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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: 1980s
Italian modern chromed metal and black leather curved shape chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed metal and black leather curved shape chairs, 1980s.
Chair with armrests, with chromed steel structure and curved metal back and seat covered in black leather.
...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Italian modern grey metal and solid wood Fly Line Chairs, 1980s
By Fly Line
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern grey metal, brass and solid wood set of four Fly Line Chairs, 1980s.
Fly Line model chairs with dark gray metal structure, as well as the backrest, while the seat is r...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Midcentury Modern Ward Bennett Model 1515 Chair
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this rare, all-original model 1515 armchair by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This beautifully constructed chair is of exceptionally high quality and ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Lacquer
Italian modern black metal and leather chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black metal and leather chairs, 1980s
Set of four chairs with black painted metal rod structure and original black leather seat and back.
1980 approx.
Good condition, ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of 6 Robert Mallet-Stevens Model No. 222 Chairs for Pallucco Italia, 1928
Located in Zagreb, HR
Robert Mallet-Stevens (1886–1945) was a French modernist architect and designer. He believed in simple, functional designs which should be capable of mass production, and these princ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Tubular Brass Chairs by ChromeCraft- Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W22 D21 H33 SW18 SD19 SH17 AH24
Vintage Rolling Chairs by ChromeCraft in overall great condition. Chairs features structurally sound brass frames with light patina, three units are ...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern set of four wooden Milano chairs by Aldo Rossi for Molteni, 1987
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of four wooden Milano chairs by Aldo Rossi for Molteni, 1987.
Set of four Milano model chairs, with a light wooden structure with a square shape, with a backrest a...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set Of 4 Black Leather Chairs by Matteo Grassi
Located in Brussels , BE
Set of 4 very elegant chairs.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
A Pair of Frank Lloyd Wright Robie Chairs for Cassina Italy 1986
Located in Bjuråker, SE
A pair of 2 Cassina chairs Crafted with precision and attention to detail, these chairs blend exquisite design with supreme comfort, making them a perfect addition to any modern or c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
"OTI" armchair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, circa 1980
Located in LYON, FR
Very pretty tubular steel armchair created by the Danish designer Niels Gammelgaard on behalf of the publisher IKEA. An iconic piece in very good condition and with a lovely patina.
...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Paire de chaiss en plastique vintage
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR
Paire de chaise en plastique et pieds métal en état moyen. Le plastique est taché et décoloré. Le métal est rouillé.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
PVC
Italian modern red leather chairs Ed Archer by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red leather chairs Ed Archer by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1980s
Pair of chairs mod. Ed Archer in red leather. The main structure is shaped to form the backrest, seat...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
1980s Postmodern Sculptural Arc Chairs - a Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
These chairs are incredible. Very heavy with a wooden swivel base in excellent condition. Use as is or redo in glue favorite fabric.
DIMENSIONS: 32ʺW × 32ʺD × 31ʺH
STYLES: Modern...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Italian modern set of four solid wood chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern set of four solid wood chairs, 1980s
Set of four chairs with structure entirely in solid wood.
1980 approx.
Good conditions
Measurements in 43x46x76h cm and seat 42h c...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
LaPalma Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Great dining chair in vegetal natural saddle cognac leather. Manufactured in Italy by Lapalma.
The leather is in vegetal natural leather which is now cognac.
Beautiful backrest.
The ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair Spaghetti Chair by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Located in Den Haag, NL
These beautiful Spaghetti chairs were designed by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias in Italy in the 1980s. It has chrome-plated steel frames and light beige straps. All PVC tapes are...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
PVC
Pair of Black Lacquered and Brass Horseshoe Lounge Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Asian modern black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chairs with brass fittings. Manufactured by the Century Furniture Company. Each chair measures 30.5" wide, 29.5" deep, 29...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
French modern black chairs by Philippe Gonnet for Protis Editions, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern black chairs by Philippe Gonnet for Protis Editions, 1980s
Set of six chairs with rectangular seat. The chair develops "forwards" following a diagonal line. The seat is...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Philippe Starck chair
Located in PARIS, FR
Chair model Wendy Wright by French designer Philippe Starck for Disform, from the 1980s. It is in white/grey anodized metal. In very good condition.
DV516
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Philippe Starck chair
Located in PARIS, FR
Chair model Wendy Wright by French designer Philippe Starck for Disform, from the 1980s. It is in gray anodized metal. In very good condition.
DV517
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Postmodern Metal Vintage Aluminum Patio Chairs Toledo Jorge Pensi Spain 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern vintage set of five aluminum stacking dining chairs patio chairs designed by Jorge Pensi, 1986-1988, and produced by Amat-3. Provide with the stamp "Toledo Design Jorge Pe...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern Black chairs by Adalberto del Lago for Misura Emme, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black chairs by Adalberto del Lago for Misura Emme, 1980s
Black chairs in enamelled metal rod, with seat and high back in black leath...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Sedie pieghevoli italiane e moderne, in metallo verniciato bianco, 1980 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Set di sei sedie da esterno pieghevoli, con struttura in ferro smaltato. La seduta e lo schienale della sedia sono microforati.
Perfette per essere usate in giardino o in terrazzo.
1980 ca.
Buone condizioni.
Misure in cm 51x55x77h
Set di sedie in ferro verniciato bianco, con alcuni segni del tempo sulla verniciatura, molto comode sia nel sedersi e accomodarsi, sia per quanto riguarda la possibilità di piegarle, chiuderle e riporle per quando si hanno molti ospiti e grandi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Sculptural Organic Vintage Side Chairs Pair Bohuslav Horak 1988 Czech Republic
By Bohuslav Horák
Located in Vienna, AT
Sculptural metal vintage chairs model Pupeny or Buds by Bohuslav Horak, 1988.
A sculptural and fairy-tale design with a twist, these side chairs s...
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
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
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
Italian modern Rectangular chair with black fabric and yellow metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Rectangular chair with black fabric and yellow metal, 1980s
Chair with rectangular seat and backrest, padded and covered in bla...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Philippe Starck Miss Dorn chairs
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of Miss Dorn chairs by Philippe Starck for Disform 1982. Black metal frame and round cushioned seating.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Progetti Tecno Modern Pair of Italian Chairs, 1980s
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Modern pair chairs series 148_S designed by Progetti Tecno, inspired by the S142 by Eugenio Gerli. Made of solid wood, reupholstered in bouclé
Centro Progetti Tecno
In 1970, Industr...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Modern Italian Alien chair, metal and wood, by Carlo Forcolini for Alias 1980
By Alias, Carlo Forcolini
Located in MIlano, IT
Alien model chair, Italian and modern, made of metal and mdf wood, designed by Carlo Forcolini for Alias in 1980.
Alien chair with yellow metal rod frame and MDF seat and back.
Produ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern chairs in black metal and rubber, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chairs in black metal and rubber, 1980s
Set of three chairs with round seats in black rubber. The backrest is composed of a black painted metal structure with a square...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
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
Italian modern dark blue velvet and chromed metal chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern dark blue velvet and chromed metal chairs, 1980s
Set of four chairs with rectangular seat. The backrest extends to the floor, and is covered in deep dark blue velvet l...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
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
Italian modern black chairs Spaghetti by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black chairs Spaghetti by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Set of six chairs mod. Spaghetti with rectangular and elastic seat and back made from black scooby thr...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern black chair Terna by Gaspare Cairoli for Seccose, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black chair Terna by Gaspare Cairoli for Seccose, 1980s
Chair mod. Terna with triangular base. The seat is round and is made of black plastic with two semicircular par...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Thonet S320 green Chair Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Thonet Chair Model S320 in green version.
Rare Colour.
Designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider.
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Italian modern black plastic chairs Modus SM 203 by Borsani for Tecno, 1980s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black plastic chairs Modus SM 203 by Borsani for Tecno, 1980s
Chairs mod. Modus SM 203 with seat and backrest composed of a curved ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern Gray plastic aluminum Chair Modus SM 203 by Borsani Tecno, 1980s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Gray plastic aluminum Chair Modus SM 203 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1980s
Chair mod. Modus SM 203 with seat and backrest comp...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern black metal and grey fabric chairs with round seats, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black metal and grey fabric chairs with round seats, 1980s
Set of ten chairs with round seats. The structure is in black painted meta...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian Modern Pair of Black Metal and Leather Chairs with High Back, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern pair of black metal and leather chairs with high back, 1980s
Pair of chairs with metal structure with round sections, with elegant crossing under the oval-shaped seat...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Paolo Pallucco "Lizie" Iron Designer Armchair 1984, Original Piece of Modern Art
Located in Vienna, AT
Design: Paolo Pallucco, 1984, Literature: Design Dasein, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg 1987
Material used us black lacquered iron.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
Italian modern Chair in gray metal, black rubber and wood, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Chair in gray metal, black rubber and wood, 1980s
Chair with gray painted tubular metal structure. The rectangular seat is in black curved wood and the cylindrical bac...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern light green blue chairs Quinta 605 by Mario Botta Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light green blue chairs Quinta 605 by Mario Botta Alias, 1980s
Pair of chairs mod. Quinta 605 in metal. The seat and backrest are made of a sheet of micro-perforated m...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern rectangular aluminum chair, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern rectangular aluminum chair, 1980s
Chair with rectangular base entirely in aluminium. The seat and backrest are rectangular with rounded corners and have two "folds" th...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian modern black chair Terna by Gaspare Cairoli for Seccose, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black chair Terna by Gaspare Cairoli for Seccose, 1980s
Chair mod. Terna with triangular base. The seat is round and is made of black plastic with two semicircular par...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Six Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France, 1985
Located in London, GB
Sold individually upon request.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s tr...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern black Spaghetti chairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black Spaghetti chairs by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Pair of chairs mod. Spaghetti in metal rod with elastic seat and back made from black scooby threads. C...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chair for XO, France 1985, six available
Located in London, GB
Six available in total.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing chair...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian modern black Chair Spaghetti by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black Chair Spaghetti by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s
Chair mod. Spaghetti with rectangular and elastic seat and back made from black scooby threads. The str...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France 1985
Located in London, GB
Set of four or six available.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Glossy stacking chair by Gerd Lange for Drabert, 1980s
By Gerd Lange, Drabert
Located in Athens, Attiki
Black glossy stacking chair SM400 by Gerd Lange for West German manufacturer Drabert, 1980s.
Gerd Lange's chairs have been extremely successful.He had a decisive influence on the des...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
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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