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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Set of 4, Vienna Chair, Natural Beech Wood, Nord Wool Green by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, Vienna chair, Natural Beech Wood, Nord Wool Green by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H 78, W 48, D 50 cm. Materials: Natural Beech wood chair with straw bac...
Wool, Upholstery, Beech
$1,473 / item
Vienna Chair, Canaletto, Beige by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Vienna Chair, Canaletto, Nord Wool Beige by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H 78, W 48, D 50 cm Materials: Stained beech wood chair with straw back and upholstered se...
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
Tria Stool, High Back, Upholstered Nord Wool, Tartan Beige by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tria stool, high back, upholstered nord wool, tartan beige by Colé Italia with Lorenz & Kaz Dimensions: H.seat 67/77 (H.105/115) x D.52 x W.48 cm Materials: upholstered stool with...
Wool, Upholstery, Oak, Walnut, Plywood
2022 Marcel Wanders for Moooi Container Stool in Terracotta 3x Available
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are three Container Stools in terracotta, priced individually. The stool was designed by Marcel Wanders and produced by Moooi in the Netherlands. It dates to circa 2...
Daisy Stool, by Sabine Stougaard from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
The Daisy stool will add a cute touch to your home and is wonderfully soft to sit on. Daisy is a fashionable stool with several features. The velour cushio...
Steel
White Marble Gamma Stool by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
White marble gamma stool by Pietro Franceschini Materials: Calacatta Delicata Marble Dimensions: W 70cm, L 35cm, H 45cm Available in other marbles. Pietro...
Marble
2010s Lilla 2.0 Low Stool in Royal Blue Fabric by Patrick Norguet for Artifort
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Lilla Stool, Edition 2.0, originally designed by Patrick Norguet in 2006. The piece was designed in Paris and manufactured by Artifort in the Netherlands. These examples da...
Upholstery
$483 / item
Roberts Counter Stool Maple Gray
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Navy
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
$483 / item
Roberts Counter Stool Maple Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Rose Copper
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
$546 / item
Roberts Bar Stool Maple Pink
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut White
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Roberts Counter Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut Prairie Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Walnut White
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
$546 / item
Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Red
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Roberts Bar Stool with Wood Inlay Maple Mustard
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
$389 / item
Madison Hairpin Counter Stool Walnut Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Steel
$389 / item
Madison Hairpin Counter Stool Maple Red
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Steel
$410 / item
Madison Bar Stool Maple Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Steel
$410 / item
Madison Bar Stool Walnut Navy
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Steel
$410 / item
Madison Bar Stool Maple White
Located in Cincinnati, US
A well-designed piece of furniture blurs the line between functionality and art. The Madison stool is a geometrical masterpiece testing the boundary of what we think is possible with...
Steel
2022 Jaime Hayon for Moooi Element 002 Stool in Silk Grey 2x Available
By Moooi, Jaime Hayon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale are two (sold individually) Element 002 Stools made of solid wood in a light grey. The stool was designed by Jaime Hayon and produced by Moooi in the Netherlands. It...
Fiberglass, Wood
Contemporary Leather Stool, Aurelia by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary leather stool - Aurelia by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has follow...
Leather, Wood
Contemporary Suede Leather Stool, Ossicle by Francesco Balzano for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary suede leather stool - Ossicle by Francesco Balzano for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has following finish: A91 Nude Suede Leather. An iconic piece fr...
Leather, Suede, Wood
Contemporary White Leather Stool, Trinity by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary leather stool - Trinity by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has following finish: F05 white nappa leather The key to these piece...
Leather, Wood
$4,546Sale Price|30% Off
Sculptural Breccia Medicea Marble Stool "Throne of Dioniso" by Lorenzo Ciompi
Located in Rome, IT
Sculptural breccia medicea marble stool /side table "throne of DIONISO" by Lorenzo Ciompi 2021 breccia medicea handmade stool honed limited editions n.4 of 10 executed in 2023 v...
Breccia Marble
Pebble Counter Stool, by Welling / Ludvik from Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Light stools and bar stools with organically shaped seats made of solid wood and with a strong attention to detail. With its well-conceived shape and wonderful finish, pebble’s seat...
Wood
Contemporary Round Leather Stool Scala by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary round leather stool Scala by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has following finish: F02 Loden Gr...
Leather, Wood
Macaron Stool Designed by Daniel Basso and Estudio Florida, Argentina, 2022
By Daniel Basso, Estudio Florida
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
"Macaron" stool designed by Daniel Basso and Estudio Florida. Argentina, 2022. Currently there are two available of the same color. The Argentinian artist Daniel Basso joins the arc...
Fabric, Wood
Sgabelli di Studio Design DDA per Alberti anni 80
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Gruppo di sgabelli con struttura in metallo smaltato, seduta in legno con espanso e rivestimento in tessuto. Disponibili a magazzino altri 50 pezzi, di cui alcuni con la struttura in...
Metal
2011 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bar Stools in White, Model 428C, 9x Available
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic Bertoia bar stool, model 428C, designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to 2011. The listed price includes one bar ...
Steel
21st Century Modern Green Wooden Lacquered Low Stool TOD Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
Inspired by the traditional work stools, TOD is available in two different heights. Made of solid wood, it is proposed not only in natural oak or thermocooked wood, but also in a var...
Wood, Oak
Modern Max Lamb for Hem Last Stools in Green and Pink Splatter - a Pair
$2,175 / item
Curve Barstool in Reclaimed Teak
Located in Westport, CT
Curve barstool in reclaimed teak with an optional cushion. Natural or fumed finish. Indoor / Outdoor. Shown in black.
Teak
Contemporary Black Leather Stool, Trinity by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary leather stool - Trinity by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara. The object presented in the image has following finish: F20 black nappa leather The key to these piece...
Leather, Wood
2010s Emeco 1951 Red Counter Stool by Adrian van Hooydonk and BMW Designworks
By Emeco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (multiple stools are available, but the price listed is for each stool) 1951 series counter stool, designed by Adrian van Hooydonk from BMW Designworks. T...
Aluminum
Stool Doppia Easy Clean Night Blue and Peacock leather handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Introducing the Doppia stool, a unique and sophisticated seating option that combines the comfort of a stool with the stylish functionality of a pouf. This versatile piece is designe...
Fabric, Faux Leather, Foam
Stool Doppia in Easy Clean Denim and Oxide leather handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Introducing the Doppia stool, a unique and sophisticated seating option that combines the comfort of a stool with the stylish functionality of a pouf. This versatile piece is designe...
Fabric, Faux Leather, Foam
Stool Doppia in Easy Clean Ivory and Oxide leather handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Introducing the Doppia stool, a unique and sophisticated seating option that combines the comfort of a stool with the stylish functionality of a pouf. This versatile piece is designe...
Fabric, Faux Leather, Foam
Stool Doppia in Bouclet Night Blue and Noir leather handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Introducing the Doppia stool, a unique and sophisticated seating option that combines the comfort of a stool with the stylish functionality of a pouf. This versatile piece is designe...
Fabric, Faux Leather, Foam
2022 Carl Hansen Preludia Bar Stool in Grey Fabric by Brad Ascalon, Model BA004F
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a BA004F Preludia Bar Stool, made with a chromed steel frame and a gray Fjord 17 fabric seat. Designed by Brad Ascalon and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, the stool...
Steel
$1,899 / item
ST723 - Stool
By CPRN HOMOOD
Located in Ponsacco, IT
A bar stool fully upholstered in fabric, featuring a sleek and modern design. The stool offers a comfortable and stylish seating option, with a soft, fabric-covered seat and backrest...
Fabric
Modern Black Marble Ionian Stool with Gold Details for Outdoor Use
By Myface
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
The Lonian stool embodies the timeless elegance of Greek architecture, reimagined with modern precision. Its sculptural shape and fluid lines create a perfect balance between classic...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Stainless Steel
Fiberglass Stool with Copper Plating Details in White
By Myface
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
The Lonian stool embodies the timeless elegance of Greek architecture, reimagined with modern precision. Its sculptural shape and fluid lines create a perfect balance between classic design and contemporary simplicity. Made of fiberglass, with marble and metal details, it is the true fusion of architectural beauty and functional design. The whole design of this contemporary Lonian outdoor stool...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Stainless Steel
Folding Stool Designed by Jörgen Gammelgaard, Denmark, 1970
Located in Stockholm, SE
Folding stool designed by Jörgen Gammelgaard for Forum Design, Denmark, 1970. Canvas and chromed steel. Measures: H 41 cm/ 16" D 46 cm/ 18" L 5...
Stainless Steel
Stool Doppia in Denim fabric and Nude leather handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Introducing the Doppia stool, a unique and sophisticated seating option that combines the comfort of a stool with the stylish functionality of a pouf. This versatile piece is designe...
Fabric, Faux Leather, Foam
1 of 6 Each Boss Design Hoot Leather Stools Modular Contemporary Design
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 6 Boss Design green leather modular contemporary stools RRP £880 each This auction is for one piece with the opt...
Leather
21st Century Modern Brown Wooden Low Stool Flow Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
Born from a project by Defne Koz and Marco Susani, the design of this stool is shaped by a fluid and sinuous continuous line. Flow is a stool designed in three different heights to m...
Steel
$985 / item
Green Stretch Stool
Located in Providence, RI
Carnevale Studio's most popular collection, “Stretch”. Through experiments with a number of different materials I chose latex, bungee and rope for their bright colors and wondrous ...
Metal
21st Century Modern Oakwood Steel Sled Base Stool Flow Made in Italy
By E-GGS
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
Born from a project by Defne Koz and Marco Susani, the design of this stool is shaped by a fluid and sinuous continuous line. Flow is a stool designed in three different heights to m...
Steel
$1,565 / item
Black Stretch Chair
Located in Providence, RI
Carnevale Studio's most popular collection, “Stretch”. Through experiments with a number of different materials I chose latex, bungee and rope for their bright colors and wondrous ...
Metal
'Liquid' Wooden Stool in Walnut and Colored Resin by Hillsideout
By Hillsideout, Rossana Orlandi
Located in Milan, IT
The bar stool is made of an antique piece of walnut wood floorboard, handcrafted Elmwood, and Plexiglass. The footrest heights are all different to accommodate all ages and heights. ...
Wood
$904 / item
Turquoise Stretch Stool
Located in Providence, RI
Stretch Stool made for to withstand outdoor elements. Carnevale Studio's most popular collection “Stretch”. This collection brings some of the exuberance of the fashion world into ...
Metal
$1,565 / item
Grey & Pink Stretch Chair
Located in Providence, RI
Carnevale Studio's most popular collection, “Stretch”. Through experiments with a number of different materials I chose latex, bungee and rope for their bright colors and wondrous ...
Metal
Italian Modern Emanuel Gargano and Anton Cristell for Amura Panis Suede Barstool
By Amura Lab, Emanuel Gargano & Anton Cristell
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous Panis barstool designed by Emanuel Gargano and Anton Cristell and handcrafted in Italy by Amura. The swift and essential lines shape the entire Panis barstool, creating visu...
Metal
Modern Medium Dew Drop Side Table in Purple, Translucent Resin, by Ian Cochran
By Ian Cochran
Located in New York, NY
The Dew Drop by Ian Alistair Cochran Resin Medium 15" H x 24” D This Dew Drop is in a series of tables and stools which further play upon resin’s ability to effect light with vol...
Resin
e15 Mr. Collins Stool by Stefan Diez
By e15, Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
With its dynamic form and ergonomic comfort, Mr. Collins is an endearing stool applicable in diverse arrangements for living or working situations. Based on couture construction meth...
Wood
$1,050 / item
Neutra Wood Stool
By Casa Quieta
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Neutra wood stool is made of solid wood and upholstered seat. Its shape is inspired by the 20th century architecture of Richard Neutra, seeking to celebrate and enhance the struc...
Wood, Oak
$640Sale Price / item|15% Off
Pink Stretch Stool
Located in Providence, RI
Carnevale Studio's most popular collection, “Stretch”. Through experiments with a number of different materials I chose latex, bungee and rope for their bright colors and wondrous ...
Metal
