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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
Suelo Slatted Outdoor Side Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo Slatted Outdoor Side Chair is beautifully constructed in Ohio, USA. This silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and s...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Lounge, Side or Accent High Back Chair OFICIAL, Solid Wood and Nylon Cord
By ACOOCOORO
Located in Mexico City, MX
Partially informed by late Ming period "yokeback" chairs, and heavily influenced by Windsor-style decorative furniture, OFICIAL is a narrative, expressive high-back chair. It is a ti...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Nylon
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
e15 Customizable Houdini Side Chair by Stefan Diez
By e15, Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
E15 celebrates ten years of chair Houdini by Stefan Diez with a curated palette of anniversary colors. In his search for an ergonomic, organic seating shell without involving expensi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
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
Fernandine Dining Chair, Medley and Oak, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Fernandine walls are a part of History that embraces the city of Porto, located in the north of Portugal. These medieval fortifications topped off by battlements were completed d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric
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
Iperbole S Chair
By Emmemobili
Located in Munich, Bavaria
The Iperbole chair is a remarkable fusion of Emmemobili's craftsmanship, the innovative technology of bent plywood, and the purity of a clear, decisive line. Designed by Ferruccio L...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
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
Kartell Masters Counter Stool in White 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
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
John Widdicomb Brown Leather Dining Chairs, 6
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of Six John Widdicomb Chocolate Brown Leather Covered Dining Chairs, each with riveted trim and "John Widdicomb Co. / Makers of Fine Furniture / Grand Rapids" plaque to underside...
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, 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
French Pair of Christian Biecher Armchairs for Poltrona Frau, 1990s
By Poltrona Frau, Christian Biecher
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage pair of armchairs designed by French architect Christian Biecher for an elite Parisian restaurant named le Korova in 1999. These were edited by Italian notable f...
Category
1990s French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Contemporary Dining Chair, Wood Back/Fabric
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Timeless design in combination with handmade couture techniques. The dining chair features curved wooden upholstered back for greater support. Offered in wengè finsihed frame and wov...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
TG-10 Sling Dining Chair in Doral Cream with Light Antique Bronze Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of 2 (two) TG-10 sling dining chairs in cream leather with a light antique bronze frame, produced by Gratz Industries. The chairs were designed by Katavolos, Littell a...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Grosfeld House Beige Faux Leather Club Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a pair of stunning Grosfeld House club chairs in the original beige-camel colored faux leather, nail head studded upholstery. They are roomy...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
2019 Herman Miller Eames Plastic Dining Shell Chair in Purple with Eiffel Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames DSR Chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in the 1950s. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the USA in 2019. The listed price incl...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
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
Sling Rose Grey Black Hand Stitched Genuine Leather
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the sheets of leather or fabric hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable ex...
Category
2010s South African Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Modern Dining Chair in Argentine Exotic Wood and Leather from Costantini, Bruno
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
A signature chair by Costantini, our Bruno chair features a low-profile, ergonomically-designed back. Available as shown in Argentine rosewood and leather or in custom materials, fin...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of 5 Capsule Stools by Owl
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 capsule stools by owl
Dimensions: H 45 x W 38 x D 38 cm
Materials: Solid wood
The design of this series is open to being produced in various materials. As a base, we’ve...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
1954 Herman Miller Eames Wire Shell Chair X Base DKX-1 Redwood Avenue Label
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a super rare and original Eames for Herman Miller 1954 DKX chair with wire top, upholstered pad, and early X base.
This piece can be dated due to the use of this ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
Set of 12 Modern Metal Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great set of 12 modern metal chairs. Stripped and polished.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
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 w...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Maple
21st C. 4 White Leather and Gilt Metal Side Chairs - Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Morristown, NJ
21st c., A set of four custom contemporary white leather side chairs in the style of Milo Baughman, with gilt metal frames, unmarked. These chairs are from a residence decorated by the incomparable designer/architect Daniel Romualdez who has been listed in Architectural Digest’s AD100 on numerous occasions.
Dimensions:
37.5"h x 19.75"w x 24.5"d, 19"h (to seat)
Condition:
Good, minor marks, scuffs, and creases to leather consistent with age and use. Show well. Ready to place.
Provenance:
A Daniel Romualdez Commission, 660 Madison Avenue, New York
Romualdez design philosophy is a simple one : “Form follows function—a home, no matter how beautiful, does not succeed if it’s not comfortable.”. He made comfort of clients his top priority, creating interiors which are equally gorgeous and inviting.
His first project, done while he was still at Yale, was the renovation of his parents’ Stanford White house on Long Island. Romualdez has created homes for inter alia Tory Burch, Daphne Guinness, Ina Garten, Cornelia Guest...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid CenturyWalnut 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
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
C. 1954 Herman Miller Eames Wire LKX-2 Side / Lounge Chair with OG Bikini Pad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a LKX-2 side chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1951. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1954. The chair is comprised of ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
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
Dining Chair 1940's style with Concave Tufted Back and Tapered alder Legs
Located in Ballard, CA
The upholstered 1940's style chair with a concave tufted back and tapered legs is hand-crafted, frame in alder wood. Custom sizes and finishes available.
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Ebony
Set of Six Rattan Side Chairs, attr. to Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal, Italy 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A set of six chairs crafted from woven rattan, featuring high curved backrests for added comfort. The legs have been reinforced with copper protectors for durability. The intricate w...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Copper
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 Mid-Century Atelier Nova DSM400K Gray Molded Plastic and Chrome Side Cha
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Mid-Century stacking side chairs with gray molded plastic seats and backs with tubular chrome bases. (ATELEIER Nova DSM400K, designed by GERD LANGE)(PRICED AS Pair)
Minor wear.
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
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
Kartell Masters Bar 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
High Back Custom Dining Chairs
By Donzella
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
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
Vintage Modern White Molded Plastic Chairs Style of Kartell 4850 by Castiglioni
By Kartell
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage pair of modern white molded plastic chairs in the style of Kartell’s 4850 chair designed by Giorgina Castiglioni, Geiorgio Gaviraghi, and...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plastic
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
Vintage Modern to Post Modern White Lacquered Side Chair with Arched Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage modern to postmodern white lacquered side chair with arched top. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and we...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Lacquer, Wood
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
C. 1954 Set of Four Herman Miller Eames DCM Dining Chairs in Calico Ash & Steel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DCM Chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1946. These pieces were produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1954. Their design features a bent-p...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
American Conetemporary Chinoiserie Style Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
American Contemporary dark grey painted side chair with an open pattern back having a overlapping square and geometric design
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Opinion Ciatti Mammamia Diamond Non Stackable Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mammamia knows how to be chic, very chic, incredibly chic! Mammamia Diamond is definitely the most sophisticated chair in the Mammamia range and stems from the co-operation between O...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
2012 Wilkhahn ON Cantilever Stacking Side / Dining Chair by Wiege Germany
By Wiege, Wilkhahn
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single ON Cantiliever stackable side chair, designed by the Germany design group Wiege and produced by Wilkhahn. The chairs are beautifully constructed from chromed tubular...
Category
2010s German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Slender Side Chairs in the Style of Philippe Starck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of slender side chairs in the style of Philippe Starck.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
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 o...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
1993 Vintage Michael Aram Flights of Fancy Skeleton Side / Dining Chair
By Michael Aram
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Skeleton Chair, designed in 1993 by Michael Aram for his ‘Flights of Fancy’ Collection. This particular example is quite special as it has a hand-etched signa...
Category
1990s Indian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Stainless 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.