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Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Gray
Pair of Italian Sawaya and Moroni Iron and Leather Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Italian Sawaya and Moroni iron and leather chairs. Stunning pair of Italian iron and leather chairs by Sawaya & Moroni, made in Milan. These ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Stool Industrial Design in the Manner of Gio Ponti Italy 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Stool Industrial design in the manner of Gio Ponti Italy 1970s. A nice example of a mixture of aesthetics and functional demands. Although its destination can be seen as the workshop...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of Four Natural Wicker Barrel Back Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of four natural wicker barrel back chairs. Four mid-century woven wicker/rattan barrel back side chairs newly upholstered in white muslin; ready for ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Mid-Century Brushed Tubular Steel Contoured Cantilever Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four, mid-century, tubular, brushed steel, dining side chairs with cantilever bases and contoured seats.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1950, Ray & Charles Eames for Herman Miller Set DSS Fiberglass Stacking Chairs
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 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

MidCentury Chrome and Geometric Velvet Chair, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of chairs in chrome and velvet with silver-colored geometric designs. Curved pipes as happened at the beginning of the bending and shaping of chromed iron profiles in metal fact...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Horton Textile Ironer Industrial mesh Chairs
By Horton Texteel 1
Located in Chicago, IL
Extremely clever use of materials in this very well proportioned and well thought out design. All vintage in their original state. One is cleaner than the second. Some loss of paint ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Lucite Rolling Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Uniquely shaped pair of Lucite side chairs on casters with upholstered seats. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Lucite, Upholstery

Burke Saarinen Style Tulip Chair, circa 1965
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Modeled after Eero Saarinen's Tulip series, The Arkana shell chair was designed by Maurice Burke in 1965 for the Arkana company in England. It features the classic aluminum hourglass...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Black and White Chair
Located in Chorzów, PL
Polish production chair from the 1960s. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation, seat and backrest upholstered with a new fabric. Dimensions: Height 78 cm ...
Category

1960s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Cotton

1952, Harrie Bertoia for Knoll International a Set of Wire Dining Chairs
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 American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Six Classic Fiberglass Swivel Side Shell Chairs Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Six Classic Mid-Century Modern fiberglass swivel side shell chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames, manufactured by Herman Miller. Remarkable condit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

A Pair of Chrome Chairs Attributed to Gio Ponti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Italian chrome chairs with woven white plastic seats attributed to Gio Ponti.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

1974, Pierre Paulin, Ten Very Elegant Comfortable Light White Garden Chairs
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, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of ten elegant white plastic stacking chairs...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

White Metal Peace Back Vanity Chair by Kessler
Located in Stamford, CT
1970s white metal vanity chair by Kessler. Newly powder coated. Curvy front legs. Newly upholstered in Quadrille laminated fabric in blue/white. Sui...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

White Bertoia Steel Wire Side Chair With "X" Base by Knoll, Set of 6
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 6 original 1950s white steel wire Bertoia side chairs with "X" base by Knoll. Hans and Florence Knoll never insisted that Harry Bertoia design furniture when they originally ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Midcentury Children Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of charming midcentury stools are meant for the youngsters in your life. Perfect for any playroom or bedroom. Featuring metal frames and vinyl seats. Please confirm the ite...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Zanotta, Pair of Grey Leather and White Lacquered Metal Folding Chairs, Italian
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of folding chairs is made of white lacquered metal with a grey leather seat and back. These are comfortable and easy to store as they can be fold. These chairs are Italian,...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Kartell Barstools by Anna Castelli Ferrieri
Located in Vienna, AT
Two typical examples of Italian design created and manufactured in the late 1970s. As an inherent philosophy of Kartell each piece of furniture is without any screw or fixings. Altho...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Large Charles Hollis Jones Brass Regency Benches, Signed
Located in Cathedral City, CA
A pair of Regency benches design and signed by Charles Hollis Jones. Each bench is made of brass and Lucite with a faux white leather cushion. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Herman Sperlich For Ironrite Health Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
An unusual Ironrite Health Chair designed by Herman Sperlich in a lovely white enameled steel frame and seat.
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Sheet Metal, Steel

1965, Verner Panton, Stacking Chair, Herman Miller, Second Edition in White
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

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Painted Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, outdoor, patio, garden chairs feature painted, wrought iron grid frames with matching vinyl upholstered cushions.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Midcentury Mint Brno Chair in Leather by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
One midcentury Brno chair in gray leather on a polished chromed steel frame. Produced by Knoll. Has never been used and in excellent condition. This is the Thin-seat version, modeled...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Gigi Radice Elegant and Trendy Pair of Side Chairs for Minotti, Italy, 1950s
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Amazing elegant and trendy pair of side chairs by Gigi Radice for Minotti, Italy, 1950s. The chairs have been reupholstered in a new velvet fabric by Chivasso (JAB). The chairs have...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Friso Kramer Revolt Folding Chair for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1953
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare Revolt folding chair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in 1958. The chair...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Rope, Linen and Metal Swing Chair, USA, circa 1960
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Sled-shaped swing chair with a tubular metal frame with original white enamel and the original stretched, thick linen seat supported by rope strung around the frame through grommets.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Carlo di Carli Side Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Carlo di Carli design side chair made out of cherrywood and newly refinished and upholstered in Navy velvet.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 14
Located in Highland, IN
Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pastoe "Combex" White Wire Hoop Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century white "Combex" Hoop chair by Dutch post-war design great Cees Braakman for renowned manufacturer Pastoe. Enameled wire metal frame with black rubber foot caps. In origina...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Eames for Herman Miller Pedestal Chairs
Located in Asheville, NC
Four Herman Miller black leather upholstered pedestal chairs, underside stamped, December 19th 1975 on black aluminum and steel pedestal bases.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Thick Heavy Bent Lucite Dining Side Chairs Z Shape
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of heavy 1" thick bent Lucite Z-shape dining or side chairs.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lucite Chairs with Upholstered Cushions
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of chairs features a solid lucite construction and tufted upholstery seat which offer a sleek, modern flare to any home or office space. Please confirm item location (NY...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Lucite

Italian Vintage Four Curved High Back Chrome Chairs in Blue Gray Stitch Fabric
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern set of four chrome chairs of sensual design, the front legs coming up on the sides and in a continuous design to cr...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Space Age Vintage White Metal Chair or Side Chair by Rodney Kinsman, 1971
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage white chair or side chair model Omstak designed by Rodney Kinsman 1971 and produced by Bieffeplast, Caselle di Selvazzano. The extraordinary chair shows perforated ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Modern Chiavari Style High Back Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of high back side chairs feature impressive Italian Chiavari style. With sculptural ladder back design, tapered legs, brass sabots, and padded upholstered seats th...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Maison Jansen Leather, Brushed Steel and Brass Folding Campaign Side Chair 1960s
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Beautiful Maison Jansen leather campaign chair, solid steel with brass finials, 1960s.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Green Tubular Lounge Chair by Kho Liang Ie for Stabin Holland, Model 703, 1968
Located in Schagen, NL
This lounge chair was designed by Kho Liang Ie for Stabin Holland in 1968. It features a tubular base with green upholstery. The piece remains ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Six Kusch Walter Leeman Stackable Side Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of six mid-century modern side chairs designed by Walter Leeman and manufactured by Kusch in Germany. Chromed steel rode frames with ebonized wood seats and backs.
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Chrome Armchair in Gray circa 1960s in the Style of Harvey Probber
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Newly-upholstered vintage chrome chair in the style of Milo Baughman or Harvey Probber. Fabric is a charcoal grey cotton velvet with button tuftin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Pair of Green and Gilded Round Stools with Back
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury pair of green and gilded round stools with back Recently upholstered Beautiful conical legs Very comfortable.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Five Vintage Italian Leather Chairs by Fasem
Located in Antwerp, BE
Contemporary chair, S 44 by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti. White painted steel structure. Seat and back cover in white leather. Height: 103 cm,Seat height: 46 cm,Width: ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Two Lounge Chairs GN2 by Peter Ghyczy for Reuter´s Form + Life Collection
Located in Telgte, DE
Set of two lounge chairs GN2 by Peter Ghyczy for Reuter´s Form + Life Collection, 1970s The chairs are made of one piece and consist of moulded fiberglass. The chairs are suitable fo...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Cast Aluminum Faux Bamboo Mid-Century Modern Six Chairs and Table Dining Set
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice outdoor cast aluminum oval dining table + 6 chairs set with newly upholstered seats.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 4 Vintage Mid Century Dining Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
Cane inset back and chrome tubular frame. Fabric upholstered seat. Reupholstery recommended.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Unique Artist Made Lucite 'Visionaire' Chair, 1990
Located in New York, NY
Visionary free-form side or desk chair by a Japanese artist in perspex/ plexi-glass. Artist made, piece unique.
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Pair of Mid-Century Armchairs by Arredementi ISA Bergamo
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This pair of mid-century armchairs by Arredementi ISA Bergamo feature fully upholstered tight seats and backs with slightly rolled arms, supported on brass legs. Simple and elegant...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Gilbert Rohde Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
Linen blend upholstery with wood legs.
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Pair of Occasional Chairs Attributed to Gio Ponti
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Stunning pair of occasional chairs attributed to Gio Ponti newly re-upholstered in oyster color calfskin leather contrasting beautifully with ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Transparent Iron Desk / Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
A sober, elegant, handmade Mid-Century Modern side chair in expanded metal showcasing the transparency of it's sleek form and pure lines. Enameled in gloss dark chocolate.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Set of 4 Faux-Bamboo Chrome Chairs - France, Circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Stylised faux-bamboo chrome-plated metal structure. Newly reupholstered seats in brown vinyl.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Eight-Light Weight White Ocean Liner Aluminum Chairs
By Columbian Metal Craftsmen
Located in Ferndale, MI
A set of eight Ocean liner aluminum chairs by Columbian Metal Craftsmen of Auburn N.Y.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Four Dining or Game Chairs with Studs in the Manner of Tommi Parzinger 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Set of four dining or game chairs in white lacquer with chrome studs and white leather upholstery in the manner of Tommi Parzinger, American, 1950s. These chairs are very chic.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

James Mont Attributed Set of 4 Chairs White Lacquer
Located in Westport, CT
Set of 4 James Mont attributed white lacquer pierced leg dining chairs.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood

Krueger Metal Products Taupe Color Fiberglass Chairs Set of 12
Located in Parkesburg, PA
Krueger Metal Products Natural Taupe Color fiberglass chairs. The chair sit on chrome legs that have minor age spots. Stackable Set of 12 Chairs...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Classic Knoll Bertoia a Wire Mesh Side Chair, Early Custom Knoll Fabric Cushion
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Vintage Modern Industrial HARRY BERTOIA Wire side chair white 1952 Dimensions: 29.5 x 22.25 D x 18 W Amazing original condition, cust...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Classic Mid-Century Modern Charles and Ray Eames Dinette Set
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid-Century Modern Dinette set designed by Charles and Ray Eames manufactured by Herman Miller, featuring set of four matching fiberglass side shell cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of 1960s Scapinelli Brazilian Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 1960s armchairs by Giuseppe Scapinelli, upholstered in beige leather.
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Mid-century Modern side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern side 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 side 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 Mid-Century Modern side chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Knoll, and Lawson-Fenning. 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 side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $149 and tops out at $133,498 while the average work can sell for $2,501.

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