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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
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

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

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Colorful High Back Dining or Occasional Chairs -
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Hollywood Regency high back dining or occasional chairs with vintage Josef Albers style square geometric upholstery. All original wood finish, uph...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mid-17th Century Danish Antique Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Pearsall Chairs with Laser-Cut Butterflies on Hide
Located in Chicago, IL
American designer Adrian Pearsall is renowned for his trademark “Atomic Age” look that made his furniture all the rage in the 1950s and 1960s, and a sought-after collectible today. We took the chair in a new direction...
Category

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

Materials

Hide, Walnut

Custom Made Iron and Steel Rebar Heart Patio Lounge Chair, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A set of four custom-made rod iron and steel rebar patio chairs with distinct scrolling red heart backrest. They are in excellent condition. Dimensions: 34.5" Height 20" Wide 18...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Iron

Four Restored Jens Risom Dining Side Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
Four Vintage Side Arm Chairs Set New upholstery in gray microfiber Wood frame and legs
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

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

Vintage Rare Tony Paul High Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful example of a Tony Paul stool with cane seat. Very nice vintage condition. style of Salterini
Category

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

Materials

Wicker

Four Italian Silver Leaf Decorated Carved Frames Rounded Barrel Back Shape Chair
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern silver leaf decorated barrel rounded back tufted black upholstery side chairs. Mad in Italy.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Scandinavian Modern Arm Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern side chairs feature a solid dark mahogany frame and plush red upholstery. Unique design has stylish cut...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Set of Four Hans Wegner Teak Dining Chairs Leather Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of four teak dining chairs by Hans Wegner.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Set of Four Rene Gabriel Oak Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
4 chairs in oak designed by Rene Gabriel in the 1950´s Original condition.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

1955, Arne Jacobsen, Early Vintage Black Faux Leather 3107 Butterfly Chair
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

Greta Grossman Folding Chair
Located in New York, NY
Exceedingly rare, sculpturally resonant Greta Grossman indoor/outdoor folding chairs, of painted tubular steel and cotton cord, produced in Cali...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Vintage Black and White Chiavarine Chairs in the Style of Parisi, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. These chairs feature a solid ebonized beech frame, brass details and white velvet upholstery. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Friso Kramer Revolt for TH Delft by Ahrend de Cirkel 1958 Arms
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare first production Revolt armchair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. This chair was made for the TH Delft who commissioned Friso Kramer and Ahrend to decorate the new interior. These famous TH Delft chairs...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

Pair of Italian Midcentury Modern Walnut Side Chairs, Circle of Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, sober and dramatic pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical walnut side chairs from circle of Gio Ponti, Italy, circa 1950. A combination of beautiful form, lines and...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Gerrit Rietveld Jr. Prototype Salon Chair, Netherlands, 1955
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Museum piece! Prototype for a salon chair by Gerrit Rietveld Jr. 1920 - 1961, son of the famous Dutch designer Gerrit Rietveld Sr. who was part of the 'De Stijl' group. A similar ch...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Dining Chair by Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sinuous upholstered dining chair on tapered legs.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

French Mid-Century Partial Gilt Wrought Iron Side /Desk Chair, Gilbert Poillerat
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical form hand-hammered wrought iron chair for desk, vanity or lounge by Gilbert Poillerat, circa 1940, with t...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather Slipper Side Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of slipper, side chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar feature mahogany frames with high backs, upholstered in butterscotch leather.
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pair of Sculptural Bendwood Side Chairs model 207R by Thonet
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of sculptural bendwood side chairs model 207R by Thonet.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Set of 8 Andre Arbus French Mid-Century Sycamore Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 French Mid-Century (1938) sycamore side chairs with a shaped upholstered back & seat with scroll form legs (by ANDRE ARBUS) (ref: ARBUS, by Brunhammer, pg 155)
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Sycamore

Twelve Steelcase Chrome and Red Sled-Base Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of twelve vintage stackable chrome steel rod sled base steelcase chairs. Unusual form, with single stem holding up the seat back. Molded resin seats and backs. Versatile dining o...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of vintage modern chairs feature sculpted arm rests, a floating style backrest, and tapered legs. The sleek and comfortable design has thick padded seats covered i...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

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

Signed Pair of Paul Tuttle 'Zeta' Lounge Chairs for Strassle
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Paul Tuttle 'Zeta' lounge chairs.
Category

20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Milo Baughman Style Chrome Lounge Chairs by Patrician Furniture, USA, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Great pair of tufted lounge chairs in the style of Milo Baughman. Produced by Patrician Furniture a hometown competitor of Thayer Coggin. 1960s, USA
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Jean Prouvé Side Chair
Located in Stockton, NJ
Side chair for Martel de Janville Sanatorium, Plateau d'Assy. Ateliers Jean Prouvé, France, 1936.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Set of Eight Newly Upholstered Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice set of eight 8 dining room chairs by John Widdicomb.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Set of Six French 1950s Dining Chairs
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Six lovely dining chairs, upholstered in original red vinyl with white piping. Bow-like motif on the front apron, tapering legs. Possibly cherry-wood.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Six Design Institute Of America Dining Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of six mid century modern dining chairs made by Design Institute of America by Milo Baughman. Flat bar chrome frame. Reupholstery recommended.
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

1935, W.H. Gispen by Gispen Culemborg 413 Easy Chair in Original Corduroi Fabric
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

1930s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Teak Wood Chairs with Three Iron Legs, Danish Architect, 1960s
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Pair of teak wood chairs with three iron legs, Danish architect, 1960s. Measures: H. 83 H-seat. 44 W. 41 D. 39 cm H. 32.6 H-seat. 17.3 W. 16.1 D. 15.3 in.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Tubular Chrome Dining Chairs, 1970's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful set of four Mid-Century Modern chrome frame dining chairs featuring a sculptural tubular back design. Newly upholstered in Italian black velvet fabric with new seat and ba...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

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

Early Version of Eero Saarinen Side or Desk Chair for Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early version of Eero Saarinen side chair for Knoll with early label. This version has aluminum legs and early base configuration, unlike the later segmented legs. Chair should be re...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Teal Eero Saarinen Style Dining or Cocktail Chair in Velvet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch, mid-century modern dining or cocktail chair. Designed in a style reminiscent of Finnish designing great Eero Saarinen. The chair has handsomely tapered blonde wood legs and ha...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Reupholstered Dutch Mid-Century Modern F & T Chairs by Rob Parry
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Reupholstered Dutch Mid-Century Modern F & T Chairs by Rob Parry Pair of F & T chairs designed by Rob Parry in the Netherlands in 1953. Each chair features a black lacquered...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Thonet Style Italian Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of petite chairs with exaggerated sculpted arms and vinyl cushioned seats. Brass nail head beading around the back and legs add to the detai...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather

Pair of Tommi Parzinger Chairs/ Captains Dining Chairs Charek Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Tommi Parzinger for Charek modern side chairs/ captains dining chairs. Curved back and spring construction for comfort .
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery, Chenille, Foam

Red Astoria Vintage Side Chair by J.O.Wladar and V. Moedlhammer Sonett c 1955
Located in Vienna, AT
Red mid century modern side chair or chair model Astoria designed by the architects J.O. Wladar & V. Moedlhammer circa 1955 and executed by Sonett Karl Fostel Sen.´s Erben, Vienna....
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wire

Tufted Mid-Century Chairs by Patrician
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Four chrome frame armchairs made by Patrician Furniture in High Point, North Carolina. Great Milo Baughman style sculpted frames with comfortable tufted seat and back and thick armre...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Chiavari Faux Bamboo Brass and Upholstered Side Chair Italian Mid-Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely polished restored brass Italian Mid-Century Modern Chiavari side chair has faux bamboo elements. It has just been re-upholstered in a stunning textural cut velvet crocodile white to off-white upholstery. Tres chic! The brass has been professionally polished. This variation of the faux bamboo does not come up too often. Timeless and Classic! The many applications of this chair is numerous in your home: can be placed in a hallway, bathroom, walk in closet...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Four French Mid-Century Modern Leather Strap Chairs Attributed to Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
4 Rare, French Midcentury Modern leather strap side chairs attributed to Jacques Adnet. The pieces embody a unique, sober, modern aesthetic an...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Pair of the 1950s Lacquered Walnut Side Chairs Melchiorre Bega Attributed
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A pair of mid-20th century lacquered mahogany side chairs, Melchiorre Bega attributed. Excellent overall condition, the timber and linen in a particularly good state. Original red v...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Brown Mid-Century Modern Maple Tree Chair by Otto Niedermoser for Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Brown Mid Century Modern chair or side chair designed by Otto Niedermoser and executed by Thonet Austria, circa 1950. The paper label with the busines...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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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