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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Bernhardt "Gustav" Chair in Stainless Steel
Located in Highland, IN
A sexy, sophisticated modern take on the famous Greek Klismos chair, this "Gustav" chair by Bernhardt accentuates the sleek lines with a shiny polished stainless steel frame. Ideal f...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Superb Geiger Woven Back Easy Chair Rare Form
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
la brea Series designed by Timothy Defiebre for Geiger. Rare form with complex woven back. Solid maple with blue upholstery. Strong and comfortable. Very clean. Reception, guest, and...
Category

1990s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Maple

Morgan Bench in Cast Bronze from Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Morgan Bench in Cast Bronze from Elan Atelier The Morgan bench is cast using the lost wax method in solid bronze with the Chinese Cloud pattern. The exterior finish is antique bronz...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Set of Four Made to Order Gratz TG-10 Sling Dining Chairs in Leather with Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four made to order TG-10 Sling Dining Chairs, originally designed by Katavolos, Littell and Kelley in 1952. They were designed as part of the original Laverne Collec...
Category

20th Century American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Dining Set of 8 Chairs Crafted from American Oak
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fully upholstered dining chairs designed with a comfortable amount of cushioning on both the seat and backrest to meet all your comfort needs. Fabric structure: Bric Velvet. Structur...
Category

2010s European Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

21st Century Dinka Chair in Leather Col. Milk by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Dinka is a chair full of fascinating details and evocative references. The precious upholstery in ivory saddle leather features special eyelets lace-up on the back. The structure w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Niemeyer Dining Chair Bouclé Bronzed Brass, Insidherland by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer dining chair is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Metal

Set of 4 Taupe Leather Chairs with Bronze Cantilever Frame
Located in Chicago, IL
The Magnum cantilever chair is a design classic that you would stand up for – if it weren’t so comfortable. Because despite its delicate and slim appearance, it offers the comfort of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

21st Century Picabia Chair in Fabric and Wood by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Perfect expression of the “new tradition” concept, which unites a classical heart with a creative and experimental skin, the Picabia chair features a special upholstery in two different fabrics of the Etro Home Interiors collection, with patterns recalling ancient cultures...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 4 Cortona Chairs by Joe Ricchio for HBF
By Joe Ricchio, HBF
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Ricchio creates the Cortona Series as a complement to his highly-successful Cortona guest chair for HBF. Expressing the force and beauty of simplicity, this light-scaled group...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Suelo Side Chair, Turned Leg
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This modern Suelo® side chair, turned leg is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's Silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable reversible back...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Maple

American Designer, Side Chair, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side chair designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. 15” seat height
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage Plywood Oak Low Easy Chairs Italy 1990
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Introducing the exquisite pair of oak finered plywood low easy chairs, a perfect blend of style, comfort, and craftsmanship. These chairs are well-craft...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Plywood

Stump Low Stool by Studio Yoon Seok-Hyeon
Located in Geneve, CH
Stump low stool by Studio Yoon Seok-hyeon. Dimensions: W 30 x H 30 Materials: Paper (mostly recycled) and natural adhesive. 1.5kg It is available to customize various sizes, co...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Paper

Mustard Queen Heart Stool by Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Queen heart side table by Royal Stranger Dimensions: 46 x 49 x 43 cm Different upholstery colors and finishes are available. Brass, copper or stainless steel in polished or brushed finish. Materials: velvet heart shape upholstery on the top of a stainless steel coated in brass plated foot. The Queen heart stool...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

ORO-OS1 Stool by John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
ORO - OS1 stool by John Eric Byers ORO collection Dimensions: 38 x 38 x 51 cm Materials: maple hardwood + gold metallic lacquer Hand shaped + hand textured + hollow core stacke...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Maple

1960s Set of Four Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Ant Chairs in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four 3-Legged Ant Chairs, originally designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen in 1952. These particular examples were produced in Denmark in the 1960s. They featur...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

C. 1957 Set of Four Herman Miller Eames DKX-1 Dining Chairs in Wire and Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DKX-1 dining chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1951. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1957. The chai...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

2022 CH111 Arm Dining Chair Thor 301 by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen 1x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are three CH111 Dining armchairs (sold individually) made with a stainless steel frame and black leather seat. The chair was designed by Hans Wegner and produced by C...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

High-Back Dining Armchair Upholstered in Velvet Custom Wood & Lacquer Finishes
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This dining armchair showcases a sleek, modern aesthetic, featuring a robust oak frame that ensures durability and longevity. The upholstery is both stylish and comfortable, designed...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Upholstery, Foam

2000s Set of Six Philippe Starck for Cassina 246 Passion Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Passion Dining Chairs, originally designed by Philippe Starck in 2007. These examples were produced by Cassina in Italy and date to the 2000s. The chairs are com...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Round Ball Ottoman in Caramel Leather by Moses Nadel
Located in Oyster Bay, NY
Functionality combined with elegance, the Ball Ottoman is a versatile piece of furniture. Sculptural with its round shape and playfully engaging, this leather ottoman is commonly use...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

1987 Bert England for Stow Davis Red Fabric Dining Chair 3x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bert England dining chairs, dating to 1987. They were produced by Stow Davis in the United States. They're comprised of a wooden frame with a red upholstered seat. The list...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Foam, Wood, Fabric

Modern Set of Two Vintage Red and Blue Cardboards Chairs, circa 1990
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern pair of stable cardboard chairs in the colors red and blue circa 1990. It is possible to taken apart some parts of the cardboard. Good vintage condition approx. measures: Widt...
Category

1990s Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Paper

Niemeyer Dining Chair, Bouclé and Brass, Insidherland by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer dining chair is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Metal

Paul and Christine Knoblauch Butterfly Wings "Angel Baby" Sculpture Childs Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul and Christine Knoblauch (Rochester, NY) Iron Butterfly Wings "Angel Baby" Artisan Child's Chair. Item features a cow print round upholstered seat, spiral iron legs, steel metal ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Seletti "Studio Job-Blow" Metal Folding Chair, Mouth
Located in Doral, FL
Seletti together with the quirky duo, Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel create the craziest and most innovative brand collaboration with unconventional and irresistibly cheeky designs. Hot dogs, sensual lips, eggs and herbs contaminate the pushy styles of these hyper-realism Pop Artists. Haute couture design becomes prêt-à-porter loaded with a disruptive force that transforms any object into a sculpture. Blow and Un_Limited: Not just a collection of objects. Blow is a new multi-faceted design brand, aimed at the concept of affordable design. This new family of objects in a “pop” spirit includes rugs, LED lamps, foldable chairs, a set of porcelain plates and mirrors. Its first capsule collection again highlights once more Seletti’s passion for unconventional projects. Stefano Seletti, the brand’s art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

Pair of Designer Chairs, Bone, Black Leather, Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Fabulous pair of designer chairs with black leather seat cushions. Chairs are partly covered in bone with brass details. Please see all pictures. Four chairs in total available. Pric...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

1947 Rare Eames Evans Herman Miller DCW Dining Chair in Calico Ash & Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a mega rare upholstered Eames DCW dining chair, dating to circa 1947. It has the 5-2-5 screw pattern underneath, indicating production by Evans Products Company for Herman Miller. This example is in very good to excellent vintage condition with some light wear from use and nice patina. See photos. The hardware appears to be completely original and wood is calico ash. It should be noted that upholstered Eames plywood chairs...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric

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

2024 Marcel Gascoin for GUBI C-Chair Outdoor in Natural Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Outdoor C-Chair, originally designed by Marcel Gascoin for GUBI in 1947. This particular example was produced in Denmark in 2024. The chair is comprised of a natural teak ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak, Cord, Paper

Bluff Side Chair Right, Wood Sculptural Accent Side Chair, American White Oak
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bluff side chair is an homage to the foothills surrounding Luft Tanaka's hometown of Kasugai, Japan. Poetic and architectural; planar yet curvy, t...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Oak

Contemporary Unique Mute Brown Chair with Chinese Jade Stone by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Element Chair by kar Unique Piece Dimensions: W 60 x D 75 x H 110 cm. Materials: Fiberglass, Chinese jade stones. Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karm...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stone

Gaulinetta Black Chair by Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
Gaulinetta black chair by Oscar Tusquets Dimensions: D 40 x W 52 x H 83 cm. Materials: ash wood The Gaulino chair was designed in 1987. BD re-edited it, improving it in 2010. It...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Ash

C. 1955 Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair in Calico Ash
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early DCM Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. The piece was produced by Herman Miller and retains its tag under the seat....
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

2022 Brad Ascalon for Carl Hansen Preludia Chair Black with Red Leather BA003F
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a BA003F Preludia Metal Sled Chair made with an black powder coated steel frame and red leather seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Dining Chair, Black Oak / Brick Velvet
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fully upholstered dining chair designed with a comfortable amount of cushioning on both the seat and backrest to meet all your comfort needs. Fabric structure: Bric Velvet. Structure...
Category

2010s European Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Pair of Vladimir Kagan "Nobu" or "Cubist" Walnut Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Contemporary American "Nobu" or "Cubist" dining chairs feature a flattened minimalist openwork frame with back and seat anchored to the front and back supports, upholstered i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery

1980s Set of 12 Hans Ullrich Bitsch for Kusch + Co. 8600 Series Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an extraordinary set of twelve 8600 Series Dining Chairs, designed in the 1980's by Hans Ullrich Bitsch for Kusch + Co., West Germany. The listed price includes the set of tw...
Category

1980s European Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

1980s Set of Six Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining Side Chairs with Full Cushions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Bertoia Side Chairs, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 1980s. Their design consists of ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1999 Giancarlo Piretti for Krueger International Xylon Chairs in Cherry Beech
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are 'Xylon' Chairs, designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Krueger International in 1997. The listed price includes one chair, and we have several chairs available for purchase. The...
Category

1990s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

1957 Herman Miller Eames DKX Wire Dining Chair with Full Naugahyde Orange Pad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single circa 1957 production Eames DKX dining chair with wire upper and fully upholstered pad. The pad is original naugahyde in a red/orange color. The upholster...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Italian Designer, Side Chair, Pine, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine side chair designed and produced in Italy, 1950s. Seat height 17.75”.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Pine

Declan Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Our declan side chair exudes sophisticated elegance. It is sleek and curvaceous, with the perfectly unexpected walnut and brass back detailing. Shown here in wool - mineral, black ...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Contemporary Artisan Chaise Lounge Old Silver Metal & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary chaise longue is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 16 mm is complemented by the flexibility of the doubl...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Jeff Messerschmidt Pair of "Pipe Line II Chairs" in Molded Lucite, 1977
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Pipe Line II Chairs" in molded lucite with custom aluminum fittings by Jeff Messerschmidt, American 1977 (each chair is signed, dated & numbered, “Jeff Messerschmidt 1977 Pi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

2024 Set of 4 GamFratesi for GUBI Beetle Outdoor Dining Chairs with Seat Cushion
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Beetle Outdoor Dining Chairs, originally designed by GabFratesi for GUBI in 2013. These particular examples were produced in Italy in 2024. They are comprised o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner
Located in Stratford, CT
There are five Tonneau chairs available, recently upholstered in grey velvet. The seat is made of laminated wood, and the legs are made of black enameled regular iron tubing.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Seletti "Popcorn" Metal Folding Chair by Studio Job
Located in Doral, FL
The unique creativity of Studio Job decorates the folding chairs with different images: Flash, Hot Dog, Egg, Mouth, Peace, Weed.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

High Back Custom Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Brass, fabric. Elegant contemporary dining chairs with solid brass cradle bases and great detailing. These chairs are made to order in Italy. Lead time is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Rare Rose Wood Chair by Schiønning & Elgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare rosewood chair by Schiønning & Elgaard. Made by Randers Møbelfabrik in Denmark. Chic and understated.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Fruitwood

2019 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Dining Chair in Green Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Executive Side Chair, originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in 2019. The chairs feature upholst...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

American Designer, Side Chairs, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of stained wood side chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. 16” seat height
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Lever Dining Chair in Natural Oak
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The hardness and symmetry of structure is the main concept of the Lever collection. The chair is composed of wood panels that encompass a soft, oversized cushion pads to create a har...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Oak

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

Declan Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Our declan side chair exudes sophisticated elegance. It is sleek and curvaceous, with the perfectly unexpected walnut and brass back detailing. Shown here in wool - mineral, black ...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

2019 Set of Five Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Armless Dining Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of five Cesca Armless Side Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. These examples were manufactured by Knoll in 2019. Their design features a tubular chro...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

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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