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Modern Sofas

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Moss Green High Wing Back Sofa or Settee
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, modern and intimate Scandinavian Danish love seat, settee, sofa or couch in the Mid-Century Modern style in moss green felt upholstery with a...
Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Wittmann Black Leather Sofa Model Edwards Design by Eward B. Tuttle
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This leather sofa and loveseat was designed by Edward B. Tuttle for Wittmann, 1981. It´s the early 1st version from 1990. The first versio...
Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood

Blush Ultrasuede 1980s Ruched Arm Sofa with 3 Matching Pillows Palm Springs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very modern and glamorous sofa in the very current color of "blush" ultra suede that is all original. The sofa came out of a very high end 1980s Palm Springs estate. The arms have a unique ruched front detail. Fixed cushions that are firm but comfortable. Sofa comes with three self fabric ultrasuede pillows. The has such a modern look to it,. The pleated arm adds just the right amount of luxe style to the piece. Currently in our showroom in North Palm Springs we have a blush vignette. A pink marble top Marge Carson side table and two ceremic blush lamps...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Purle Leather "Area" Sofa by Antonio Citterio for Vitra, Switzerland, 1980
Located in DE MEERN, NL
This clever and high-quality Postmodern sofa by Milan-based Antonio Citterio for Vitra designed in 1990, ‘Area’ is a hybrid of daybed and so...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

1970s Nicos Zographos Designs / SOM Attributed Four Seat Tuxedo Sofa in Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a four seat Tuxedo sofa, seemingly designed by Nicos Zographos and produced by Zographos Designs Inc. As the sofa is unmarked and many designers of this era produced similar ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Walnut and Fabric Sofa
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful 1970s sofa with a walnut leg frame. The sofa has been newly recovered, the frame is in original condition and it has minor chips on the back legs (see detail photos). Me...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Giorgetti Progetti Sofa by Umberto Asnago, Italy
Located in Kastrup, DK
A 2-seat sofa or 'Divanetto' designed by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti – part of the Progetti collection. Light and elegant construction with Pau Ferro wood detailing at the top of th...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Wood

C. 1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Three-Seat Sofa in Oak and Brown Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an important three-seater sofa, designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. The piece was part of a series that Platner designed in the mid-70s for ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Walter Knoll Vintage Modular Grey Buffallo Leather Lounge Sofa, Germany, 1970
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This stunning Modular sectional leather sofa was manufactured by Walter Knoll in Germany. It is a pure 70ties design with timeless modern shape. The seating shape is likely round for...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood

Rare Cognac Colored Leather Sofa by Klaus Wettergren
Located in Kastrup, DK
This rare prototype sofa by Klaus Wettergren is upholstered with a cognac colored leather. A rare sofa as it was only made in limited quantity by orders...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Zanotta “Europa” sofa/daybed in black leather, Italy 1988
By Zanotta, Mazzoni, Gianfranco Gualtierotti
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Zanotta “Europa” sofa designed by Gianfranco Gualtierotti & Alessandro Mazzoni in 1988. The backrests and armrests are independently adjustable, allowing the sofa to convert into a ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

McGuire Rattan Sofa
Located in Countryside, IL
McGuire Rattan Sofa This sofa measures: 66.5 wide x 33 deep x 33.25 inches high, with a seat height of 22 and arm height of 29 inches We take our photos in a controlled lighting st...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan

Bull 3-seater red leather sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1987
Located in Sas van Gent, NL
A timeless design by infamous Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004) for Cassina; the Bull sofa. Only produced in 1987 by Cassina, this design is becoming increasingly rare...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Plastic, Rubber

1980s Tentazione Two-Seater Sofa / Settee by Mario Bellini for Cassina Model 685
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tentazione two-seater sofa, model 685, originally designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1973. Its frame is made of steel, and the seat and back are formed from pliant mo...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Italian modern green leather armchairs by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green leather armchairs by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Faru, 1970s Three-seater sofa fully padded and covered in dark green leather. The seat is made up of 3 padded cu...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

1980s Mario Bellini for Cassina Black Leather Software Tilbury Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a circa 1980s production Tilbury three seat sofa (part of the Software collection), designed by Mario Bellini and produced by Cassina in Italy. This example is one of a few s...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Plastic, Foam

De Sede DS 17 Leather Sofa Racing Green
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede leather sofa model DS 17. The leather is the DS club leather a thick Semianiline leather in racing green colour. Great comfort and a classic timeless d...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood

1970s Modernist Sculptural Two Seat Settee Sofa in Orange Hopsack Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Custom Two-Seat Love Seat Sofa in Dark Orange Hopsack Fabric, dating to the 1970s. It came to us from a home in Ithaca, New York. The silhouette echoes the designs of Pierr...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Italian modern leather modular sofa Bogo by Bartoli Rossi di Albizzate 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather modular sofa Bogo by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1970s Modular sofa model Bogo in brown and beige leather. The sofa is composed of three module...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Black Leather Sofa Model Ge-299 by Takashi Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for GETAMA
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Three-seater sofa with maple frame, upholstered with black leather. Model GE 299. Manufactured and marked by Getama.
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Maple

Portuguese Three-Seater Sofa Brown Leather
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Three-seater sofa, brown leather. The leather shows clear signs of wear, with visible tears, stains and dry areas, particularly on the left-hand seat and armrests. The cushions are l...
Category

1980s Portuguese Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Wood, Leather

1970s de Sede DS-76 Modular Loveseat Sofa in Brown Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Two-Seater Modular Sofa, Model DS-76, designed and produced by de Sede in Switzerland in the 1970s. The sofa is upholstered in thick brown hide leather, consisting of two m...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Set of Two Red Leather Chester Sofa by Poltrona Frau, 1993
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The Chester sofa features a spring system made with hand-placed conical steel springs, secured to jute straps on a seasoned beech frame. The seat padding is made of rubberized horseh...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

1970s Harvey Probber Attributed Tuxedo Sofa in Purple Velvet, 2x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Seater Tuxedo Sofa attributed to designer Harvey Probber, having been produced in the USA in the 1970s. The listed price includes one sofa, and we have two sofas ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

1999 Zanotta Alfa Grey Leather Sectional Modular Sofa by Emaf Progetti 2x Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (two are available, but they are sold separately) "Alfa" sectional/modular sofa, designed by Emaf Progetti. The sofa is beautifully constructed and uphols...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

1980s de Sede DS140 Adjustable Sofa by Reto Frigg in White Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a DS140 adjustable sofa designed by Reto Frigg and produced by de Sede in Switzerland circa mid 1980s. The sofa has a unique rotating seat system, allowing it to become a double chaise lounge...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Vittorio Introini for Saporiti leather sofa, 1970s, Italy
Located in Budapest, HU
This compact leather loveseat, designed by Vittorio Introini around 1970, features a clear lucite frame. The leather is in excellent original condition, while the lucite shows some ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1976 Nicos Zographos Saronis Leather & Oak Sofa from Hugh Stubbins Library
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a leather and oak Nicos Zographos Saronis sofa from 1976, which came directly from a Hugh Stubbins (Architect) designed library at a notable ivy-league institution...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Oak

Leather Sectional Sofa, De Sede Style
Located in New York, NY
Black leather two-piece sectional sofa designed in the manner of De Sede. Sofa has lights at the bottom with a formica base. Each sectional measures: 96" W x 37" H x 35" D. This sofa...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Leather Sectional Sofa, De Sede Style
Leather Sectional Sofa, De Sede Style
$11,700 Sale Price
55% Off
Italian modern brown leather sofa Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather sofa Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Sofa model Coronado in brown leather with high back. The seats, armrests and backrest have curved and ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Rolf Benz Vintage Oxred Leather Living room Sofa Ensemble, Germany, 1970
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This stunning leather Living suite room sofa ensemble was produced by Rolf Benz an manufactured in Germany. It is a pure 70ties design with timele...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood, Beech

Modernist Two-Seat Sofa in Grey Cooton Velvet & Stainless
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Sleek, simple and well constructed. Base is covered in gray cotton velvet. Seat backs and cushion pads in a gray checker board. Stainless steel legs. Heavy...
Category

1990s American Modern Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

1980's Modern Manhattan Elegant Tufted Standard Sofa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1980's Modern Elegant and Tufted "Manhattan" style Standard Sofa. Beautiful modern style sofa.
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

De Sede DS-17 Braun Garnitur Leder Couch Designklassiker Luxus Made in Swiss
Located in Garching a. d. Alz, DE
Hersteller & Design Herkunft: Schweiz Designer: Albert Pfister (1976) Marke: de Sede, Modell DS-17 Beschreibung Zum Verkauf steht eine elegante Garnitur aus zwei DS-17 Sofas von de ...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Blue Velvet Sofa by Massimo Iosa Ghini
Located in San Francisco, CA
A purple velvet Newton sofa by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Moroso.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Vintage 1970's Ultra Modern 4 Seater Sofa/ Daybed
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1970's Ultra Modern 4 Seat Sofa Doubles as a Daybed. Extra wide and taking off the back pillows will all for Daybed use.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Spirit Sofa by John Hutton
Located in San Francisco, CA
A “spirit” sofa by John Hutton for Dohghia. Covered in a deep rust colored velvet with decorative velvet rosettes across the back. Retains Donghia label. ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Alky Armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, Italy, 1972
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Alky Armchairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli. Produced by Anonima Castelli in 1972. Base in brushed steel, padding in foam rubber, cover...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Most Exquisite and Rarest Sofa De Sede Ever Produced, Model "New York"
Located in Munich, DE
Best quality leather and three adjustable seats make this sofa to the most exquisite sofa De Sede ever produced. Down filled back cushions and a great mechanic to find your most rela...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

1970s Curved Sofa in Bouclé
Located in New York, NY
1970s Curved Sofa in Boucle with a chrome base.
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Black Leather FK-883 Three-Seat Sofa by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Here's a rarely seen design - this circa 1970s 'FK-883' sofa in black leather by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International and distributed by Harvey Probber in...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Postmodern Black & Khaki Sort of Animal Print Serpentine Cloud-Like Chaise Sofa
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome postmodern black and khaki sort of animal print serpentine cloud-like or biomorphic chaise or sofa with throw pillow on stacked concentric r...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Relax Sofa Set by Marco Zanuso for Poltronova, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Relax sofa set is a set of tree realized by Marco Zanuso (1916-2001) for Poltronova in 1970s. Leather, wood, metal. Ashtrays on arms. Coach; height...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Cassina Lazy Working Sofa Design Philippe Starck with Flos Archimoon Lamp
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Philippe Starck designed this Model Lazy Sofa. Blue leather sofa including a Flos Archimoon lamp. The lamp is removable. It has shelves beside every armrests. Feet made of aluminium. "Lazy Working...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Aluminum

Privè Sofa by Paolo Nava for Arflex
Located in Ravenna, IT
Privè sofa designed by Paolo Nava for Arflex in 1987. The structure of the sofa is an aluminum mesh and tube covered in black leather. The armrests are made of plastic material, whil...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

De Sede Ds 47 Echtledersofa Neckleder Braun Vintage
Located in Garching a. d. Alz, DE
SEDE DS 47 Zweisitzer Vintage Zustand Maße: B/H/T 143x75x89-106 Sitzhöhe: 42 Sitztiefe: 57-74 Natürliche Patina Polsterung ist gut Nichtraucherhaushalt. Keine Haus...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Axale sofa by Andrea Branzi for Cassina
Located in Ravenna, IT
The Axale sofa was designed by Andrea Branzi and produced by Cassina in 1990. The sofa has an aluminum mesh frame and tubulars upholstered in black leather. The armrests are made of ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Aluminum

1980s Charles Pfister for Knoll Grey Fabric Loveseat / Two Seat Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a two-seat sofa, originally designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. This particular example was produced in the United States during the 1980s. The design features cle...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam, Wood, Fabric

1990s Gunilla Allard for Lammhults Cinema Sofa / Loveseat in Black Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Cinema Sofa, originally designed by Gunilla Allard for Lammhults in 1994. This particular example was produced in Sweden and dates back to the 1990s. The piece features a t...
Category

1990s Swedish Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Settee, Sofa, Pair of 6-Seat, Custom Made, Terence Conran, Sutton Place
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This massive pair of 6-seat sofas were commissioned as part of Stanley J Seeger’s remodeling and grand redecoration of Sutton Place. They are upholstered ...
Category

1980s British Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Cord

Modern 80s Sculptural Sofa in New Silver Grey Metallic Leopard Jacquard Fabric
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We took an amazing 1980s sofa by Directional and found a spectacular metallic silver gray leopard velvet fabric to redo it in. The result is a sp...
Category

1980s North American Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Italian modern black leather Three-seater sofa by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather Three-seater sofa by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima, 1970s Three-seater sofa with seat and backrests padded and covered in black faux leather. The legs and the...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Sofa Settee 3-Seat Pair of Ottoman Leather Kelim Country House, 1980s
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Vintage leatherette and kelim upholstered country house style armchair - Classic country house or club suite - Striking, casual, aesthetic ming...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Mid Century Leather 3-Seat Club Sofa, Italy 1970's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A magnificent leather Club sofa, made in Italy in the 70's. The cushions and the backrest are covered with of very soft napa leather. The high qu...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Italian modern five modules sofa in blue velvet, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern five modules sofa in blue velvet, 1980s Modular sofa in blue velvet composed of five modules. The modules are three central twins and two with armrests. The seats and ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Plastic

1990s Cassina Cannaregio Two Seat Loveseat Sofa / Lounge by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Cannaregio Sofa, initially designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina in 1987. This set was produced in Italy in the early 1990s. It is composed of two modular sections, each se...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

1970s Kontiki Three Seat Sofa by Arne Norell for Scanform with New Upholstery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Kontiki Three-Seat Leather Sofa, initially designed by Arne Norell in 1970. This example was produced by Scanform in Colombia in the early 1970s. The 'Kontiki' line was ins...
Category

1970s Colombian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Teak, Leather, Foam

Pair of Vintage Sofas by Gae Aulenti Production Poltronova, Italy, 1965
Located in Biella, IT
Poltronova two sofas "stringa" from Gae Aulenti '65 design years. The two sofas are for three and two seats and have chrome structure and leather cushion in a particular and refined ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Contemporary Gray Leaf Print Fabric Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Contemporary Gray Leaf Print Fabric Upholstered Sofa
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

1990s Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Cina Two Seat Sofa in Cream Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a ‘Cina’ two-seater sofa, initially designed by Antonio Citterio for B & B Italia in the early 1990s. The listed price includes one sofa, and we currently have two availa...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Modern sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern sofas 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 sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Portugal, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sofas, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Finn Juhl, Stephen Kenn, and Moooi. 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 sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $72 and tops out at $497,965 while the average work can sell for $9,554.

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