Modern Chairs
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Period: 1970s
Modernist Organic Vintage Three Foldable Dining Chairs Beech Mesh Chrome, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist organic vintage three vintage chromed metal, beech and
Viennese mesh dining chairs or chairs, 1970s, Italy.
A wonderful set of three (3) dining chairs with a chromed met...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of J. Robert Scott Mid Century Luctie And Leather Chairs on Rollers
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of J. Robert Scott Mid Century Lucite And Leather Chairs on Rollers. Used condition Some scratching to the leather. Rollers are in good condition. Each measure approx - 23w x 27...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Italian modern chairs in black wood chromed metal and Vienna straw, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chairs in black wood chromed metal and Vienna straw, 1970s
Set of six chairs in the Cesca style with seat and back in black painted wood with a glossy finish and Vienn...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern round chairs by Cesare Maria Casati and Emanuele Ponzio, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern round chairs by Cesare Maria Casati and Emanuele Ponzio, 1970s
Pair of round base chairs. The structure is in transparent plexiglass, the legs and backrest follow the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern beige chairs DSC by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern beige chairs DSC by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Set of four chairs mod. DSC padded and covered in beige tending to yellow leather. The seat and backr...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Barcelona Chair & Footstool by Knoll International, Early 1970s
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Lounge chair and footstool designed by Mies van der Rohe. U.S.A., Knoll International, Early 1970s.
Original super vintage and patinated 'BARCELONA CHAIR' in brown leather. Chrome...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Italian modern white lacquered curved chairs, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white lacquered curved chairs, 1970s
Set of six chairs in white lacquered wood. The seat and backrest have curved and rounded lines, which are shaped in the lower par...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Paire de chaises en métal doré
Located in PARIS, FR
TRAVAIL FRANÇAIS 1970
Paire de chaises en métal doré à patine nuancée à petit dossier évidé légèrement incliné et montants à têtes de chevaux.
Piètement d'angle à quatre jambes te...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern white Libellula chair by Giovanni Carini for Planula, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed metal and white leather Libellula chair designed by Giovanni Carini and produced by Planula in 1970s.
Libellula model chair, stackable, with metal rod structur...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green plastic Chairs Gaudi by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1970s
Set of 6 iconic and fantastic chairs mod. Gaudi in green plastic monocoque. The backrest and seat ar...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Fabio Lenci 'Hyaline' Lounge Chair for Stendig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabio Lenci "Hyaline" lounge chair, Italy, c.1970s. The chair features two thick tempered glass side panels with a strip of suede bolster cushions down the middle serving as a sling ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Italian modern chromed steel Sabrina chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed steel Sabrina chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s.
Sabrina model chair, with seat and backrest made entirely of fine chromed steel tubing, which follows t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian modern white plastic 860 Universale Chairs, Joe Colombo, Kartell, 1970s
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white plastic 860 Universale Chairs, Joe Colombo, Kartell, 1970s.
Set consisting of four model 860 chairs, also known as Universale Chair, in cream white ABS plastic. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Italian modern five metal, beech and white cotton Cesca style chairs, 1970s
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of five metal, beech and white cotton Cesca style chairs, 1970s
Set of five Cesca style chairs with tubular steel structure, armrests in solid curved beech and pad...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern black leather and tubolar chromed metal chairs by Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather and tubolar chromed metal chairs by Zanotta, 1970s.
Set composed of six chairs with chromed metal tubular structure and black leather seat and back. Unde...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Robert Van Horn Lucite Ribbon Chair & Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Chair & Ottoman Are In Overall Good Condition
There Are Minor Scratches On The Lucite Consistent With Age
Newly Upholstered Cushion & Ottoman
Chair Is Hand Signed With Patent ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Lucite
Pair of Leather Side Chairs by B&T Salotti, Italy, circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
A chic pair of walnut side chairs by B&T Gruppo Industriale Salotti. The wide chocolate brown leather seats and backs with crisp white leather piping are supported on angular and stu...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Italian modern wooden chairs with brown leather seating, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wooden chairs with brown leather seating, 1970s
Set of three chairs with square seat. The seat is in brown leather, it is fixed to the backrest via two metal strips th...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Cockpit chair, modern Italian, made of vienna straw wood and steel, ca 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Cockpit chair, modern Italian, made of vienna straw wood and steel, ca. 1970.
Cockpit chair, with Vienna straw seat and back and curved wood to form the seat frame, finished with a r...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
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
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
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
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
By Kartell, Carlo Bartoli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
Chair mod. 4875 with rounded seat and back, in brown plastic. The round section chair legs are removable. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Monk Black Chair for Molteni, Italy, 1974
Located in London, GB
Formidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Bianchin Scarpa created interiors and furniture that embraced the materials of each design and the interplay of technology and ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Italian modern chair in curved tubular chromed steel, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chair in curved tubular chromed steel, 1970s
Curved chromed steel chair. The seat and backrest are made of fine tubular chromed steel that follows the shape of the bod...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian modern brown leather chairs with chromed steel structure by D.I.D, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather chairs with chromed steel structure by D.I.D., 1970s
Set of four chairs with rectangular base. The seat a...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
A Set Of 4 MODERNIST CUBIST "CRATE" CHAIRS after GERRIT RIETVELD, Holland 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
A suite of 4 "Crate" chairs, Constructivist, Cubist, Modernist, Brutalist, geometric structures in blackened solid wood, based on the model by Gerrit Rietveld, handcrafted, Holland 1...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Italian Spaghetti chair in white metal and gray leather G. Belotti Alias 1979
Located in MIlano, IT
Spaghetti model chair in a rare version with white metal rod frame and light gray leatherette seat and back. Curved handle at the back and iron springs at the back of the backrest an...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern stackable chairs by Proinco in brown plastic, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern stackable chairs by Proinco in brown plastic, 1970s
Set of five chairs with seat and backrest composed of a single brown plastic structure, shaped and curved on the se...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern green Chairs 4868 Universal Chair by Joe Colombo Kartell, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern green Chairs 4868 Universal Chair by Joe Colombo Kartell, 1970s
Pair of chairs mod. 4868, also known as the Sedia Universale, in glossy green ABS plastic. The slightly...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of Four Chairs in the style of Afra & Tobia Scarpa with Durmast Frame
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s.
This set features a solid durmast frame with a multi-layered durmast seat and brass screws.
It is interesting that they are slotted screws, and not sta...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Set of four Italian chairs in steel and pink fabric, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Chairs with chrome-plated steel frame, seat and back upholstered in pink fabric with studs on the back.
1970 ca.
Very good condition.
Measurements in cm 54x47x72h
Set of four chromed...
Category
1970s European Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Giancarlo Piretti Plia Lucite & Chrome Folding Chair for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing the truly iconic "Plia" folding chair. Originally designed in 1967 by Giancarlo Piretti for the venerated Anonima Castelli Company the Plia chair is still in production t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
1970s Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Bronze and Mohair Bucket Desk Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1970s production bucket desk / office chair, designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates. The chair was acquired from an estate in Philadelphia a...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
1970s Nicos Zographos Bucket Swivel Armchair in White Leather Polished Stainless
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (four chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) bucket chair designed by Nicos Zographos and produced by Zographos Designs circa mi...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Giancarlo Piretti, a Set of Four Chairs, Plia, Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Located in Paris, FR
Giancarlo Piretti
Plia
A set of four aluminum folding chairs each with a caned seat and back.
Produced by Anonima Castelli, Italy.
With a Castelli label.
circa 1970.
Lite...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Chairs in Walnut and Beech, 1970s, Set of 5
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Vintage Chairs in Walnut and Beech, 1970s, Set of 5
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech
Italian modern Wood folding chairs Morettina by Ettore Moretti for Zanotta 1970s
By Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Wood folding chairs Morettina by Ettore Moretti for Zanotta, 1970s
Folding chairs mod. Morettina in black painted wood. The backrest and seat is made up of a series of...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Africa Chairs
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Africa Chairs
1970
Brass, Rosewood, Leather, Steel
30.71 H x 18.12 W x 22 d inches (Set of 2)
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Italian modern Wood folding chair Morettina by Ettore Moretti for Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Wood folding chair Morettina by Ettore Moretti for Zanotta, 1970s
Folding chair mod. Morettina in black painted wood. The backrest and seat is made up of a series of s...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Italian modern metal adjustable chairs by De Marco & Rebolini for Robots, 1970s
By Robots
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of four chromed metal and metal mesh adjustable chairs by Guido De Marco and Roberto Rebolini for Robots, 1970s
Adjustable metal chairs with chromed metal rod stru...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Lotto Di Quattro Sedie Spaghetti Design Giandomenico Belotti Per Alias 1979 Moma
Located in taranto, IT
Lotto di quattro iconiche sedie "spaghetti", design Giandomenico Belotti per Alias, 1979.
Struttura in metallo laccato nero, seduta e schienale in tondino di pvc di colore traspar...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
Danish Modern White Chairs of Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Danish modern set of five white wood and chromed steel 0465 chairs of Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1970s.
Set of five chairs model 0465 or Series 7, Danish in matt wh...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italia Modern Black Leather Steel Chair Libellula by Carini for Planula, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italia modern Black leather and steel Chair Libellula by Giovanni Carini for Planula, 1970s
Chair mod. Libellula (dragonfly) with seat ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
1970s Set 4 Spaghetti Chairs Design by Giandomenico Belotti for Fly Line Years '
Located in Biella, IT
set 4 spaghetti’ steel chairs designed by Giandomenico Belotti for Fly Line Italy
years 1970s. First edition original chairs
good vintage condi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Thomasville Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Thomasville
Located in Countryside, IL
Thomasville walnut dining chairs - set of 6
Each armless chair measures: 23 wide x 27 deep x 42 high, with a seat height of 18 inches.
Each capt...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Six Chrome and Fabric Bar Stools by Jerry Johnson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Set of six polished chrome bar stools by Jerry Johnson. Newly recovered in a knoll fabric. The tall barstool measures 20.5” wide, 20” deep, 39.5” high ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Set of 2 Cube Chairs / Club Chairs After George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Substantial and striking. This pair of cube chairs are set on oak baes. The chairs are found in their original striped fabric which is in good vintage condition. If the fabric is not...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
1970's German Design Set of 6 Dining Chairs in Oak
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Mid-Century Modern German design set of 6 dining chairs in oak with green woven fabric seat. Made in Germany, in the 1970's. Well made sturdy design. Rounded oak frame with f...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Danish Modern Wooden, Bordeaux Fabric and Steel Chair by Phoenix, 1970s
By Phoenix
Located in MIlano, IT
Danish Modern wooden, bordeaux fabric and steel chair by Phoenix, 1970s.
Danish dining chair in bent wood, with seat and back upholstered in bordeaux red fabric. The legs are in ste...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Wood Gruppo Chairs by De Pas, D'urbino, Lomazzi for Bellato, 1979
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light and black wood pair of Gruppo model chairs by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi for Bellato 1979.
Chairs mod. Group with light wood structure with square section leg...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of Modernist Tall Back "Throne Chairs"
Located in New York, NY
" Throne chairs "
A pair of Modernist tall back side chairs.
Thuja root with ebonized inlaid details.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Ebony, Burl, Wood
Italian Modern Red Armchair Mod. Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Red armchair mod. Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s
Iconic and elegant armchair mod. Saghi with steel ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Six Modernist Tall Back Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A set of six tall back Modernist dining chairs.
Stained bamboo with upholstered seats.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Bamboo
Italian Modern Black Wood Base and Pied De Poule Cotton Seat Armchair, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black lacquered wood base and pied de poule cotton seat small armchair, 1970s.
Armchair with black painted wooden structure and seat and ba...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Italian Modern Aqua Green Armchair Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern aqua green velvet. armchair mod. Saghi by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1970s
Iconic and elegant armchair mod. Sa...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.
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