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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Solden Chair in Blue
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The continuous investigation into the long tradition of bent wood has led Gebrüder Thonet Vienna to the development of the Sölden chair, a new design that pays homage to the stylistic codes typical of the ‘30s, an important chapter in the tradition of bent wood that still needs more research. For the first time, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna in fact shift the focus from the 1800s to the ‘30s of last century, a particularly intense period under architectural and artistic side which has seen its success in Art Decò, known in Vienna as Jugendstil.Sölden is, therefore, a chair where bent wood takes on a more contemporary character thanks to the square section and shapes that echo the typical clean design of the Bauhaus period. Peculiarities are the large square upholstered seat and the woven cane backrest, that just like a large fan with a bent-wooden frame, welcomes the back, ensuring great comfort. Realization of the pay off “Heritage designs the future”, chosen by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna for some years to tell the deep bond with the past, Sölden reveals in its traditional spirit a contemporary personality, perfect for refined contract projects. Additional Info: Materials: Beech wood, upholstery. Dimensions: H 33 x W 19.2 x D 20.8 inch Seat height: 17.7 inch WIENER GTV DESIGN is a trademark which distinguishes the historical and contemporary collection of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Miljevina Bench by Nortstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
Miljevina bench by Nortstudio Dimensions: 40 x 120 x 46 cm Materials: Mirror polished steel, mirror-look HPL. Three abandoned buildings with a strong geometrical character were the...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Black / Brass Cactus Chair by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This cactus chair is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Designed by Marcantonio, it recreates the Mediterranean magic in your everyday spaces by evoking unforgettable holiday scene...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Jacob Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Jacob armchair by Collector Materials: Fabric. Dimensions: W 110 x D 90 x H 75 cm x SH 42 cm This fun and sophisticated armchair, it’...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric

e15 Customizable This Side Chair by Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
The deceptively simple side chair this illustrates e15's key philosophy in exposing and featuring elements essential to the construction of a product. Named after the famous card tri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Thanatos Chair by Philipp Aduatz
Located in Geneve, CH
Thanatos chair by Philipp Aduatz Unique Dimensions: 51 × 64 × 77 cm Materials: Resin-marble composite, Polished 24 kilograms The Thanatos chair is inspired by morbid forms an...
Category

2010s Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Resin

Collins Bar Stool with Ebony and Leather Back and Seat
Located in Westport, CT
Bar stool with an elegant metal structure. Seat and back finished in beautiful polished ebony or oak and upholstered in leather. Available in bar and counter height. Customizable t...
Category

2010s Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pouf Pill L Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet and Fringes by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf Pill L Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet and Fringes by Houtique Dimensions: H 45 x 80 x 35 cm Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes Pill Pouf L Art-deco style p...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Modern Bar Chair in Channeled Leather with Steel Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Modern bar chair in channeled leather with steel base. In my organic, contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern aesthetic. Part of our Le Monde c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Angulo Chair
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
HEMISFERIOS is the act of doing both: the intricate and the simple. It is the palpable philosophy of seeing things from their most complex and basic form. Specifically in this series...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Bloom Easy Chair Designed by Gerard Piergiorgio Cazzaniga for Living Divani
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Lounge chair Bloom was designed in 2000 by Gerard Piergiorgio Cazzaniga for Living Divani. Tasteful simplicity can be found in the clear lines in combination with the refined materi...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Aqua Botanica Step stool by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Aqua Botanica Step stool by WL Ceramics Designer: Edward van Vliet Materials: Porcelain Dimensions: H36 x Ø56 cm At WL CERAMICS we make porcelain with passion. We are a family run ...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Alberto Meda Office Chair for Vitra in Red Leather 1990
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Red Leather and aluminium adjstable office chair by Alberto Meda for Vitra 1990 Perfect working condition.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Gufram, Green 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Jetson Lounge Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Jetson Lounge Chair by Egg Designs Dimensions: 97 L X 86.6 D X 66 H cm Materials: Lucite, Bronzed Steel, Brass, Leather Upholstery Founded by South Africans and life partners, G...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Danish modern Black wood Chairs 7 Series by Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Danish modern Black wood Chairs 7 Series by Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1970s Set of 4 danish chairs mod. 0465 or 7 Series in black painted wood....
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Contemporary Block Form Yellow Velvet Chair by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Licitra chairs by Pietro Franceschini Dimensions: W 62 x D 71 x H 95 cm Materials: mohair velvet Somebody once said that simplicity is the essence of happiness. So I dedicated this work to my friend Caterina Licitra. Licitra chair challenges the ability to simplify, eliminating the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak. The hardedged and bold silhouette speaks a clean language made of a few primitive volumes that firmly fit together. The soft and bright texture of the yellow Pierre Frey Mohair brings a contrast. The blend is sculptural and playful making Licitra a love-at-first-sight. The piece is locally manufactured in Milan and two versions in different fabrics will follow. The perfect location for the launch is the iconic Le Corbusier’s Unité...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Contemporary Sense Lounge Chair, Accent Chair, Sapele Wood, Leather, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sense Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Sense leather lounge chair embodies the essence of slow living, designed to encourag...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Yellow Primitive Armchair, Designed by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive armchair, played on the asymmetry of primary volumes, is made with a padded structure and covered with a melange-colored cloth. “Primitive as primary geometric figur...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

2 African carved thrones, Bamileké
Located in Firenze, IT
2 beautiful African thrones of the Bamileké people, Cameroon, hand-carved from a single log of Cola hardwood, stained black. It features the typical Bamilekè perforated 'spider's web...
Category

1980s Cameroonian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

ASYM CHAIR - Modern Asymmetrical Sectional Chair in Black Boucle
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
ASYM CHAIR - Modern Asymmetrical Sectional Chair in Black Boucle The Asym chair is a stunning piece of furniture that features asymmetrical design elements that create a unique and ...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Arflex Ladle Armchair with Low Backrest & Fabric and Metal Base by Luca Nichetto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Ladle Armchair with Low Backrest in Lama Fabric by Luca Nichetto. It is possible to create a very large possibility of proposals with a personal ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Italian modern Chair in wood and blue metal, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Chair in wood and blue metal, 1970s Chair with seat and backrest with rounded corners in light wood. The structure and legs are in bl...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Pouf Pill L and S Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Poufs pill L and S by Houtique Dimensions: H 45 x 80 x 35 cm H 45 x 35 x 35 cm Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes Art-Deco style pouf with wood structure and ve...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 102
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Slide Chair
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Inspired by the continuous flow of water and the softness of natural movement, the Slide collection was born from a desire to create pieces that embrace the body and invite stillness...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Modern "Margery-Chair" by Supaform
Located in Florence, IT
This is a new chair by Supaform, which was designed as a chair for usual needs and it can be used as a dining chair or other similar functions. The "Margery-Chair" is more about fun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Rattan Barrel Chairs
Located in Millbrook, NY
6 Rattan Barrel Dining Chairs. Great around a dining table or as accent chairs. Modern, sustainably sourced, airy and tropical these chairs can enhance any space. Bring a relaxed, te...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Pair of Armchairs, Italy, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Inox steel frames featuring wraparound backs upholstered in dark brown leather, the seats and backs upholstered in the original crushed velvet with leaf pattern. These chairs were de...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Gufram Softcrete Central Seat by Ross Lovegrove
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
To transform concrete in a soft and comfortable material, so comfortable as to become a couch. From Auguste Perret’s pioneering approach, moving through Le Corbusier’s Copernican rev...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam

Stool Round Wood by DeepWood
Located in Geneve, CH
Stool round wood by DeepWood One Of a Kind Dimensions: L 30 W 30 H 40 cm Materials: Petrified wood fully polished Wight: 55 kg Each DeepWood piece ...
Category

2010s Indonesian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Wittmann Set of Two Velvet Swivel Merwyn Armchairs by Sebastian Herkner in STOCK
Located in New York, NY
Collection by Sebastian Herkner Merwyn Armchairs Cat E-Seat: Velvet One chair has discoloration in the seat.
Category

2010s Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Cyber Chair in Aluminium by Altreforme
Located in Calolziocorte (Lecco) Italy, IT
The space routes of the Apollo 11 are all enclosed in this sitting of pure geometric shapes and colours full of glitter. Pricing excludes VAT.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Trip Bench by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Trip bench by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 490 x 85 x H 71 cm Materials: Fibreglass, steel, fabric. Other colors and sizes available. Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a family. V...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Capotavola Solid Wood Chair, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
A refined piece made in fine solid walnut crafted by expert hands in Italy, a stunning example of the subtle elegance of Italian design. The seat comes with top quality leather avail...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather, Walnut

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

Moon Armchair in Beige with Fabric Cushion by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The lacquered shell of the Moon and Full Moon chaise longue sits on a very light metal frame and comfortably pampers your body in a subtle, seductive interplay of amazement and under...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Rive Gauche Dining Chair
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Custom Furniture MLB Design Customizable in any size and upholstery As featured in Architectural Digest February 2019
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather

Katakana Dining Chair by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Katakana dining chair by Dare Studio, 2009 Dimensions: H 75.6 x D 56.4 x W 57 cm Materials: American black walnut, black leather Also available in European white oak, wax oiled ...
Category

2010s British Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Sling Rose Pink Grey Machine Stitched Genuine Leather Hanging Swing Chair
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the sheets of leather or fabric hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable ex...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pangolin Sofa by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Pangolin sofa by Egg Designs Dimensions: 200 L x 130 D x 75 H Materials: Foam inner, leather upholstery Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg and Roche Dry - Egg is ...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Foam

Cane Chair by Rodrigo Lobato Yáñes
Located in Geneve, CH
Cane chair by Rodrigo Lobato Yáñes Series: Yo Jaguar Dimensions: H 27.4” x W 28.5” x D 33.8" Materials: Steel round tube, steel elbow pipe, electrostatic paint, brass sheet Platalea studio was born out of a passion for both art and design. We love how both are so intrinsically intertwined in ways that are often too subtle to surmise in our everyday routines. Our goal is to provide a voice for those who are often marginalized or hidden in the shadows. We do this by representing our ideologies through our designs, the materials we pick and the people we choose to build them. At Platalea, we have composed and exhibited varied collections that range from unique exhibition pieces to dinnerware, rugs...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Big Girl Armchair, Cream Boucle, Modern Organic Sculptural
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Part of the Peaches collection, the Big Girl armchair is the largest piece in this new body of works. Reminiscent of a curvaceous female body, the pieces are composed of a wooden str...
Category

2010s English Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bouclé

ML 42 Brown Oak and Brass Counter Stool by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
ML 42 Brown oak and brass counter stool by Lassen Dimensions: H 69 x W 36 x L 55.5 cm Materials: oak, brass In 1942 Mogens Lassen designed the sto...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Pair of Christian Astuguevieille Moisart Chairs
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing a striking pair of Contemporary Moisart chairs by the renowned designer Christian Astuguevieille, each a testament to his artistry and cultural resonance. These distincti...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Hemp, Cord, Raffia, Rope

Modern by Giueseppe Carpanelli Galileo Pierced Small Armchair
Located in Desio, IT
Armchair with curved and perforated structure and back, upholstered seat in fabric or leather. The structure is in oak available with natural finish (F101) or with slate finish (F104).
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

GOYO Steel and Maple Lounge Chair
Located in Timisoara, RO
The Most Important Points Of Meditation Are Comfort And Quiet. Having Designed Chairs So Far, It Was A Simple Question Of What Angles Were Comfortable And What Materials Were Used To Provide Comfort, But I Had A Lot To Think About How To Create A Quiet Space, Or A Space For Meditation. Before Long, I Saw A Singing Bowl, A Meditation Tool. The Singing Bowl Used...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Caribe Natural Dining Chair by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Caribe natural dining chair by Sebastian Herkner. Materials: wicker from Bejuco roots. Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel frame. Technique: weaved by local craftspeople in ...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Baleri Italia Donna Indoor Chair in Fabric by Studio Irvine
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Donna was born out of a research for a lightness able to generate a system. The result is a chair that can easily fit into several different spaces and atmospheres. The slender metal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian modern green plastic Chairs Selene Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern green plastic Chairs Selene by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1960s Set of eight iconic chairs model Selene in green plastic with square seat. The structure is monoco...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Contemporary AD Bench in Burnt and Waxed Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
AD Bench in iroko wood by Arno Declercq Dimensions: W 237 x L 60 x H 63 cm Materials: Burned and waxed iroko wood    Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes besp...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Moro Armchair by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Moro Armchair by Sebastian Herkner Dimensions: D 80 x W 79.7 x H 78.5 cm Materials: Sheepskin Available in different fabrics. ‘Mor...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

Hunt, three legs chair in fabric, black Ash, Dainelli Studio for Somaschini
Located in Cabiate, IT
A three-legged chair, an idea that dates back to the last century and finds a playful and contemporary reinterpretation in this design. The enveloping silhouette of the back echoes t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash, Fabric, Plywood

Sleek Leather and Stainless Steel Bar Chair for Outdoor Settings
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Nero, bar chair The Nero bar chair embodies modern elegance, with its clean lines and sculpted form. Designed for durability, its sturdy frame ensures stability, while its upholstered seat in premium leathers or fabrics offers superior comfort. This chair strikes the perfect balance between bold design and timeless appeal, making it a statement in dfferent outdoor spaces. Contemporary outdoor dining chair made with structure: Legs white matte powder coated stainless steel, metallic details in copper-plated stainless steel, Upholstery: Acrylic fabric and synthetic outdoor leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Hergon Chair
Located in Milan, IT
One of the ideas from which Hergon was brought to life is the intention to maximize the ergonomics offered by the backrest. A dynamic seat, featuring the strong and innovative lines ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Triangle Chair by Nazara Lazaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Triangle Chair by Nazara Lazaro Dimensions: D 43 x W 60 x H 70 cm Materials: Steel Technique: Powder-Coated. It can be customized and ordered in stainless steel, rust, or powder coated in any RAL color. The Triangle Chair is part of the Steel Collection, a series inspired by Joan Miró’s paintings...
Category

2010s German 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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