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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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5,692
676
170
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3,799
1,908
6,538
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8,521
6,538
1,297
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367
238
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175
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135
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5
670
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2,936
2,992
2,397
1,442
1,364
4,810
2,178
918
681
489
234
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103
Style: Modern
Contemporary Chair in Natural Solid Wood, Upholstered, Quilted, No Arms
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection.
The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Laminate, Hardwood, Leather, Textile, Upholstery
Contemporary Chair in Natural Solid Wood, Upholstered, Natural Wood Back, Arms
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection.
The dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood
Contemporary Chair in Natural Solid Wood, Upholstered Leather, with Arms
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection.
The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood
White Oak Dining Chair with Leather Seat or Dining Chair GH2
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Reminiscent of an old farmhouse chair, the dining chair GH2 is second in the collection of chairs designed for the restaurant Auburn in Los Angeles. The piece is handcrafted by our t...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Minimal Style, Bar Stool in Solid wood, Textiles or Leather Seat, Black finish
By SIMONINI
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 by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood
Minimal Style, Bar Stool in Solid Wood, Textiles or Leather Seatings
By SIMONINI
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 by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood
Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
By SIMONINI
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
Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Textile
Blackened White Oak Dining Chair with Leather Seat / Dining Chair GH1
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We’ve been tasked to design an effortless, elegant, honest and most importantly comfortable dining chair for chef Eric Bost, whose restaurant Auburn, we've been designing for the past few years. After a good year...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Set of 6 Modern Chicago Dining Chairs, Oak Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern set of 6 Chicago Dining Chairs, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Wooden chairs in American Oak uph...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak, Cotton
Emeco 111 Navy Counter Stool in Persimmon by Coca-Cola
By Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
The 111 Navy Collection is a story of innovation, turning waste plastic into something that lasts. Each stool is made of 150 recycled PET bottles. Like the original 111 Navy chair, t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Emeco Hudson Armchair in Polished Aluminum by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
The Hudson, designed for the Hudson hotel in NYC, is Emeco and Starck’s first collaboration. Starck described the chair as “washing the details from the Navy Chair”. It takes an addi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Roly Poly Armchair in Peat by Faye Toogood for Driade
By Driade, Faye Toogood
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The distinctive, reassuringly chunky lines of Faye Toogood’s Roly-Poly furniture collection become even more inviting in her new collaboration with Driade. The latest line for the It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Minimal Style, Solid Wood Chair, Leather or Textile Seating, Caning Backboard
By SIMONINI
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 by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Cane, Hardwood
Modern Skirt Upholstered Accent Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Dressed in a softly textured chenille performance fabric with a silver metallic ground, this elegant tall back chair works beautifully in home office spaces, or bedrooms and dressing...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
"Laura" Minimalist Chair in Painted Steel black with Wooden Arms
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Alessandra Delgado was once thinking about using steel to create delicate pieces. Laura chair is the materialization of these thoughts. The chair is part of a series of furniture des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Black Leather 21st Century Modern
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
Aqua Botanica Stool by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Aqua Botanica Stool by WL Ceramics
Designer: Edward van Vliet
Materials: Porcelain
Dimensions: H40 x Ø40 cm
At WL CERAMICS we make porcelain with passion. We are a family run compa...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Porcelain
Roda Teka 171 Indoor/Outdoor Stacking Chair Designed by Gordon Guillaumier
Located in Boston, MA
Roda Teka 171 stacking chair
Overview:
The Teka collection, signed by Gordon Guillaumier, shows all the ability of Roda to innovate and harmoniously combin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Teak
Børge Mogensen, Set of 4 J39 Dining Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Børge Mogensen 1914-1972:
Set of 4 Shaker dining chairs model J-39 by Børge Mogensen for FDB Mobler.
Crafted from solid oak wood and features a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Oak
Contemporary Dining Chair in Caribbean Walnut, in Stock
Located in PARQUE INDUSTRIAL OTHON P BLANCO, Quintana Roo
The Tamay Chair brings together personality and subtlety, based on simple lines and harmonious proportions, which underscore the natural beauty of the solid tropical wood native to s...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Hardwood, Walnut
HELLO - Chair With Resin Balloon
Located in Giza Governorate, EG
At first , the were two separate beings unaware of what they could be, he reached for her said “hello” , gave her a balloon, she accepted with a grin on her face and together they ma...
Category
2010s Egyptian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of French 18th Century Hall Chairs, Covered in Antique Damask
Located in New York, NY
Discovered in France, these 18th-century hall chairs are notable for their wonderful carved frames, elegant damask upholstery and pyramid-shaped nailhead trim. This go-anywhere pair ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
CM 196 Side Chair by Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All original CM 196 side chair by Pierre Paulin. Measure: Seat height is 18" inches. Very comfortable and sturdy.
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Steelcase i2i Ergonomic Dual Swivel Graphite Lounge Chair with Writing Tablet
By Steelcase
Located in Miami, FL
Steelcase i2i Ergonomic Dual Swivel Graphite Lounge Chair with Writing Tablet
The Modern i2i lounge chair is very comfortable and well designed, Featu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Estella Chair Design By Mehmet Orel for Capella
Located in İnegöl, TR
As Capella, our job is to ensure the perfect harmony between materials and present them to you in the most accurate and compatible way. We give them a soul and a life. This is our fi...
Category
2010s Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
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
Set of Four Italian Midcentury Cerused Oak Chairs with Rushed Seats
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Italian midcentury Cerused oak chairs with rushed seats.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
4x Shaker Counter Stool AMBROZIA, Sedona Leather, Dull Champagne, Oxidized Maple
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The shaker modern counter stool chair is handmade to order. Featuring our optional Luxurious Dull Champagne metal frame and a Genuine leather seat and back. Also offered in COM or CO...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Henrik Bønnelycke Black Leather and Wood Armchair, Model 102
Located in Madrid, ES
Lounge chair, model 102, designed by Henrik Bønnelycke and made of steam-bent black-stained oak. Seat upholstered in black leather. Soft lines, comfortable round back and armrests.
Category
Early 2000s Danish Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Claste For the Love of Solitude Small Chair in Glass with Sea Pearl Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that creates separation with transparency, solitude without disconnection. Within the walls of glass, a floating slab of marble adds weight and texture to the delicate nature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
alvar aalto stoolE60 kids size painted green 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1950s.
There is evidence of overpainting
There is some damage to the leg of the chair, but there is no problem in using...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Basket Chair for Beach or Slope by de Vries of Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
Manufactured by deVries of Germany, this stylist basket chair is a must for beach or slopes! Made of brushed teak, the body is intricately braided in a circular pattern on both sides...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Original Maurizio Peregalli 1988 Chair, Noto Zeus Milano Modern Art Piece
Located in Vienna, AT
Design: Maurizio Peregalli, Noto Zeus, Milano, 1988.
Square steel tube, powder-coated, seating- and backrest surface formed Polyurethan.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
Claste For the Love of Solitude Large Chair in Glass with Sea Pearl Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chair that creates separation with transparency, solitude without disconnection. Within the walls of glass, a floating slab of marble adds weight and texture to the delicate nature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble
Exquisite Klismos Chair in Blue/Gray Shagreen with Brass Sabots 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted Klismos chair in blue/gray shagreen with polished brass sabots by Maitland Smith, Philippines 1980's. The sensual form and exceptional materials and craftsmanshi...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Shaker Counter Stool by Ambrozia, Sedona Leather, Dull Champagne, Oxidized Maple
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The shaker modern counter stool chair is handmade to order. Featuring our optional Luxurious Dull Champagne metal frame and a Genuine leather seat and back. Also offered in COM or CO...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Alien chair, plastic metal, modern Italian, Carlo Forcolini for Alias, 1982
By Carlo Forcolini, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Alien model chair with black metal rod frame and red-colored MDF seat and back.
Produced by Alias in c. 1980 and designed by Carlo Forcolini in 1982.
Very good condition.
Measures 38...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Herman Miller Molded Fiberglass Shell Chair - Set of 12
Located in west palm beach, FL
An incredible set of 12 vintage MCM swivel chairs. Made by the iconic Herman Miller and tagged on the bottom. The coveted Aluminum swivel chai...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Perch Chair - Hand Carved Occasional Chair by Artist Gabriel Anderson
By Dean & Dahl
Located in Putnam Valley, NY
With a goal to revolutionize the log’s identity, the artist meticulously carves out a shape that maintains its natural proportions yet evolves into a distinctively modern silhouette,...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Bold Dining Chair
By Mohdern
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 refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 100
By Mohdern
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 refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Italian modern straw and black wood chair, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern straw and black wood chair, 1970s
Chair with rectangular base. The seat is in straw, the structure is in black lacquered wood with a gl...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
Chair "Oh Romeo, where is Juliet ?" by Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Church Chair contemporized, painted and multi-lacquered, cut.
• Info about Markus
• born 1964 in Aschaffenburg, Germany
• since 1986 active as a visual artist
• since 1989 natio...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 105
By Mohdern
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 refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Bold Dining Chair - Anouk 304
By Mohdern
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 refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Seduta scultorea in legno curvato, produzione italiana anni 70
Located in Firenze, IT
Bellissima seduta scultorea in multistrato di faggio curvato, composta da due moduli che si uniscono ad incastro. Autore sconosciuto, ma di grande impatto visivo e di materiale di ot...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Plywood
Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass frame, seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests. Limited edition of 360 chairs produced in 1999. This is chair...
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Claste and Here I Sit Hall Chair Limited Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An unexpected shift in appearance is the central idea behind the design of this chair. It switches from precariously balanced to solid and permanent through the clever use of a trian...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Bronze
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of EGO Meeting chairs in Bright Yellow Leather by Poltrona Frau Italy
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of Bright Yellow Leather EGO Meeting chairs Designed by Paolo Pininfarina for Poltrona Frau. The Ego Meeting armchair is considered one of the bestsellers of the Poltrona Frau c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Italian modern folding chair in white leather and black metal, ca. 1980.
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern folding chair in white leather and black metal, ca. 1980.
Folding chair with rectangular seat rounded on the front, with black painted tubular metal frame, with armres...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 100
By Mohdern
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 refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
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
Kartell Spoon Stool in White by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original stool whose shape is as elastic in appearance as it is in function. The innovation of Spoon consists mainly in attaching the seat to a central support with a specially re...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Sedie in legno e metallo tedesche moderne, Egon Eiermann per Wilde + Spieth 1960
Located in MIlano, IT
Set di sei sedie modello SE68, con strutture provviste di quattro zampe in tubolare d'acciaio a sezione sottile, con supporto centrale sul retro, sempre in metallo, a cui è fissato l...
Category
1960s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 102
By Mohdern
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 refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
alvar aalto stool60 painted red 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
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
Modern De Castro Dining Chairs, Camel Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
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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