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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

176
to
23
151
23
176
176
176
1,629
321
226
103
66
54
51
42
39
38
34
33
11
8
8
6
6
1
1,014
5
48
103
2
10
16
14
27
31
17
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
78
74
10
21
11
16
6
11
4
4
4
4
98
79
53
34
30
76
72
68
28
17
7
6
5
4
4
Style: Modern
Period: 20th Century
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

Set of 8 Knoll Handkerchief Chairs by Massimo vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 'Handkerchief' stacking chairs designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, 1983. Grey plastic seat over a painted steel rod base. 18" seat height. Sold as a set of 8.
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Gerrit Rietveld De Stijl Red Blue Chair
Located in New York, NY
Gerrit Rietveld (Dutch, 1888-1964) De Stijl Red Blue Chair, originally designed in 1918 with red, blue, yellow, and black colors applied in 1923, this e...
Category

20th Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rare Gilt Metal Cantilever Chair by Marcel Breuer, circa 1928
Located in Culver City, CA
Rare gilt metal cantilever chair by Marcel Breuer, circa 1928 Gilt metal, ebonized and cane cantilever chair, model Cesca by Marcel Breuer. Des...
Category

1920s German Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Disney Quest Aluminum Armillary Chairs by Jordan Mozer Set of 5
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Created for Chicago and Orlando's Disney Quest in 1995, the "Armillry Chair" is a stunning contribution to the world of the design. Crafted from the genius of Jordan Mozer, this solid aluminum chair looks like it jumped off the screen from a Ridley Scott film. Rarely do we see such a thoughtful blend of modern design and sinister sci-fi inspiration. The anthropomorphic...
Category

1990s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

CM 196 Side Chair by Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All original CM 196 side chair by Pierre Paulin. Measure: Seat height is 18" inches. Very comfortable and sturdy.
Category

1960s Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Tan Leather Sling Chair with Tubular Chrome Frame
Located in Outremont, QC
Tan Leather Sling Chair with Tubular Chrome Frame // Dimensions: 26”W x 27.5”D x 28”H
 - seat height 13", seat width 20" // *Near Perfect Condition, the leather is newly uphols...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pierre Jeanneret Demountable Armchair Model PJ-SI-07-A
Located in New York, NY
One of the earliest and rarest chairs from the Chandigarh project, model PJ-SI-07-A, This chair is one of the first creations of Pierre Jeanneret when he arrived in Chandigarh. He u...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

A Pair of 2 Vintage Spindle Back Chairs
Located in Oak Park, MI
A good pair of vintage ash spindle back side chairs. Painted French grey and very solidly built in the traditional way. Handsome profiles and good and heavy. Perfect around a farmh...
Category

Late 20th Century British Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Ash

Pair of Channeled Accent Chairs with Pouf by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of vegan leather accent chairs by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, Italy 1980s. These rare three-legged chairs feature elegant curvature and make the most of negative space, o...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery

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

Pair Frank Gehry Cross Check Bent Maple Chairs For Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Frank Gehry Cross Check Chairs. The chairs are made of Maple Bentwood Ribbon-like pieces, crossed and bent to work together to form, not onl...
Category

20th Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Maple, Bentwood, Plywood

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 Barrel Back Side-Chair w/ Grey Ebonized Frame & Full-Grain Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic Vintage Castered Barrel Back Side-Chair w/ Grey Ebonized Frame Upholstered in Original Full Grain Grey Leather by Howard Lorton Furniture & Design's Hickory Chair The Hicko...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Sculptural Organic Vintage Side Chairs Pair Bohuslav Horak 1988 Czech Republic
By Bohuslav Horák
Located in Vienna, AT
Sculptural metal vintage chairs model Pupeny or Buds by Bohuslav Horak, 1988. A sculptural and fairy-tale design with a twist, these side chairs s...
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Arthur Court Horn Chairs, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of Arthur Court horn chairs. These are cast aluminum with a beautiful hand painted off-white natural finish. Gorgeous gray suede as the covering. Some wear but adds to...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Olivier De Schrijver Pair of Oak and Leather Chairs, Signed & Numbered
Located in New York, NY
A striking and sleek pair of lounge chairs designed by Olivier De Schrijver, the Belgian contemporary artist, who was born in 1958. Newly re-finished and re-upholstered in a butter c...
Category

1990s Belgian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Pair of Exceptional Mid-Century Italian Chairs in the Style of Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of exceptional mid-century Italian dining chairs in the style of Gio Ponti. Large scale for European chairs. One pair left from the set of 6 pictured in situ.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair Vintage Shaver Howard Brushed Steel Metal Modern Regency Style Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Vintage Shaver Howard Brushed Steel Metal Modern Regency Style Side Chairs. Item features angled Klismos saber legs, sculptural backs, white vin...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Italian Maui Pale Blue Side Dining Chair Vico Magistretti for Kartell - Set of 6
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions: H 30.2" / W 18" / D 16.4" Height from floor to seat: 19.5" Back height: 15.8" Highly desirable original set of 6 Italian MAUI Matte Pale Blue Side Dining Chairs designed...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

1970’s Modern Sling Chair Teak & Leather Style Michel Arnoult Made in Argentina
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Modern side sling chair comprised of teak & cognac leather in the style of Michel Arnoult and made in Argentina. Beautiful conditio...
Category

Late 20th Century Argentine Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Leather

1958 Set of 4 Herman Miller Eames DKR-2 Wire Bikini Chairs in Yellow Naugahyde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DKR-2 wire dining chairs, designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1951. This particular set of four chairs dates to circa 1958. They have steel wir...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Naugahyde

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

1951 Pair of Herman Miller Eames DAX Rope Edge Armshell Chairs in Greige
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of circa 1951 production Herman Miller Eames DAX arm shell chairs with iconic rope edge. These are gorgeous original ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1980s Pair of Don Petitt for Knoll 1105 Bentwood Armchair in Oak with Tan Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of iconic No. 1105 chairs, designed by Don Petitt for Knoll. This is a notable pair that came from the home of a Knoll employee, who worked at the company f...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Bentwood, Fabric

Italian chairs by Potocco
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Nice pair of Italian chairs by Potocco. These chairs are made of wood, metal and fabric. The chairs are in nice vintage condition. These will work great around a small table or as ac...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

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

Set of Two - Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A breathtaking pair of very early Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs. With so many Jeanneret chairs on the market why are these exceptional? First: the thickness of the wood is perfect and in accordance with some of the best examples ever sold. Second: rich, expressive patina on each chair. Third: matching catalog letters. Fourth: double support bars under the chair. Undoubtedly, these are extremely rare examples. Also it is worth noting that these chairs come from Ahmedabad, a city historically active in India’s textile...
Category

1950s Indian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

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

Vintage Enrico Pellizzoni, Leather 'Pasqualina' Side Chairs - A Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., Italy, Enrico Pellizzoni oxblood saddle-stitched leather over metal frame and seat. These chairs were designed by Grassi & Bianchi. An embossed leather mark is present on th...
Category

1980s Italian 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

1959 Herman Miller Eames DAX Fiberglass Arm Shell Chair with Green Removable Pad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1959 production Herman Miller Eames DAX dining / side chair with dark green original naugahyde removable pad and fiberglass shell (with painted back). The ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

1980s Hans Ullrich Bitsch for Kusch+Co Dining Side Chairs Purple Fabric Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are a pair of 1980's Hans Ullrich Bitsch for Kusch+Co purple fabric dining chairs from the 8600 series. They are constructed from beautifully chromed steel with intri...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Pair of 1986 Mario Bellini for Vitra Figura Imago Arm Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of vintage 1986 Vitra Figura arm chairs, designed by Mario Bellini. These are gorgeous original examples, which retain their ori...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1940s Jens Risom For Knoll Associates 666 WSP Dining Chair with Webbing in Maple
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original Jens Risom for Knoll Associates 666 WSP dining chair, circa 1940s. The chair is in gorgeous original condition with some patina and wear shown to the s...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Maple

Set of Four Ebonized Modenist Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A set of four modernist side chairs in ebonized wood and black metal.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Lacquered Goatskin Wrapped "Onasis" Chairs by Karl Springer
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of lacquered goatskin wrapped "Onasis" chairs by Karl Springer, circa 1980"s. The chairs are in good vintage condition with original upholstery and measure 24"W x 22"D x 30"H wi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Goatskin, 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

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

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

1980s Pair of Postmodern Mario Botta for Alias Seconda Chairs with Arms in Gray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of postmodern Mario Botta Seconda armchairs, produced by Alias circa the mid 1980s. These are gorgeous and iconic works by Botta, the renowned industrial de...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1952 Franco Albini for Knoll No. 48 Desk / Dining Chair w Arms Walnut and Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare No. 48 desk/dining chair, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll. This was one of Knoll's earliest designs an...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

1990s Mario Bellini Vitra Figura High Back Desk Chair in Brown Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (multiple chairs are available, but the price is for each chair) 1990s vintage Figura desk chair by Vitra, designed by Mario Bellini. These are gorgeous o...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1969 Verner Panton Cone Chair Green Fabric Made in Denmark for Plus-Linje Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a vintage Verner Panton Cone Chair in original green upholstery. The cone chair was originally designed for a restaurant in Denmark, though the novelty of the design has made...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage 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

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

1960s Pair of Verner Panton Cone Chairs Made in Denmark for Plus-Linje Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original pair of cone chairs, designed by Verner Panton and produced by Plus-Linje. Whereas the current variations and now produced by Vitra, this early example...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1960s Danish Modern Walnut and Canvas Folding Campaign Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1960s walnut and canvas campaign chair, which is reminiscent of Borge Mogensen and Mogens Koch designs from Denmark. The chair is in gorgeous original cond...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Canvas, Walnut

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

20th Century French Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

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

1990 David Rowland 40/4 Stackable Dining Chairs for GF in Bent Oak 8x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are '40/4' chairs, 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 is cred...
Category

1990s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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

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

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

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

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

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

1960s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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