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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
to
307
3,551
1,499
5,007
611
214
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4,451
4,591
3,879
4,729
3,800
4,468
3,740
4,612
3,776
4,302
3,715
4,645
7,893
5,832
1,136
645
304
228
199
197
173
171
157
153
138
125
121
86
79
75
1
3
607
5,221
17
148
376
2
10
13
9
40
44
108
145
66
2,616
2,548
2,330
1,361
1,280
4,417
1,856
620
484
450
5,832
1,213
2,405
235
142
129
91
86
Style: Modern
Mario Bellini Vintage CAB 412 Duo Two Dining Chairs Brown Leather, Italy, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini duo pair two (2) vintage dining chairs or side chairs model CAB 412
from cognac brown leather designed 1970s, Italy.
A timeless and sleek modern design icon, the CAB ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Dining chair "Gaulinetta" by Oscar Tusquets black lacquered ash wood, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an ideal chair for dining and after, being able to tuck it away under the table. In homage to Enzo Mari, who called Tonietta, a derivative of Thonet, This chair was named the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Hide, Ash
Jean Prouvé Folding Chair Designed 1930, Manufactured by Tecta, 1983
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Jean Prouve´, reclining chairs, steel and canvas, France, design circa 1930, manufactured by Tecta, 1983
This very rare folding chair was designed by Jean Prouve´ in 1930. Originall...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Indoor Lulu Club Chair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Indoor lulu club chair by Kenneth Cobonpue.
Materials: abaca, nylon, steel.
Also available in other colors and for outdoors.
Dimensions: 78 cm x 84 cm x H 80.5 cm.
Lulu adds ...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Brown Velvet & Blackened Steel Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Chair by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholstery, and...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
De Sede RH-305 Armchair in Truffe Fabric with Chrome Finish by Robert Haussmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The cantilevered armchair is suitable for any living space, also because the seating comfort is overwhelming and appealing in every situation. The current product is a re-edition and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Obscure Objects Chunk Chair
By Luisa Pöpsel, Obscure Objects
Located in Toronto, CA
By Obscure Objects
Designed by Luisa Pröspel
The chunk chair combines soft, round and slightly oversized shapes with hard, resistant stainless steel. The homogenous hand brushed su...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Segmented Orange Velvet Large Sofa with Five Backrests by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Waldo W1 sofa by Pietro Franceschini
Materials: Mohair Velvet
Dimensions: W 210 x L 94 x H 57-93cm
Designed during a creative momentum in the relaxed Italian Riviera Ligure, our...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
"Sof Sof" Outdoor Fabric Steel Rod Chair Designed by Enzo Mari for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Sof Sof" is an iconic chair, designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Driade, featuring a structure made of steel rod with protective cataphoresis treatment ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian 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 Red Velvet Dining Chair with Black Legs
Located in Porto, PT
Scille Dining Chair is a luxury armchair that features an asymmetric seat composed of curvilinear panels that intersect each other. An original and comfortable dining chair, upholste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Guillerme et Chambron, 4 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron, 4 chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Other
Gufram, Grey Detecma Lounge Chair By Tullio Regge
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Its name, an acronym for Design, Technique and Mathematics, identifies by itself some of the characteristics that make this seat unique. These three values were united for the first ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery
Curved Back Dining Room Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
This new dining chair design is comfortable and modern with a relaxed pitch. The chairs shown feature a walnut finish and are covered in a blue vinyl. The back is a Christian Lacroix fabric...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Jacquard
Molletta Bench Baldessari&Baldessari Contemporary Natural Cedar Riva1920
Located in Cantù, IT
Bench made of solid scented cedar worked from single blocks. It features a sculptured design that experiments with the Classic Pop Art off-scale approach.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Charles Dudouyt Vintage Oak Dining Chair
Located in Basildon, London
Introduce a touch of vintage charm to your dining room with the Charles Dudouyt Vintage Oak Dining Chair. Crafted from high-quality oak, this chair features a classic design with a c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Set of 2 Kartell One More Square Bar Stools in Crystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you want to sip a drink at the bar in peace and quiet, you need a comfortable tall stool with a back to lean against. Sometimes one drink is not ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Crystal
Colima Wood Chair
By Casa Quieta
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Colima chair is born where the form makes the function, with its basic geometry and its converging angles. It consists of a skeleton with a wooden str...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Oak
Postmodern Chrome Armchair in the Manner of John Mascheroni Grey Velvet, Casters
Located in Basel, BS
Incredible tubular chrome 1970s chairs on very gorgeous chrome, ball casters / wheels. Very clean condition on the frame. Brand new upholstery, in stunning condition. In the style of...
Category
20th Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Red Painted Children Chairs from the 1970 's
Located in Vienna, Austria
A pair of children chairs produced in the Czechoslovakia.
A beautiful 1970 's design, clear and functional.
The frame is made from hardwood, the seat and back from plywood.
The ch...
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
21st Century, Modern, Maçka Bench, Coated Metal Structure & Upholstery
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Maçka, defined by its juxtaposed simple geometrical forms, is a seating collection consisting of dining & corner chairs, bar stool and love & lounge benches. The designs elegantly re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Minimalist Modern Chair in Natural Solid Wood with Arms
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Evo chair collection.
Our Evo collection is based in the harmonic fusion between geometrical forms and the modern interpretation of wood archetypes.
All elements that compose ...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Hardwood
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Post Mundus Chair in Beech
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Five pieces of bent wood make up the unique profile of Post Mundus, the chair designed by Martino Gamper that plays on the iconic lines of the historic Aus...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Baloo Boucle Flock Chair CS1 by NOOM
Located in Geneve, CH
Baloo Boucle Flock Chair CS1 by NOOM
Dimensions: W 55 x D 61 x H 78 cm
Materials: Ashwood, plywood, metal, moulded foam, textile.
Weight: 11 kg
Also available in other materials an...
Category
2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Minimal Style, Solid Wood Chair, Leather or Textile Seating, Caning Backboard
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Cane, Hardwood
Batllo Bench, Antonio Gaudí
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Geneve, CH
Batllo bench, Antonio Gaudí
1906
Dimensions: 94 x 183 x 129 cm
Materials: dark varnished oak
Solid dark varnished oak or natural (colourless) varnis...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Leather Swing Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Swing Chair by Egg Designs
Dimensions: 100 L X 80 D X 110 H cm
Materials: Polished Stainless Steel, Leather
Founded by South Africans...
Category
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Baloo Boucle Gropius Counter Chair CS1 by NOOM
Located in Geneve, CH
Baloo Boucle Gropius Counter Chair CS1 by NOOM
Dimensions: W 57 x D 57 x H 88 cm
Materials: Ashwood, plywood, foam, moulded foam, textile.
Weight: 12.2 kg
Also available in other m...
Category
2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set di due sedie "Caprice" disegnate da Philippe Stark prodotte da Cassina 2010
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Iconico set composto da due sedie modello" Caprice" disegnate da Philippe Starck per Cassina nel 2010,seduta originale in pelle naturale nella raffinata lavorazione capitonne',gambe ...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Nylon, Wood
Apollo Dinning Chair, Modern, Sculptural, Chrome Frame and Cream Boucle
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo dining chair creates its own graceful simplicity, by presenting its fine metal loops outwards at each side, rather than to the front. The structural loops are configured t...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vienna Chair by Colé, Modern Design in Wood and Straw, Azure Upholstered Seat
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Vienna is an extraordinarily comfortable and elegant chair designed by Emmanuel Gallina who loves to quote Brancusi when saying that “simplicity is complexity resolved”. Inspired to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Straw, Beech
Dining Room Chair in solid wood, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
This armchair, made to order as a dining room set, is is part of the Arrow chair collection which carries the concept of precision and the figurative arrow...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Hardwood
Frank Gehry Attributed Vintage Curved Cardboard Side Chair or Chair, 1970s
By Frank Gehry
Located in Vienna, AT
A Frank Gehry attributed curved and corrugated cardboard side chair or chair, which was designed 1970s and executed 1980s.
The surface is in very good vintage condition and shows sig...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Paper
21st Century, Modern, Maçka Corner Chair, Powder Coated Structure & Upholstery
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Maçka, defined by its juxtaposed simple geometrical forms, is a seating collection consisting of dining & corner chairs, bar stool and love & lounge benches. The designs elegantly re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Nana Wooden Dining Chair, No:2, Lagu Selection
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 piece of the Lagu Selection collection, Nana Chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Foam, Beech
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Stool with Adjustable Height
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia Stool is a swivel stool with die-cast aluminium shell. Chrome-plated steel structure, base and footrest. Adjustable in height with gas piston. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Chair Clown D
Located in Mérida, MX
The chair features a stackable model with interchangeable seats, offering textile or woven options. Blending artisanal techniques with carpentry, we inject a playful twist into Mexic...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Nylon, Wood, Oak
Traditional Steelcase Topaz European Beech Wood Guest or Dining Chairs, a Pair
By Steelcase
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous pair of Steelcase Topaz European beech wood guest or dining chairs.
The Topaz chair offers fine details and exquisite craftsmanship in a traditional contemporary style that ...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Tensa Chair, Pink by Ries
Located in Geneve, CH
Tensa chair, Pink by Ries
Dimensions: W40 x D49,5 x H82 cm
Materials: Round steel tube, laser cut metal sheet, high density foam, velvet upholstery, aluminum/bronze caps
Matte po...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Celeste Chair in White Wool Italian Fabric and Metal, by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Celeste chair plays with contrasting shapes, materials and textures. The circles and squares join to make a chair that has both substance and lightness. ...
Category
2010s British Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Outdoor Leaf and Charcoal Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, this collection is composed of steel frames that have been zinc primed and powder coa...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Hala Wood Chair
By Casa Quieta
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Nalie wood chair with rope was originally created for an Italian cuisine restaurant.The use of twisted paper cord weave adds warmth and the traditional fabrics a contemporary rea...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Wood, Oak
Karl Springer Attributed JMF Chair Lacquered Burlwood Patchwork
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic Jean Michel Frank JMF chair attributed to Karl Springer featuring an ebonized wood frame covered with a rich burl patchwork. The burl veneer is show...
Category
20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Burl
Leda Armchair, Salvador Dalí
Located in Geneve, CH
Leda armchair, Salvador Dalí
Design inspired on an artwork by Salvador Dalí
Dimensions: 47 x 60 x 92 H cm
Materials: structure in cast polished and varnished brass.
Design inspired on an artwork by Salvador Dalí: Femme à tête de roses...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Italian white metal and grey leather Spaghetti chair G. Belotti for Alias 1979
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian white metal and grey leather Spaghetti chair G. Belotti for Alias 1979.
Spaghetti model chair in a rare version with white metal rod structure and seat and back in light gray...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
Exotic Wood High-Back Dining Leather Chair from Costantini, Luca
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Costantini prides itself in using the hardest and most beautiful hardwoods in the construction of its line of seating. Shown in Argentine Rosewood, the Luca Chair’s gently curved, hi...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
2021 Jehs+Laub Wire Lounge Chair for Knoll Studio in Dark Marine Blue Leather
By Knoll, Jehs+Laub 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 2021 production Jehs+Laub Wire Lounge Chair designed by Jehs+Laub and produced by Knoll. This is a gorgeous example, which was acquired directly from a Knoll emp...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Sculpted Contemporary Black Chair, Ztista Chair by Faina
Located in Warsaw, PL
Sculpted contemporary black chair - Ztista Chair by Faina
Design: Victoriya Yakusha
Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose
Dime...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s
Set of 6 iconic and fantastic chairs mod. Gaudi in green plastic ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Outdoor Manolo Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Outdoor Manolo easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue.
Materials: Polyethelene, nylon, steel.
Also available in other colors and for indoors.
Dimen...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Plain Clay Dining Chair with Arm by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Dining Chair comes from Maarten Baas’s Plain Clay collection. This collection was originally developed for the Mendini restaurant in the Groninger Museum.
Unlike the Clay Ser...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
INVICTA II Modern Chair with Rear Leg in Antique Brass
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA II dining chair has an exclusive and impressive design, with just one leg in the back, it brings shophistication to your decoration. Highlighted by the piping detail arou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Kartell Madame Chair in Shanghai Print by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thanks to its neutral colour palette, this chair makes the ideal furniture piece for inserting in sophisticated residential interiors or the most refin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
21st Century Modern High Backrest Wooden Rocking Base Arca Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
Coming from Studio Orlandini’s inspiration, Arca defines a new concept of armchairs and chairs for lounges and waiting areas.
It is available in 3 declinations, which can be combine...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Postsparkasse Upholstered Chair in Black & Aluminium
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
Italian modern chairs Lira and Liuto CAB K5 by Mario Bellini per Cassina, 1990s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chairs Lira and Liuto CAB K5 by Mario Bellini per Cassina, 1990s
Set of six chairs model Lira and Liuto, also known as CAB K5, in black leather. The internal structure...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Plastic
Claste and Here I Sit Hall Chair in Temptation Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unexpected shift in appearance is the central idea behind the design of this chair. It switches from precariously balanced to solid and permanent through the clever use of a trian...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
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.