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Office Chairs and Desk Chairs For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1990s
Office armchair in elm and skai Teak model ST 750 Arne Wahl Iversen 1960.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Very elegant Scandinavian office armchair. Very elegant, curved design in the style of Hans Wegner armchairs.
Magnificent wood grain.
Very comfortable.
Category
1960s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Elm
Series Seven Office Chair Model 3117 In Black Leather By Arne Jacobsen From 1990
Located in Lejre, DK
The Series 7™ 3117 swivel chair is manufactured by the world-famous Danish furniture company Fritz Hansen. The chair is made of black leather and has an elegant design with legs in c...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
De coene Freres, Art Deco Pivoting Armchair circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Decoene Freres, Art Deco pivoting armchair in walnut
good general condition, original covering torn
Category
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Gastone Rinaldi Armchair Set for RIMA, 1960's
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful Gastone Rinaldi set of armchairs for RIMA, Italy 1960s.
With this armchair the Italian design master shows his honest aestheticism.
With its slender metal frame and le...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Rare and Perfect Italian Designer Chair
By Gio Ponti
Located in North Miami, FL
The most beautiful Mahogany desk chair influenced in a Gio Ponti design. Finished with sabots and a split back rest.
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Early Charles and Ray Eames PACC Desk Chair for Herman Miller, USA, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Rare early PACC (Pivoting Arm Chair on Cast base with Castors), rendered in a molded one piece fiberglass shell for chair seat back and arms, with a cast aluminum spider base with ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Bentwood Office Chair Otto Wagner for Thonet, 1930s
By Otto Wagner
Located in Brussels, BE
Bentwood Office Chair Otto Wagner for Thonet, 1930s
Category
1930s Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood
1958, Ray & Charles Eames, Herman Miller, PSCC Fiberglass Office Desk Chair
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Art Deco J.Halabala Armchair Skin .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco armchair skin from 1940 Czech Republic.
Designed by a famous Czech designer Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creators of the modern pe...
Category
1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Oxford Classic Office Chair Model 3293C Made In Cognac By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Oxford Classic office chair, model 3293C, with original cognac leather upholstery, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1963 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. The chair is in nice used condi...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Black leather armchair by Charles Pollock for Knoll International
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Armchair, “Executive Chair”, designed by Charles Pollock in the 1970s for Knoll International.
Black molded plastic shell with chrome contours, aluminum star base, comfortable, ergo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lane Tuxedo Walnut Desk Chair
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Lane Tuxedo Walnut Desk Chair. Featuring a straight line design, walnut frame, wooden backrest with rosewood inlay, modern legs with stretche...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Faux Leather, Wood, Rosewood, Walnut
Art Deco Hungarian Office Chair in Walnut
Located in Houston, TX
Art Deco Hungarian office chair
in walnut
Office chair is done in a fine walnut wood, newly re-upholstered in brown leather. It has 2 armrests and elevated by the 4 elongated wooden...
Category
1930s Hungarian Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Desk Chair in Leather and Wood, Style: Art Deco, France, 1930
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Deco Armchair
Wood and leather
Year: 1930
Country: France
If you are looking for a desk chair to match your desk, we have what you need.
We have specialized in the sale of Art ...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Art Deco Armchair in the Style of Alfred Porteneuve
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Deco beech armchair In the style of Alfred Porteneuve.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Art Deco J. Halabala Armchair from 1940
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco armchair from 1940, Czech Republic.
Designed by a famous Czech designer Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creators of the modern period...
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
1970s Chromed Steel Light Blue Velvet Chairs, Set of 2
Located in IT
1970s chromed steel light blue velvet chairs, set of 2
Recently reupholstered
Size: W 44 cm, D 45 cm, H 84 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Industrial Style Office Chair with Black Vinyl
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern office chair features vintage black vinyl upholstery on seat, back & armrests, black painted metal frame, and wheeled base. This chair gives off serious authe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Red Tram Chair By Miroslav Navratil For Vertex, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
Great industrial chair from midcentury era of Czechoslovakia. Designed by Miroslav Navratil for Vertext company in 1960s. Some of the chairs still have the original Vertex label visi...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Wim Den Boon Executive Chairs in Black Leather, 1950s
By Wim Den Boon
Located in Antwerp, BE
Black executive chair, Wim Den Boon, the Netherlands, the 1950s.
Wim Den Boon formed 'Groep &' just after the liberation of The Netherlands in 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of Two (2) Black & Chrome High Stance Office Chairs, USA, c. 1960's
Located in Deland, FL
Constructed of steel with chrome plating these heavy duty office chairs are perfect for almost any workspace and any design pallet from Modern to Industrial. Fully functional, both c...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Art Deco J. Halabala Armchair .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco armchair from 1940 Czech Republic.
Designed by a famous Czech designer Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creators of the modern period....
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Adjustable Desk Dining Chairs by Jorgen Rasmussen for Labofa
By Labofa A/S
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid-Century Modern sculptural Scandinavian walnut desk chairs by Jorgen Rasmussen for Labofa, c1955. Bent walnut plywood in ...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Pair Mid-Century Mahogany & Faux Leather Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Mid-Century Mahogany & Faux Leather armchairs are just the ticket for creating a sleek, post-modern look to any room or office! The tailored lines of the framework were crafted ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Mahogany
FK 6727 Tulip Office Chair Kill International, 1960s, Set of 4
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Astonishing set of 4 comfortable office chairs. No height adjustment. Navy blue leather.
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Bauhaus Cantilever Armchair, Chromed Tubular Steel, Leather, Germany circa 1935
Located in Regensburg, DE
Bauhaus Cantilever Armchair, Chromed, tubular steel, Leather, Germany circa 1935.
Frame completely new chrome-plated. Armrests black high gloss lacquered. Newly upholstered with black leather and keder.
Manufacturer: probably Mauser Waldeck...
Category
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Swivel desk chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima in white boucle, Italy, 1950s
Located in Vigevano, PV
Swivel desk chair by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima in white boucle, Italy, 1950s
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Office Chair in Wood, Steel and Leather, Carlo Fongaro, Brazilian Mid-Century
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This chair is an exemplar of Brazilian design from the mid-20th century, attributed to the skilled yet underrecognized Carlo Fongaro. His work reflects the era's modernist tendencies...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Armchair Designed by Hans Wegner
Located in Dallas, TX
A leather and oak armchair designed by Hans Wegner.
Category
1950s Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Oak
Mid Century Leather Executive Office Chair DS 35 De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century leather executive office chair DS 35 - De Sede. Very heavy and very comfortable leather office chair. Height is adjustable and tilts back has aluminum base with casters. ...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Mid Century California Modern Mahogany Chair, Signed GS
Located in San Francisco, CA
Solid mahogany Mid-Century Modern chair. Carved initials GS on the underside of the seat (maker unknown).
Sturdy and comfortable.
American, 1970's.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
MCM Mauve Hopsacking & Chrome Tubular Chairs by Peter Protzman for Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Mid-Century Modern original mauve hopsacking & chrome tubular pair of chairs by Peter Protzman for Herman Miller. Beautif...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Desk Armchair in Elm and Faux-Leather Attributed to Batistin Spade
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Deco desk armchair in elm and faux-leather attributed to Batistin Spade
he arm of the chair measures 64 cm high (25.20")
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Elm
Cane Armchair Attributed to Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany and cane armchair attributed to Harvey Probber.
Category
1950s Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Art Deco J. Halabala Armchair
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco armchair from 1940 Czech Republic.
Designed by a famous Czech designer Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creators of the modern period....
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Jorge Zalszupin Commander Office Chair
Located in Washington, DC
Handsome vintage Commander Chair designed by Brazilian master Jorge Zalsuzpin. Features a rare gray color way with leather, fiberglass, and aluminum materials.
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
1990s Richard Sapper for Knoll Management Desk Chair in Dark Green Leather
By Richard Sapper, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sapper Series management desk chair, designed by Richard Sapper in 1979 and produced by Knoll. This is one of Sapper's most iconic works, along with the Tizio lamp. The lis...
Category
1990s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of 1930s Bridge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
pair of french bridges from he art deco period
original upholsteryr
Original condition
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Rosewood
Art Deco J. Halabala Armchair .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco armchair from 1940, Czech Republic.
Designed by a famous Czech designer Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creators of the modern period...
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Two Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Desk Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Buffa designed some of the cleanest and most elegant pieces of the post Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, 'Novecento' period. These side or desk chairs illustrate his total mastery of hi...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
American Desk Armchair, 1950
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Deco desk chair
Wood
Year: 1950
If you are looking for a desk chair to match your desk, we have what you need.
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.
Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale.
Why are there so many antiques in Argentina?
In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place.
1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918
2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945
The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done.
Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them.
In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life.
Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war.
The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street.
With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace.
It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”.
Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies.
In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America.
During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture.
At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site).
In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca.
The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil.
Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood
1935, W.H. Gispen by Gispen Culemborg, Office Chair 356, Spear Bakelite Armrests
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Category
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Office Armchair in Faux Leather and Metal circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Office armchair in imitation leather and metal;
the upholstery needs to be changed
this armchair rotates and swivels, circa 1960.
Category
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
1958 Ray and Charles Eames, Fabric, Adjust, Tilt, Office Chair 4 Wheels No Arms
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Original Antique French Vintage Bienaise Draughtsman Swivel Chair
By Bienaise
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Original French Bienaise Chair Model 204 – E
An original Bienaise Industrial Chair. A classic 1940’s French Industrial Design Produced by the Nelson Brothers – Model No. 204.This ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Industrial Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Tufted Leather Chesterfield Armchairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of leather armchairs with wooden legs and stretcher. Done in the Chesterfield style. Beautiful Burgandy Leather appears to be original and slightly worn. Nail head detailing alo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American George III Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
1990s Richard Sapper for Knoll Office / Desk Chair with Black Fabric and Frame
By Richard Sapper, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a (multiple chairs are available but the price listed is for one chair) Richard Sapper for Knoll office / desk chair in black fabric with black enameled frame. Thi...
Category
1990s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Desk Chair Style: Art Deco, France, Material Wood and Leather, 1930
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Deco desk chair
Material: leather and wood
Year: 1930
Country: France
If you are looking for a desk chair to match your desk, we have what you nee...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Early Zenith Parchment DAX Fiberglass Shell Armchair for Herman Miller
Located in San Jose, CA
Iconic design (DAX) dining armchair x-base by Ray and Charles Eames, circa early 1950's. This second generation parchment colored armchair retains a high gloss finish supported by th...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Robert Haussmann De Sede RH 305 Highback Chair Cognac
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Robert Haussmann RH 305 armchair design of 1957 and manufactured by De Sede.
Cognac aniline leather an a chrome steel frame.
This is a Classic Swiss design ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Rare Vintage Mid-Century German Modern Office Swivel Leather Easy Chair, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This office swivel armchair was manufactured in the Germany during the 1960s. The frame is made from metal. The chair is upholstered in real soft leather in black color. The headrest...
Category
1960s German Minimalist Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Completely Restored Dan Johnson for Viscount Mid-Century Brass Armchair 1950s
By Kodawood, Dan Johnson
Located in St. Louis, MO
Dan Johnson "Viscount" for Kodawood, distributed by Selig, armchair or desk chair, circa 1950s. Refinished in dark ebony stain with new foam, orange leather and polished brass. Arm h...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
LC1 Style Leather Lounge Chairs, Pair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The LC1 style occasional lounging arm chairs with leather and springs straps and chrome frame are in very good condition. These are not marked but could possibly ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Preben Fabricius Jorgen Kastholm Bird Chairs Set Kill 1964
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very large set of high back executive chairs model FK6725 designed by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm, manufactured by Kill International, Germany 1964. These so called bird cha...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Set 4 Charles Pollock Armchairs Designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four executive armchairs design by Charles Pollock for Knoll International. These chairs are signed and dated 1977 with original fabric. All chairs are in good vintage conditi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Mid-Century Upholstered Chrome Swivel Chairs
Located in New York City, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Yellow Upholstered Chrome Swivel Chairs with a White Enameled Star Base.
Category
Mid-20th Century Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-32-C Low Committee Chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
Here the silhouette is strong. It is presented through the outline and shape of the piece. The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret Committee Chair PJ-SI-30-C Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
The chair has a strong silhouette which is conceived in sharp geometry of its elements. Its powerful presence exudes a regal energy akin to that of a throne, conveying a sense of str...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Cowhide, Fur, Teak
Antique and Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
An essential part of every office or home workstation, office chairs and desk chairs are critically important to your comfort and getting the job done.
Desk chairs have evolved over time. While writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson pined for a wider range of motion and introduced some improvements to his English-style Windsor chair, inventing the swivel chair along the way. So the next time you roll, recline or swivel at your vintage desk, remember: The third president of the United States had a lot to do with that functionality.
Changes in the availability of resources have also led to innovations in desk chair design. After World War II, for example, optimistic American designers made use of wartime materials in their efforts to create practical domestic goods.
Mid-century modernism is the name given to the broad postwar time period that prioritized thoughtful design. Journalist Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” cites “ergonomic wisdom” as part of the reason for the longevity of the era’s furnishings, and when it comes to sitting in a desk chair for hours at a time, what could be more important than ergonomic support?
As mid-century modernism was marked by resourcefulness and boundless creativity — and produced designers who, in most cases, prioritized comfort and support — it follows that all mid-century chairs are not the same. Nowhere is this perhaps more evident than at Herman Miller. The legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer got its start in the office, with design director George Nelson enlisting the likes of Charles and Ray Eames to produce desk chairs and lounge chairs that are still celebrated today. Elsewhere at the time, the numerous pieces Florence Knoll created for Knoll’s office furniture line were envisioned as design solutions for the changing needs of residential and office spaces.
If you’re working remotely and streamlined seating isn’t your thing, don’t be afraid of making a statement with your office chair. Introduce a touch of drama to your video calls by way of 19th-century desk accessories and the alluring forms we typically associate with antique desk chairs designed in the Empire and Regency styles. For a minimalist touch, a spare, utilitarian Industrial-style office chair can work in any space but will fit in particularly well amid the exposed brick and steel architecture that characterizes a loft apartment.
An inspiring home office cleverly mixes materials and styles to create a welcoming place of productivity and comfort, and if you’re gathering with colleagues at your company HQ, an array of wood, leather and metal office chairs can help integrate disparate textures in a conference room or any other collaborative space. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse collection of office and desk chairs today.
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