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International Style Seating

INTERNATIONAL STYLE

The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back. 

Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings. 

“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture

The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.

“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design. 

Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: International Style
Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom sp...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

Cathedra Seat, sculpted black cast stone stool by Alentes Atelier
Located in PALEA FOKEA, ATTIKI
A quietly powerful work, the Cathedra Seat reflects ALENTES’ devotion to form, craftsmanship, and the timeless architectural language that informs the studio’s practice. Entirely han...
Category

2010s Greek International Style Seating

Materials

Cast Stone

Pair of Knoll Barcelona Chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of Barcelona chairs manufactured by Knoll. These have a polished stainless steel frame with tan or saddle colored leather. These were purchased in the 1970's. The chair frames s...
Category

1970s American Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Lola Wicker Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The new Lola chair is a remarkable testament to the beauty of natural materials and expert craftsmanship. Skilled artisans in the Philippines meticulously weave the chair from wicker...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Wicker

Lola Wicker Chair
Lola Wicker Chair
$1,487 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Five Italian Side Chairs
Located in Albany, NY
Side chair from the 1930s with early example of plywood seat. Chairs can be sold separately. $1500.00 per chair.
Category

20th Century Italian International Style Seating

Materials

Plywood

Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Arata Lounge Chair in a Natural Wood Finish
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Arata stands out with its alluring curves and the gentle radiance of pine wood. The left and right limbs are symmetrical counterparts, mirroring the human form with their repetit...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

Arata Lounge Chair in a Natural Wood Finish
Arata Lounge Chair in a Natural Wood Finish
$2,904 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of Vintage bentwood Low Tables or Stools After a Design by Alvar Aalto
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of vintage 3-legged low stools or tables from the designer Alvar Aalto were first introduced in the 1930s. Both made circa 1955 and clearly having always lived their life t...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

1 of 20 Windsor Tall Spindle Back Armchair in Beech, Yugoslavia 1950s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find 20 Windsor dining chairs and armchair done in solid Beech, manufactured in Yugoslavia in 1950s. There is 20 chairs available, out of which 9 are with an...
Category

1950s Slovenian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Beech

Four Barcelona Chrome and Leather Chairs and Ottomans by Mies van der Rohe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Matching set of four original chrome and leather International Style Barcelona chairs and ottomans by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll. The Barcelona chair and ottoman achieve the sereni...
Category

1960s Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Daybed in Pilat by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Made in France with an oak structure and topped with high-density foam and a feather topper, this fully upholstered daybed is covered in a textured woven jacquard fabric (LG.FB-32) c...
Category

2010s French International Style Seating

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Pair of Rattan Chaise Lounge Chairs Tito Agnoli for Pierantonio Bonacina, c 1963
Located in Deland, FL
Constructed from bamboo and rattan and consistent with the line, shape and period materials of Italian designer, Tito Agnoli, for Pierantonio Bonacina, Circa 1963. ---Dimensions--- ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Spoleto Side Chairs for Knoll International in Caramel Red Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Caramel red leather with polished chrome frames, laced backs and spring connectors on underside. Two (2) available
Category

1970s American Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Chrome

Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Category

Late 20th Century American International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Pr. Cube Form Club Chairs by Charles Pfister for Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of leather club chairs designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Executed in grayish blue leather, close to a slate blue in tone. Chairs are matching in color, they appear different in the pictures as a result of uneven lighting. The chairs are in very good, original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. Priced and offered as a pair, please view the matching loveseat we have listed separately at Barbarella Home...
Category

Late 20th Century American International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Solida Bench, by Rain, Contemporary Bench, Solid Garapá Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Sólida series’ main characteristic is the synthetic character of its design contrasted with the use of a natural material. Each piece in the collection is composed of two or thre...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

Porto Bench, by RAIN, Contemporary Bench, Laminated Oak Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Porto low tables are composed of a circular top that seems to rest on a sturdy oblong base. Lightness and weight overlap creating a harmonic and unconventional monoblock. The unagreement between the geometry of the elements generates irregular pieces capable of evoking movement, as they elude the gaze, changing according to the viewing angle. The tables give continuity to the Porto collection, whose inspiration comes from the weight and scale...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

Round Leather Pouf on Dark Mahogany Base with Circular Detail at Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Colle Pouf is 1 of two poufs we offer in our LF Collection - it is shown in brown leather and faux skin but can covered in customers own material - this ...
Category

2010s American International Style Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Mid Century NY Folding Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Takeshi Nii, Japan, c. 1950's
Located in Deland, FL
A permanent part of the collection of MOMA, the ‘NY’ chair is a highly respected example of modern design. First produced in 1958 by Japanese designer Takeshi Nii, the layout of the ...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Chrome

Lola Wicker Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Lola chair is a remarkable testament to the beauty of natural materials and expert craftsmanship. Skilled artisans in the Philippines meticulously weave the chair from wicker, wh...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Wicker

Lola Wicker Chair
Lola Wicker Chair
$1,487 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Midcentury Italian Silver Leaf Bench / Ottoman
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an Italian bench with a hand carved frame and silver leafed frame. The velvet is a blue-gray and is vintage.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Seating

Materials

Velvet, Poplar

Sixteen Foot Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Daybed from the IBM Building
Located in Highland, IN
Here is an extraordinarily rare piece with fantastic provenance– this oversize version of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona daybed is 16 feet in length and custom fabricated of fiberglass and steel. You would not know that it is fiberglass without touching it. The level of detail and realism is stunning. It’s like an artwork using the principal of transference of material– when an object appears to be made of one expected material, but is really crafted of something totally different, often incongruent with one's expectations. The reason fiberglass was used to make this daybed is that it was created for use in the lobby of Mies van der Rohe’s IBM building at 330 N. Wabash in Chicago. Mies often specified that the public spaces in the buildings he designed be furnished with tables and seating also of his design. In the 1990s the owner of the IBM building hired Chicago designer Judy Niedermaier to decorate the public spaces. Having seen ordinary Barcelona chairs and sofas suffer the abuse of high-traffic spaces see with hundreds of people using them on a daily basis, she opted to something different that would hold up under extreme wear. Interestingly, this was not the first time Niedermaier employed fiberglass in her design work, nor would it be her last. Her firm had used fiberglass for store displays, pots and mannequins in some of their prop and merchandise display work, and then in the early 2000s with the famous downtown Chicago outdoor art projects “Cows on Parade” and “Suite Home Chicago” (fiberglass outdoor furniture...
Category

1990s American International Style Seating

Materials

Steel

Club Chair with Nail Trimmed Square Back with Scroll Arms and Loose Seat Cushion
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Lorraine club chair is the LF Collection variation on the timeless Jansen style club chair - with the square back trimmed with either French natural or pewter nailheads - padded ...
Category

2010s American International Style Seating

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Wing Open Weave Saddle Leather Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
To enhance both style and comfort, supple woven leather gracefully envelops an intriguingly shaped chair.
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Wing Open Weave Saddle Leather Chair
Wing Open Weave Saddle Leather Chair
$1,500 Sale Price / item
22% Off
Curved Bench, Large, by Rain, Contemporary Bench, Laminated Oak Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Curved benches exploit the flexibility of wood to assimilate the curves of the body. Alluding to a fundamental building system, the benches form a trilitic sctructure, where two vert...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Pucci Neo Classic Style Sofa From Maison Carlhian
Located in Hamburg, DE
French sofa 1950 from Maison Carlhian, Neo Classic Style, 6 no of Legs in total, new upholstered with loose cushions filled with dawns and feathers, ...
Category

1990s French International Style Seating

Materials

Canvas

Lola Open Weave Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Lola chair is a true testament to the beauty of design and comfort. The chair features an open weave of leather that covers a sensually shaped frame, creating a striking and eye-...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Lola Open Weave Chair
Lola Open Weave Chair
$1,733 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Showtime Royal Armchair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Showtime veneer is a combination of rattan strips and coco twigs inlaid side by side, then covered with resin. Repeated sanding and more resin give this material a lustrous Finis...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Rattan, Coconut

Showtime Royal Armchair
Showtime Royal Armchair
$2,604 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Handmade Ottoman with Embossed Leather Seat by Angel Pazmino from Ecuador
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An stool by Angel Pazmino from Ecuador. This beautiful handmade stool features a leather strapped seat with incredible embossed designs. The frame of the stool is rounded and hand ca...
Category

20th Century Ecuadorean International Style Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Design In America Chromed Steel Bench with Cocoa Velour Cushion
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Design Institute of America International style cushioned Chrome Bench. Featuring a clean, reflective Chrome rectangular form, with balanced, curved base, and cushioned Cocoa and Bei...
Category

Late 20th Century American International Style Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Lola Lampakanai Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Lola chair is a true testament to the beauty of design and comfort. This exquisite combination of materials and design creates a perfect balance between style and comfort, making...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Reed

Lola Lampakanai Chair
Lola Lampakanai Chair
$1,540 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Showtime Regal Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Showtime veneer showcases an exquisite blend of rattan strips and coco twigs intricately woven together and adorned side by side. It is then delicately coated with a layer of res...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Rattan, Coconut

Showtime Regal Chair
Showtime Regal Chair
$2,604 Sale Price
20% Off
Lola Open Weave Leather Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
The Lola chair is a true testament to the beauty of design and comfort. The chair features an open weave of leather that covers a sensually shaped frame, creating a striking and eye-...
Category

2010s Philippine International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Lola Open Weave Leather Chair
Lola Open Weave Leather Chair
$1,733 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Madras Armchair in Cherry by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
The Madras armchair is made with a hand-carved wooden base and hand-painted in a high-gloss, cherry red lacquer. This flagship armchair from our collec...
Category

2010s French International Style Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Classic International Style Navy Mohair Armless Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and impeccably Custom Upholstered Sofa in the International Style. With a contrasting Black Lacquer Frame and Antique Style tapering bulbous carved legs. The Navy Mohair...
Category

20th Century International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

Italian Poltrona Armchair Hand Made Emerald Green Velvet
Located in Long Island, NY
Beautiful Armchair Poltrona In Emerald Velvet and Gold Fabric All Hand Made In Italy .
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Seating

Materials

Oak

Set of Four '4' Italian Dining Chairs Attributed to Otto Gerdau, Italy, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Attention designers! This ultra-stylish set of stacking accent chairs is the epitome of functional art featuring newly reupholstered hair on hide seats and seatbacks. With fabulous, ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Mid Century Modern Bauhaus Wassily Chairs by Gavina - Stendig in Cognac
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant iconic design by Marcel Breur and recreated by Dino Gavina in heavy Cognac Saddle Leather C 1975 Italy. Chairs were in the same family for 2 generations and rarely...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian Modern Sling Sofa with Iron Frame and Original Red Upholstery, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Attention designers! An Italian sling sofa in original red velvet upholstery set on an architectural tubular metal bases. The lines are exceptional. Every angle is a good angle. Superb as-is, this sofa is also a great candidate for re-upholstery in a fabric of your choice. Perfect in a studio, home or office setting this captivating minimal sofa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Fabric

Contemporary Matias Sagaria Velvet Dining Room Chair Metal Italian Walnut Black
Located in San Polo, Parma
Culaccino is a sculptural chair, designed by Studio Sagaría. Culaccino in chair in an irreverent take on geometry, proportions and colors. It is coming from a complex, coherent a...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Seating

Materials

Metal

Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Category

Early 2000s Italian International Style Seating

Materials

Silk

Bruxelles Armchair .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Bruxelles armchair from 1960, Czech Republic. Highly recommended item will be perfect complementation of the rooms in not only Classic style, but...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Metal

Willy Guhl Loop Chair 1st edition with original wood 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible original from the 50s Loop Chair by Willy Guhl with wood in the base in perfect conditions. Fantastic.
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Concrete

Contemporary Wood Stool
Located in Boston, MA
Flexus plywood stool. One of a kind.
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Plywood

Geraldo de Barros ( originals) set of 4 brazilian Jacaranda circa 1960
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible GERALDO DE BARROS (original) set of 4 armchairs in brazilian jacaranda circa 1960.
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Femur Black Dining Chair in Walnut and Leather 'Set x 6' by Atra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Femur chair dining set in walnut and Velvet by Atra. Designer - Alexander Diaz Anderson. L 58.5cm/23.00” W 45.7cm/17.9” H 83.8cm/32.9” Seat Height 47.0c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican International Style Seating

Materials

Walnut

Italian Sofa Red Velvet
By ALI Alabastri Lavorati Italiani
Located in Long Island, NY
Hand Made Italian Sofa Beautiful Red Velvet With Gold Accents.
Category

Early 2000s European International Style Seating

Materials

Velvet

Curved Bench, Small, by RAIN, Contemporary Bench, Laminated Oak Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Curved Benches exploit the flexibility of wood to assimilate the curves of the body. Alluding to a fundamental building system, the benches form a trilitic structure, where two verti...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

Mattia Biagi, "Sit on My Face", Chair, 2022
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The “Sit On My Face” chair sculpture and the "Light Up My Face" sconce reveal the artist's intimate investigation of life and death, nature and civilizatio...
Category

2010s American International Style Seating

Materials

Carrara Marble

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Seating

Materials

Leather

Leather Chair with Stainless Steel and Wood
Located in Boston, MA
Stainless steel with wood strips and natural finishing. Leather and faux leather. Brown and sand colors.
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Solida Stool, by Rain, Contemporary Stool, Solid Garapá Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Sólida series’ main characteristic is the synthetic character of its design contrasted with the use of a natural material. Each piece in the collection is composed of two or thre...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Seating

Materials

Wood

POLTRONOVA / SUPERSTUDIO "SOFO" Modular Chair(s) / Stackable 1968
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
SOFO is a seat to place in a row, like a train, or to stack to build solid, colorful mountains. It is simply a block made with an S—shaped cut from a cube of polyurethane, covered wi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

International Style seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Bontempi Casa, Knoll, kontra, and Alexander Diaz Andersson. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $209 and tops out at $60,000 while the average work can sell for $2,167.

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