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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
2000 Limited Edition Philippe Starck for Emeco Hudson Side Chairs Edition 1000
By Emeco, Philippe Starck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are limited edition Hudson Dining Chairs in polished aluminum, a collaboration between famed designer Philippe Starck and American manufacturer Emeco. They were specially desig...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Milo Baughman Attr. Burgundy Leather Tufted Chrome Cube Side Chairs Vintage Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
These gorgeous pair of vintage Milo Baughman attributed architectural side chairs or lounge chairs are a chrome frame with fine leather tufted...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Cloud Chair by Philipp Aduatz
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud Chair by Philipp Aduatz
Limited Edition of 8
Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 82 cm
Materials: Wood, wire, polyurethane foam, epoxy and polyurethane resin, glass fibers, lacquer.
Ea...
Category
2010s Austrian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wire
C. 1961 Set of Four La Fonda Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DSL chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1961. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1961. The chairs are co...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Garouste & Bonetti desk chair Palace Privilege Rubelli fabric 1980
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare desk chair or side chair by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Palace, made in solid oak painted in matte black panted. Garouste & Bonetti began their collaboration and ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
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
2022 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH20 Elbow Chair Oak with Caramel Leather Pad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH20 Elbow Dining Chair made with a solid oak frame and caramel leather seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates to circ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak, Foam
Lucite Acrylic, Brass Detailed and Leather Jetson Glamour Bar Chair
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Jetson bar chair is part of the Tala collection designed by Egg designs and manufactured in South Africa.
This Futuristic style bar chair has a clear ...
Category
2010s South African Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
C. 1950 Herman Miller Eames Zenith SAX Fiberglass Rope Edge Arm Shell Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Zenith SAX Arm Chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1950. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1950. The chair is comprised...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
1954 Herman Miller Eames Rope Edge DAX Arm Shell Dining Chair X Base 3 Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames DAX fiberglass dining chairs, initially designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1950. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1954. Their design incorporates a tan fiberglass shell seat atop a steel X-base. DAX is an acronym for Dining Arm X Base Chair...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Olive Cielo Stacking Chair by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Olive Cielo stacking chair by Sebastian Herkner
Materials: PVC strings, powder-coated steel frame.
Technique: Made from recycled plastic and we...
Category
2010s German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
e15 Customizable This Side Chair by Stefan Diez
By Stefan Diez, e15
Located in New York, NY
The deceptively simple side chair this illustrates e15's key philosophy in exposing and featuring elements essential to the construction of a product. Named after the famous card tri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Oak
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Dining Chair, Black Lacquered Frame, Pink, 1985
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cassina Caprile dining chair by Gianfranco Frattini. Gorgeous original woven textile with shades of pink and peach. Lovely lacquered wood frame. Labeled. Gianfranco Frattini realized...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Textile, Wood
Treble Side Chair by DeMuro Das with Curved Back and Dark Espresso Oak Legs
By DeMuro Das
Located in New York, NY
The Treble side or armchair by DeMuro Das has a curved profile supported by a three-legged wood base finished in Dark Espresso. A solid hardwood frame with European webbing and multi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Rapture Chair
Located in Kolkata, IN
Rapture Chair in Brass by Scarlet Splendour is a beautiful chair which will add a sparkle to any interior space.
The Fools' Gold collection of amorphous forms, cast in brass, is a t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Heritage Collection Emerald Armchair
Located in Miami, FL
Ideal in lounge and dining contexts, the emerald chair offers a slim Silhouette softly
sketched out. The enveloping seat back embraces the structure, be...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet
"Assembly" Upholstered Armchair with Steel Frame and Bolts by Moroso for Diesel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Assembly" is a small armchair, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, featuring injected flame-retardant foam and polyester fiber over internal steel frame wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Six Variations on Stainless Steel by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Six variations on stainless steel by Pietro Franceschini
Two pipes back
Dimensions: W 51 x L 61 x H 123 cm
Materials: Stainless steel mirror-polished, sheepskin
Series of six ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 10 Custom Navy Velvet Modern Dining Chairs
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Set of 10 custom Navy velvet modern dining chairs. Featuring modern contoured curved backs with sculpted legs in an ebonized finish. Set in...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Stick Sculpted Chair, Signed by Michael Gittings
Located in Geneve, CH
Michael Gittings Studio.
Stick Chair
Blackened Electroformed Copper
Dimensions: 45 cm 80 cm 45 cm
Michael Gittings
Melbourne based designer Michael Gittings aims to challenge pre-co...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Copper
All Around Cedar Stool, Designed by Marco Piva, Made in Italy
By Marco Piva
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8)
Stool made from a single block of scented cedar featuring almost archaic essential for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Cedar
Rose Velvet Minimalist Bar Chair
Located in Geneve, CH
Rose velvet minimalist bar chair 82.5
Dimensions: L 37 x W 39 x H 82.5 cm
Materials: Velvet, steel.
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Ribbon Chair Metal Silver by Nika Zupanc, Made in Italy
By Nika Zupanc
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2)
The Ribbon chair is the object that expresses the female language of Nika Zupanc with ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Pair Mid-Century Modern Chrome & Fabric Side Chairs Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair Mid-Century Modern chrome and fabric side chairs in the style of Milo Baughman. Very nice condition. Cream with light brown tweed. Fabric and chrome in very good to excellent co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Medium Black Tembo Stool, Note Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium black tembo stool, note design studio
Dimensions: D 36 x H 64 cm
Materials: lacquered steel structure, solid wood (beech) and lacquered MDF, natural cork base.
Available in...
Category
2010s French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
2023 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Chair Beech Green w/ Papercord
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH24 Wishbone Dining Chair made with a solid beech frame painted spring green with a white paper cord seat. This chair was designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hans...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Beech, Papercord
Walnut Timber, Solid Brass and Ardmore Linen Malta Dining and Lounge Chair
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Malta dining room chair designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa works equally well as a lounge or side chair.
This Modern style dining room chair has a solid Merbau timber frame with solid brass details. It is upholstered Monkey Bean, Parakeet Ardmore Fabric...
Category
2010s South African Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Samurai Sword Inspried, Contemporary Hand-sculpted Black Wood Chair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Samurai Sword Chair by kar
Dimensions: W 44 x D 51.5 x H 110 cm
Materials: MDF Frame, Fabric
Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetiti...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric
1970s Sculptural Picasso Style Bentwood and Steel Armchairs – a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of sculptural chairs inspired in the works of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, circa the 1970s. One of the most influential artists of the Twentieth...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
2023 Patricia Urquiola Moroso Tropicalia Dining Arm Chair Faux Leather 3x Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are three Tropicalia side chairs, originally designed by Patricia Urquiola in 2008. These examples were produced by Moroso in Italy circa 2023. They are comprised of a tubular ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
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
Gravel Chair by Philipp Aduatz
Located in Geneve, CH
Gravel Chair by Philipp Aduatz
Limited Edition of 12
Dimensions: D 53 x W 82 x H 80 cm
Materials: Polystyrene foam, resin, glass fibers, gravel.
The Gravel Chair is another experime...
Category
2010s Austrian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Resin, Foam, Fiberglass
Sheepskin Big Foot Stool by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Sheepskin big foot stool by 101 Copenhagen.
Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl.
Dimensions: L38 / W38 /H43 cm.
Materials: Sheepski...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Set of 6 Italian Muslin Ebonized Side Chairs
Located in Queens, 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
Set of 4 Hygge Stool by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Hygge stool by Collector
Materials: structure in solid oak wood. Upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric.
Legs: Travertino
Dimensions: 45 x H 44 cm
Depe...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Travertine
Pair of Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Cane Back Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Thygesen and Sorensen side chairs with teak frame and cane seat and back. Wonderful curvature to lower back for lumbar support. Original distressed leather seats.
Category
1980s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Cane
Bow Bench by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Bow bench by 101 Copenhagen.
Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl.
Dimensions: L70 / W30 /H42 cm.
Materials: fiber concrete.
The Bow conso...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Concrete
1992 Knoll Handkerchief Stacking Chairs by Massimo & Lella Vignelli 12+ Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Knoll Handkerchief Chair by Lella and Massimo Vignelli in Red, introduced in 1983. The price listed is for each chair. These chairs are very resilient, and stackable with a...
Category
1990s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Whimsical Aluminum Chair With Full Bodied Horses
Located in Norwood, NJ
Highly unusual artist signed sculptural chair,. by Ray Lewis. More art than chair. Modern with an Art Deco influence. Sculptural cast aluminum horse chair by...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
1980s Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Orsay Dining Arm Chairs with Frame & Leather
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Orsay Armchairs, originally designed by Gae Aulenti in 1976. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA circa the 1980s. This armchair was named af...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Italian Modern Solid Wood and Vienna Straw Pair of High Backed Chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern solid wood and Vienna straw pair of high backed chairs, 1980s
Very particular pair of vintage high-backed chairs with structure entirely in solid wood with curved and ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
2014 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Side Chair Model 72C in Red Fabric
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Executive Armless Side Chair, Model 72C, designed in 1950 by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll. This particular example was produced in 2014. The design features...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
1989 Set of Six Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Handkerchief Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Set of Six Handkerchief stacking dining chairs, initially designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli and David Law for Knoll in 1985. This set dates to 1989, and the listed pri...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
1970s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Arm Chairs in Green Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of original dining / side chairs designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates. This pair came from an office in Manhattan, which had been des...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
2021 Set of 4 Canteen Utility Dining Chairs by Ed Carpenter & Andre Klauser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four 'Canteen' Utility Chairs, designed by Ed Carpenter and André Klauser for Very Good and Proper in 2009. This set dates to 2021, and the listed price includes th...
Category
2010s European Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Modern Leather and Chrome Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique pair of vintage leather armchairs feature sturdy decorative metal frames and make a striking addition to home or business seat...
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Pukà Chair by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Pukà chair by Imperfettolab
Dimensions: 135 x 110 x H 100 cm
Materials: Fibreglass
Imperfetto Lab
Who we are ? We are a family.
Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our childr...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fiberglass
2004 Philippe Starck for Emeco Hudson Dining Side Chairs in Blue 12x Available
By Emeco, Philippe Starck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Hudson Dining Chairs in royal blue enameled aluminum, a collaboration between famed designer Philippe Starck and American manufacturer Emeco. They were specially designed f...
Category
Early 2000s North American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Enamel
Outdoor Balou Medium Coffee Table by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Balou coffee table by Kenneth Cobonpue.
Materials: Polyethelene, Nylon. Steel.
Dimensions: Diameter 90 x height 42.5cm.
Named after the bear from The Jungle Book, Balou exudes c...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
2022 Carl Hansen CH20 by Hans Wegner Bright Orange Beech Wood with Tan Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH20 Elbow Dining Chair made with a bright orange wood frame and yellow leather seat. The chair, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
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
Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back
Located in New York, NY
Set of four French Early Modern dining chairs. The chairs have a sober, Proto- Modern sensibility with a back splat in the form of perpendicular grid. Brass and mother of pearl are i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Eduard Locota Side Table Bench with Turquoise-Green Acrylic Glass
Located in Timisoara, RO
“La Falaise” is a French name translated into “The Cliff”
Walking along side to the Failaise d’Etretat, inspired by the beauty and strong contrasts of the France’s Northern Coast...
Category
2010s Balkan Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Composition
Segment Highback Dining Chair in Blue Hydrangea Velvet
By TRNK
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Segment Highback Dining Chair suits many different interior arrangements: incorporate it as a sculptural velvet lounge chair in your living r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Upholstery, Velvet
1950s Set of Six Borge Mogensen No. 155 Dining Chairs for Soborg Mobler in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Model No. 155 Dining Chairs, designed by Danish designer Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobelfabrik in 1950. This particular set dates to the 1950s. The chairs are co...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
2015 Herman Miller Stacking Eames Plastic Side Shell Dining Chairs 4x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames DSS Chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in the 1950s. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA in 2015. The listed price i...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Medusa Stool by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Medusa stool by Pietro Franceschini
Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia
Manufacturer: Stefano Minotti
Dimensions: W 47 x L 60 x H 55cm
Materials: Lamb ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
2023 Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Chair in Beech Dark Purple w/ Papercord 3x Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is three CH24 Wishbone Dining Chairs made with a solid beech frame painted dark purple and white papercord seats. These chairs were designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Beech
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.