Modern Chairs
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Alchemy Stool by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Alchemy stool by Rick Owens
2013
Dimensions: L 62 x W 50 x H 34 cm
Materials: Bronze
Weight: 10.5 kg
available in Black finish or Nitrate (Dark Br...
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Signed Karl Springer Lizard Leather JMF Chair, 1984
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish JMF Chair by Karl Springer featuring an amazing embossed lizard leather skin veneer. Signed and dated on bottom 1984 with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. The leather has...
Category
20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Minimalist Modern Chair in Solid Wood Solid Black Finish, Leather Seating
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, Leather
Set of 4 Monolith Ladderback Chairs by Phaedo
Located in Geneve, CH
A set of 4 Monolith ladderback chair by Phaedo
Dimensions: W 18" x D 17" x H 39" inches
Materials: white-washed Oak; Cushion is hand-dyed with Madder root
The Monolith Ladderba...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
1 Teknion Variable Stacking Chair by by Alessandro Piretti
By Teknion
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Teknion Variable Stacking Chair by by Alessandro Piretti
Designed by Alessandro Piretti, Variable is ideal for informal spaces where reconfiguration is encouraged, yet durability...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Re-Trouve Arm chairs and table by Emu
Located in Omaha, NE
Discover the allure of Italian design with the Re-trouvé Collection by Patricia Urquiola. Crafted in Italy with meticulous attention to detail, this collection balances bold color wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Afternoon Chair, Sculptural, Dining, Occasional, Pink Boucle
By Lara Bohinc
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
Pair of "Flight" Sling Stacking Lounge Chairs w/ Ottoman by Brown Jordan, 2011
By Brown Jordan
Located in Deland, FL
Established in 1945 Brown Jordan has designed iconic casual furnishings that defined and transformed an industry. Established by Robert Brown and Hubert Jordan in Pasadena, Californi...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Chaise d'écriture
Located in Paris, FR
Swiss architect and designer Pierre Jeanneret designed this writing chair with a single pallet arm for the Chandigarh administration building project in India. These would have been ...
Category
20th Century Indian Modern Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Teak
Modern Curve Back Dining Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Modern dining chair with a relaxed curve back. Shown in combination of blue vinyl and a floral jacquard velvet by Romo Fabrics. Legs in Walnut finish. This chair is completely custom...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Jacquard, Velvet
Arflex Neptunia Chair Divina Green Fabric and Metal Legs by B.B.P.R.
By Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Neptunia collection, that includes armchair and chair, was designed in the ’50s, as a continuation of the Elettra collection, for giving choice to design offices and public spaces. N...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Figueroa Dining Chair, Veti & Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in the sunny California, the charming Figueroa Mountain is a magical landscape that led to the creation of the Figueroa dining chair.
Ev...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Metal
De Sede DS 531 Chair without Armrest in Black Upholstery by De Sede Design-Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simply beautiful. Or beautifully simple.
Whoever settles into seating furniture from the DS-531 range is not only in for a comfortable and relaxing experience, thanks to the lowe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Shaker Modern Armchair, by Ambrozia, Walnut, Black Steel, Bone Leather & Cowhide
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern armchair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel frame. Very comfy and appreciated from our clients. They ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
21 Century Modern White Velvet Upholstery Chair Dining Light Wood
Located in Porto, PT
21 Century Modern White Velvet Upholstery Chair Dining Light Wood
The Pina Wood Chair is an Art Deco-style dining chair that combines elegance and maximum comfort. Its shape is desig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Set of 2 White Ribbon Chairs, Designed by Nika Zupanc
By Nika Zupanc
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products.
The Ribbon chair is the object that expresses the female language of Nika Zupanc with a st...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Masters Counter Stool in Gold by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell also offers a stool version of the Masters chair, winner of the Good Design Award 2010 and the Red Dot Award 2013, and a worldwide best seller. The legs are lengthened and th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Obsidian Black Leather and Blackened Steel Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A part of our new leather collection, this chair has a blackened steel frame finish, black webbing and cognac leather belts and upholstery of soft black vegetable tanned leather.
...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Cream Nubuck Leather and Antique Brass Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek and refined, the Inheritance Chair is a great addition to nearly any space.
This variation is upholstered in a warm cream nubuck leather with a soft suede like touch. The foam seat cushions have been wrapped in down, allowing for a soft and comfortable lounge experience. Sitting atop an antique brass plated steel frame, the piece has support belts featuring natural cotton webbing, natural veg tan leather, and antique brass buckles...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Perspective II Dining Chair, COM, Insidherland by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Our perception of space is influenced by perspective. The Perspective II dining chair is an exercise that gathers both two and three dimensions in one single object.
As if we were looking to its own drawing, the lines of the minimalist dining chair perform an inflection and visually appear as converging in order to give the illusion of depth. An intentional way of having the flat image of the drawing transported to the object and not the other way around.
Entirely handcrafted, the Perspective II dining chair gathers the best of Portuguese contemporary design with the ancient techniques applied by InsidherLand team of talented Portuguese artisans.
Product details
Metal: handcrafted structure in stainless steel finished with golden bath...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless 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
ZOLA Modern Dining Chair – Customizable Contemporary Design
Located in Frazão, Porto
Originally inspired by our unique Invicta chair, ZOLA conspires to create an undeniable atmosphere of modernity and elegance in any interior.
Fully cover...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather
Italian modern round chairs by Cesare Maria Casati and Emanuele Ponzio, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern round chairs by Cesare Maria Casati and Emanuele Ponzio, 1970s
Pair of round base chairs. The structure is in transparent plexiglass, t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Gervasoni Ghost 11 Chair in White Linen Upholstery by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ghost sofa bed family combines functionality, comfort and aesthetics. Available in the armchair-bed and sofa-bed version in multiple sizes, the Ghos...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Beige Gradient Armchair by Philipp Aduatz
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Gradient armchair by Philipp Aduatz
8 + 2 A/P
Dimensions: 108 x 95 x 102 cm
Materials: 3D printed concrete dyed, reinforced with steel
Available in red, blue, green and black
...
Category
2010s Austrian Modern Chairs
Materials
Concrete, Steel
Solid Wood Chair in Teak, with Wooden Slats, for the Outside, Outdoor Resistant
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The lake of Fiastra is located in Italy, a beautiful location, many times the inspiration for a new concept strikes from the most exotic experiences and panoramas, in this collection...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Hardwood, Textile, Wood
Shaker Modern Chair by AMBROZIA, Walnut, Brown Leather, light brown brindle hide
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The shaker chair is handcrafted to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame with a genuine leather seat and Cowhide back. Featuring subtile solid wood inserti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Dagon Chair, by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Geneve, CH
Dagon chair - by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Dimensions: D 55 x W 50 x H 76 cm
Material: Wood
This piece takes its name from Dagon, the Babylonian G...
Category
2010s Colombian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Magistretti 03 01 Armchair in Lacquered Beech
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Vico Magistretti in 2003, the Magistretti 03 01 chair combines the warmth of wood and the timeless elegance of the design language of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH (GTV) wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Smoke Grey by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Crystal
Kartell Spoon Adjustable Stool in White by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original stool whose shape is as elastic in appearance as it is in function. The innovation of Spoon consists mainly in attaching the seat to a centr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Brown 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 and which role the...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern Mary Dining Chairs, Velvet Leather, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary lea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Modern Accent Chairs by Carsons Inc Chrome Frames & Oatmeal Herringbone a Pair
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful MCM (Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Carsons Incorporated accent chairs with rectangular chrome tube frames and original oatmeal herringbone fabric, a pair. Beautiful conditi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Palermo Dining Chair in Argentine Rosewood Leather from Costantini
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Palermo Chair, named after one of the most vibrant neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, is shown here in espresso finish and leather upholstery. The angula...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Goatskin and Fabric Regency Lounge Chair in the Manner of Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Spectacular 1980’s Regency lounge chair in the manner of Karl Springer.
Out of an estate design by Steve Chase. In original condition, so it shows minor wear consistent with age.
...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Goatskin, Fabric, Wood
Gervasoni Inout 709 Rocking Chair in Berlin 03 Upholstery with Oiled Iroko Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rocking chair in wood, INOUT 709 is characterised by a high backrest with visible slats: it is made of oiled Iroko, particularly durable wood because it is naturally resistant to wat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Contemporary Bar Stool w. Backrest Black Smoke Steel & Natural Tobacco Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary barstool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Sass Counter Stool from Souda, Dining Chair, Seating, Shape C
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1 Sass stool from Souda. We offer three different shapes (A, B, & C). This listing is for 'C', which is the stool in the first image.
The Sottsass inspired “Sa...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Ash
Ribbon, Indoor/Outdoor Aluminum Chair by LAUN
By LAUN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Simultaneously delicate and bold, the Ribbon chair is a playful addition to the LAUN catalog. The layered aluminum tubes stack together to form either a solid or multicolored array a...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Set of 4 Purple Cielo Bar Stool by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Purple Cielo bar stool by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings are made from recycled plastic.
Technique: Made from recycle...
Category
2010s German Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Phillip Adams, Chair
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Wise, calm, and powerful. The Phillip Adams chair is perhaps the most respected chair of all time, its contributions to civilization and artistic awarene...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Vintage Set of Four Attributed to Mathieu Matégot Dining Chairs, France, 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking set of four vintage dining chairs attributed to Mathieu Matégot in his trademark perforated and lacquered sheet steel. Wonderful lightness to these, masterful use of steel e...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Rattan Chair, circa 1955
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An interesting chair in rattan by Genevieve Dangles. I
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Rattan
Orbit Chair in Pink Wool Fabric and Black Steel, by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
This is the first time that Bohinc explores a design favourite; the chair.
In the collection, Lara Bohinc develops her stellar themes, finding inspiration in planetary and lunar orbits...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Saturn Pouffe Small, Brushed Brass Frame and Petrol Blue Wool by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The equally singular Saturn pouffe utilizes the same gathered bilboquet seat construction, to create a more simplified but still incredibly distinctive form. The sumptuously undulati...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Outdoor Modern Dining Chair in Metal Solid Wood Rope and Textiles
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Fence collection concept
The “Fence” collection concept is inspired by the countryside elements that are part of the daily life, to create this premium outdoor collection the mai...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Melitea Lounge Chair by Luca Nichetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Melitea lounge chair by Luca Nichetto
Materials: Shell: Dark Green NCS 8010 B70G/Dark Yellow NCS 4050 Y20R/Duck Blue
NCS 6020 B10G/Warm Light Grey NCS 2002 Y50R lacquered Polyuret...
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Kartell Piuma Chair in Sage by Piero Lissoni
By Piero Lissoni, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
2016 saw the completion of the “Piuma” project by Piero Lissoni. The chair is one of the most revolutionary and enterprising products in Kartell’s repertoire of technology and materi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Outdoor Leaf and Charcoal Corner 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
Contemporary Kitchen Counter Bar Stool Aged Brass Metal & Natural Tan Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the double...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Plona Armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1969
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern transparent plastic and aluminum pair of Plona armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1969.
Pair of Plona model armchairs with aluminum tube structure a...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of 2 Kartell One More Counter 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 enough - and you need "One more" a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Chair
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek and refined, the Inheritance Chair is a great addition to nearly any space.
Since first designing Inheritance Collection, Stephen Kenn has been inspired by the inherent histo...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 6 contemporary "Gaulino" dining chairs by Oscar Tusquets natural ash wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Gaulino Chair is one of the best designs by Oscar Tusquets and has become an iconic Spanish design. Made exclusively from wood and leather, the name comes from the influences tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Ash
Contemporary Yellow 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
MARILYN Modern dining chair with solid wood legs
Located in Frazão, Porto
The welcoming shape of the revolutionary MARILYN chair was thought to envelop you in a deep sense of comfort. The bold design finds balance in the relax...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood
Established & Sons Mauro Chair by Mauro Pasquinelli
Located in London, GB
An exemplar of great 20th century Italian design made possible by 21st century manufacturing techniques, the Mauro chair is a hardworking, irrepressibly stylish, stackable, timber chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary 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.