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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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

Kartell Piuma Chair in Sage by Piero Lissoni
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 Modern Dining Chair in Metal Solid Wood Rope and Textiles
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

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

Vintage Military Canvas and Blackened Steel Chair
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

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

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

Italy Ghidini 1961 Pair Brass Dining Chairs Contemporary Design
Located in Brescia, IT
The design of this iconic Ghidini 1961 chair was inspired by the Californian coastline. Blending refined architectural elements with fluid gestures, the chair's form brings surprisin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Set of 2 Kartell Generic A Chairs in Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Generic is an ambitious project of profoundly ethical connotations, in which contemporary design sets out to fulfil new objectives and creativity is pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Saturn Pouffe Small, Brushed Brass Frame and Petrol Blue Wool 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

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

Outdoor Cream and Charcoal Corner Chair
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

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

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

21st Century, Modern, Maçka Love Bench, Coated Metal Structure & Upholstery
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

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

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Wiener Stuhl Chair in White with Wooven Cane Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"A simplified design to create an elegant, comfortable, popular item”. The structure has an all-embracing simplicity, and is formed from just a few elements in steam bent solid beech...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Orbit Chair in Pink Wool Fabric and Black Steel, 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

"Laura" Minimalist armchair in painted steel with wooden armrests
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alessandra Delgado was once thinking about using steel to create delicate pieces. Laura armchair is the materialization of these thoughts. Laura Armchair is part of a series of furni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 2 Kartell Generic C Chairs in Dove Grey by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Generic is an ambitious project of deeply ethical connotations, in which new objectives are defined for contemporary design to fulfil and creativity is seen in the light of a public ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

"Oscar" Stool in Solid Wood and Handwoven Upholstery
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
When she created Oscar Stoll, Alessandra Delgado was inspired by the master architect Oscar Niemeyer´s work. The Oscar Stoll is made of solid wood and although very sturdy it is ligh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather, Canvas, Velvet, Polyester

21st Century, Modern, Maçka Bench, Coated Metal Structure & Upholstery
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

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Chair, Leather Seating, Upholstered Backboard
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, Hardwood, Upholstery

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

Lunatro Chair, Wood, Metalwork, Blue Velvet, Marble Detail, Studio Mohs
Located in Istanbul , Istanbul
This striking chair is a perfect blend of contemporary design and artistic craftsmanship. Featuring a bold geometric structure, it combines sleek black metal with black wood, creatin...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Marble, Metal

Sculptural Chair by Anacleto Spazzapan In multicolor metal 2000s
Located in Milano, IT
Postmodern chair designed and made by Anacleto Spazzapan by joining metal strips of different sizes enameled in red, electric blue and black. It bears the designer's AS initials and ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Linear Stainless Steel Bench with Natural Stone by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of stone bench by Lee Sisan, 2020 Dimensions: W 96 x D 96 x H 35 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone. Each piece is made to ...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Chairs

Materials

Stone, Steel

Gervasoni Inout Armchair in Luce Upholstery with Oiled Iroko by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Enveloping and comfortable armchair, Inout 701 has a slatted structure: it is made of oiled Iroko, particularly durable wood because it is naturally resistant to water and moisture. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Shaker Modern Dining Chair by AMBROZIA, Black Leather, Walnut & Black Steel
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern dining chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame. Available in a large variety of premium vinyls colors or leather in op...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Black Canvas and Blackened Steel Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This chair has soft black canvas cushion covers, a blackened steel frame with black cotton webbing and cognac leather belts. This item is made to order, in Los Angeles. Please ...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pierre Paulin for Artifort Green F560 Mushroom Chair
Located in Basildon, London
Originally designed by Pierre Paulin in 1960 in collaboration with Artifort, the Mushroom chair, also known as the F560, is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, making it a true design icon. Inspired by women’s swimming...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Perspective Dining Chair, Velvet, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Our perception of space is influenced by perspective. The Perspective 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 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

Stainless Steel, Gold

Dumbo Beige Upholstered Chair by Zaven
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dumbo is the universal padded chair, generous yet lightweight. Its backrest appears to have two ears extending from it, making it even bigger and cosier. Founded in 2006 by Enric...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Sugiloo Chair with Armrest & Upholsterd Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The rigorous style of Michael Anastassiades defines the new SUGILOO bent wood chair with wood or upholstered seat, proposed with and without wooden backrest. A strongly contemporary ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech

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

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

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Molteni & C Devon Chair by Rodolfo Dordoni - QTY AVAILABLE 4 PRICE PER CHAIR
Located in Boston, MA
Devon, a contemporary collection of chairs suitable for any space and circumstance, A minimal stylized structure in solid wood, with seats and backrests upholstered in soft chenille ...
Category

2010s Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

GUFRAM Detecma Lounge in Green by Tullio Regge
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Detecma is an acronym for design, technique and mathematics. These three values were united for the first time in 1967, the year when the Physicist Professor Tullio Regge, renown as ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Resin

AHM Rattan Stackable Dining Chair in Ashwood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The eponymous AHM chair combines the sleek lines of early 1950s Danish design with a contemporary angle. Each natural ashwood piece is a subtle mix of straight and curved, and a versatile addition to home, office or public space. Light, elegant, tactile, stackable, practical. Natural ash, black, navy blue, ash grey or Indian red, with a seat of Classic rattan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan

21st Century, Modern, Maçka Chair, Powder Coated Structure & Upholstery
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

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

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Cosmic Blue Mini Plopp Stool by Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Cosmic blue mini plopp stool by Zieta Dimensions: Diameter 25 x H 38 cm Material: Stainless steel, carbon Steel. Finish: Thermal colored. Cos...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

WAVE CHAIR - Modern Design in Cloud Boucle in Warm White
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
WAVE CHAIR - Modern Design in Cloud Boucle in Warm White The Wave Lounge Chair is a modern and stylish piece of furniture that will add a touch of elegance to any room. It is upholstered in a luxurious cloud boucle fabric in warm white, which not only looks great but also feels soft and comfortable. The chair features a unique and eye-catching modern design that adds a sense of movement and flow to the room. The curves and angles of the chair provide a comfortable and supportive seating experience, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. The frame of the Wave Lounge Chair is constructed with a sturdy wooden structure and upholstered with a soft and durable cloud boucle fabric that is cozy and comfortable. Overall, the Wave Lounge Chair is a beautifully designed and well-made piece of furniture that will make a statement in any room. Whether you use it in your living room, bedroom, or office, this chair will add a touch of modern elegance and sophistication to your space. The Wave Chair...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Oscar Small Dining Chair, in Special Bouclé Fabric, Handcrafted by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Oscar Small Dining Chair, in Special Bouclé Fabric, Handcrafted by Duistt Inspired by the poetic curved lines of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, Oscar armchair allures for its sensua...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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

De Sede DS 515 Rocking Char in Grey Upholstery by Greutmann Bolzern
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stylish companion for anywhere, anytime. With DS-515, a filigree, runner-shaped base frame made of steel carries the inviting seat area. With DS-515, a thin wire construction serves as a shaping frame over which a padded leather cover is drawn. The folded and tucked leather defines the delicate design, masterful leather seams and sophisticated detailing. A textile insert in the back gives the chair a distinctive note, and the overall craftsmanship of the composition makes it a stylish companion at the dining table, in the home office or in the conference room. With a special cover, it is also perfect for semi-outdoor use. Carmen and Urs Greutmann run their own design studio in Zurich, where they design spaces and furniture characterized by special clarity in form and materiality. This series of different sculptures all belonging to a family features the play of exact, different linings with little lightness. The results are universally usable seating...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

21st Century Kush Armchair in Fabric by Etro Home Interiors
By Etro
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A game of contrasts and inspirations for the Kush armchair. The African atmosphere is recalled in the shape and in the details in polished brass while the upholstery in prince of wal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Czech Armchair in Flame Red with Upholstered Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1994, the Hermann Czech chair represents the turning point of modern furniture towards the passion of reminiscence and intimacy: a contemporary design that evokes memorie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Arflex Elettra Chair in Divina Fabric with Black Metal Base by B.B.P.R
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classic of the '50s office, Elettra is the seating you can't do without. Thanks to its timeless style and its elegant proportions, it adapts perfectly to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Set of 2 Kartell Papyrus Chair in Olive Green by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Papyrus is a remake of the archetypal antique rush chair, from a time when chair structures were decisive and strong. This chair combines a transluc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Red Velvet Baby Rabbit Chair, Designed by Stefano Giovannoni, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) The idea of the rabbit, a gentle, lovable and shy animal, comes from the association o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Slender Side Chairs in the Style of Philippe Starck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of slender side chairs in the style of Philippe Starck.
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Minimalist Organic Chair in black Solid Wood, off-white textiles Seating
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the seamless integration of aest...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Outdoor Balou Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Balou easy armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue Materials: Polyethelene, nylon. Steel. Dimensions: 98.5 x 101.5 x H 75cm Named after the bear from The Jungle Book, Balou exudes comfort ...
Category

2010s Philippine 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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