available upholstered in various fabrics, leather or C.O.M. ...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Suelo Slatted Outdoor Lounge Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® Slatted outdoor lounge chair is beautifully constructed in Ohio, USA. This silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back an...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Set of 3 Contemporary Bar Stool Black Smoke Metal & Black Leather Style
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

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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