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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
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

'Primate' Seat for Zanotta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare 'Primate' seat by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta. Steel and leather, Italy, 1970s.
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Pacific Iron Side Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pacific iron 1940s side chair.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Iron Side Chair 101-M by Allan Gould Designs Inc. in Good Original Condition, US
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare wrought iron chair in original condition designed by Allan Gould.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs, Gio Ponti atributed, Pink Maple Wood
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian Mid-Century Modern side chairs, Gio Ponti atributed, pink maple wood, lacquered, restored, polished with oil and new upholstered with Wharol Haring fabric. Excellent conditi...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of 1960s Grosfeld House Style Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1960s Grosfeld House style side or lounge chairs. Has a white decorative frame and upholstered velvet seat and back cushion.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Pair of Distressed Finish Faux Bamboo Capitan Chairs with X Bases
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of solid Mid-Century Modern lounge capitan chairs in distressed white finish and X bases. Baker or Drexel style and quality pieces.  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Bamboo

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

Midcentury Chair Model "Deauville", Designed by Marc and Pierre Simon, 1962
By Marc and Pierre Simon
Located in Almelo, NL
Chair model "Deauville", designed by Marc and Pierre Simon for the dining room of the liner France in 1962, in full original shape. He is subsequently published by Airborne under the...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1930s Russel Wright American Modern Furniture Design Chairs Georges Candilis
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Important Russel Wright chair design, illustrating the confluence of styles; Art Deco, Streamlined Moderne, European and Shanghai style, all converging into and reflecting the new mechanized and modern era. These chairs were the first design for American Modern Furniture...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Maple

Set of Six Harvey Probber X-Base Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six, Mid-Century Modern, dining chairs by Harvey Probber feature black lacquered, slat mahogany, intersecting, X-bases that look fantastic from all angles. The cushions are re...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Fabulous Mid-Century Modern Brass Dining Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Four very chic Italian polished brass dining chairs with a wonderful whimsical curlicue motiffe. Seats are upholstered in the original faux leopard cotton.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Wood and Red Fabric Side Chairs from Fratelli Barni Mobili d'Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Pair of wooden and red fabric chairs manufactured by Fratelli Barni from Seveso (Milan) in 1950s. Very good condition: chairs have been partially restored and reupholstered. Manufact...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Tall Sculptural American Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs in Walnut
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of tall sculptural American Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs. Elegantly restored and handcrafted solid walnut in a gloss finish perfectly complimented with soft, cream ultra-sue...
Category

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

Materials

Ultrasuede, Walnut

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Bridge Armchairs in Stained Beech, Fibreguard- France
Located in Girona, ES
Pair of bridge armchairs with oval arms, stained and French polished beechwood, new upholstery with fibreguard rusty fabric,  France, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Arm or Desk Chair Upholstered in Black Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 1940s mahogany armchair with seat and back upholstered in black leather. The smooth elliptical shapes and mid-century modern lines make this a stylish addition to any desk or ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Pair of Chrome and Bronze Armchairs
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of chrome and bronze armchairs.
Category

Late 20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze, Chrome

Unusual Set of 6 American Modernist Dining Chairs, Architectural Design
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual set of 6 American modernist dining chairs, architectural design, solid walnut, nice quality, sturdy. Retain original fabric seats, interior foam hardening.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Mid-Century Modern Brass Vintage Chiavari Side Chair, 1950s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern delightful vintage brass Chiavari side chair 1950s, Italy, shows a brass frame and a seat, which is newly covered with green textile fabric. The vintage condition ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modern Brazilian Rosewood Armchairs by Gelli, circa the 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Gelli, a pair of modern Brazilian armchairs, rosewood, and leather. Brazil, circa the 1950s. Pair of armchairs made in Brazilian Rosewood (Jacaranda) and recently reup...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Rosewood, Leather

Pair of Ebony Slipper Chairs with Brass Details
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pair of solid ebony wood curve side chairs with leather strapping and square brass details. Additional dimensions: Width legs 26 inches Depth from back legs to front seat 30 inc...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1955, Arne Jacobsen, Set of Four Turquoise Upholstered 3207 Butterfly Armchairs
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 Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Vostra Chairs by Walter Knoll - Germany
Located in Girona, ES
Pair of Vostra low chairs, new upholstery, button padding grey felt, beechwood feet, French polish. Model: Vostra. Design: Walter Knoll Team. Manufacturer: Walter Knoll. ...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Felt, Beech

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

Red Patina Side chair in "De Stijl " Design, The Netherlands, 1940s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Red patina side chair in "De Stijl" design, the Netherlands 1940s.
Category

1940s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Wool

Set of 16 American Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 16 American 1940s style (Frank Lloyd Wright design) mahogany & metal geometric form dining chairs with a high back & flared arms with an upholstered s...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Steel

Mid Century Modern Vintage Rattan Club Chair France 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage woven rattan club chair designed and produced in France 1950s. The base was made out of a black lacquered wire steel base with rubber feet, while the comfo...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Italian Easy Chairs Model DU22 by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of Italian modern easy chairs from the 1950s New black enamel on the iron frame, polished brass feets and original skai coats (skai is a material similar to the fake leather...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Iron

1955, Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Original, Rare, Chair 3103 with Grey Base
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 Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Side Chairs by Judit Burian & Erika Szek Hungary, circa 1959
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Pair of side chairs by Judit Burian & Erika Szek made in Hungary, circa 1959 Very much inspired by the works of Italian (Aug...
Category

1950s Hungarian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Fur, Ash, Plywood

Vintage Modern Italian Lucite Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern style Lucite chair featuring chrome legs and upholstered cushion. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Rare Pair of Brass Child's Chairs Attributed to Marc Du Plantier, 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare and cool kid’s brass chairs attributed to Marc Du Plantier and made in the early 1960s. Beautiful geometric brass design towers to newly upholstered water green velvet seats by ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Pair of Ebonized Faux Bamboo Armchairs with New Linen Fabric Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of super high quality solid like a rock faux bamboo arm fire side armchairs with newly upholstered seats. The quality is very similar to Baker Drexel or Henredon. Unlabeled.  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Hardwood

Early Jens Risom Side Chair for Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed for Knoll by Jens Risom in 1943. Basket-woven parachute straps.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Birch, Canvas

Andre Arbus French Midcentury Upholstered Side Chairs, Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 French midcentury white lacquered over oak and upholstered high back side chairs with tapered square legs connected by a stretcher (signed: ANDRE ARBUS) (ref: ARBUS, by Brun...
Category

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

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Oak

Pair of Paul Laszlo Chairs from the Brentwood Country Club, circa 1954
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A favorite of Paul Laszlo, these chairs were featured in design projects for the Brentwood Country Club (see photo), Mr. Laszlo's personal residence, and the Fausto M. Ricci family. ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armchairs in Pink Striped Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, stained ash, fabric, United States, 1960s These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixtie...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Ash

High Back Cane Chair in Ebonized Walnut and Silk by John Stuart
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern side chair with stylized high back design and cane inset. Ebonized walnut wood frame with taupe colored raw silk upholstery. Makes a great occasional chair or desk...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Walnut, Silk

Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Corset Side Dining Chairs
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. Corset side or dining chairs also know as plunging neckline or "V" back chairs. Chairs are in need of re-upholstery, price includes refi...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Original Bellevue Chair by André Bloc, circa 1950
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Very rare Bellevue chair by André Bloc, completely original, manufactured in France, circa 1950. This stunning piece is very rare, since only a few p...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Fine French 1950s Elm Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of 4 Fine French midcentury solid elm dining or side chairs.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Elm

PK33 Stool by Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PK33 stool by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1959. Matte chrome-plated steel and leather. Impressed manufacturer's mark to frame under cush...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Mid Century Upholstered Grey Lounge Chairs by Vanson, England, 1960s
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Amazing pair of side/lounge chairs with curved armrests, reupholstered in Knoll solid grey fabric. Designed by Peter Hayward for Vanson, England, 1960s.
Category

1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Set of Six Cherry Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by John Widdicomb, this elegant set of six dining chairs features solid cherry frames with tapered backs and slender legs. The seats are upholstered in a rich moss green. ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Mid-Century Rare Pair 1950s "Farfalla" Designer Danish Bentwood Billund Chair
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Rare pair 1950s " farfalla " designer Danish bentwood side chair are constructed using the traditional moulded plywood form technique. This pair side chair are constructed using a b...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Chiavarine Chairs, Solid Maple, Taupe Velvet - Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Pair of "Chiavarine" chairs, varnished solid maple, new fillings and new taupe moire velvet upholstery. Italy, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Maple

Danish Midcentury Oak Side Chairs by Søren Willadsen, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of two oak chairs with original orange wool upholstery. They were manufactured and designed by Søren Willadsen in Denmark in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Both of them have a ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wool, Oak

Sensuous Pair of Swaim Spoon Back Lacquered Side Chairs, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Sensuous pair of spoon back side chairs made by Swaim. Gorgeous scale and craftsmanship, these chairs are spectacular in person. The finish is a very dark almost black lacquer with a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set of 4 J. Stuart Clingman Dining Chairs for John Widdicomb
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of FOUR late 1950's John Widdicomb modernist dining chairs in walnut with upholstered seat and floating back cushions held suspended by brass fittings. Designed by J. Stuart Cli...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Cityscape Leather Desk Chair with Castors by Paul Evans for Directional
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful cityscape chair in chrome and brass patchwork made by Paul Evans studio for Directional, circa 1974. The chair is supported by exposed leg...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Chrome

French Modern Neoclassical Hand Forged Iron Side Chairs, Gilbert Poillerat, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical hand forged iron folding chairs attributed to Gilbert Poillerat. Gilbert Poillerat embraced Neo-Medieval traditions utilizing and w...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Beech Vintage Roland Rainer Lounge Chairs, 1952, Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage pair of lounge chairs from beech designed by Roland Rainer, Vienna 1952 for the Cafe Ritter in Vienna, and manufactured by Emil & Alfred Pollak, Vienna. T...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Beech

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

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

Pair of Coconut Shell Chairs with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in New York, NY
Pair of coconut shell chairs with curved backs and mother-of-pearl inlay detail at top. Paris, France, circa 1990s.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Coconut

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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