Modern Side Chairs
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Pair of High-Backed Chairs Attributed to Oskar Strnad or Hugo Gorge
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech wood construction high backed, front legs turned and fluted with brass ends, upholstery with spring core. Made in Austria in the 1920s, designed by Oskar Strnad or Hugo Gorge.
...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Beech
Pair of Italian Blond Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian 1940 blond mahogany side chairs with muslin upholstered seat and back (design F. LIETTI)
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Muslin
Pair of Conceptual Steel Side or Desk Chairs Attributed to Robert Wilson
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Conceptual Side Chairs influenced by deconstructivism and punk. The pieces are in perforated steel, have strong sculptural lines and explore ideas about the Modern, the Pos...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Sheet Metal, Steel
Luxe Pair of Elegant Scroll Back Chairs Upholstered in Loro Piana Cashmere
Located in New York, NY
These elegant chairs features splayed legs in ebonized walnut. The black features a scroll form design with button back detailing .They has been newly upholstered in a crème Lord Pia...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Rare Set of Five Stainless Steel Chairs by Maison Jansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of five stainless steel (acier inoxydable) chairs by Maison Jansen. Manufactured by Usinox. Original green leather seat and back covers that need to be replaced with C. O. M...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Original Pre-Production Prototype Wire Desk Chair by Niall O'Flynn
Located in New York, NY
Original pre-production prototype of a wire mesh metal desk chair by Niall O'Flynn shown at the New York Furniture Fair in 1994 and later produced by t' Spectrum.
Composed of an E...
Category
Late 20th Century Irish Modern Side Chairs
Set of 6 Italian Muslin Ebonized Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 Italian 1940s ebonized side chairs with brass trim sabot on feet and muslin upholstered seat and back. (design att: VITTORIO DASSI)
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Muslin, Wood
George Koch & Sons Iron Scroll Side Chair
Located in Denton, TX
George Koch & Sons Iron Scroll Side Chair. This chair has a bit of a gothic style to it but also a modern flair.
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of Cerused Oak Dining or Accent Chairs, France 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of vintage French dining or accent chairs constructed with beautifully grained cerused oak wood. These sculptural chairs feature dramatic proportions and carved detailing. The...
Category
20th Century French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Black Side Chair Attributed to Arno Votteler for Knoll Eclipse Chair
Located in Outremont, QC
Black Stained Wood Side Chair Attributed to Arno Votteler Eclipse Chair for Knoll (there are no marks or stamps)
//
Dimensions:
23.5”W x 18”D x 33.5”H
- seat height 17.5", seat w...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
HENREDON Contemporary Black Narrow Wale Corduroy Roll Back Slipper Chairs - Pair
By Henredon
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of Contemporary style slipper chairs by Henredon. Solid wood frame, slipper armless design with a roll back, black color narrow wale corduroy fabric upholstery, reversible sea...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Charlotte Perriand LC7 Swivel Chair by Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Good vintage condition. Early 2000s model. Minor signs of wear, very light scratches.
Designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1927 for her flat in place Saint-Sulpice, Paris, this smal...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Late 20th Century Nichols & Stone Ebonized Maple Windsor Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Nichols & Stone Ebonized Maple Windsor Chair with saddle back seat.
Measures 20" in width, 22" in depth and stands 39" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Maple, Paint
Tadao Arimoto Minimalist Wooden Lounge Chair
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Tadao Arimoto minimalist wooden lounge chair. A great example of design by Japanese-American master woodworker, Tadao Arimoto. The design combines mini...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Hand Pleated Velvet Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
The contemporary dining chair hold a stimulating design, as they hold an elegant combination of handmade couture techniques, wood, and metal. Their sh...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Hand Pleated Velvet Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
The contemporary dining chair hold a stimulating design, as they hold an elegant combination of handmade couture techniques, wood, and metal. Their sh...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Willy Rizzo for Cidue Dining Chairs in Brass and Cognac Leather, c 1970, Signed
By Cidue, Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful set of eight (8) dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue, Italy circa 1970, featuring gorgeous cubist brass frames and cognac colored leather. Signed with Cidue labels rea...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Hand Pleated Velvet Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
The contemporary dining chair hold a stimulating design, as they hold an elegant combination of handmade couture techniques, wood, and metal. Their shapes are inspired by the unique ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Dining Chair Featuring Satin Brass Frame
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Minimalist style dining chair featuring sleek metal legs in a satin brass tone.
Seat and back upholstered in deep Bordeaux cotton velvet.
Materials: Stainless steel, vel...
Category
2010s European Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Dining Chair Upholstered in Brick Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Timeless design in combination with handmade couture techniques. The dining chair features curved wooden upholstered back for greater comfort. Offered...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Custom Dining Chair Upholstered in Velvet with Natural Wood Frame
Located in New York, NY
This chair is upholstered in a large selection of soft velvet colors. See attached photo. This velvet is stain resistant and water repellent.
Natural wood frame that is offered in ...
Category
2010s European Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Dining Chair Black Steel Frame/Brushed Gold
Located in New York, NY
Fully upholstered dining chair combining different materials and textures.
Measures: L 670 x D 650 x H 910 x SH 480 mm
L 26.78 x D 25.59...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel, Steel
Set of 8 Contemporary Dining Chairs Upholstered in Brick Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Timeless design in combination with handmade couture techniques. The dining chairs features curved wooden upholstered back for greater comfort. Offere...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Contemporary Dining Chairs Set of 6, Black Steel Frame/Brushed Gold
Located in New York, NY
Fully upholstered dining chairs combining different materials and textures.
Measures: L 670 x D 650 x H 910 x SH 480 mm
L 26.78 x D 25.59 x H 35.83 x SH 18.90 in
Fabric structure: Cotton velvet salmon...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel, Steel
Set of 8 Contemporary Dining Chairs, Champagne/Gold
Located in New York, NY
The handcrafted dining chairs are re-interpretation of the classics that are designed to stand the test of time and fusing heritage elements with modern influences.
Materials:
Stainl...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Contemporary Dining Chairs Offered In Brick Velvet, Set of 8
Located in New York, NY
Timeless design in combination with handmade couture techniques. The dining chairs features curved wooden upholstered back for greater comfort. Offere...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Hand Pleated Velvet Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Located in New York, NY
The contemporary dining chairs hold a stimulating design, as they hold an elegant combination of handmade couture techniques, wood, and metal. Their s...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of 6 Contemporary Style Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Minimalist style dining chair featuring sleek metal legs in a satin brass tone.
Seat and back upholstered in deep Bordeaux cotton velvet.
Materials: Stainless steel, vel...
Category
2010s European Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Swaged Leg Chair in Gray and White by Georg Nelson & Associates, 1954
Located in New York, NY
Swaged leg chair, model MAF, in fiberglass, enameled steel, rubber, enameled aluminum, and plastic. Designed by George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller, USA, 1954.
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Empire Chair in Molded Plywood by Robert Venturi & Denise Scott, 1984
Located in New York, NY
Empire chair in molded plywood with laminated finish in the "Grandmother" pattern. Designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll, USA, 1984.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plywood
S-Chair No. 275 in Red by Verner Panton, 1956
Located in New York, NY
Verner Panton. S-chair, model 275. Designed 1956, this example manufactured ca. 1965. Manufactured by A. Sommer, Germany. Retailed by Thonet, Frankenberg, Germany. Aniline-dyed beech...
Category
1960s German Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plywood
Modern side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Emeco, Jasper Morrison, Philippe Starck, and Sir Norman Foster. 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 $65 and tops out at $90,000 while the average work can sell for $2,120.
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