Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

27
to
2
26
1
27
27
27
214
15
8
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
177
1,013
5
48
103
2
10
16
14
31
17
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
7
16
2
3
5
3
1
2
13
12
7
7
7
13
12
11
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
Style: Modern
Period: 1970s
Set of Six Stacking Chairs by Vlad Muller in Yellow
By Vlad Muller
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of 6 stacking and interlocking armless chairs in bright yellow designed in the 1970's by Vlad Muller. When stacked the set is sculptural and geometric. Handy to have spare ch...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Afra and Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Monk' Chairs for Molteni, Italy, circa 1974
Located in New York, NY
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Monk' Chairs for Molteni, Italy, circa 1974 A simplified and solid design by Italian award-winning designer couple Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the 'Monk' mo...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Vintage Brazilian Armchairs by De Couro
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of armchairs from Brazilian company De Couro. They are made with steel structures and thick stitched black leather in excellent vintage condition. Each chair is stamped on the b...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Set of Four Chairs in the style of Afra & Tobia Scarpa with Durmast Frame
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This set features a solid durmast frame with a multi-layered durmast seat and brass screws. It is interesting that they are slotted screws, and not sta...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Pencil Reed Rattan Arm Chairs, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous pair of Gabriella Crespi Pencil Reed arm chairs. Newly lacquered in white and with new Todd Hase upholstery. Great addition to your Boho Ch...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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

1970s Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen 1-2-3 Dining Side Chair in Magenta Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1-2-3 dining / side chair, designed by Verner Panton and produced by Fritz Hansen. This is a classic example of Panton's work. Condition overall is ver...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak & Dark Tan Fabric Dining Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and dark tan fabric armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner designed for CI Designs...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Fabric

1976 Michel Cadestin & Georges Laurent Beaubourg Chair Teda for Centre Pompidou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) original Beaubourg chair from the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. The chair was designed...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1970s "40/4” Chairs in Red by David Rowland for General Fireproofing Co
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) 40/4 chair, originally designed by David Rowland in 1964. This iconic chair has been praised as one of the most ingenious modern designs of the 20th century, and has been credited for being the first truly stackable chair. Each chair has a solid steel sled base, and has a red enameled steel seat. These particular examples were manufactured by GF Business Equipment (part of General Fireproofing Co...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Enamel, Steel

1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak and Brown Leather Dining Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and leather armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Leather

1975 Pair of Bodil Kjaer Teak & Leather Slat Seat Chairs by CI Designs of Boston
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of very rare Bodil Kjaer for CI Designs teak slat-seat chairs with loose leather seat and back cushions. This pair was acquired by...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

1975 Bodil Kjaer for CI Designs Rare Teak Slat Seat Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare Bodil Kjaer for CI Designs teak slat-seat chair. There are a few notable details to mention. First off, vintage Bodil Kjaer f...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Pierre Chapo S45 Dining Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pierre Chapo S45 dining chairs A set of six ‘Chlacc’ dining chairs model #S45 in solid elmwood. Extremely comfortable and in excellent condition. Fr...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Elm

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

Hollywood Regency Chippendale Dining Side Chairs in New Todd Hase Textiles, a P
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous pair of freshly lacquered in white boho chic dining chairs in new Todd Hase Textiles. Great addition to your boho chic inspired home. ...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Pair of Modernist Tall Back "Throne Chairs"
Located in New York, NY
" Throne chairs " A pair of Modernist tall back side chairs. Thuja root with ebonized inlaid details.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Ebony, Burl, Wood

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

Materials

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

Vintage Modern White Molded Plastic Chairs Style of Kartell 4850 by Castiglioni
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

Pair of Michael Taylor for Baker Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Michael Taylor for Baker Asian style chairs. The chairs have black lacquered solid wooden frames with black vinyl cushioned seats. Chairs are...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

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

Materials

Steel

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

James Peade Drexel Abacus Side Chair
By Drexel, James Peade
Located in North Miami, FL
This unusual and newly upholstered and chrome side chair has wonderful period wheels. This is designed by James Peade for Drexel's Viewpoint 70 Collection...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Steel

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

Lucite and Chrome Architectural Side Chairs Attributed to Charles Hollis Jones
Located in North Miami, FL
These unusual square pair of lucite side chairs have high box arms with a slab of clear lucite as the back. Attributed to Charles Hollis Jones. They have a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Willy Rizzo for Cidue Dining Chairs in Brass and Cognac Leather, c 1970, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful set of eight (8) dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue, Italy circa 1970, featuring gorgeous cubist brass frames and cognac colored leather. Signed with Cidue labels rea...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Set quattro Sedie 'Monk' Afra e Tobia Scarpa per Molteni anni 70
Located in Milano, IT
Set di quattro sedie anni '70 modello 'Monk' con struttura in legno di faggio massello, seduta e schienali in cuoio color cognac. Buone condizioni generali, presentano qualche segno ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Beech

Set of Six Dining Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Set of six dining chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. Mahogany with patinated brass details.  
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Period Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking set of six 18th century Gustavian dining chairs with original paint and silk fabric seat cushions.
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pencil Reed Rattan Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Set of six dining chairs feature full veneer of pencil reed rattan in a unique geometric design. Comfortable back and seat cushions. Upholstered in a purple floral pattern. Very good...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Reed

Pair of Vintage Sculpted Oak Armchairs by Madison Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of vintage modern arm chairs feature unique "box" style sides. The beautiful wood grain and floating angled backrest add to the allure. Smooth edges and plush blue upholstery ensure comfort in any modern interior. Made by Madison Furniture Industries...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood, Wood, Oak

Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bumper desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Task Chair Bronze 4-star swivel conference room chair in a green tweed fabric....
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Afra & Tobia Scarpa Monk Black Chair for Molteni, Italy, 1974
Located in London, GB
Formidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Bianchin Scarpa created inte­ri­ors and furni­ture that embraced the mate­ri­als of each design and the interplay of tech­nol­ogy and ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Set of 4 Tobia & Afra Scarpa Monk Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
This beautiful set of 4 Scarpa Monk chairs in stunning black patinated leather and wood are unique in the placement of its legs and cross sections, present...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of 4 Tobia & Afra Scarpa Monk Chairs
Set of 4 Tobia & Afra Scarpa Monk Chairs
H 29.8 in W 20.3 in D 18.5 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, 1974, Set of 4
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" chairs for Molteni, canvas and walnut, Italy, 1974, set of four. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of two equal tre...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Canvas, Walnut

Iron Armchairs by Geraldo de Barros, Brazil, 1955, Unilabor
Located in Houston, TX
Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) Set of two Iron armchair Manufactured by Unilabor Brazil, 1955. Iron frame, fabric upholstered. Measurements: 55 cm x 65 cm x 75 h cm 21.6 in x 25.59...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Dining Chairs for Molteni, 1974, Set of 2
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chairs for Molteni, canvas and walnut, Italy, 1974, set of two. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of two equal...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Canvas, Walnut

Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Dining Chairs for Molteni, 1974, Set of 10
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chairs for Molteni, cognac leather and beech, Italy, 1974, set of ten. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of tw...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Beech

Previously Available Items
Teak hand shaped chair, 1970s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage solid teak wooden sculpted hand chair. Very cool and decorative piece. This piece combines sculpture and seating. 1970s - Asia Good overall condition Dimensions: Height:...
Category

1970s Thai Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Teak hand shaped chair, 1970s
Teak hand shaped chair, 1970s
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Paul Evans Pair of Upholstered Cantilevered Side Chairs, 1977
Located in New York, NY
Pair of side chairs, cantilevered with polished chrome bases and upholstered seats and backs, by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, Collection 77, American, 1977. Newly reupholste...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of Two '2' Vintage Model 1305UO Armchairs by Bill Stephens for Knoll, 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
This exceptional set of two model 1305UO armchairs by Bill Stephens for Knoll were originally designed in 1970 for the Student Center at the Yale School of Architecture and it's clea...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Italian Modern Red Metal Lamda Chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red metal Lamda model chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper, 1970s. Lamda model chair, entirely in original red metal of the time, with curved back. Present of the...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

American Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Pennsylvania, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden side chair designed and produced in Pennsylvania, United States, 1970s.  
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

American Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Pennsylvania, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden side chair designed and produced in Pennsylvania, United States, 1970s.  
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

American Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Pennsylvania, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden side chair designed and produced in Pennsylvania, United States, 1970s.  
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Willy Rizzo for Cidue Dining Chairs in Brass and Cognac Leather, c 1970, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful set of four (4) dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue, Italy circa 1970, featuring gorgeous cubist brass frames and cognac colored leather. Signed with Cidue labels reading 'Made in Italy, Cidue, elementi d'arredo - carrè / vi'. Much similarity to dining chairs by Maison Jansen and Milo Baughman, these thinline dining chairs have such incredible form and silhouettes - just look at the side, front and back profile photos - and imagine this set in your home or your client's home or office. The squared legs also share similarities with Vladimir Kagan's 'Cubist' chairs. These 70's Italian Modern dining chairs are also practical, lightweight and easy to move around yet strong and quality, something typical in 1970s Italian production yet something you don't find in products made today. *Note, we have eight (8) more dining chairs available if you wish to create a larger set. The other eight chairs are listed separately but can be combined. Message us for more details about this other set if you are interested. These thin line brass and cognac leather cubist modern dining side chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue Italy would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as side chairs, dining, cafe or breakfast table chairs, bedside chairs, fireside chairs, dressing or changing room chairs, hallway chairs, entryway or mudroom chairs, nursing or reading chairs, conference room chairs, office or desk guest chairs, or occasional chairs ideal in virtually any setting. MEASUREMENTS: H 36" x W 18" x D 23" Seat Height: 18.5" Seat Depth: 17.5" CONDITION: Good vintage condition with light wear and patina (overall). Some small areas of moderate patina and finish loss to brass plating. Leather has been been touched up with leather dye...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Italian Modern Pair of Brown Faux Leather Steel Armchairs with Armrests 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern pair of brown faux leather and steel armchairs with armrests, 1970s. Pair of armchairs in brown faux leather, with legs in steel rod and armrests. 1970s Excellent cond...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eames for Herman Miller Dark Olive Eiffel Tower Desk Chair, 1970's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKR dark olive vinyl padded wire chair. Featuring a lightweight woven wire frame with softly padded rare Dark O...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wire

Set of Six Black Leather Willy Rizzo Dining Chairs by Cidue Italy 1970s, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stylish set of six (6) cantilevered black leather on black frames dining chairs by Cidue, Italy, circa 1970s, signed with manufacturer's foi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Red and Blue Chair Designed by Gerrit T. Rietveld for Cassina
Located in Madrid, ES
Armchair mod. 635 designed in 1918 by Gerrit T. Rietveld. Structure in black lacquered beech wood, seat and back in lacquered plywood. The primary colors of the design are a tribute ...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Modern side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern side chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern side chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Emeco, Jasper Morrison, Philippe Starck, and Sir Norman Foster. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $90,000 while the average work can sell for $2,120.

Recently Viewed

View All