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Mid-Century Modern Seating

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Herman Miller
Charles & Ray Eames DSX Side Chair Natural Multicolor Set for Herman Miller
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic side chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller / Vitra. Molded fiberglass shells in the colours: Parchment, Raw Umber, Elephant Hide Grey and Black. Assembled...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of Eames Molded White Plastic Chairs with Eiffel Tower Bases
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Pair of Eames Molded White Plastic Chairs with Eiffel Tower Bases
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Plastic

Set of 4 Vintage Eames Chairs by Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Vintage Eames Chairs by Herman Miller. All original, not a recent edition. Stamped under.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Acrylic

Molded Swiveling Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A vibrant group of swiveling armchairs having organically shaped seats with their expressive original red upholstery floating on lacquered stems rising from early four-pronged bases.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Set of Four Eames for Herman Miller Black DKR Wire Chairs on Eiffel Bases
Located in Ferndale, MI
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKR wire chairs on Eiffel tower bases. All four chairs have been refinished in a correct tone matte black powder...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Eames for Herman Miller Mid-Century High Back Aluminum Group Chairs
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Ask for custom shipping quote For sale are these authentic Eames for Herman Miller Aluminum Group chairs in premium plush black leather with high-backs. An icon of Mid Century Moder...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Early 1960's Production Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman For Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Original Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman finished in Brazilian rosewood and black leather for Herman Miller. Nice example exhibiting attractive figuring to the rosewood veneers and ori...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Up to (7) Mid-Century Brown Soft Pad Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this authentic Eames for Herman Miller vintage soft pad chairs in dark brown leather. Adjustable tilt and height with manual lift. These authentic examples ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Eames Aluminium Group Chairs for Herman Miller 3 Available
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are up to 5 Aluminium Group Management chairs in black mesh designed by Eames for Herman Miller. These are the most comfortable of all Eames aluminum Group cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Walnut Wood Shell Dining Chairs by Charles Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A complete set of molded plywood dining chairs designed by Charles Eames and produced by Herman Miller. These feature beautifully grained ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Gray Leather Office Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
These original Eames for Herman Miller Soft Pad Management Height textured gray leather desk chairs from the Aluminum Group Collection were manufactured in the 2000s. This classic mi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

Herman Miller Rosewood Eames Lounge Chair 1960s
Located in Saint Paul, MN
About as iconic as they come. The Eames 670, more commonly known as the Eames Lounge Chair was the brain child of the modernist masters Ray and Charles Eames. Conceived in 1956, it's...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Herman Miller High-Back Office Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Herman Miller high-back soft pad office chair in black leather, great condition. Stamped with date of manufactured.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

2000s Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair
Located in Esperance, NY
Modern Living — In the 1950s, the Eames molded shell changed everything about what a chair could be–sculptural, practical, mass-produced. Now in recyclable polypropylene, this staple of modern living fits every body and any space. 2000s Eames Molded plastic side chair...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of Six George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller teak and upholstered dining chairs. We also have the matching dining table, please inquire for details. All items ar...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Teak

Herman Miller, Mid-Century Modern, Eames Lounge Chair, Ottoman, USA, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Herman Miller, Mid-Century Modern, Eames Lounge Chair, Ottoman, USA, 1960s A vintage Herman Miller lounge chair with matching ottom...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Plywood, Leather

Side Chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller - Felhbaum, 1971
Located in Barcelona, ES
Side chair designed by Verner Panton in 1967 for Herman Miller - Fehlbaum production, Germany. This one is stamped in 1971 in black glossy thermoplastic.
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Plastic

George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Extra Long Contract Bench with Planter Box
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Extra Long Contract Bench with Planter Box This bench measures: 101 wide x 20.5 deep x 16.75 high All ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Soft Pad Aluminum Leather Desk Chair, 1990
Located in Naples, IT
Beautiful and elegant Mod. "Soft Pad" Eames desk/office executive chair with soft padding from the Eames Aluminium Group series by Herman Miller. Perfection of the classic and unders...
Category

1990s Central American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Eames Aluminum Group Managment Chairs for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are a set of 6 Eames side chairs upholstered in gorgeous fabric. Elegance and comfort separates this iconic chair from the rest. The upholstery is in wonderful...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Gorgeous Restored Eames Herman Miller Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simply stunning restored Eames lounge chair and ottoman by Herman Miller. Spectacular color and grain detail on the outer shells. Wood has been cleaned, oiled, and freshly finished i...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Set of Four Eames for Herman Miller Swivel Shell Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dazzling mid-century set of four padded swivel chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The fiberglass shells are upholstered in a rare g...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Classic Eames for Herman Miller Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood and Leather
Located in New York, NY
Arguably the most iconic Midcentury design ever produced, the Eames 670 /671 chaired ottoman remain as important and relevant today as when it was first introduced. This example feat...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Rosewood, Leather

Set of 4 Herman Miller Eames Orange Pad Swivel PKC1 aluminum base Dining Chairs
Located in Buffalo, NY
Set of 4 Early Production Herman Miller designed by Charles Eames.. Orange Pad Swivel PKC1 aluminum base Dining Chairs.Nice original condition, minor blemishes to naugahyde (see pho...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Iron, Aluminum, Metal

Pair Eames / Herman Miller Aluminum Group EA116 Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Pair Electric Blue Eames lounge chairs from the 'Aluminium Group'.Collection. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958, The aluminium chair is one of the most outstandin...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Restored Eames Herman Miller Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simply stunning restored Eames lounge chair and ottoman by Herman Miller. Spectacular color and grain detail on the outer shells. Wood has been cleaned, oiled, and freshly finished i...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Midcentury Soft Pad Chair White Leather Eames for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are these authentic Eames for Herman Miller vintage soft pad chair in white leather. Adjustable tilt and height with manual lift. This authentic vintage exampl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century Brown Leather Office Chair by Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
The Aluminum Group Thin Pad Management side office chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller is from the Eames Aluminum Group Collection. These distinctive chairs resul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

1st Generation Eames LKX Lounge Wire Mesh Side Chair 1951
Located in Detroit, MI
Hard-to-find First Generation Eames LKX (Low/Wire/X-base) lounge chairs, only made one year with this configuration; 1951. Made by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Various are...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Wire

Mid Century Wood Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic mid-century modern Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller was produced circa 2020. This mid century modern classic was first designed by George Nelson in the 1...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Maple

Mid Century Dark Brown Leather Desk Chair by Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This original Eames for Herman Miller Soft Pad Management Height dark brown leather desk chair from the Aluminum Group Collection was manufactured in the 2000s. This iconic mid centu...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

1st Generation Eames RKR Wire Mesh Rocker by Herman Miller 1951
Located in Detroit, MI
Charles and Ray Eames designed their fiberglass and wire chairs to be fitted with a wide variety of bases to offer a range of heights, uses, and aesthetics. One of the most desirable...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Original Mid century Compact Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Original Eames sofa compact with orange Herman miller woven upholstery. Charles and Ray Eames compact couch is great design that keeps a subtle profile. The cushioned pads that form ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Plywood DCW Dining Chairs, 1950s Set of 2
Located in London, GB
The DCW chair was originally released in 1946, with Herman Miller taking over the manufacture of the chairs in 1950. This lasted until 1953 when the chairs were taken out of producti...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Plywood

Pair of EA108 armchairs design by Charles Eames for Herman Miller swivel seat
By Charles Emes, Herman Miller
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of EA108 armchairs design by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s, with swivel seat. Aluminum structure with four legs, central part in black painted aluminium. Under the seat...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002. Classic and timeless, this George Nelson bench has just the right amount of 20+ years of great honey colored patina...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Birch

Tandem Eames for Herman Miller for Three Shells and a Table Top
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Tandem Base and Table without shells. Show signs of use. 35 cm H incl the height of the bar of the base/ 40 incl the top of the seat support/ 42 cm incl the top of the table top su...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Time Life Stool
Located in Countryside, IL
Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Time Life Stool This stool measures: 13 wide x 13 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vinta...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Walnut

1950s Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Ivory Parchment Shell RAR Rocking Chair
Located in Ferndale, MI
Charles and Ray Eames design for Herman Miller. RAR ( Rocking Arm steel Rod ) chair. Late 1950s production chair second generation shock mounts . Date stamp looks to be 1958 . Fine ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Vintage eames desk chairs EA108 for herman miller, 1970s - set of 2
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage eames swivel/desk chair ea108 in brown fabric upholstery on an aluminum base. Good condition Labelled 'Herman Miller' 1970s - USA Dimensions: Height: 85cm Width: 52cm De...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Chrome

Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Early Edition Aluminum Group Office Chair
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Eames for Herman Miller vintage Aluminum Group chair. A beautiful mid century modern chair with an classic Herman Miller design. This piece features a bright blue fabric seat and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Eames for Herman Miller Zenith RAR Rocking Chair w/ Rope Edge Original Base 1950
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A rare “RAR” (Rocking Chair on Rod) designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Cream/yellow fiberglass shell seat produced by Zenith Plastics, 2nd edition, circa 1950s. Rope ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Plastic

1st Gen Eames for Herman Miller DKR-2 Wire Eiffel Bikini Chair Blue Fabric 1951
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modernist “DRK-2 Eiffel Chair” designed by Eames for Herman Miller. 1st generation, 1951. Retains the original Herman Miller, Venice, California tag on bottom of seating. Black ste...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

George Nelson for Herman Miller Modular Steel Frame 2-Piece Seating & Table 60s
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A sleek and minimal modular steel frame 2-piece seating system and tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Circa 1960s. Sleek and functional design with built in laminate white ta...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric

Classic 1980's Soft Pad Chair with Leather and Wool Back Eames
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this authentic Eames for Herman Miller vintage soft pad chairs in brown leather. Adjustable tilt and height adjustment. This authentic vintage example is an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson Modular Sofa Table System Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, BE
Modular Sofa by George Nelson with a strong metal structure including chrome-plated feet. Two vintage grey upholstered Seats with buttoned backrests and a square Formica side-table t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

1980s Vintage Herman Miller Soft Pad Management Chair
Located in Boston, MA
Eames Soft Pad Management chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller circa 1983. Wrapped in the beautiful original soft turquoise fabric with plush padded seat and back cushion...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

EA208 Eames, Herman Miller soft pad swivel office char
Located in Leicester, GB
Great example of the EA208, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1969. Manufactured by Herman Miller USA 1973-75 Fixed seat height Swivel Seat on a 4 star aluminium frame. Some light...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

EA208 Eames, Herman Miller soft pad swivel office char
Located in Leicester, GB
Great example of the EA208, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1969. Manufactured by Herman Miller USA between 1973-75 Fixed seat height Swivel Seat on a 4 star aluminium frame. So...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Modernist Alexander Girard Fabric Chairs by Peter Protzmann for Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Peter Protzman’s design career began in Michigan where he spent over 10 years with Herman Miller working alongside such design luminaries as Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson. ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1940s Pair of Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller LCW Lounge Chairs in Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1940s by Charles Eames, this chair has cemented itself in Mid-Century Design like very few other pieces. Early models like this are difficult to come by and are ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Plywood

1940s Pair of Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller Lcw Lounge Chairs in Birch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1940s by Charles Eames, this chair has cemented itself in Mid-Century Design like very few other pieces. Early models like this are difficult to come by and are ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Rubber, Wood, Plywood

Soft Pad Office Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, US, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charles and Ray Eames softpad office chair, produced by Herman Miller. This distinguished chair, crafted as the original USA edition for Herman Miller, features a sleek black leather...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Chrome

Eames for Herman Miller Rare 1956 First Year Lounge Chair with Spinning Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare 1956 first year production of the iconic 670/671 lounge chair with spinning ottoman by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. The spinning ottoman was only made during the f...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Early Vintage Charles Eames for Herman Miller LCW Birch Plywood Lounge Chair
Located in Troy, MI
2nd generation LCW lounge chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames Produced by Herman Miller circa 1952-53 Molded birch plywood example in original patina 22 inch width 24 inch dept...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Set of 4 Vintage White Fiberglass Eames Chairs by Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 vintage white fiberglass Eames chairs by Herman Miller. All original, not a recent edition. Stamped under.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern Eames DSS Chairs - Set of 8
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pleased to offer a great collection of 8 Mid Century Modern Herman Miller Eames DSS stacking chairs in elephant hide grey. These chairs are in...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Goetz Sofa by Mark Goetz for Herman Miller in Cherry Wood
Located in San Diego, CA
This incredible Goetz sofa by Mark Goetz for Herman Miller features a cherry case, quality upholstery, and aluminum legs. Designed in 1998, some light stains as shown sold AS/IS cond...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Mid-century Modern seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern 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, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern seating 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 seating, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Knoll, Herman Miller, and Charles and Ray Eames. 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.

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