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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
Period: Late 20th Century
Shelby Williams MCM Swivel Bucket Chairs Red Vinyl Faux Leather & Chrome X Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome pair of Shelby Williams Mid-Century Modern swivel bucket chairs with chrome X base. Newly upholstered in bright red vinyl faux leather fabr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian Swivel Lounge Chair in Yellow Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leatherette, wood, Italy, 1970s Large and comfortable winged lounge chair in yellow faux-leather upholstery. The rounded overall shape of the easy chair, with the wing...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood, Faux Leather

Restored Pair of Green Milo Baughman Chrome Back Barrel Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning pair of heirloom quality barrel chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Super high style, swivel chairs recovered in a luxurious green colored velvet upholstery that...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Directional Mid Century Barrel Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in Countryside, IL
Directional mid century barrel swivel lounge chairs These chairs measure: 28 wide x 33 deep x 26 inches high, with a seat height of 19 inches Ready for new upholstery. This ser...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Gorgeous Pair of Green Milo Baughman Tilt and Swivel Lounge Brass Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of modern chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin from the 1980s. These chairs are reminiscent of open scallop shells, the s...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1970's Swivel Barrel Back Chairs, Milo Baughman Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Two fabulous Milo Baughman style barrel back lounge chairs. Modernist swivel chairs upholstered in a bold raised velvet, has a striking luxurious shimmer. A skirt covers a four legge...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair Milo Baughman Brass Barrel Back Chairs, Restored
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning pair of heirloom quality barrel chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Super high style, swivel chairs recovered in luxurious brown velvet that contrasts beautifull...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Swivel Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered swivel chairs. Newly upholstered in luxurious beige textured fabric with contrast piping. Comfortable thick seat cushion and swivel mechanism m...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Barrel Chairs in the Manner of Milo Baughman
Located in Highland, IN
These two handsome and well made barrel back chairs are unmarked, but very similar to designs by Milo Baughman. Deep, comfortable seats with swivel function, they are upholstered in ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1970s Directional Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs in Ivory Velvet
Located in New York, NY
1970s Directional pair of ivory velvet swivel lounge chairs with slightly curved backs and seats which tilt back and forth and swivel on upholstered round base. These chic swivel lou...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Vintage Modern Pink Barrel Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stylish pair of vintage modern barrel back chairs with a fluffed backrest and a thick padded seat. A covered swivel base offers convenience without sacrificing style. This pair of ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Set of Two Mid-Century Swivel Stools, Attrb. Brabantia, the Netherlands
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Metal foot and swivel seating with new cognac faux-leather upholstery. One foot cap is missing.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Swivel Armchair in the Middle of the Century, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, metal The fabric is torn in places Suitable for upholstery.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Scandinavian Swivel Armchair, Norway, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very comfortable.  
Category

1970s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Red Fibreglass "Amicus" Armchair by Antero Poppius, Finland, 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Amicus” armchair by Antero Poppius, was designed in Finland in the 1970s. This typical 1970s chair consists of a moulded fibreglass shell that stan...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Swivel Chairs in the Style of Dunbar
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered Swivel chairs in the style of Dunbar. Newly restored in designer navy velvet. Price includes complimentary curb side delivery to the contine...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Midcentury Swivel Armchair, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia in 1970s Reupholstered.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Orange Vladimir Kagan Design Channel Back Swivel Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Matching pair of stylish and very comfortable lounge chairs by Vladimir Kagan design for Directional Inc. from the early 1980s. Each professiona...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Mid-century Swivel Chairs in the style of Milo Baughman for Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Matching pair of stylish and very comfortable lounge chairs, Milo Baughman Style from the early 1980s. Each custom upholstered swivel chair, barrel back style, covered in a gorgeous ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

One Eames For Herman Miller Executive Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
One mid century modern executive chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The high back model from the Aluminum G...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of Four "Waterfall" Barstools by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four "Waterfall" barstools in acrylic with leather upholstery. Designed by Charles Hollis Jones and originally made for the Pip's club in Los Angeles, owned by Playboy Magazin...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather, Lucite

Midcentury Swivel Chairs, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
-made of metal, fabric, leather - made in Germany - good original condition.
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Michael Wolk Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Michael Wolk "Miami" swivel lounge chairs. The chairs are upholstered in an off-white bouclé fabric with black wooden swivel bases.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood, Bouclé

Pair of Mid-Century Style Swivel Lounge Chairs by Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This comfortable pair of swivel style lounge chairs by Selig make a stylish addition to any setting. Rounded back seats with sturdy metal bases, this unique matching pair is perfect ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Button Back Swivel Arm Chairs in Holly Hunt Velvet
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and sculptural pair of button back swivel arm/ lounge chairs were realized in the United States circa 1970. They feature circular bases bisected by a convex rectangular...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Cachet Furniture Modern Swiveling Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of midcentury lounge chairs on swiveling bases. Spacious seating area with soft cushioning, circa 1980s. Great pair of chairs sure to make an impression in any modern in...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Three Philip Enfield Swivel Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Three Philip Enfield swivel chairs. Original pair of 1970s swivel chairs by Phillip Enfield. These chairs have polished steel bases with original mohair...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Nicos Zographos Style Midcentury Swivel Chairs, Pair
Located in East Hampton, NY
In the original eggplant fabric and with the most beautiful curves design, these Zographos style swivel lounge chairs on stainless steel base. They are ready to use and very comforta...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Guido Faleschini Swivel Lounge Chair by Mariani for Pace
Located in Chattanooga, TN
If only it was possible to order a hundred of these marvels brand new in a rainbow of colors and fabrics. The world would be a better place. There's something really special about th...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Vintage Adjustable Height Swivel Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice pair of vintage stools. Adjustable height settings. White vinyl upholstery. Unusual design on seat and backrest. Sturdy chrome bases and footrests. Please confirm the item's loc...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Modern Swiveling Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique midcentury lounge chair. Sturdy construction with a metal swivel base and covered in a faux-leather upholstery. Tall splayed backrest. Interesting chair...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of 1970s Classic Lounge Chairs
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Midcentury lounge chairs, elegant stylish in super condition.
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Charles Eames for Herman Miller Bucket Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Matching pair of yellow vinyl shell chairs on swivel bases. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Three Modernist Futuristic Swivel Barstools
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Three modernist studio made steel swivel bar stools. Each bar stool have different abstract patterns. We added new swivel mechanisms, had them powder coated and new sunbrella fabric seats. Seat cushions are 15” diameter. Seat height is 29". Total height is 53" to 55". Backrests are 14" wide and about 24" high. Circle bar...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Cut Steel

Barrel-Back Desk Chair by Ward Bennett
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A barrel-back desk chair with the original channel-stitched black leather upholstery, on an X-form caster base. Please inquire for upholstery options.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Midcentury Milo Baughman Clam Shell Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern pair of lounge chairs float on top of a circular chrome trim swivel base. The shell backrest and removable seat cushions boast the perfect contours ensur...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Three Hexagonal Swivel Club Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
Located in Hanover, MA
Three Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin hexagonal swivel club chairs upholstered in turquoise/teal ultra suede. Like brand new. Attached triple back cushions and attached seat...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Set of Four "Waterfall" Barstools by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four "Waterfall" barstools in acrylic and white Naugahyde upholstery. The stools are nicely complemented with brass bars that appear to be floating. The stools are beautifully...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Lucite, Naugahyde

Pair of Hanging Seats in White Lacquered Bamboo, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of hanging seats in white lacquered bamboo, circa 1970. Good condition, small breaks and lacks, but nothing structurally.
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Vintage Swivel Desk Chair by Jansko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This high back desk chair features shapely vinyl swivel seat and sturdy metal base. Stylish Mid-Century Modern design adds retro appeal to home or business office. Fixed seat height ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

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

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 Swivel Barrel Back Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous pair of vintage modern lounge chairs feature sleek black vinyl upholstery. Unique design with a thick padded cushion and angled arm rests ensures optimal comfort. These...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather

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

Pair of Chrome Swivel Chairs by Leon Rosen for Pace
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of swivel club/lounge armchairs with polished steel / chrome pedestal bases designed by Leon Rosen for The Pace collection, circa 1970. Upholstered barrel back frames with loose...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Barrel Back Swivel Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic 1970s Mid-Century Modern swiveling lounge chairs with unique vintage upholstery complete with metal inlay details. Stylish barrel back swivel chairs...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

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

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

Vintage Modern Velvet and Brass Swivel Club Chairs, Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning pair of swivel lounge chairs, recently recovered in a gold colored velvet. Features clean modern lines, barrel backs with the uppers raised on swivelling brass trimmed plint...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern lounge chairs feature unique shell shaped back rests thick padded cushions. The comfortable design offers the ability to swivel with ease. Elega...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

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

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

Chrome Steelcase Swivel Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Orange Mohair
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazing pair of Platner style chromed steel swivel lounge chairs with orange mohair. These chairs are so gorgeous in person-i just want to take a bite out of them-like yummy candy. T...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Gardner Leaver for Steelcase Black Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair mid century modern lounge chairs designed by Gardner Leaver and made by Steelcase. New black leather tufted seat and back ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of C&B Italia Custom High Back Armchairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of C&B Italia Custom High Back Armchairs, Designed for Chicago interior by Powell Kleinschmidt, custom order pair of tilt, swivel (lock) adjustable armchairs; bronze tubular met...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern "Kropp Stolen Original" Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous Mid-Century burgundy vinyl lounge chair and ottoman features tufted cushions, rosewood armrests and a swivel base. The comfortable and iconic design is labeled "Importe...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

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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