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Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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Office Chairs and Desk Chairs For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: Late 20th Century
Vintage Antropovarius Armchair by F.a. Porsche for Poltrona Frau Design 1980
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Office chair antropovarius in black leather by porsche for poltrona frau, 1980. Adjustable at the back and on casters height: 117 cm width: 61 cm depth: 43 cm good condition.
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Desk Chair in Patinated Leather and Oak by Danish Cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Swivel chair with adjustable height in patinated leather and oak. Designed and made by Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category

1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Bentwood Writing Desk Armchairs, 1950s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
These armchairs were made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1950´s. Made of dark stained beechwood. Can be used as office chairs or writing desk chairs. They are in very good Vi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech

Completely Restored Dan Johnson for Viscount Mid-Century Brass Armchair 1950s
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

Thonet Swivel Chair
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet swivel chair in good original condition with signs of usage.
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Silver Office Tanker Desk Chair by Gio Ponti for Goodform 1950s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Tanker Chair by Gio Ponti produced by GOODFORM Youngstown, Ohio: 1938 Industrial Swivel Tanker Vintage Office Desk Chair designed by Gio Pont...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Hans J. Wegner Round Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original model JH-503 round armchair in teak and leather, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hanse. Sculptural teak frame has been gently polished and retains lovely patina. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Teak

Paul McCobb Model 1530 Mid-Century Modern Chair, Early Winchendon Label
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Paul McCobb Model 1530 Mid-Century Modern Chair, Retains early Winchendon Modern label. Pre Planner Group. Wonderful original condition, color, finish, patina. Functional Art...
Category

1950s American Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Maple

Odelberg Olsen Work Chair
Located in New York, NY
Work chair of molded birch plywood and painted steel by the Swedish metalworking firm of Odelberg Olsen, produced circa 1948, for distribution by Knoll in the U.S. market. The chair, which references Prouve, is shown in the 1948 Knoll catalog...
Category

1940s Swedish Industrial Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Baker Far East Collection Vintage Chair Ebonized Wood in Style of Michael Taylor
Located in Lomita, CA
Highly collectible, this is a piece from the Baker Far East Collection of the 1950s. It is unique. The chair was designed as part of a two-piece set with a desk. It has all of the gr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Cane, Walnut

8 Max Pearson for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Red Tulip Swivel Dining Office Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
8 Max Pearson for Knoll International red wool upholstered rolling swivel chairs, circa 1960s. Great for conference table or dining use. Tulip shaped padded seats over steel swivel r...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pierre Jeanneret X-Leg Office Chair, circa 1960s, Chandigarh, India
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
Very rare office chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret for the buildings in Chandigarh in 1960s. Solid teak wood and cane. Provenance: D.A.V. College, Chandigarh, India
Category

1960s Indian Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Cane, Teak

Fabricius & Kastholm FK 85 Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Kill International
Located in Los Angeles, CA
FK85 lounge chair and ottoman by Danish design duo, Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm, c. 1960s, Germany. The swivel lounge chair and fixed ottoman features a chrome plated steel ...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Eames Management Chairs in Grey Fabric Upholstery c. 1980 - 1990s 4 Available
Located in New York, NY
Sharp set of 4 Eames aluminum group management chairs in gray fabric, with cast aluminum frames. The chairs are all in great, original, clean and ready to use condition, all are mark...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Herman Miller ES102 Intermediate Chair Design Charles & Ray Eames
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
rare Herman Miller ES102 Intermediate Desk chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames Upholstery in blue Hopsack fabric, with chromed aluminium parts, equipped with...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Armchair by Lysberg Hansen & Terp, 1940s
Located in Lejre, DK
Armchair in mahogany, leather and horsehair. Designed and made by Lysberg Hansen & Terp in 1940s. Made in Denmark. Great original condition.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Oak & Blue Fabric Chair by Hans J. Wegner
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This modernist office chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner for the Danish manufacturer GETAMA Gedsted during the 1960s. The raw, geometric frame...
Category

1960s Danish Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Niels Otto Moller 1951 Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather
Located in London, GB
Pictured is a set of six dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Moller in 1951 and made by JL Moller before 1969, as indicated by the round disc label. Original black leather is in fai...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Kaare Klint Pair of Red Chairs for Rud. Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint pair of red chairs in mahogany, black horsehair and brass nails. Version of the chair with upholstered arms. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen,...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Brass

Strässle He Leather Lounge Chair by Hans Eichenberger
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A Strässle HE leather lounge chair from the 1960s in very good condition. The leather of the lounge chair, in a deep black leather tone, is flawless with minimal patina. The chromefr...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Durlet, made in Belgium Arm Chairs in Camel leather.
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of 12 comfortable camel leather armchairs with aluminium chrome feet characterize these set of dining, office or side chairs designe...
Category

1980s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Set of four beech and leather chairs
Located in Premariacco, IT
Beechwood office or waiting room chairs with comfortable black leather upholstered seat. The chairs are a high-quality Italian production, dating from the early 1970s. They show no...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Beech

Vintage Chinoiserie Hand Carved Rosewood Rolling Desk Chair Bangkok Thailand
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Chinoiserie hand carved Rosewood rolling desk chair from Bangkok, Thailand. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Dining or Desk Chair
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed is a single classic slat back dining chair by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Shown in original finish, but includes refinishing in color shown or dark espresso, custom ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Harrods London Brown Leather Wingback Captains Directors Swivel Chair
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning restored hand dyed cigar brown leather very large Chesterfield Wingback office chair with original leather and patina. This is a very comfortable captain’s indeed, it’s like your favourite reading chair with wheels. This was retailed through Harrods in the 1960's and has been fully restored and hand dyed this amazing rich cigar colour. This chair is very large, this is the bosses chair...
Category

1960s English Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Midcentury Black Vinyl Accent Chair Minimal Retro Vintage Waiting Room Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
Stunning mid century modern armchairs designed under Knoll influence With square chrome frames and armrests. The seat and back rests are elegantly padded with cushioning detail ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

1970s Brutalist Oak Side Desk Chair
Located in Norwich, GB
A Brutalist design oak side/desk chair. Low Countries - circa 1970. This stylish chair is made in solid oak and in good original condition. It has been cleaned and waxed. There is...
Category

Late 20th Century Brutalist Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

Zig Zag Chair Made in Solid Pine, Scandinavian Modern, 1980s
Located in Odense, DK
A fine Brutalist zig zag chair made in solid pine. Handcrafted by an unknown Scandinavian cabinetmaker in the 1980s. A decorative chair that plays well with the natural daylight, sui...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Pine

Jacob Jensen for Labofa Black Leather Office Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Jacob Jensen For Labofa black leather office chair in good vintage condition. Measures 25.5" W x 22" D x 38" H. Arm height is 27". Seat int...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Pr. Swivel Chairs by Hugh Acton for Burke Acton, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Pr. Post Modern, Mid-Century Modern, swivel chairs, designed by Hugh Acton, for Burke Acton circa 1960's. The chairs feature commercial grade orange tweed upholstered seats, on styli...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury KEVI Office Chair by Jorgen Rasmussen for KEVI
Located in Baltimore, MD
KEVI office chair with double-wheel casters by Jørgen Rasmussen. A Classic Mid-Century Modern office chair, the KEVI was originally designed in 1958 ...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Tubular Brno Chairs x 2
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll chrome tubular Brno 245 chairs. Various colors, 1-green and 1-purple. Have acceptable fabric, Chrome is nice condition, some retain lab...
Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Swivel Tilt Office Desk Chair by the Good Form General Fireproofing Company
Located in New York, NY
Architectural design, commercial quality swivel, tilt desk, office chair by Good Form, General Fireproofing. This example has a four leg aluminum base, with vinyl upholstered seat an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of "Mondo" by Karl-Erik Ekselius, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by JOC, Vetlanda, Sweden, 1970s. Original brown leather. Good condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Carsons of High Point "Z" Dining Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Carsons of high point "Z" dining chairs- Set of 8. A unique shaped dining chair with black fabric and swivel bases, mounted on casters. Very comf...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Laboratory Chairs, German, Beech, Adjustable, Bar Stool, Kitchen
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage professional laboratory chairs. A German, beech and chromed alloy adjustable seat, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1990. High quality, professiona...
Category

Late 20th Century German Industrial Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Nicos Zographos Gray Leather Office/Desk Chairs, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Nicos Zographos grey leather office/desk chair, 1980s. Original slate grey color leather.
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

1973 Knoll Executive Chrome and Tufted Velour Office Chair
Located in Basel, BS
Two available, sold separately--Original 4 leg base (Sought after!!) brown and chrome Mid Century Vintage Knoll Pollock chair--RARE beauty-- from the era of the height of the creatio...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Vintage Danish Desk Chair, 1960s
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Vintage Danish wooden armchair from 1960s. Elegant and sculptural Danish Mid-Century Modern armchair in solid wood. Round tapered legs. Flared ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Conference Chairs in Steel and Red Wool by Chrome Craft
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super cool and equally comfortable pair of conference or desk chairs from Chrome Craft probably late 1970s. Came out of the offices of J. Walter Thompson ...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Charles & Ray Eames EA217 Office Chair in Chocolate Brown Leather, Vitra
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Beautiful new office chair EA217 belonging to the iconic Aluminium Series designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller (US) / Vitra (EU). Exceptional comfo...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of Eight Leather Office Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of eight office chair designed in 1966-1976 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy. Cast aluminum with chrome-plated bases and original black leather upholstery. Swivel base with ad...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Chaise De Salle À Manger Gispen, Pays-Bas, 1960
Located in Busserolles, FR
Set de six chaises de salle à manger ou bureau par Gispen, designer néerlandais, datant des années 1950 à 1970. Structure en chrome, rembour...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair Rodney Kinsman Red T7 Tractor Stools for OMK, 1971
Located in Cathedral City, CA
A pair of fabulous T7 Tractor seat stools designed by Rodney Kinsman, a British designer, for his company OMK in 1971. Truly an avant-garde design in a highly desirable red color. Th...
Category

1970s English Post-Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Enamel, Steel, Chrome

Rio Rosewood & Leather Model 431 Lounge Chairs Set by Arne Vodder, Denmark 1950s
Located in Geneva, CH
Rio Rosewood and black leather pair of model 431 lounge chairs by Arne Vodder produced by Sibast Mobler, Denmark circa late 1950s Superb quality with fine details and patina. Manuf...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Edward Wormley Executive Office Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Wormley for Dunbar “In Clover” 932 Executive chair button tufted leather, solid walnut base, brass casters, tilts and swivels with adjustable seat height. Dunbar Un...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

1980s Wood Base Office Swivel Chair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
These timeless office swivel chairs are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughout the monumental form. Post modern Style Swivel Chairs are beyond stunning. Sits on a wood swivel...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Fröscher Leather Office Chair Ib Kofod-Larsen 'Attr.' Elizabeth Danish Design
Located in Oldenburg, NI
Fröscher “Elizabeth” office chair / conference chair designed by Ib Kofod Larsen (attributed) in a modern Danish design. The backrest is probably covered with black synthetic leather...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 4 Vintage Midcentury Danish Modern Oak Chairs by Hans J Wegner for GETAMA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of four chairs was designed by Hans J. Wegner for the Danish manufacturer Getama Gedsted during the 1960s. The raw, geometric frame of the chair is made of light oak wood. T...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Oak

Set of 4 "Synthesis" by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970s
Located in Conversano, IT
Rare set composed by 4 "Synthesis" Chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. The chairs are in very good conditions, despite their ages. Every chairs has a textile co...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic

6 General Fireproofing Mid Century Machine Age Aluminum Goodform Armchairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome set of 6 Goodform mid-century machine age and industrial style aluminum armchairs by General Fireproofing Company. Comprised of anodized slightly gold colored aluminum frames and upholstered in a woven beige fabric. They are in wonderful vintage condition overall. The aluminum has been cleaned and gone over gently with steel wool and the fabric has been professionally cleaned. That does not mean they are free from signs of age but have a nice patina. You may wish to recover. The aluminum coloration ranges from silver to gold and is individual on each chair. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa 1940s-1960s. Holy cow! We are in love with these awesome Goodform chairs by General Fireproofing!! We have six and they are comprised of anodized brushed aluminum frames and bare a blend of machine age, industrial, mid-century styles. They are anodized a lovely gold color… You heard that right… Gold! Or kind-of “gliver.” A little silvery with a gold tone. Not sure exactly how to describe it, but it’s fabulous!! Two of the chairs are slightly darker gold with less silver and a little extra detail including a V-shaped overlay detail of aluminum on the front curve of the arms, so you can use those two as host and hostess chairs. Currently they are upholstered in a wool-like woven beige fabric, but we don’t think its original; however, it is in good condition and ready to use for a while but…. Wow! Would they ever look fantastic in new leather, vinyl, or maybe mohair! They have a slightly rolled seat back which is a cool detail, the arms are partially upholstered for comfort, and their stretchers and cross bars enhance their industrial look and make them sturdy enough to stand up to a family of toddlers, teenagers, or…elephants whichever you have! Ha Ha!!! The General Fireproofing Company or GF began in 1902 in Youngstown, Ohio. They were originally manufacturers of building materials. But when the building industry took a downturn in 1907 the put their efforts into producing steel office furniture. Their first 4-drawer steel file cabinet came to fruition in 1910 and the first fireproof safe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pop Art Vintage Office Desk Chair Pink Blue Wood Metal, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art vintage office desk chair from metal and wood in pink and blue 1980s. An amazing office desk with swiveling function and adjustable seat h...
Category

Late 20th Century European Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 6 Vintage Parsons Dining Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
In the style of Milo Baughman, this simple, modern contemporary set of 6 classic Parsons decorator dining chairs have been newly refinished and re-covered in velvet zebra design fabr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Metropolitan Chair by Ejnar Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, circa 1960
Located in London, GB
Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen Rare ‘Metropolitan’ armchair, model no. 2842/L designed 1949, executed circa 1961 Rosewood, leather Executed by master cabinetmaker Willy B...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Oxford Desk Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An "Oxford" arm chair in white leather upholstery with a high back and a cast aluminum 5 point base with casters. Height adjustable +/- 5".
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Niels Otto Moller 1951 Dining Chairs with Arms in Original Black Leather
Located in London, GB
Priced and sold as single chairs, pictured is a set of four dining chairs with arms designed by Niels Otto Moller in 1951 and made by JL Moller before 1969, as indicated by the round disc label. Original black leather is in fair condition showing cracking and marks from normal wear and tear. Webbing would benefit from being replaced, either re-using original leather or selecting new leather. If purchased at full listing price, reupholstery with new black aniline leather and new webbing will be included in price. If chairs are bought as is in with original black leather and original webbing, then a 20% discount is available. Please make an offer...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Aluminum Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra, USA, 1958
Located in Antwerp, BE
Aluminum Chair; Charles & Ray Eames; Vitra; 1958; Office Chair; Leather; Chrome; Brown; The Aluminum Group; USA; Aluminum chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames and manufactured by ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Jean Prouvé Pair of "Standard Chairs" / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
Pair of "Standard chairs" by Jean Prouvé is raw yet elegant and classic modernist furniture. Because of their simplistic design the chairs have become one of the most popular objects...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

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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