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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Chocolate Memento Chair, Jesse Sanderson
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Memento chair, Jesse Sanderson Original signed chair by Jesse Sanderson Materials: leather, steel Dimensions: W 43 x D 50 x H 80 cm Seating height: 47 cm Frame fin...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

1990 Herman Miller Eames Soft Pad Executive Desk Chair w Dark Postmodern Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (the price listed is for one chair, but multiple chairs are available) 1990 production Herman Miller Eames aluminum group executive high back desk chair, ...
Category

1990s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Arrben Italy Modern Grey Saddle Leather Dining Chair Model Solaria
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This comfortable armchair is manufactured from the 1980s by Arrben in Italy and the Model is Solaria. Thick grey saddle leather. It can be used as dining chair or also at the desk....
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Purple Circo Dining Chair by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Purple Circo dining chair by Sebastian Herkner Materials: Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel. PVC strings. Technique: Made from recycled plastic. Weaved by local craftspeop...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Wired Outdoor Chair by Michael Young
Located in Geneve, CH
Wired outdoor chair by Michael Young Dimensions: W 50 x D 51.7 x H 77.5 cm Materials: Powder Coated Metal structure The Wired Chair by Michael Young ...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Other

Set of 2 Brutus Stools by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brutus stools by 101 Copenhagen. Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl Dimensions: L 60 / W 30 / H 54 cm. Materials: fiber concret...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Concrete

Phloem Studio Zoe Chair, Modern Maple Dining Chair with Leather Upholstery
Located in Stevenson, WA
Phloem Studio Zoe chair is a modern contemporary solid wood armchair handmade custom to order. Zoe is a highly crafted, highly comfortable lightweight armcha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Italian Modern Black Scooby and Metal Spaghetti Chair by G. Belotti, Alias 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black scooby and metal rod Spaghetti chair by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s Beautiful Spaghetti model chair in black metal rod with elastic seat and back made ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Arflex Cross Low Backrest Armchair in Brown Steelcut Fabric by Marcello Cuneo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The seat was born from a very simple idea: two tubes bent into a “U” shape and connected together by a joint. Additional information: Materials: Upholstered seat with Black Metal Frame Color: Steelcut 2 Col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Set of 4, Bokken Chair, Beech Wood Stained by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, bokken chair, beech wood stained by Colé Italia with Bellavista/Piccini Dimensions: H.81,7 D.49 W.53,5 cm Materials: solid beech wood structure Also available: natural...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pukà Chair by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Pukà chair by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 135 x 110 x H 100 cm Materials: Fibreglass Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our childr...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Teve Chair by Alf Svensson
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Alf Svensson Scandinavian low chair named teve chairs translates as TV chair designed in 1953 for watching television. Manufactured by Studio Ljungs Industrier AB Malmö during the 19...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Large Pink Decorative Sculptural Modern Plastic Rabbit Chair
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
Rabbit is a family of products with a strong media impact, one of Stefano Giovannoni's hat tricks, and immediately became a pop icon, a symbol of love and fertility, which brings goo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Midi Armchair by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Midi by Imperfettolab 2012 Designer: Verter Turroni Dimensions: W 89 x D 70 x H 80 cm Materials: Fibreglass Armchair in varnished or upholstered fibreglass. Also avalaible in...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Maple Block Bench for Two by John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple block bench for two by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 43 x 101.6 x 35.5 cm Materials: carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Maple

Baxter Lazybones Chair by Studiopepe
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the ultimate in relaxation and style - the Baxter Lazybones Chair by Studiopepe. This luxurious piece from our exclusive collection is the epitome of comfort and sophisti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Set of 2 Block Wavy Shape White Marble Sculpted Stool by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Un Beso En El Mar stools by Pietro Franceschini. Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia. Materials: Paonazzo marble. Dimensions: W 32cm, L 41cm, H 50c...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Onyx

Set of 2 Kartell Generic C Chairs in Sage Green 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

Segmented Yellow Velvet Daybed with Ball Backrest by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Collo daybed by Pietro Franceschini Materials: Mohair Velvet Dimensions: W 120 x L 94 x H 57-90cm Designed during a creative momentum in the relaxed Italian Riviera Ligure, our new Urania collection brings playfulness and longing for those innocent days of our childhood. The soft lines and upholstered curves continue our research on Neotenic Design...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

ML 42 Brown Oak and Stainless Steel Bar Stool by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
ML 42 Brown oak and stainless steel bar stool by Lassen. Dimensions: H 77 x W 36 x L 55.5 cm. Materials: Oak, stainless steel. In 1942 Moge...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Italian modern Green wood black metal chair Kim by De Lucchi for Memphis, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green wood and black metal Chair mod. Kim by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis, 1980s Fantastic chair mod. Kim with the seat and the back in bright green painted wood. The...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Jade Stools by Draga & Aurel
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 jade stools by Draga & Aurel Dimensions: W 40, D 40, H 46, top Ø 40 cm Materials: Resin and bronze Formed from a combination of reflective resin and solid brass, the Ja...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Marcello Cuneo "Luisa" Folding Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With an elegant frame, upholstered seat, and bright chrome finish, this vintage Italian folding chair offers style in a compact design. P...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Dining Chair In Glossy/Matte Lacquer with Custom Finishes
Located in NEW YORK, NY
A refined interpretation of Mid-Century Modern design, this chair embodies clean lines, soft curves, and a timeless silhouette. The sculpted frame, finished in a beige matte lacquer,...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood

Vintage Modern Geometric Barrel Back Tufted Club Chairs Newly Upholstered, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Modern Ebonized Walnut Carved Geometric Barrel Back Tufted Club Chairs Newly Upholstered in Pearl Velvet - Pair These gorgeous club chairs feature a masterfully crafted ebon...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Walnut

Beige Fiord Lassen Chair by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Fiord lassen chair by Lassen Dimensions: W 58 x D 60 x H 88 cm Materials: textile The Lassen chair by Flemming Lassen, Magnus Sangild and Marianne Viktor was launched in ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile

Set of 4 Lolita Dining Chair with Arms by Porada, 21st Century
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Italy, - made of fabric and wood, - shows signs of use, - seat height 48 cm, - original condition, suitable for changing fabric.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Julian Mayor, "Metal Organic Loop", Chair, 2014
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Julian Mayor’s process encompasses both digital design and traditional fabrication. Each piece recasts technology as sculpture while glistening with a splendid metallic sheen and cur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Contemporary Eto Dining Chair in burnished gold fabric with Solid Walnut Legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Eto Dining Chair is a simple, elegant and beautifully detailed dining or occasional chair with a legs made entirely from solid walnut. Shown here upholstered in Jim Thompson Ga...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Modern contemporary chair in red blue yellow wood by Marc Morro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Silla 8 is the result of an exercise where flat plywood sheets are bent, under pressure and in a simple way, using different structures as support, achieving i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Set of 2 Tobo Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Tobo armchair by Collector Dimensions: W 70 x D 76 x H 71 cm Materials: Fabric, oak wood Other materials available The Collector brand ai...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Dino Armchair by Jaime Hayon
Located in Geneve, CH
Dino armchair by Jaime Hayon Dimensions: D 90 x W 74 x H 111 cm Materials: A rigid polyurethane structure covered with polyether foam cushioning and polyether foam headrest, seat ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Portlligat Sunbed, Salvador Dalí
Located in Geneve, CH
Portlligat sunbed, Salvador Dalí 1962 Dimensions: 69 x 180 x 92 cm Materials: Iroko wood, polypropylene, foam, fabric   Iroko solid wood protected with clear oil. Black polypropylen...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood

alvar aalto stool60 painted red 1930's
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1930's. This stool is painted red and white. There is some peeling and damage in the paint here and there, but it is a ...
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Gesture Monochrome Fully Upholstered Chair in Oak, by Hans Olsen for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
This beautiful, moulded gesture chair, designed in the 1950s, was the work of the acclaimed Danish architect, Hans Olsen. With its welcoming design, the Gesture Chair creates a warm ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Baxter Corinne Chair by Roberto Lazzeroni, Set of Six
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the stunning Baxter Corinne Chair, designed by the renowned Roberto Lazzeroni. This luxurious piece exudes elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect addition to ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Baxter Corinne Chair by Roberto Lazzeroni, Set of Four
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the stunning Baxter Corinne Chair, designed by the renowned Roberto Lazzeroni. This luxurious piece exudes elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect addition to ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Stained Oak Unique Banc Spline Table Handmade and Signed by Maxime Goléo
Located in Geneve, CH
Stained Oak Unique Banc Spline Table Handmade and Signed by Maxime Goléo Unique Piece Dimensions: W 75 x D 39.5 x H 75 cm Materials: Oak Each piece is u...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Baxter Corinne Chair by Roberto Lazzeroni
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the stunning Baxter Corinne Chair, designed by the renowned Roberto Lazzeroni. This luxurious piece exudes elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect addition to ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Matrice Chair by Plumbum
Located in Geneve, CH
Matrice chair by Plumbum Dimensions: 25.60" x 25.60" x H 33.47" Materials: Powder-coated steel, velvet. Also available in other colors and sizes. Matrice's side chair is a st...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

21st Century Caral Armchair in Fabric and Vienna Straw by Etro Home Interiors
By Etro
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
An armchair with soft and enveloping lines, whose low and comfortable seat recalls in the shape the exoticism of a traditional ottoman. The upholst...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Straw

Set Of 2 Newcastle Chairs by Patricia Bustos de la Torre
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Newcastle Chairs by Patricia Bustos de la Torre Dimensions: D 47 x W 48 x H 91 cm. Materials: Wood and plush. Newcastle Chair is a three-legged wooden chair with a rattan s...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Other

A Pair of 2 MID-CENTURY-MODERN Chairs, in the style of RENE GABRIEL, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of sturdy Modernist, Bauhaus, Constructivist, and Reconstructionist dining chairs, featuring rigorous square-section structures in solid oak, with rounded reinforcements and s...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Wooden Decorative Dining Chair, Straw Caned Seat with Seat Pillow, Made in Italy
Located in Barlassina, IT
Decorative dining chair. This chair was designed by Belloni in 1990 and included in its "Cocto" contemporary collection. It is still in production and it is appreciated for its light...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Papillonne Black Metal Chair "Set of 6"
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Papillonne black metal chair comes to your living room with its details, combining comfort with elegance. Width: 60 cm (23.6 inches) Depth: 55 cm (21.7 inches) Height: 75 cm (29.5 i...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Bronze, Orsi, Mrs. Kamini Jivan, Chair IV, Dark Grey Parchment, Bronze Caps
Located in Cabiate, IT
Frame fully covered in dark grey parchment in high gloss finish, bronze caps, seat upholstered in Donghia ‘Antoniette’ fabric range, colour Quartz.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Floor Model Sale, Oak, Bluff Side Chair Left, Hardwood, Sculptural Side Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bluff side chair is an homage to the foothills surrounding Luft Tanaka's hometown of Kasugai, Japan. Poetic and architectural; planar yet curvy, the Bluff side chairs are sculptu...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Oak

Musa Chair by Qvinto Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Musa Chair by Qvinto Studio Unique Piece. Handmade. Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 114 cm. Materials: stainless steel. The Woman with the Fan, while not ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Equilibria Chair by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Equilibria chair by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 45 x 53 x H 76 cm Materials: Fibreglass Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our chi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Set of 2 Contemporary Benches by Faina
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 contemporary benches by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: textile, wood, foam, rubber, sintepon Dimensions: H 49 x W 124 x L 33 cm In search of new-old design ...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Foam, Wood

Black Cartagenas Reina Chair by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Cartagenas reina chair by Sebastian Herkner Materials: PVC strings. Galvanized and powder-coated tubular steel frame Technique: made from recycled plastic. Weaved by local cr...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Poise Dining Chair by Tom Schneider
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the Poise Dining Chair by Tom Schneider, a stunning addition to any dining room. Crafted with the utmost attention to detail, this chair features a sleek and modern desig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Chairs

Materials

Glass, Wood

Rococo Chair by Fratelli Boffi
Located in Milan, IT
This work of art is a hand carved throne in solid wood that will add a magnificent accent to an eclectic or modern interior, drawing the eye in any room it is placed. The three slant...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Major Tom Armchair Designed by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Major Tom armchair designed by Thomas Dariel Dimensions: D 90 x W 101 x H 89 cm Materials: Structure in solid timber and plywood. Memory foam Base and seating fully upholstered in ...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Plywood

Column Stool, Dark Brown by Wl Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column stool, dark brown by WL CERAMICS Design: David Derksen Materials: Porcelain, dark brown / white effect glaze Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 40 cm Also available: different colors...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Porcelain

Thin Tête-à-Tête in Contemporary Heat-Treated Steel and Polished Steel Inset
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The attenuated forms of the thin Tête-à-Tête accentuate their playful and beguiling nature. An intimate connection is forged between its users, as they negotiate the delicate balance.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Lensvelt PHA201 Chair
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Aluminium collection by Piet Hein Eek, designed in the 1990s, is made of folden aluminium plate. Piece de resistance is the Aluminium chair which was used in the interior design ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Lensvelt PHM2411 Chair
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stackable chair designed by Piet Hein Eek.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch 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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