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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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1,294
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362
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5
680
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4,525
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3,011
2,407
1,454
1,376
4,815
2,184
927
684
489
235
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135
103
Style: Modern
chair#4
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
"The peculiar grace of a Shaker chair is due to the fact that it was made by someone who could believe that an angel could come and sit in it." (Thomas M...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Minimalist Organic Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE."
Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Modern Black Green Gray White Orange Pink Red Purple or Blue Rabbit Accent 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
Set of 4 Planet Bar Chair, Jean-Baptiste Souletie
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Planet bar chair - Jean-Baptiste Souletie
Dimensions: 46.7 W x 50.2 D x 102 H cm
Materials: black stained wood chair back - Lelièvre Sherpas Craie
Different finishes and ...
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Ash
Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 50xStacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
By Riccardo Blumer, Alias
Located in London, GB
42 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually.
There are 5 x steel trolleys available se...
Category
Early 2000s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
10x Shaker Modern Armchairs, by Ambrozia, Ebonized Walnut & Grege Leather
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern armchair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel frame. Very comfy and appreciated from our clients. They are available in a large variet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
e15 Customizable ELBE III Bench by Marguerre, Besau and Schöning
By Eva Marguerre, Marcel Besau and Daniel Schöning, e15
Located in New York, NY
Originally conceived for concert hall Elbphilharmonie by Herzog & de Meuron architects, bench ELBE III is focussed on essential forms that allow for classic references. The removable...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Textile
e15 Calle Wood Bench by Philipp Mainzer
By Philipp Mainzer, e15
Located in New York, NY
The solid wood bench Calle consists of a contoured seat, two sides flushed with the seat and a support beam underneath. The top surface tapers toward the middle to allow comfortable ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
e15 Mr. Collins Stool by Stefan Diez
By Stefan Diez, e15
Located in New York, NY
With its dynamic form and ergonomic comfort, Mr. Collins is an endearing stool applicable in diverse arrangements for living or working situations. Based on couture construction meth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
e15 Jean Stool Wood by Stefan Diez
By Stefan Diez, e15
Located in New York, NY
The bar stool jean is a natural development of the dynamic chair family Houdini. Jan consists of a seat with circumferential brim, which provides comfort and hold when seated. Betwee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
e15 Karnak Chair with European Oak Base by Ferdinand Kramer
By Ferdinand Kramer, e15
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1925, the elegant and archetypal chair Karnak features Ferdinand Kramer's masterful grip on simplicity. Available in waxed solid European o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
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, Solid Wood Chair, Leather 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
Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Leather
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
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
NORDST AYA Armchair, Full Aniline Leather Solid Steel Frame, Danish Desgin
Located in Rungsted Kyst, DK
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Elevate your space with the L60xW58xH79cm Chair, a masterpiece in design and functionality. Crafted with precision from full aniline leather and solid ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Emeco Hudson Armchair in Polished Aluminum by Philippe Starck
By Emeco, Philippe Starck
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
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
Set of 4 modern black leather Brno chrome tube chairs
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of 4 modern black leather Brno chrome tube chairs. Chrome tubular bent frame with soft black leather upholstery. classic modern design by Ludwig ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
NORDST AYA without Arms Chair, Full Aniline Leather Solid Steel, Danish Design
Located in Rungsted Kyst, DK
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Elevate your space with the L60xW58xH79cm Chair, a masterpiece in design and functionality. Crafted with precision from full aniline leather and solid ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Stilum - Shaped bronze chair
Located in Milano, IT
This artwork is for both internal and external environment. Shaped bronze chair streamlined and refined, inspired to natural elements. The dimensions are approx. The materials are wo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Thonet Bentwood Cafe Bistro Dining Chairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Only 2 available, price is per chair. Bentwood cafe chairs sold in a set of 2. Chairs all match, even in terms of use. They are all very tight and well-constructed, having been made...
Category
1960s Romanian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech
Pouf Pill S by Houtique
By Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf pill S by Houtique
Dimensions: H 45 x D 35 cm
Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes
Pill Pouf S
Art Deco style pouf with wood structure and velvet fabric.
2 fiber-board...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
Knead Armchair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Knead armchair by kar
Dimensions: W 75 x D 55 x H 110 cm
Materials: FRP
Available in black
Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetition. We seek the cause and effec...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
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
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
"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
Cream Boucle', Bronzed Steel, Brass & Feather Trim, Ostrich Fluff Lounge Chair
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This lounge chair is part of the Ostrich Fluff collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa.
The lounge chair is constructed in two section, these are connecte...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
Zigzag chair prototype - Netherlands, 1970
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Iconic Zigzag chair prototype
Netherlands, 1970
73,5 x 39 x 39,5 cm
Iconic chair composed by four wooden planks hinged end to end to form an extremely striking example of an unstabl...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
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
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
UNA Dining Chair in Black Stained Oak with Leather Back by Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The UNA chair intersects a round wooden seat and legs with a leather upholstered cylindrical back. Using these fluid shapes allows greater focus on the detai...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
White Playdough Chair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
White playdough chair by kar
Materials: FRP
Dimensions: 37 x 39 x 89 cm
*This piece is suitable for outdoor use.
Soft like cotton, with a strong cont...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
1950's Pair Mid Century Modern Danish Walnut Upholstered Barrel Arm Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of vintage danish barrel back armchairs, dating to the mid 1950's. I purchased it from the daughter of the original owner's, who clarified that they had bee...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Romme Recliner Chair by Ikea, 1990s
Located in Paris, ON
An extremely comfortable seat, perfect for reading or watching a movie. This chair is an iconic vintage Ikea piece and rare.
Category
1990s Swedish Modern Chairs
Materials
Polyester
'Set of 2' Nana Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail, No:1, Small
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
"Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'."
The elegant pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Foam, Walnut
Six Petite Chairs by Philippe Starck for the Clift Hotel, San Francisco
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Six petite dining chairs designed by Philippe Starck for the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, San Francisco, CA., circa 2000. Chairs have been professio...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
White Arch Bench by Karstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Arch bench by Karstudio.
Materials: FRP.
Dimensions: 120 x 40 x 43 cm.
*This piece is suitable for outdoor use.
Both display ways make it the ...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Italian modern yellow fabric and wooden chair by Bros/s, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern yellow fabric and wooden chair by Bros/s, 1980s
Chair with yellow painted wooden structure. The padded backrest covered in worked yellow fabric is cylindrical in shape...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Obscure Objects Chunk Chair
By Obscure Objects, Luisa Pöpsel
Located in Toronto, CA
By Obscure Objects
Designed by Luisa Pröspel
The chunk chair combines soft, round and slightly oversized shapes with hard, resistant stainless steel. The homogenous hand brushed su...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
CraftAssociates Chair, Peabody Oak Occasional Chair, Upholstered
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Chair, Peabody Oak Occasional Chair, Upholstered
This Lawrence Peabody occasional chair is expertly handcrafted and upholstered. These Peabody chairs are licensed reintroductions for Craft Associates®. The chair is shown here in solid oak, but each is hand built and made to order so wood species and fabric can be customized. Craft Associates® has a full fabric program available.
Craft Associates Furniture is proud each modern piece is made in the US. We strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. We use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product.
The price reflects a COM price (client's own material). If you provide the fabric, there is no additional charge for upholstery
designer: Lawrence Peabody
Manufacturer: Craft Associates® Furniture
Period/Model: Mid Century Modern
Indoor/Outdoor...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Oak
Rudolph M. Schindler, Rare Dining Chair
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Discover a rare and exquisite piece of design history with this Rudolph M. Schindler dining chair, attributed to the iconic Howenstein House in South Pasadena. Crafted by the visiona...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plywood
Leather Altay Armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather altay armchair by Patricia Urquiola
Materials: Black lacquered solid beech structure. Seat covered in full-grain black leather.
Technique: Lacquered and stained wood. Uphol...
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
CraftAssociates Chair, Peabody Walnut Occasional Chair, Leather
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Chair, Peabody Walnut Occasional Chair, Leather
This Lawrence Peabody walnut occasional chair is expertly handcrafted and upholstered with leather. These Peabody cha...
Category
2010s American Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Modern Italian chair, steel and black leather, Alessandro Mendini for Zabro 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Modern Italian chair, steel and black leather, Alessandro Mendini for Zabro 1980s
Chair with chrome-plated metal rod frame, black leather upholstery and on the seat with black leathe...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Sedie italiane moderne, in pelle bianca, Adalberto dal Lago per Misura Emme 1980
Located in MIlano, IT
Sedie italiane moderne, in pelle bianca e metallo nero lucido, progettate da Adalberto dal Lago per Misura Emme nel 1980.
Set di sedie con struttura in tondino di metallo smaltato co...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
Modern Dining Chair with Caned Back in Exotic Wood by Costantini, Recoleta
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Recoleta Modern Dining Chair with Caned Back in Exotic Wood and COM/COL by Costantini
The Recoleta Chair is named for one of the oldest and illustrious neighborhoods of Buenos Aires...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Borge Lindau X75-2 Chairs by Lammhults
Located in Vancouver, BC
A pair of perfectly faded X75-2 chairs. One of the most compelling foldable chair ever made. Tubular steel and canvas make up this iconic director chair. The ‘X’ denotes the cross be...
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Revers Chair by Andrea Branzi for Cassina
By Andrea Branzi, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1993. Designed by Andrea Branzi for Cassina. Sculptural Bentwood on metal frame.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Nana Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail, No:2, Lagu Selection
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'.
The elegant piece...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Foam, Beech
Modern Italian chair, steel and black leather, Alessandro Mendini for Zabro 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Modern Italian chair, steel and black leather, Alessandro Mendini for Zabro 1980s
Chair with chrome-plated metal rod frame, black leather upholstery and elegant front tips and simple...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
4x Liverpool Modern Backless Stools, by AMBROZIA, Solid Walnut & Black Steel
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Liverpool Modern Backless stool is available in a large variety of finishes in bar or counter height version. The wide opening on the seating portion is designed help to grab and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
SET OF SIX CHAIRS French, from the 20th century
Located in Madrid, ES
SET OF SIX CHAIRS
French, from the 20th century
in lacquered wood with gold. Hollow back, upholstered seats.
Small Defects.
Dim.: 109 x 52 x 43 cm
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
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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