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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: 1980s
Italian modern Chairs in transparent thick plexiglass and black sky, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Chairs in transparent thick plexiglass and black sky, 1980s
Set of three chairs with transparent plexiglass structure. The curved backr...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Plexiglass
Rare Set of 8 Ilana Goor Leather and Steel Chairs
By Ilana Goor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ilana Goor side chairs made of hand wrought iron rebar with saddle leather seat and back. Currently we have 2 sets of 4 chairs that have slightly different leather applications. The...
Category
1980s Israeli Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Cut Steel
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
“Sternum” Rocker Designed by David Ebner
By David Ebner
Located in Norwood, NJ
The “Sternum” rocker from David Ebner’s “Wishbone” series. Oak and cane. The entire form uses bent lamination technique.
“David Ebner played a pivotal role in the development of studio furniture during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Ebner, who studied under Wendell Castle at the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, is known for his elegant, pared down works that blur the line between furniture and sculpture. Through his groundbreaking efforts, Ebner has helped redefine studio craft furniture...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Oak, Cane
Coppia di sedie da cucina in tiglio massiccio, anni '80
Located in Felino, IT
2 Sedie da cucina anni 80, di Arclinea, in legno di tiglio massiccio. particolarmente curate negli incastri e nelle finiture, con sagomature inedite. Fanno parte di una serie di sedie per tavolo da cucina. Il fusto è ben tenuto, la rafia mostra i segni del tempo...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Sedia DSC 106, Anonima Castelli, Anni 70
Located in Felino, IT
Sedia Anonima Castelli, mod dsc 106. Sedile di legno riverniciato con smalto bicomponente molto resistente all'usura. Colore caffè, gambe e piedini riverniciat...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Progetti Tecno Modern Pair of Italian Chairs, 1980s
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Modern pair chairs series 148_S designed by Progetti Tecno, inspired by the S142 by Eugenio Gerli. Made of solid wood, reupholstered in bouclé
Centro...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Sedia Tomasa di Simon Gavina, Anni '80
Located in Felino, IT
La sedia Tomasa disegnata da Anonimo in omaggio a Paolo Uccello è una sedia pieghevole con schienale e seduta in listelli di rovere massello curvato, con finitura a cera. Gli element...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Ten Mies Van Der Rohe Chrome Dining Chairs for Knoll Mohair Fabric
Located in Toledo, OH
Ten vintage Mies Van Der Rohe dining chairs circa 1982. Original grey mohair fabric. Flat bar chrome frames. 23" x 23" deep x 31" tall.
Category
1980s North American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Set of Three Lacquered and Emerald Green Mohair Barstools by Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Set of three 1980’s off white lacquered ‘Onassis Barstools’ by Karl Springer for Steve Chase.
Out of a Steve Chase Design Estate in Rancho Mirage CA.
...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Ten "Bermuda" Chairs Designed by Carlos Miret for Amat, Spain, 1986
Located in Madrid, ES
A Set of 10 units of The "Bermuda" chairs.
The "Bermuda" chairs were designed by Carlos Miret and edited by Amat in 1986 in Spain, This Memphis-style tri...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
1983, Marc Newson, Orgone Chair in White
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-)
Orgone in white. Beautiful sculptural chair. There are two Orgone chair...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Phillippe Stark Dr.Glob Turquoise Set of Chairs, Italy, 1988
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of 4 stackable chairs designed by Phillipe Starck in 1988 and edited by Kartell. Dr. Glob was born from the idea of bringing together different materials to achieve a firmer stru...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Modern folding plastic and metal seats by Lamm, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Folding plastic and metal seats by Lamm, 1980s
Folding seats with structure in yellow painted metal tubing and round seat and back in black plastic. Made by...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Arrben Italy Modern Grey Saddle Leather Dining Chair Model Marylin, Set of 4
By Arrben
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This comfortable dining chair is manufactured from the 1980s by Arrben and the Model is Marylin.
This version has a thick leather and armrest is made of laminated beech.
The feet a...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Lucite Telephone Table and Chair Hallway Waiting Area Set, Germany 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is this beautiful set, a small side table with glass top and the matching chair. Made in Germany, circa 1980s. Glass tabletop in excellent condition. This set was found at an...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
French Mid-Century Red Leather and Steel Chair by Jean Prouvé for Tecta, 1980s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in MIlano, IT
French mid-century red leather and steel chair by Jean Prouvé for Tecta, 1980s
Chair with steel structure and resealable seat. The seat is made up of a padded cushion covered in red ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Eight Sculptural Chairs by Santiago Calatrava for De Sede
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of sculptural pedestal chairs in black enamel steel frame and red leather upholstery designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (1951-). These limited production chairs w...
Category
1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Four Modern Red Lacquered Metal Folding Chairs 1980s
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Set of four red metal folding chairs dating from the 80s. A decorative set to spice up your kitchen, dining room or even terrace. Very playful set,...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Cane Back Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Thygesen and Sorensen side chairs with teak frame and cane seat and back. Wonderful curvature to lower back for lumbar support. Original distressed leather seats.
Category
1980s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Cane
Italian Dining Chairs by S.p.A. TONON, Set of 7
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Set of 7 Italian Dining Chairs by S.p.A. TONON
Featuring a light wood finish and embossed Vinyl seat...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Modern Three Legged Lounge Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Modern three legged lounge chair with a black lacquered finish. In good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear, circa 1980s.
Dimens...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Set of Six Brass High Back Dining Chairs by DIA
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous set of six polish brass high back dining chairs designed by Design Institute of America. Newly recovered in a beautiful nubby ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Vintage Bar Stools, Golfer Figure on Back of Stool, Powder Coated Bright Blue
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Modern set of metal bar stools, set of three. These exciting barstools with figure of golfer on the back rest has been newly powder coated in Maui Blue (bright metallic blue). The set of barstools are sturdy and exciting in a modern decor. The seat is in basketweave metal. A seat cushion could easily be put in place for additional comfort. Perfect for any entertaining setting, especially in a golf decor...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Iron
Matteo Grassi Vintage Grey Leather Chair or Side Chair, 1980s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
A Matteo Grassi vintage grey leather chair or side chair, which was designed and manufactured 1980s in Italy.
The stable and comfortable high-end c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Pair of Thebes Club Chairs by Randolph & Hein for Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of 1985 ‘Thebes Club Chairs’ designed by John Hutton for Randolph & Hein.
This were special order by Steve Chase with the light desert crackle finish.
The cushions are a lit...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Manhattan Lounge Chairs in Bauhaus Fabric, Dunbar 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Manhattan lounge chairs by John Saladino for Dunbar. circa 1980. Upholstered in Bauhaus fabric.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
White Lacquer and Gold Rams Head Armchair by Enrique Garcel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s white lacquered armchair with gold rams head details, designed by Colombian designer Enrique Garcel.
The seat is newly recovered with a so...
Category
1980s Colombian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood, Lacquer
Exceptional Set of 8 Chairs at Cost Price
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Set of 8 chairs in chrome, seat and back upholstered with fabric.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Modern Vecta Chrome Armchairs 4 Purple 2 Blue 2 Multicolored Stripe Set of 8
By Vecta Group
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning modern chrome armchairs by Vecta 4 purple, 2 blue, and 2 multicolored striped, set of 8. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that the...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Modern Designer Studio Crafted Rocking Chair Rocker Mid-Century Style
Located in Wayne, NJ
Studio crafted rocking chair rocker. At the front the seat height is 19 1/4". At it's lowest point, towards the back it is 10 1/8". This is ...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Prototype Steel Chair by Tom Dixon, 1989
By Tom Dixon
Located in Berlin, DE
Prototype steel chair by Tom Dixon, 1989.
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Modern Black Vintage Metal Faux Leather Tokyo Chair by Rodney Kinsman, 1985, UK
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage chair was designed by Rodney Kinsman 1985 United Kingdom and made of black lacquered tube steel and a covered seat features black ...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
Wood, Goatskin, Fabric
Chairs Set Six Teak Metal Upholstered White
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- Unusual set of chairs combining teak and metalwork upholstered in white striped textile
just purchased more information to follow and on requ...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Modern Vintage Pair of Aluminum Chairs by Jorge Pensi, Spain 1986-1988 for Amat
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage pair of robust aluminum chairs by Jorge Pensi with the model name Toledo. Also the chairs are stackable. A stamp is visible underneath with Jorge Pensi 1986-1988 for A...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pop Art Pink Vintage Side Chair/Chair Miss Global Phillipe Starck 1980s Kartell
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art pink and silver vintage side chair/chair was designed by Phillipe Starck 1980s and produced by Kartell Milano Italy.
The chair shows grey lacquered curved tube steel feet and...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Six Stainless Steel and Green Fabric Dining Chairs by Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular set of six ‘Eclipse’ dining chairs designed by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture in the 1980s. The set consists of two armchairs and four armless chairs. The chairs are...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Peter Shire Wexler Lounge Chair
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Peter Shire Wexler lounge chair upholstered in yellow velvet.
Peter Shire:
Peter Shire is an LA-based artist whose work eludes all attempts at categorization. He has created cera...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Alberto Orlandi, "Pompeii" Armchair, Italy, circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Polished steel and leather modernist armchair by Italian designer Alberto Orlandi, 1980s.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Black Modern Vintage Side Chair Tokyo by Rodney Kinsman 1985 Metal Faux Leather
Located in Vienna, AT
Black modern vintage side chair or chair model Tokyo designed by Rodney Kinsman 1985 for OMK Design.
Also the materials are chromed tube steel and the covering from the seat and the ...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Studio Oak and Stainless Steel Rocking Chair by Leon Mayer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An amazing 1980s studio rocking chair by Leon Mayer. The chair is hand signed by Leon Mayer dated 1980 and numbered 169. The rocking chair is constructed of...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Multicolored Vintage Armchairs by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, circa 1989
Located in Vienna, AT
This pair of red, blue and yellow colored armchairs, which are also stackable, named Dark Horse, was designed by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen circa 1989 and executed by Botium, D...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian Black Enameled Wood and Leather Chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian black enameled wood and leather chairs, 1980s
Chairs with structure in black enamelled wood, seat and curved backrest in leather
Very...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Dining Chairs Vintage Multi-color Beech Pop Art Set of Six, circa 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art style modern multicolored set of six vintage dining chairs from solid beechwood, 1980s.
A stunning, splashy set six ( 6 ) stackable dining chairs from solid beech and plywoo...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Plywood, Plastic
Pair of Lacquered and Leather Asia Style Barstools by Marge Carson
By Marge Carson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous pair of faux granite lacquered Asian Style barstools design by Marge Carson in the 1980s. The stools are constructed of wood that’s painted in black and gray faux granite...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Unique Faux Bois Chair, Artist Made of Hand Worked Iron, One of a Kind
Located in Kansas City, MO
Handmade one of a kind iron high back chair in a faux bois style. Sturdy and comfortable.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
Dining Chairs Strax by Hartmut Lohmeyer Vintage 1970s, Germany Set of Eight
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of eight mid century modern dining chairs named Strax, which were designed by Hartmut Lohmeyer, 1970s.
The special feature of these chairs is, that you can stack them and conne...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic, Beech
Philippe Starck, Six Chairs Miss Global, Edited by Kartell
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Philippe Starck, six chairs Miss Global, edited by Kartell.
numerous scratches, wear from use
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare pair of wishbone armchairs studio made by Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006), Bolinas, CA. In grained walnut with visible dowel construction, a shaped back that continues in...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Rare Set of Four Black Leather and Chrome Chairs by Helmut Lubke & Co
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare set of four black leather dining chairs with chrome legs.
Made in Germany, circa 1980s.
Designed by Helmut Lubke & Co.
with a triangle shaped ba...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Italian modern black leather chairs CAB 413 by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1980s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather chairs CAB 413 by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1980s
Set of six chairs mod. CAB 413 in black leather with armrests. The leather upholstery has visible stit...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Dining chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy 1980s
Located in Denventer, NL
Designer chairs, type DSC Axis 106, designed in the 1960s by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy. The 10 chairs have green plastic upholstery, aluminum frame, steel legs with gray ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern Tub chairs in blue velvet and chromed metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Tub chairs in blue velvet and chromed metal, 1980s
Set of 4 tub chairs with backrest and seat, padded and upholstered in teal blue velvet. The 3 legs are in tubular c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set 4 sedie nere, Pietro Costantini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
These four chairs represents the 80’s design at their best. Designed by Pietro Costantini we recommend you those great black chairs. The conditions are very good, no restoration need...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Arrben Italy Modern Dining Chair Model Marylin, Set of 4
By Arrben
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This comfortable dining chair is manufactured from the 1980s by Arrben and the Model is Marylin 2.
This version has a black leather seat and the armrest are also covered in black le...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Naos Black Saddle Leather Dining Chairs Italy Design Set of 6
By Naos
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Unique highback dinings chairs from producer Naos made in Italy.
The frame is made of strong steel and covered with black saddle leather.
Graphical Industrial Design from the /90ti...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage 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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