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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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
Set of 8 Ico Parisi Italian Ebonized Green Leather Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 Mid-Century Italian dining chairs featuring ebonized frames with shaped openwork backrests, green leather upholstered seats and splayed front legs with a subtle angular swee...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery, Leather

Pair of Patinated Leather Side Chairs by Enrico Pellizzoni
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of patinated saddle stitched leather side chairs by Enrico Pellizzoni. All stitching are intact with no tears. Normal wear of use with...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Vintage Romanian Wood Slats Ladder Back Folding Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage wood slat seat mid century modern folding dining game chairs. Item features wood slat seats, folding chairs, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice vintage ...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Decorative Side or Dining Chair by Paolo Buffa Made in Italy Ca. 1950’s
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, chic mid century style really only the Italians could attain, this gem was produced by master designer Paolo Buffa, and it is in very fine, original, untouched condition. P...
Category

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

Materials

Rush, Wood

Fine Quality Chrome Klismos Style Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine polished chrome klismos style chair with heavy construction. With the elegant and classic curved back and curved tapering square supports a...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Ilmari Tapiovaara Wooden Domus Armchair, Green Faux Leather, Finland 1950's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara Domus Armchair, Finland 1950's Early edition with it's original green faux leather upholstery.
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Modernist High Back or Desk Chair w/ New Missoni Fabric
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern high back/ desk chair has cabriole ebonized walnut legs, and a subtle hourglass shaped back. It is has been newly reupholstered in Missoni fabric in t...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

Eames LAR Cats Cradle Base Fiberglass Armshell Lounge Chair
Located in Ferndale, MI
From the fiberglass chair series developed by Charles and Ray Eames immediately after WW2. Widely distributed by Herman Miller. This low arm rod (LAR) chair has zinc finished base wi...
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Zinc

Pair of Tony Paul Black Iron & Orange Upholstery Ice Cream Parlor Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century ice cream parlor side chairs with black iron frames, open hairpin backs, and circular orange woven fabric upholstered seats, resting on four angled legs....
Category

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

Materials

Fabric

Set of Six Oak & Rush Side Chairs Attributed to Courtray, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A set of rushed oak chairs with a very modern design. The backs have a very distinctive construction. The geometric weaving of the rush sets the chairs apart from similar models of t...
Category

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

Materials

Rush, Oak

Brutalist Hand-Carved Tripod Chair
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist hand-carved tripod chair, crafted in solid oak.
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

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

Set of 4 French 1950s Dining Chairs, Brown
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern French dining chairs, in original brown vinyl. Solid frames, classic modern style.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

MidCentury Triangular Shape Italian Style Side Chairs, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of side chairs with a very rigid style and surprising design, in the characteristic Italian style of that period. The pair of chairs has a beech frame lacquered with black shel...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Beech, Walnut

Wegner "China Chair" for Fritz Hansen in Cherry and Leather
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

Leather, Cherry

Pair of Paul McCobb Midcentury Side Chairs with Walnut Frames and Bouclé Seats
Located in Saint Louis, MO
An inspiring pair of fully restored Paul McCobb walnut side chairs with new seat upholstery finished in softly textured ivory white bouclé. Paul McCobb is known for his talented deli...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut

Set of 4 Barrel Back Bent Wood Dining Lounge Chairs New Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 4 Danish Mid-Century Modern Hans Werner style newly upholstered lounge chairs. Tapered legs with sloping arms features.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

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

Classic Vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM chair.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Modern Swivel Lounge Chairs by France & Sons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vinyl upholstered swiveling side chairs. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

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

Mid-Century Modern Model 218 Side Chair by Dirk van Sliedregt for Rohé, 1961
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Mid-Century Modern model 218 side chair. Design by Dirk van Sliedregt for Rohé Noordwolde. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Original solid metal frame, blac...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Black Leather and Chrome Side Chair, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Leather and Chrome Side Chair. Original leather.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Selva Italy Dressing Table Chair Part of Luxury Bedroom Suite Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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

20th Century Italian Pair of Vintage Brass Eye-Shaped Side Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of high sculptural side chairs made of hand crafted ebonized Rosewood in the style of Paolo Buffa in good condition. The detailed dining cha...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair Mid Century Avocado Green Fiberglass Eames Style stacking Side Chair -2 pcs
Located in Basel, BS
Sold here as a PAIR. We have 6 pairs available. These chairs are really hot. They are original fiberglass stacking mid century eames style side chairs in avocado green. They are very versatile, and they have a rock star fade to them. They are incredibly sturdy, and built to last. The fiberglass seats are in beautiful condition throughout. The bases have some rust, which can either be left as is, de-rusted, or painted. We leave this to you. We like them as they are. Features: -Eames Herman Miller design side chair by Krueger Metal Products...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Side Chair in White Ivory Shearling c. 1950
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Executive side chair designed by Mid Century Modern designer royalty Eero Saarinen and constructed by one of the very top makers of quality modern furniture of the time, Knoll. Eero ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century "Combex" White Wire Hoop Chair by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
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

Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chairs, Fully Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs or side chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern French Riviera Cane Bamboo Armchairs, 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This pair of bamboo armchairs from the Mid-Century Modern French Riviera period is bursting with nostalgia. A light golden bamboo structure, cane seat, and the original printed cushi...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

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

Set of 4 Katavolos, Littell & Kelley for Laverne Leather Sling Lounge Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
"Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern sling lounge chairs with polished chrome frames with an X-shaped stretcher beneath a leather sling seat and back. (KATAVOLOS, LITTELL, & KELLEY FOR LAVER...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Set of six Side Chairs, attr. to Ico Parisi, Italy 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Set of six side chairs with elegant trapezoidal backrests. The chairs stand on conical legs and have been reupholstered in red velvet fabric and polished.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Mid Century Modern Set 4 Dining Chairs by John Stuart & Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of 4 walnut dining chairs with Jack Lenor Larsen fabric. Fabric is worn at the front edge on 3. Otherwise good vintage condi...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Gio Ponti Style Mid-century Side Chairs, possibly made by Dassi, circa 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of solid beech wood side chairs in the style of the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti, celebrated for his innovative contributions to mid-century modern design. ...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Beech

Three-legged Chair by Xaver Seemüller in Wood and Cane, Germany
Located in Hellouw, NL
Decorative three-legged chair by master wood maker Xaver Seemüller in wood and cane from Germany. This chair has an attractive design and is in very good condition. It has beautiful ...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

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

Kriess Klismo Chairs
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Pleased to offer this great set of 4 Klismos chairs. This classic dining chairs are in great shape and retain their original signed suede seat cushion...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Post Modern Vesey or Rizzo Style Chrome with Brass Dowel Side Chairs
Located in Ferndale, MI
Glamorous pair of chrome frame chairs with brass dowel sides. Seat is velour tufted in a diamond stitch pattern. Neo classic modernist style of Willy Rizzo or Jonathan Vesey .
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Carimate Model Design Side Chair set, Italy 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design 'Carimate' Model Side Chair set. Made in Italy, 1970's period. Carimate model chairs in the manner of Vico Magistretti for Cassina. White lac...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Rush, Beech

Mid-Century Tulip Side Chair Model 115 by Maurice Burke for Arkana
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Tulip Chair 115 (and the Tulip Chair 116), designed by Maurice Burke of Dallas, Texas, for Arkana, are the bedrock of Star Trek. The Burke Tulip chairs...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Chrome Chairs with Black Upholstery
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this set of four circa 1970s chrome chairs feature distinctive open spiral-type chrome frames and black faux leather seats and back res...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mario Bellini for Cassina CAB 412, Set of four, 1990s
Located in Renens, CH
Set of four Cab 412 side chairs in black leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina. The Cab chair is built up as a tubular frame over which thick saddle leather is fitted; the leather sk...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Kai Kristiansen Set of 4 "Universe 301" Dining Chairs, 1960, Denmark
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century Modern set of 4 model "universe 301" dining chairs Made in Denmark, 1965. Designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen (marked on bottom of each chair). Seats are newl...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Janet Rosenblum, Side Chairs, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and fabric side chairs designed by Janet Rosenblum and produced in New York, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Frankl Style Bamboo Rattan Side or Desk Chair
Located in New York, NY
Paul Frankl style arched base bamboo side or desk chair with new grey chenille upholstery. Slight wear to frame finish from age appropriate wear and use.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo

Janet Rosenblum, Side Chairs, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and fabric side chairs designed by Janet Rosenblum produced in New York, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Charles Eames Wire Chairs with Bikini Cover on Eiffel Base's
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic pair Eames wire chairs on a black Eiffel base with the bikini covers for Herman Miller, Naugahyde bikini tops missing elastic connector...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 6 Gae Aulenti Arm Chairs Model 54A in Blue Leather and Black Frame
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a set of 6 Italian Postmodern Orsay dining armchairs model 54A, designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, fully restored in Baby Blue leather and Black powder coated frame. The fram...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair
Located in Countryside, IL
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair This chair measures: 22.75 wide x 21 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chair clearance 26.2...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

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

Set of 4 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Patterned Mauve Upholstered Dining Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 American mid-century dining / side chairs with square backs featuring a brass central handle, geometrically patterned mauve seat and back cushions, resting on four square ta...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian wood & Vienna straw Chiavari chair by Fratelli Levaggi, 1950s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Elegant and decorative Chiavarina chair in wood and original Vienna straw seat. Partially restored: one leg was repaired. general polishing of the wooden structure.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Straw, Wood

Pair of Hibriten Blackened Wood and Faux Leather Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of Hibriten Chair Co. side chairs. Their great geometric wooden frames have been blackened with dye and they retain their original greenish gold faux leather upholstery...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Elegant Italian Black Rod and Cane Side Chair, 1950
Located in Dronten, NL
Graceful Italian 1950s side chair in solid black enameled steel rod and rattan. Two chairs available, priced individually.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Rare Bambi Chair Designed by Han Pieck for Morris & Co Glasgow
Located in Norwich, GB
Rare bentply Bambi chair designed by Han Pieck (1924 - 2010) for Morris & Co of Glasgow. Circa 1946. This beautiful chair was made in a very limited product...
Category

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

Materials

Plywood

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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