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Office Chairs and Desk Chairs For Sale
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

Vintage Herman Miller Aeron Office Desk Chair
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage Herman Miller Aeron Office Desk Chair. Featuring lumbar support, polished aluminum, tuxedo pellicle, and black leathe...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Eames Herman Miller Tall Tan Leather Office Chair Aluminum Group
Located in Detroit, MI
This authentic Eames for Herman Miller Soft Pad Executive Height desk chair from the Aluminum Group Collection was manufactured in the 2000. This executive height chair features a ta...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Ebonized Bank of England Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic, maple and oak, bank of England, courthouse, armchairs by Gunlocke, Sikes and Library Bureau Makers in an ebonized finish. The chairs differ ev...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Maple, Oak

Set of ten Office Chairs, white and metal, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Set of ten office chairs on metal legs and white seat shells with armrests. The chairs feature a modern design with sleek metal legs and ergonomic white seat shells, providing both s...
Category

20th Century European Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Cordovan Leather Tufted Office Desk Chair by Hancock and Moore
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A handsome tufted leather office desk chair by Hancock and Moore. The seat and back in a red cordovan leather with open arms, in the style of an American Classic Martha Washington c...
Category

Late 20th Century American American Colonial Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock Knoll Pollock Executive Chair Black Leather
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Pollock executive arm chair. One of Knoll's most significant chairs was designed in 1963 by Charles Pollock. Sixty years after its introduction,...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel

Green Lacquered Chiavari Side Chair with Peacock Feathers in Cut Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Choices, choices! One of two lacquered Chiavari chairs available in our shop, your guests will be green with envy. Sculptural, luxurious, joyous and chic, circa 1960. Our one-of-a-ki...
Category

1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bumper desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Task Chair Bronze 4-star swivel conference room chair in a green tweed fabric....
Category

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

Materials

Fabric

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

Cubist art deco desk chair
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Cubist art deco desk chair in very nice original condition. Dark brown - black french polish.
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Rabami Danish Teak Kevi Desk Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Danish Modern office chair design by architect and designer Jorgen Rasmussen for Engelbrechts, the Kevi chair (1965) became popular chair for the home or office based on a simple id...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Arne Jacobsen Series 7 or 3107 Chairs by Fritz Hansen Mid Century Modern 1964
Located in London, GB
A timeless icon of design this wonderful set of eight model #3107 (also known as the "Series-7") stacking dining chairs in black were designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen in 1955. This set are an early production model with a rarely seen registered and numbered metal CAP, April 1964. In the late 60’s Fritz Hansen then changed to the more commonly seen plastic stamped CAP. The CAP carries the Made in Denmark, the Danish Control FurnitureMakers emblem and the FH logo along with the year. This is important for collectors who are not looking to buy the more usual plastic CAP chairs you find on later production models. This highly practical early set of 8 dining side chairs...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Herman Miller Cosm Mid Back Adjustable Ergonomic Stool Chair Excellent Condition
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Cosm stool sophisticated ergonomic design instantly responds to your body, movements, and posture to provide natural balance and total support. The revolutionary seat combines Au...
Category

2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Ico Parisi Office Chair, Yellow Leather
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Office chair by Ico Parisi for MIM, circa 1960s. Aluminum base with curved plywood back and newly upholstered leather seat. Multiple quantity available - Priced individually.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Modern Baby Spheric Ottoman Fluffy Edition in Faux Sheepskin by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
Baby Gropius chair collection is designed in the same spirit as the collection's flagman Gropius chair, which makes the brand signature. We noted that kids love minimalist design and...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur

Classic Hans Wegner Round Chair
Located in New York, NY
Sleek, sophisticated and architectural, wraparound armchair in solid rosewood, designed by Hans Wegner made by Johannes Hansen The chair has a solid rosewood frame, drop in upholstered seat, and wrapped cane backrest. The frame looks like it has a later, but not new, clear lacquered overcoat, the fabric seat shows cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. Measures: Total H 29.5 x arm H 27.5 x seat H 17 inches. Know as the Round Chair...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood

2010s Herman Miller Eames Soft Pad Executive Desk Chair in Cognac Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Soft Pad Executive Desk Chair, Model EA437, initially designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1969. These examples date to circa 2010s....
Category

2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Otto Zapf Executive Chairs in Original Saddle Brown Leather by Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Otto Zapf, a distinguished German product designer, embarked on his career in his homeland, driven by an enduring passion for flexibility and human-centered design. By the time he joined forces with Knoll in 1973, Zapf was already an accomplished designer, and his transition was as seamless as the furniture he would go on to create for the iconic brand. Marrying a distinctly German design philosophy centered on systems with a deep commitment to humanism and ease of use, Zapf crafted pieces that were as functional as they were inviting. His Softline System, a modular office storage suite, epitomized this approach by combining rigid frames with soft, attachable fabric surfaces. This design ethos found further expression in his Executive Seating Collection, where soft, upholstered pads mounted onto spring steel frames resulted in a creation unmistakably true to Zapf’s vision. Zapf's commitment to "friendly design" is evident in every aspect of his Executive Seating Collection. He masterfully balanced the demands of comfort and ergonomics, crafting a chair that not only looks inviting but also offers unparalleled functionality—a hallmark of Knoll’s design philosophy. The innovative cushion system, a key feature of this chair, reflects Zapf's dedication to adaptability and ease of maintenance. Each of the five independent cushions can be effortlessly removed for repair or replacement, ensuring the chair’s longevity. The back cushions glide smoothly along dual rails of spring steel, adjusting to the user's preferred reclining position with natural ease. The result is a chair that not only welcomes but also adapts to the user, embodying the very essence of Zapf's design principles. This particular chair is no longer in production, making it highly sought after, especially when presented in the timeless Saddle Brown leather as shown. We currently have six of Otto Zapf’s Executive Chairs...
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Vintage Set of Six Handkerchief Armchairs by Vignelli for Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage set of (8) eight Knoll Handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli Inspired by the lightness and organic ease of a handkerchief drifting ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Office Chair from the 1960s, Mid-century Design, Metal and Skai.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Office chair from the 1960s, mid-century design, metal and skai. 1960s metal and skai office chair, mid-century design, swivel chair, steel base, skai seat and back. H: 83cm, W: 41c...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Ross Lovegrove Bluebelle chair Y2K style design space age
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
White and transparent combination chair. Ross Lovegrove designed it in 1996 for Driade. This chair is a chair that Ross Lovegrove redesigned from George Nelson's DAF chair. Highly ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Chrome Desk Chair by Brueton in Woven Tropical Leaves, c. 1970's
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern desk chair or side chair with cantilevered steel frame in chrome. Chair has streamlined profile with curved armrests and floating seat design. Newly upholstered in handwoven fabric...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Eames Soft-Pad Executive Chairs in Charcoal Wool by Herman Miller, Set of 6
Located in Stamford, CT
The great portfolio of Charles & Ray Eames is widely celebrated and serves as a model of inspiration for designers to this day. One of their most recognizable designs is the Aluminum...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

1970s Herman Miller Eames Time Life Chair in Brown Edelman Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Time Life Executive Desk Chair, model ES107, initially designed in 1961 by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. This design was born as a bespoke concept for the...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Antique Quality Leather and Mahogany Desk Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique quality leather and mahogany desk chairs having quality green leather backs and seats, mahogany and leather shaped open arms standing on square reeded legs to the fro...
Category

Early 20th Century English Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Other

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Beech Desk Chair Jorgen Rasmussen 1950s Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage desk chair or office chair designed by Jorgen Rasmussen 1950s in Denmark and executed by Labofa. The chromed metal frame shows four wheels. The seat and th...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia "Ondo" Executive Leather 1970s Desk Chair
Located in Peabody, MA
A Saporiti Italia “Onda” executive swivel desk chair in leather with polished steel swivel base designed by Giovanni Offredi, ca. 1970s
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Luna Office Presidential Chair
Located in New York, NY
Presidential desk chair on rollers with adjustable height seat and back, all in first quality brown leather. Back in caramel British sycamore in high gloss polyester. Size: cm 78W...
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Sycamore

Eames Contract Base Desk Chair
Located in Dronten, NL
Swiveling parchment fiberglass side chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Original desirable 1960s version with seat pad with brown fabric, easy to reupholster w...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Kurt Olsen Leather Chair
Located in London, GB
Classic Scandinavian mid-century elbow/desk or occasional chair by Kurt Olsen. Designed by Olsen for for Slagelse Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Smooth sculptural wooden frame that has its or...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Early 20th C. Oak and Vinyl Upholstered Seat Rolling & Swivelling Banker's Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Oak and Vinyl Upholstered Seat Rolling, tilting and Swivelling Banker's Chair. Measures 23.5" in width, 20" in depth and stands 35" tall. Seat height adjustable...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Unusual Regency Mahogany and Brass Campaign Chair
Located in Essex, MA
An unusual chair with arched back newly caned. The sides newly caned and the sides swing open to access easily. Raised on square section legs and very l...
Category

1830s English Regency Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Brass

Anglo Indian Leather Teak Plantation Chair 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb Anglo Indian teak planter's chair, Circa 1890 in date. Handcrafted in teak with elegant form it has been reupholstered in grey leather with brass studs. It is of pegged con...
Category

1890s Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Chair 'FF Swivel' Black Frame, Black Leather
Located in Paris, IDF
The 'FF Swivel' chair designed by Ida L. Hildebrand for Friends & Founders Model shown in main picture: - Black frame - Dakar Black Leather Upholstery available in a wide range of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Organic Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Montgomery office and accent chairs by Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
This listing is for two Montgomery office and accent chairs by Crump and Kwash Hand shaped solid white oak frame / acrylic finish / handwoven blue leather seat and back / nylon gli...
Category

2010s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Pierre Jeanneret Mid Century Wooden Office Chair in Teak & Rattan Produced 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare mid century dining / office wooden chair in teak and rattan by Pierre Jeanneret produced for Chandigarh in India 1950s. In good original condition with a nice patina and letteri...
Category

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

Materials

Rattan, Teak

2022 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair in Tan Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chairs, Model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples were produced i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Exuberant Green Print Fabric Swivel Lounge Chair by Selling of Monroe Ca 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional 1970's swivel, lounge chair by Selig of Monroe. The chair is in it's original bright and colorful upholstery, which is in very good clean c...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set Of 4 Pierre Jeanneret ‘Committee’ Chairs, model No. PJ-SI-30-A
Located in London, Charterhouse Square
Set of 4 Pierre Jeanneret “office Chair” or “Committee Chair”, circa 1959-1960. Teak and faux leather. Intended for: High court, legislative assembly and various administrative build...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

Vintage German Bauhaus Icon Black Leather & Chrome S33 Chair by Mart Stam, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This S33 chair by Mart Stam is a design icon from 1926. It was produced by the German Thonet manufactory. Our piece comes from the 1960s. It is the first can...
Category

1960s German Bauhaus Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Two vintage green armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek for Jitona, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Two iconic vintage armchairs designed by Jaroslav Smidek in former Czechoslovakia in the 1960s. Very comfortable armchairs with high backrest and delicately profiled armrests. Fram...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Teak

Kaare Klint Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kaare Klint armchair designed in 1927 and produced by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Vintage High Back Chesterfield Heritage Leather Office Captains Swivel Chair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, large, very comfortable Chesterfield leather wing style office armchair This is a very comfortable captain’s indeed, it’s like your favourite reading chair with wheels. This was retailed through Harrods and was a very popular model until the range ended Condition wise we have cleaned waxed and polish it, the upholstery is heritage leather...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

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

Antique Restored Cigar Brown Leather Brass Castors Chesterfield Captain Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely fully restored original oak framed vintage hand dyed Chesterfield cigar brown leather directors chair with solid brass English castors....
Category

19th Century English Chesterfield Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

1936 Hansen & Johansen Solid Wood Armchair, Round Front Legs, Sloping Hind Legs
Located in London, GB
1936 Hansen & Johansen Armchair of solid Mahogany with round front legs and sloping hind legs, back with vertical slats. Seat upholstered with patinated Niger leather. Designed 1936....
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Custom Set of Eight Baker Furniture Ebonized Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Two arm and six side chairs in a midcentury style with curved and open X form backs. The frames were custom ebonized, raised on square tapering legs, splayed in the back. The seats u...
Category

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

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Midcentury Pelle Stacking Stools by ICF (5 Available)
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful and sleek set of 9 stackable stools designed by Toyoda Hiroyuki for ICF. Thick black leather covering a heavily chromed base. Wonderful details of stitched and laced leathe...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

2007 Herman Milles Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chairs in Green Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair, model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples date to 2007. Th...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Mid-Century Modern Henning Kjærnulf Teak and Leather Dining Chair Model 255
Located in London, GB
One dining chair or desk chair model 255, in teak and leather by Henning Kjærnulf for Bruno Hansen, Denmark, 1950s. These solid teak chairs have a bea...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

1960 Vintage Office Chair Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Biella, IT
one chair Anonima Castelli production Italy, Giancarlo Piretti design years ’60 rare tipology chair with whells very solid structure but here are signs of use in the wood.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The early 19th century desk chair with ram's head arms and turned legs, is attributable to Jacob Desmalter and dates to circa 1805.
Category

Early 1800s French Empire Antique Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Neptunia chair 20th century metal legs by Arflex B.B.P.R. studio from 1953
Located in Palermo, IT
Directly from the University of Palermo, with the collaboration of the 'Office of the President of the Region of Palermo. Sofas Armchairs Chairs. Arflex chair. Belgiojoso, Peresutti,...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

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

Dining or Desk Chair by Ernest Farmer for George Nelson and Associates
By George Nelson, Ernest Farmer, Herman Miller
Located in Littleton, CO
A rare birch dining or desk chair by Ernest Farmer of George Nelson and Associates for Herman Miller. Professional reupholstery available at pass-thro...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Pair Green Leather Time Life Office Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller 1996
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage mid century modern green Model 3475 Eames Time Life Lobby Chairs designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller were manufactured in 1996. These classic offic...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Original Aluminum and Perforated Vinyl Emeco "Navy" Desk or Armchair, 1965
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage navy chair rendered in aluminum frame and original perforated vinyl upholstery by Emeco, original contract piece for the Federal government ...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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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