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Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

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
Number in Set: Single Piece
20th Century Vintage Gray Swivel Armchair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Fritz Hansen Swivel Office Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern desk chair boasts a tag underneath with the date 1980 and designer name, "Fritz Hansen." A lovely Danish design ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Round Metal Italian Industrial Stool, 1960
Located in Rome, IT
Round metal stool from the middle of the century. All in white lacquered metal worn by time. The seat is rotatable and can be raised and lowered ac...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Iron

Swivel Armchair Guido Bonzani for Tecnosalotto 1970s Gray Fabric and Steel
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Swivel armchair Guido Bonzani for Tecnosalotto 1970s gray fabric and steel.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Impeccable Molded Swiveling Armchair by Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impeccable molded swiveling armchair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Contractor base model.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Barrel Back Swivel Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This midcentury style chair features comfortable barrel back design and swivel base. Fabric and upholstery are comfortable and clean. Please co...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

20th Century Vintage Grey Swivel Armchair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Swivel armchair from the 1970s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Modern Wood and Leather Swivel Office Armchair, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wood and leather swivel office armchair, 1960s Swivel office armchair, with wood frame, armrests and padding redon...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Swiveling Sculptural "Cork Screw Chair" by Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
Swiveling sculptural "Cork Screw Chair" by Vladimir Kagan, American, 1992 (retains original "Directional" label).
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Wood

First Edition Charles Eames Paw Chair Swivel Fibre Glass Shell Dowel Leg Walnut
Located in Hamburg, DE
First production, first generation 1949-1950 Zenith Herman Miller, Charles Eames PAW rope swivel chair in color grey elephant, dowel legs in birch / all original parts. The awesome dowel base reads Seng Chicago...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

1960s Executive Desk Chair by George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A George Nelson designed rolling desk chair with orange fabric supported by a swivel base with casters. Manufactured by George Nelson and Associates in the 1960s. Newly reupholstered.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Tufted Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century swivel lounge chair features ornately stitched vinyl seat with a comfortable sculpted seat back. Unique black metal base with aluminum trim adds to the unique vintag...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Retro Swivel Chair, Siesta, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of metal, leatherette - Leatherette has some signs use - Good, original condition.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Office Chair Vintage Vitramat by Wolfgang Mueller Deisig 1976 Vitra Switzerland
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern vintage office chair designed in 1976 by Wolfgang Mueller Deisig for Vitra. The office chair features a black PVC seat shell with a foam upholstered seat and back and covered with brown textile fabric. The chair is adjustable from up to down and shows a swivel cross with five casters. approx. measures: Width 50 cm Depth 49 cm Height 98 cm Seat height from 45 cm to 59 cm Lit: A taxonomy of Office Chairs Jonathan Olivares...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Plastic

French Lounge Swivel Chair & Ottoman, Matte Chrome, Cast Aluminum, Black Vinyl
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and fine swivel lounge chair and swivel ottoman with cast aluminum and steel frame with original black vinyl upholstery, France, 1975. Tulip base to both pieces. A striking and ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

2D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base, American Walnut
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with options for front upholstery in a wide range of fabrics and leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Milo Baughman Style Swivel Chair in Embossed Pearl and Metallic Platinum Velvet
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Milo Baughman style swivel chair has been newly reupholstered in a lustrous platinum and pearl fabric. Rounded, fold-over arms give t...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Deco Side Chair by DeMuro Das with Swivel Base in Brass
Located in New York, NY
The Deco Lounge conjures the glamour of its namesake style through channel tufting that wraps the arms and back. Fully upholstered with a loose seat cushion, the design rests on a ci...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Midcentury Danish Modern Selig Swivel Club Chairs
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a pair of mid-century modern swivel chairs by Selig. They are in decent condition, but need to be reupholstered, showing age wear (minor tears, stains, age we...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Russell Woodard Spun Fiber Bar Stool
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vintage Russell Woodard spun fiber barstool. Only one. In wonderful condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Beetle Meeting Chair, Fully Upholstered, 4 Legs with Castors
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Beetle chair has since its introduction in 2013 being well received by end-consumers as well as interior architects. Due to its appealing design, outstanding comfort and unique c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

3D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi chair by Komplot Design is the first furniture design to be based on the innovative technique of moulding three-dimensional veneer. The 3D design gives the chair a comfortab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage modern swivel chair features stitched red vinyl with brass upholstery buttons around the trim. Substantial cast iron swivel base adds gothic appeal to this midcen...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Iron

Vintage Cone Chair, Verner Panton Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage cone chair on wheels in the style or by Verner Panton. Upholstered in green fabric.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Oxford High Back Swivel Lounge Chair by Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning high back slipper chair was originally designed for professors at St. Catherines College in Oxford. A sleek design with a high curvy backrest ensuring maximum comfort. ...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Beetle Meeting Chair, Un-Upholstered, 4 Legs with Castors
Located in Berkeley, CA
With the introduction of the un-upholstered Beetle chair, the collection has bloomed into a chair series with unlimited possibilities. The Beetle chair is no longer only an upholster...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

"Cobra" Chair by Paul Boulva for Artopex
By Paul Boulva, Artopex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home a classic example of Canadian mid-century modern design with Paul Boulva's Cobra chair for Artopex. The sculptural wings of this swiveling office chair give a fantastic po...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome, Metal

1960s Dark Grey/Black Rohe Noorwolde Leather Egg Chair in Mint Condition
Located in Markington, GB
Stunning 1960s swivel egg chair designed by Rohe Noorwolde, chair it is covered in a dark grey/black leather, chair is in mint vintage condition. Me...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Dialogue HBF Swivel Lounge Chair in White Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Inspired by the Classic design aesthetic of the mid-20th century, the dialogue chair provides an intuitive and purposeful solution for casual conference...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern High Back Swivel Lounge Chair by Rowe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern lounge chair features an unusual high tufted backrest with a sculpted walnut design on the base. Stylish design offers the ability to swivel and is covered i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

2d Meeting Chair, Un Upholstered, Matte Black Swivel Base, Stained Beach
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with a wide range of applications within private and public spaces. Being an extension to the classic Gubi 3D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Beech

3D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Black Swivel Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
The GUBI chair by Komplot Design is the first furniture design to be based on the innovative technique of molding three-dimensional veneer. The 3D design gives the chair a comfortabl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

2D Meeting Chair, Un Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base, Natural Oak
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with a wide range of applications within private and public spaces. Being an extension to the Classic Gubi 3D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Oak

2D Meeting Chair, Un Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base, Stained Beech
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with a wide range of applications within private and public spaces. Being an extension to the Classic Gubi 3D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Beech

2D Meeting Chair, Un Upholstered, Matte Black Swivel Base, Natural Oak
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with a wide range of applications within private and public spaces. Being an extension to the Classic Gubi 3D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Oak

2D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Black Swivel Base, Stained Birch
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with options for front upholstery in a wide range of fabrics and leathers, sui...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Birch

2d Meeting Chair Un Upholstered, Matte Black Swivel Base, Walnut
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The GUBI 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with a wide range of applications within private and public spaces. Being an extension to the Classic GUBI 3D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Walnut

2D Meeting Chair, Un Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base, Walnut
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with a wide range of applications within private and public spaces. Being an extension to the Classic Gubi 3D chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Walnut

2D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Black Swivel Base, American Walnut
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with options for front upholstery in a wide range of fabrics and leathers, sui...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Walnut

2D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base, Natural Oak
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with options for front upholstery in a wide range of fabrics and leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Oak

3D Meeting Chair, Un Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi chair by Komplot Design is the first furniture design to be based on the innovative technique of moulding three-dimensional veneer. The 3D design gives the chair a comfortab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

2D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Chrome Swivel Base, Stained Birch
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The GUBI 2D Chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with options for front upholstery in a wide range of fabrics and leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Birch

2D Meeting Chair, Front Upholstered, Black Swivel Base, Natural Oak
By Gubi
Located in Berkeley, CA
The Gubi 2D chair is a series of light dining chairs made from laminated veneer with options for front upholstery in a wide range of fabrics and leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Oak

Iconic 1970s Design Swivel Chair from Artifort, Designed by Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Schagen, NL
Original 1970s Dutch swivel lounge chair by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort. The chair in very good condition and sits very comfortable. The chair features the original wool upholster...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Base Metal

Large Vintage Leather Swivel Chair and Ottoman
Located in Tourcoing, FR
This leather swivel chair and ottoman has a nice patina, and the cushions are stuffed with goose feathers.
Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather

Mid-Century Modern Tufted Button Back Swivel Chair in Platinum Gauffraged Velvet
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern chair was realized in the United States, circa 1970. It features a swivel mechanism, as well as a tufted back and gently sloped arms. With its clean ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Two-Toned High-Back Adrian Pearsall Swivel Chair in Velvet, 1960s, USA
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous two-toned blue velvet Adrian Pearsall high-back swivel chairs in blue velvet. USA, 1960s
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Woodard Aluminum Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Danville, CA
Sculptural Aluminum Swivel Lounge Chair by Russell Woodard.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Round Metal Italian Industrial Stool, 1960
Located in Rome, IT
Metal stool from the middle of the century. All in white lacquered metal worn by time. The seat is rotatable and can be raised and lowered according to needs. It has three folded f...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Iron

Perfect Original Artifort Swivel Lounge Chair F141 by Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Voorburg, NL
Unique and original Artifort F141 Swivel lounge chair designed by Geoffrey Harcourt, mid-1970s. In beautiful black coloured leather upholstery with matching black swivel base. Uphols...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Modern Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This comfortable midcentury lounge chair features a sturdy lightweight base with leather slip cover. Unique vintage modern design includes swivel base and comfortable angular seat ba...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather

1950s Swivel Chair by Vincent Cafiero for Knoll in Black Leather
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A swivel lounge chair, with the original button-tufted black leather upholstery, on a five-point polished aluminum base. Upholstery required.  
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century Modern Vintage Black Office Chair by Arne Jacobsen 1950s, Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage black swivel office chair, which is an early model, designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1950s, Denmark and executed by Fritz Hansen. The swivel chairs is labeled FH...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Milo Baughman Chrome Based Swivel Lounge Chair, 1960s, USA
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderful original vintage swivel lounge chair by Milo Baughman. Upholstery could use a great cleaning or to be redone, but all in all chair is in great vintage shape.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Charles Hollis Jones Barstool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful bar-stool designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1970's, this design is a blend of his Metric collection and the Waterfall line, and as you can see the blend was executed ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Nickel

Rare Early Edition Plycraft Swivel Wooden Egg Chair, 1950s, USA
Located in Miami, FL
Amazing rare early edition Plycraft wooden chair. Oversized and swivels. Fabric is original. Needs recovering and some TLS, but is structurally sound. Our guys can total restore for ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Leather Swivel Arm Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsome vintage swivel armchair from Sweden, c. 1960. Newly restored and reupholstered in high quality taupe leather. Tub style rounded cha...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Elegant Swivel Chair, by Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful swivel chair, style of Karl Springer, on the picture it look like they is large black stain, it is the reflection due to the velvet fabric, the fabric is good condition.  
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-century Modern swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage swivel chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern swivel chairs made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original swivel chairs, popular names associated with this style include Charles and Ray Eames, Milo Baughman, Herman Miller, and Lawson-Fenning. 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 swivel chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $245 and tops out at $78,600 while the average work can sell for $3,403.

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