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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
2024 Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Drop Dining Chair in Rustic Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Drop dining chair, originally designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for the iconic SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and reissued by Fritz Hansen. This particular example was produ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mangled Bench by Michael Gittings
Located in Geneve, CH
Mangled Bench by Michael Gittings One of a Kind Dimensions: D 50 x W 195 x H 65 cm Materials: Stainless steel. Michael Gittings Melbourne based designer Michael Gittings aims to Cha...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

2023 Marcel Breuer for Tecta B40 Dining Chair with Purple Fabric and Black Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a B40 dining chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This particular example was produced by Tecta in Germany C. 2023. The chair is comprised of a tubular steel ...
Category

2010s German Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Dining Chair in Argentine Exotic Wood and Leather from Costantini, Bruno
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Modern Dining Chair in Argentine Exotic Wood and Leather from Costantini Measurements are 19" W x 21" D x 32" H x 18" SH A signature chair by Costantini, our Bruno chair feat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Argentine Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of 10 Carrocel Custom Verona Dining Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Set of 10 Carrocel Custom Verona Dining Chairs. Featuring sleek curved back leg design composed of oak material. Finished in a satin natural espresso color showcasing the unique knot...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Set of 10 Carrocel Custom Verona Dining Chairs
Set of 10 Carrocel Custom Verona Dining Chairs
$15,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
ISU Highback Handcrafted Textured Metal Chair by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
ISU High-Back Chair — Satin-Grazed Metal Frame & Black Hair-on-Hide Seat The ISU High-Back Chair features a meticulously handcrafted satin-grazed textured metal finish that subt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

1950s Pair of Ray Komai Side / Dining Chairs for JG Furniture Co
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare and original pair of fully upholstered dining and side chairs, designed by Ray Komai, produced by J.G. Furniture Company. These are highly unusual chairs, in that Koma...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Olifant Modern Luxury, Handmade Ceramic, Ceruse Oak & Black Leather Dining Chair
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Olifant handmade ceramic, luxury dining chair is designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. The dining chair is available in 2 ...
Category

2010s South African Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Leather Dining Chair in Exotic Wood by Costantini, Bruno, Quick Ship
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Modern dining chair in Exotic Argentine Rosewood and Leather by Costantini Design - Quick Ship Measurements are 21" D x 19" W x 32" H with a 18" Seat...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Giancarlo Vegni for Fasem "Stripe" Dining Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Hand stitched leather stripes mounted on chrome sprawled leg bases. Very comfortable, Two arm and two without arms.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

2000s Set of Five Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining / Side Chairs w/ Blue Cushions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of five Bertoia Side Chairs, Model 420C, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples were produced in the 2000s. The...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Philippe Starck "Objet Perdu" Style Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Chromed steel tubular frame chair with original upholstered seat. In the style of Philippe Starck.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pair of Caned 811 Dining Chairs, initially designed by Josef Frank for Michael Thonet in 1920. This pair of chairs dates to the 1950s. The chairs have a pressed Vienna Brai...
Category

1950s Polish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Cane, Braid

Rare Set of Five Stainless Steel Chairs by Pierre Cardin
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

Materials

Steel

Maxalto Red Mohair Upholstered Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Maxalto Red Mohair Upholstered Chairs, each marked. 36" H x 20" W x 23.5" D; seat: 19" H. Provenance: From a 30 West 63rd Street Colle...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

2010s Herman Miller Eames DSR Dining Chairs in Yellow Plastic with Eiffel Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames DSR Chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in the 1950s. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA in the 2010s. These chairs ...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1947 Pair of George Nakashima for Knoll N19 Straight Chairs in Natural Birch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous pair of early George Nakashima for Knoll N19 birch straight chairs, produced by Knoll Associates. This chair appears to be natural birch. It shows some ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

2006 Herman MillerEames Armless Aluminum Group Side / Desk Chair In Red Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group armless desk or side chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1958. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA ...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

DS-5020 Cylindrical Leather Tall Side Table by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall side table DS-5020/61 by De Sede. Available in two different heights, this elegant table construction presents itself in a cylindrical shape, encased all-round in high-quality l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Lucite Acrylic, Brass Detailed and Leather Jetson Glamour Dining Chair
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Jetson dining chair is part of the Tala collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This Futuristic style dining chair has a ...
Category

2010s South African Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Maple and Ebonized Mahogany Perico Dining Chair with Danish Chord
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An instant Classic design by Taidgh O'Neill, the Perico dining chair is constructed from solid hardwood and features a flawless Danish chord seat. Refined...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak, Mahogany, Maple

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

Primitive brutalist pair of chairs in oak
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A decorative pair of high back chair in oak
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Mat Chairs in Orange by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lightweight chair, with essential, strict lines, in synch with the minimalist and refined style of its designer, Piero Lissoni. Lizz is now also available in a matte version with s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

1962 Set of Four Herman Miller Eames DSR Fiberglass Dining Side Shell Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames DSR Chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1951 for Herman Miller. These particular examples date to 1962. These chairs feature molded fiberglass she...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Italian Marco Maran for Maxdesign Red Ricciolina Dining Chairs, Set of 8
Located in Secaucus, NJ
This sleek and elegance Ricciolina chairs are stylish and functional. The distinctive curved connection between the seat and backrest gives the chair flexibility and ergonomics. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Declan Barstool
Located in Houston, TX
Our Declan Barstool is the newest piece in our collection. Just like our Declan Side Chair it exudes sophisticated elegance. It is sleek and curvaceous, with the perfectly unexpecte...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chic 'Méandre' Side Chairs by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic undulating 'Méandre' side chairs by Design Frères. Bronzed steel frames. Natural linen upholstered cushions. These Méandre™ chairs from our exclusive Design Frères® li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Outdoor Dining Chair in Solid Iroko White Water- Repellent Fabric by CDW - IVAR
Located in Miami, FL
The Ivar Chair by Contemporary Design Works is a refined fusion of elegance, craftsmanship, and ergonomic comfort designed to elevate contemporary outdoor living. Handcrafted in Bodr...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

1960s FH4104 Heart Chair by Hans Wegner for Fritz Hansen in Oak w/ Leather Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an FH4104 Heart Chair, originally designed by Hans Wegner in 1952. This particular example was produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark in the 1960s. The chair's frame is made of ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Leather

Equilibria Chair by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Equilibria chair by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 45 x 53 x H 76 cm Materials: Fibreglass Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our chi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

2019 Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Armless Side Chair in Blue and Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an armless Cesca side chair, model 51C, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. The listed price includes one 51C chair, and we have seven available for individual purc...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Pierre Jeanneret Demountable Armchair Model PJ-SI-07-A
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One of the earliest and rarest chairs from the Chandigarh project, model PJ-SI-07-A, This is a genuine museum quality example. It has been meticulously preserved by the most experie...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Modern Black Vintage Metal Faux Leather Tokyo Chair by Rodney Kinsman, 1985, UK
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage chair was designed by Rodney Kinsman 1985 United Kingdom and made of black lacquered tube steel and a covered seat features black ...
Category

1980s British Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1970s Set of Six Marcel Breuer B5 / B40 Dining Side Chairs with Brown Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six B5 (or B40) Dining Side Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This example was produced in the 1970s, likely by Tecta. The chair features a tubul...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Walnut Dining Chair with leather upholstery in Black orbrown Leather
Located in Ballard, CA
A tailored side chair inspired by the Bauhaus movement of the 1920s. This elegant chair has a futuristic Minimalist flair. It features refined tapered legs with detailed upholstery. ...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut, Leather

70's feel modern Boucle, Brass & Carved Walnut Oromo Upholstered Dining Chair
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This bespoke, luxurious, upholstered dining chair is part of the Oromo collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. The Oromo collection is inspired by 70's surface design...
Category

2010s South African Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Sculptural chair in black and white, one of a kind, hand crafted
Located in London, GB
'Prima' chair is a one of a kind sculptural design, meticulously hand crafted in the lengthy, laborious process of stucco scagliola. The making of the chair resembles to sculp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

DS-5020 Cylindrical Leather Wide Side Table by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wide side table DS-5020/62 by de Sede. Available in two different heights, this elegant table construction presents itself in a cylindrical shape, enca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

2010s Mario Bellini for Cassina Bull 422 Dining Chair in Brown Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are 422 Bull Dining Chairs, originally designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 2008. These particular examples were produced in the 2010s. Their design features a steel struct...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

2010s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Side Chair in Pebbled Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Armless Executive Chair, model 72C, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International in 1950. This particular example was produced in the USA in the 2010s. The ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Kartell Masters Counter Stool in Grey by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell also offers a stool version of the Masters chair, winner of the Good Design Award 2010 and the Red Dot Award 2013, and a worldwide best seller. The legs are lengthened and the seat is shrunk, but the frame's unmistakable graphic look, created by the weave of the silhouettes of three iconic chairs, remains the same. Masters Stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Leather Non Stackable Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia leather is the leather-coated version of Mammamia, the chair designed by Marcello Ziliani, whose myriad of versions never cease to astonish. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

6 Dauphin Stilo Conference Chairs by Jessica Engelhardt
Located in Pasadena, TX
Dauphin Stilo conference with 5 star base and casters Stilo’s clean lines with rounded edges and wide, uninterrupted surfaces offers the perfect platform for s...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

1970s Pair of Nicos Zographos CH66 Brown Leather Cantilever Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of CH66 Side Chairs, designed by Nicos Zographos in 1966. The chairs were produced by the General Fireproofing Company. The frames are formed of tubular chrome-plated ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Emerald Velvet Vintage Side Chair
Located in Austin, TX
Single side chair from France completely upholstered in a lush emerald colored green velvet. The four tapered legs are also covered in the green velvet. This piece is in very nice vi...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet

2 Pairs of French 1950s Lounge Chairs by Roset
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roset (name of the company before it was renamed "Ligne Roset") editor - Collection du Crous de L’Academie de Versailles. Model 346 Two pairs of fine French Mid-Century lounge chair...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Sculptural Swivel Upholster Lounge, Side Chairs by Michael Wolk for Directional
Located in North Miami, FL
These amazing fully restored pair of Michael Wolk sculptural swivel side or lounge chairs are stunning. These were designs by Michael Work for Directional in 1997. They have been new...
Category

1990s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970s Armless Brno Chair by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll / Brueton / Gratz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Arm less Flat Bar Brno Chair, initially designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1930. This particular example was produced by Treitel Gratz in the USA in the 1970s. It features a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

C. 1952 Greta Magnusson Grossman 6260 Chair for Glenn of California
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 6260 Chair, designed by Greta Magnusson Grossman in Sweden in 1952. This early example dates to around the same year. The chair was produced in America by Glenn of Californ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

2010s Pair of Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Dining Chair in Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Saarinen Executive Side Chairs, originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 2010s. The chairs f...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1987 Armida Dining Chair designed by Andrea Branzi for Zanotta in Black Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ‘Armida’ side chair, designed by Andrea Branzi for Zanotta in 1987. The piece was produced in Italy. It is formed of thick black leather that is attached to an enamele...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Flexform "Betty" Chair with Soild Wood Frame and Hair on Hide Cushions
Located in Dallas, TX
Made in Italy, this chair has a solid canaletto walnut wood frame and black hair on hide cushions. Chair is no longer in production. Retailed at over $7500/chair.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Hide, Walnut

Yves Boucard Pair of Manu and Elle High Back Modern Whimsical Chairs, Swiss
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Whimsical and fun Yves Boucard high back chairs. Dramatic freeform chairs are constructed of wood and hand-painted. Yves Boucard (Swiss, b. 1953) ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Modernist Vintage Armchairs Revers Andrea Branzi for Cassina Milan, Italy, 1993
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage pair of armchairs model Revers, which was designed by Andrea Branzi for Cassina, Italy 1993. Andrea Branzi (1938) Italian architect and designer. After getting hi...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Beech

Single Danish Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
A decorative single Danish side chair on wooden base and legs. Upholstered in boucle fabric.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Gervasoni Ghost 23 Side Chair in White Linen Upholstery by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chairs with and without armrests, have a minimal structure, with clean and defined geometric shapes. The Ghost chair family has a wooden structure that is combined with polyurethane ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Set of 6 Charles Hollis Jones American Multi-Colored Lucite Dining Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 6 American Contemporary dining side chairs with clear lucite frames with multi colored lucite circles in descending size inset in each chair back which matches the seat uphols...
Category

20th Century American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Lucite, Upholstery, Fabric

Beige Striped Upholstered Slipper Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
2 contemporary oversized slipper chairs with cream and blue ticking style upholstery with matching pillows (PRICED EACH).
Category

20th Century American Modern Side Chairs

C. 1977 Italian Cantilever Side Chair in Chromed Steel with Caned Seat and Back
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tubular Chromed-Steel Cantilever Z Chair, designed in the 1970s. This chair dates to ca. 1977 and was produced by Thonet. It has a Vienna Braid caned seat and back, and it ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

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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