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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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675
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7,177
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675
505
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146
97
83
71
70
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64
56
34
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675
5,867
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426
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68
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336
203
58
109
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98
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356
302
175
133
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487
254
121
107
84
17
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9
Style: Modern
Period: 20th Century
René Herbst Pair of 'Sandows' Dining Chairs in Steel and Cord
By René Herbst
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Herbst, pair of 'Sandows' chairs, model '101', chrome-plated steel, elastic rope, France, design 1928, produced 1970s.
The 'Sandows' chair epitomizes the industrial advancement...
Category
1920s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
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
Mid-Century Modern to Modern Oak Maroon Vinyl Rolling Game or Dining Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern to modern rolling game or dining chairs comprised of oak frames, maroon vinyl seats and backs, brass sabots, and casters. Beautiful condition, keeping in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Oak
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
Modern Brown Leather Vintage Dining Chairs Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi, 1979
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern set of 8 cognac brown vintage dining chairs or chairs, which were designed by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi 1979, Italy.
A special feature from the model of chair Korium is hi...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather
Eric Schmitt (*1955), Osselet Chairs, 1996
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural " Osselet " side chairs by Eric Schmitt.
Patinated bronze frames and cognac leather seats.
Category
1990s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Wassily Style Leather Chair in the Manner of Marcel Breuer
Located in Austin, TX
A fine, comfortable Wassily style lounge chair from France featuring bands of stitched leather attached to a seamless tubular chrome frame, inspired by Marcel Breuer’s original desig...
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Modern Occasional Wood Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice modern art accent chair.
Solid wood construction with black lacquered seat and backrest.
Original vintage condition with minor wear on close inspection with a nice patina.
No da...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Rare Gilt Metal Cantilever Chair by Marcel Breuer, circa 1928
Located in Culver City, CA
Rare gilt metal cantilever chair by Marcel Breuer, circa 1928
Gilt metal, ebonized and cane cantilever chair, model Cesca by Marcel Breuer. Des...
Category
1920s German Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Oversized Tub Chairs by Sally Sirkin Lewis for J Robert Scott- a Pair
Located in Roanoke, VA
A pair of oversized lounge chairs by Sally Sirkin Lewis for J. Robert Scott beautifully redone in luxurious moss green velvet. Feeling a little Royere, a little Kagan, and a lot comf...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
Set of Four No.811 Chairs, Josef Hoffmann, 1960s
Located in London, GB
A vintage set of four beech Model 811 chairs designed by Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann in the mid to late 1920s. The chair was featured on the front cover of Thonet-Mundus' catal...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Linen, Beech
Pair of Armchairs, Italy, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Inox steel frames featuring wraparound backs upholstered in dark brown leather, the seats and backs upholstered in the original crushed velvet with leaf pattern. These chairs were de...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Six Christian Liaigre Dining Chairs, 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, PA
A handsome set of six cane back and ebonized oak dining chairs by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt. This set of dining chairs has vintage fab...
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Cane, Oak
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
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
Pierre Jeanneret Office Cane Chairs Set of 8
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A beautiful set of 8 Pierre Jeanneret floating back office chairs in solid teak. All chairs are in good vintage condition.
The braided canework has been replaced.
These iconic piec...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Teak, Cane
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
Ignazio Gardella R64 Armchair for Azucena in Olive Brown 1963
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A hard to find original Ignazio Gardella R63 Armchair for Azucena in Olive Brown synthetic vinyl leather that was used at the times by many furniture designers. The chair maintains t...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Italian modern Brown leather and wood chair by B&B, 1980s
By B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Brown leather and wood chair by B&B, 1980s
Chair with square seat and backrest padded and covered in dark brown leather. The square section structure is made of wood.
...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of 4 Vintage Architectural steel wire chairs, Italy
Located in TOLLEBEEK, NL
Spectacular design architectural steel wire chairs produced in the 1990s, Italy.
Condition
Good
Dimensions
height: 98 cm
width: 48 cm
seat height: 46 cm
depth: 55 cm
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Rare Italian design high back chair by Bonaldo from 1980’s
By Bonaldo
Located in TOLLEBEEK, NL
Very rare high back chair produced by Bonaldo in 1980’s. It features light blue coated tubular steel frame with removable fabric cover dressed on the backrest. It also has a removabl...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Mario Botta Set of Six La Tonda Chairs in Black Lacquered Metal by Alias 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Set of six 614 or La Tonda chairs in black lacquered tubular metal frame with seats in black lacquered perforated sheet metal, designed by Mario Botta and produced by Alias in 1980s....
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Pair of Verner Panton Design Within Reach Vitra 727 White Side Accent Chairs
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A pair of Verner Panton Design Within Reach Vitra 727 side accent chairs. A lovely piece of design featuring a single piece construction. These chairs have an organic, but abstract p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Set of eight chairs Guillerme et Chambron in solid oak
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A set of 8 solid eight oak chairs by Guillerme et Chambron Edition Votre Maison
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 6 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron, set of six oak chairs. Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
the fabric is in good condition
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Set of 4 Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Black Cushioned Dining Armchairs
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 4 Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin armchairs. A wonderful set of whimsically patterned armchairs. These chairs are finished with a playful pattern with a black/grey/purple/bl...
Category
20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Polyester, Wood
Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti "Peggy 63970" Lounge Chairs, Italy 1990
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A pair of impressive lounge chairs with a “throne like” appearance, designed by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti in the 1990’s.
The chairs are made of a wooden frame and new taupe velvet...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
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
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
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
6 chaises de Philippe Starck pour KARTELL
Located in PARIS, FR
La collaboration entre Philippe Starck et Kartell dans les années 1990 a donné naissance à une série de chaises révolutionnaires, notamment celles en polycarbonate rouge et transpare...
Category
1990s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Ward Bennett for Brickell Newly Caned "Sled" Lounge Chair, Circa 1970
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original Chromed Steel & Cane Lounge Chair by Ward Bennett for Brickell. Featuring the vintage low chromed x frame, with newly natural and unstained cane seat, curved back, covered a...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
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
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
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 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 Three Iron And Wicker Settee And Chair By Giacometti
Located in Pasadena, CA
Set of Three Iron And Wicker Settee And Chair By Giacometti. There are rams heads on the arm rests. In the back rest there is a sunburst/sunflower emblem/design on the backing.
The ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Iron
Set of 4 Monk chairs in leather, Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Molteni, 1973
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Monk chair is distinguished by its inherent essence of expressive quality of materials, embodying elegance through the skillful use of national walnut, natural ash, leather and r...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
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 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
1 Teknion Variable Stacking Chair by by Alessandro Piretti
By Teknion
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Teknion Variable Stacking Chair by by Alessandro Piretti
Designed by Alessandro Piretti, Variable is ideal for informal spaces where reconfiguration is encouraged, yet durability...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Chair by Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, 1938
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair, plywood construction, dark stained, ash veneer
Design / Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig 1938
Dimensions / H.84cm W.40cm D.50cm
Manufacturer / Maggioni Italy
Designed for the Bocco...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Ash, Plywood
Desk ‘Bird’ Chair by Preben Fabricius for Alfred Kill
Located in Stamford, CT
A Bird chair by Jorgen Kastholm and Preben Fabricius for Alfred Kill. This desk chair model has the rarer Casters. Newly recovered in black Sorensen leather.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
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
Authentic Early Modernist Chair Robert Mallet Stevens, France, 1930s
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Robert Mallet-Stevens (1886-1945) came from an art-loving family and was one of the most influential French avant-garde architects and designers. He met very early on René Herbst and...
Category
1930s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
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
1990s Cassina “Utrecht” Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld, a Pair
Located in Roanoke, VA
Fantastic pair of modernist lounge chairs, model 637 Utrecht by the designer Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina from the 1990s. Fabric is a cool silvery blue. Check out the incredibl...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
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
Pair of Sculptural Tall Chairs designedby Krish Ruhs for Cappellini, 1990s
By Cappellini
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Krish Ruhs, an American artist, designed these two chairs for a solo exhibition sponsored by Cappellini and presented at their Carugo showroom in 1990. Craftsmanship, inspiration fro...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
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
Vintage Mid Century Modern Clam Chairs by Seymour Weiner for Kodawood - Set of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Clam Shell Chairs by Seymour James Weiner for Kodawood - Set of 4
Featuring 4 vintage MCM “Clam Shell” armchairs designed by Seymour J. Wiener for Kodawoo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Italian modern chromed steel Sabrina chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
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
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
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
Set of 6 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, XXth Century.
By Knoll
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 6 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, XXth Century.
Set of 6 tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll for dining room in black fibreglass and fabric, cushions reno...
Category
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Fiberglass
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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