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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
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

Exquisite Cognac Leather PK22 chairs by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen
Located in Voorburg, NL
A very nice set of original PK 22 chairs designed by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark . This original old 1950s edition is professionally reupholstered with soft cognac...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair Mid-Century Hoop Chairs with Caned Seat and Back
Located in Miami, FL
Great Mid-Century Modern iron chairs in a striking bare metal style finish. Wonderful round frame, caned seat, strong iron legs. Vintage modern Salte...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Pair of Maurice Burke Tulip Style Pedestal Chairs
Located in Ferndale, MI
Not the usual Saarinen Knoll knock off chair from Burke . This pair of pedestal chairs are a more original design . Orange vinyl on fiberglass split sea...
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

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

Set Hans Eichenberger Leather and Stainless Steel Lounge Chairs for Girsberger S
Located in Voorburg, NL
A pair of very comfortable lounge chairs with a heavy stainless steel base and tuffed leather cushions designed by Hans Eichenberger for Girsberger...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Soro Stolefabrik, Mid-Century Modern Six Dining Chairs, Rosewood, Vinyl, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
Six Mid-Century Modern Danish dining chairs by Soro Stolefabrik. Each branded SAX Made in Denmark. These finely constructed dining chairs ...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood

Pair of Thonet Black Lacquered Bentwood Armchairs with Upholstered Seats, 1940s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very dapper pair of uncommon 1940s Thonet bentwood birch armchairs with freshly redone black lacquered finish and white upholstery. Handsomely crafted frame of flat bentwood ele...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch, Bentwood

Guillerme et Chambron, 6 Polished Oak Dining Chairs, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
These elegant set of six limed oak dining chairs by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of design he produced for the company Votre Maison....
Category

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

Materials

Rattan, Oak

Pair Heavy Solid Stainless Steel Formed Bend Frame Side Lounge Chairs Red Uphols
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair heavy solid stainless steel formed bend frame side lounge chairs red upholstery. Super high quality metal work bending welding and polishing of stainless steel. Bauhaus Le Corb...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Dutch Vintage Set Pastoe 1960s Peg Chairs in Teak
Located in Renens, CH
A set of pegchairs designed by Yngve Ekstrom, sold by Pastoe, the Netherlands during the 1960s. Yngve Ekström trained like many of his peers as an architect. What made stand out however was his knowledge of wood and furniture construction, having worked from an early age in the Swedish wood furniture...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Cherner Side Chair with Metal Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood stacking chairs by Norman Cherner are perfect for home, office or cafe. The seat is made of laminated plywood of...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Modern Walnut Side Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique bentwood spokes set this barrel back side chair apart from other similar seats, combining unique vintage style in a with comfort in this wide, sturdy chair. Please confirm ite...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Teak Frame Arm Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of clean, comfortable Danish arm chairs with a warm teak wood frame. Simple and sturdy design. Great for living room or office seating. (Please confirm item location - NY or ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Bronze Chair Model 'Pegasus' by Mark Brazier-Jones
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze chair with seat covered in goatskin by Mark Brazier-Jones. Signed and numbered 35/100. Circa 1994. Mark Brazier-Jones is an internationa...
Category

1990s British Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Italian Lounge Chair in the Style of Paolo Buffa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This incredible lounge chair features a truly unique sculpted wood frame with an upholstered seat with tapered legs. The vintage floral fabric ad...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Fine Early DKX Charles Eames Chairs for Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
A good early pair. More detail pics available. Seats need to be attached better. Possibly worked on by an upholsterer. All original pieces. Missing the foot glides. They can be...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Erik Buch Set of Six Fully Restored Dining Chairs in Oak, Inc. Reupholstery
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of six oak fully restored dining chairs, inc. reupholstery with floating seat designed by Erik Buch for Odense Maskinsnedkeri. The chairs have a simple solid construction with...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

Eames Herman Miller DKR Chair on Early Production Low X-Base
Located in Ferndale, MI
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKR lounge chair. The chair is earlier production evidenced by the solid steel "X" base. Original burlap back...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 6 Wegner PP66 "Chinese Chairs" for PP Mobler in Oak and Papercord
Located in Seattle, WA
At the Cabinetmakers' Guild's Autumn Exhibition in 1943, Wegner presented his first version of a chair inspired by an old Chinese chair, which he had...
Category

1990s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak

Pair of Vintage Beech Chiavarine Chairs with Slatted Backrest, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. These chairs are made in beech and wicker with a slatted backrest. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considere...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wicker, Beech

Desk Chair by Erik Buch for Orum Mobelfabrik
Located in Chicago, IL
This Danish modern desk chair designed by Erik Buch for Ørum Møbelfabrik in the 1950s-1960s. It features an organic design, solid teak frame, and a Up...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

1950s Italian Brass Chiavari Chair
Located in New York, NY
1950s Italian brass chiavari chair. Decorative brass frame with a hand-caned insert to the back. Has a cushioned vinyl seat.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Wood and Leather Slipper Chairs by Comte, Argentina, circa 1940
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and leather slipper chairs by Comte, Argentina, Buenos Aires, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Argentine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

6 Maison Jansen Brass Swan and Black Lyre Back Folding Chairs with Claw feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six Maison Jansen folding chairs. The set are all newly powder coated black, with freshly polished brass swan and Lyre backs and br...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

'Yucatan' Dining Chairs by Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera, 1960s Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of six classic mid-century modern Mahogany and cane 'Yucatan' dining chairs was designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence in the 1950s and produced by Industria Mueblera...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Mahogany

Poul Kjaerholm PK9 Chair in Leather by Fritz Hansen
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The PK9 also known as the “Tulip chair”, is made up of 3 pieces of brushed stainless steel that join to form the legs and support the leather seat. It’s unique shape was inspired by ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1960s Erik Buch Set of Eight Oak Dining Chairs, Inc. Reupholstery
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 8 dining chairs in oak with floating seat designed by Erik Buch for Odense Maskinsnedkeri. The chairs have a simple solid c...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Fabric

Paul McCobb Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb thin brass frame side chairs (3 available).
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Italian Wooden Chair with Leather Upholstery, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Wear consistent with age and use See leather, has slightly heavier signs of wear. See detailed pictures.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Wicker Lounge Chair Attributed to Dirk van Sliedregt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern lounge chair attributed to Dutch designer Dirk van Sliedregt, 1950s. Wicker seat over a black painted rod base with leather straps.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 2 Giuseppe Gibelli Elisabetta Chairs, Sormani, Italy, 1963
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of four chairs was designed by Guiseppe Gibelli for Fratelli Maspero and manufactured by Sormani in Italy, Mariano Comense in the 1960s. The "Elisabetta" model is made of oa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Panton Chair
Located in Highland, IN
The Panton chair is an important icon of modern design and has a fascinating history as Verner Panton experimented with a variety of materials to best realize the design. The most co...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Paint, Foam

Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Parsons Dining Chairs with Arch Backs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome set of six matching dining chairs circa 1970's. Chairs are in very clean ready to use condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Italian Midcentury Beechwood Armchair, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century vintage Italian armchair designed with curved armrests and splayed and tapered front legs with stretchers. This design piece is fully restored with yellow velvet uphol...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Chairs by Pozzi and Verga
Located in Weesp, NL
Pozzi and Verga Mid-Century Modern chairs. Beautiful sculptural black lacquered mid-century chairs by Pozzi e Verga, Italy. The chairs are in great condition and have been reupholste...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Selva Italy Dressing Table Chair Part of Luxury Bedroom Suite Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Selva Italy RRP £399 dressing table chair This chair is part of a suite, I have the matching medium chest of drawers and pair of b...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Midcentury Red Fabric and Black Plastic Italian Armchairs, Menphis 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of wonderful midcentury red fabric and black plastic armchairs. These amazing pieces were produced in Italy during the 1980s. These items are extremely elegant and wonderfull...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Set 6 1970s Chrome and Suede Dining Chairs Milo Baughman Style
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic set of six 1970s chrome and suede dining chairs in the style of Milo Baughman. Stunning stylized side chairs, chairs have recently been restored, reupholstered, four with qua...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Naugahyde Chairs Attrib Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, side chairs atrributed to Jens Risom feature walnut frames with caramel brown Naugahyde upholstery.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Custom Black Metal Armchairs in Tan Sheepskin by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom black metal armchairs with tan sheepskin upholstery. Made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Measure: seat depth 21".
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Organic Mid-Century Modern Solid Oak Side Chairs, 1960's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of organic Mid-Century Modern solid oak side chairs, 1960's.
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Italian Walnut Side Chairs by Colombo Sanguinetti
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1940s Mid-Century Modern pair of Italian Ebonized walnut side chairs by Colombo Sanguinetti, all original, rare and robust and very light.
Category

1940s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Shelby Williams MCM Swivel Bucket Chairs Red Vinyl Faux Leather & Chrome X Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome pair of Shelby Williams Mid-Century Modern swivel bucket chairs with chrome X base. Newly upholstered in bright red vinyl faux leather fabr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

"Moduline" Chairs, Design by Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen for France & Søn, 1960s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
"Moduline" chairs designed by Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen for France & Søn. The chairs have their original covering on a straight-lined wooden structure. They can be placed in a modular way....
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Edward Wormley Style Midcentury High Back Beige Upholstered Maple Armchair
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century Modern high back armchair with a maple frame and beige back and seat upholstery. (attributed to EDWARD WORMLEY)
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Maple

Pierre Jeanneret, 1958 Single Armed Chair
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Jeanneret, Circa 1958 Slatted seat and back, single armed chair in teak. Provenance: Chandigarh, India.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Pair of Side Chairs in Chrome and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, leather and chrome-plated steel, Europe, 1970s.  These well-executed chairs feature a modern construction. The large seat and backrest are composed of a curve...
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Don Shoemaker Accent Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage sculpted frame armchair by designer Don Shoemaker makes an interesting addition to any interior. One of the most well-known designers of the Mexican-Modernism movement, ...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Single Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning Shell Back Dining Chair
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning shell back walnut dining chair Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern dining chair attr...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Set of 2 Maple Chairs with Upholstery Fabric "Gio Ponti", Italy, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of two chairs was made in Italy in the 1960s. The wooden frame is made of maple, the seats have been newly upholstered with a Tr80 "Gio Ponti Collection" fabric. Both chairs are in very good vintage condition. A matching wooden desk designed...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Maple

Set of 4 Chairs by André Simard for Airborne, circa 1955, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Set of 4 André Simard for Airborne. Metal structure and orange upholstery, circa 1955, France. Good vintage condition. André Simard is a French artist...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1946, Ray and Charles Eames for Vitra, DCM Chair in Red Vernish
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

1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1960, Ray and Charles Eames, Original La Fonda Chairs by Miller in First Fabric
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

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Midcentury Green Velvet and Brass Italian Chairs, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
A couple of chic and loving room armchairs. Valuable their shape and the combination of the precious fabrics used to cover them. They can find more locations in your home due to thei...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

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

Egon Eiermann, Folding Chair Model SE 18, for Wilde + Spieth, Designed 1952
Located in London, GB
Egon Eiermann (designer), Germany Wilde+Spieth (manufacturer), Germany SE18 folding chair, designed 1952 Beech frame with laminated beech plywood seat and back. Clear lacquered ...
Category

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

Materials

Plywood

Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture Teak and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of Four
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four mid-century Danish Modern dining chairs By Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture India, 1950s Sculpted teak frames, with caned seats and backs. Measures: 2...
Category

1950s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Teak

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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