Modern Chairs
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
5
5,722
677
169
to
450
3,791
1,944
6,568
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8,542
6,568
1,294
660
366
238
195
187
185
177
176
166
145
136
112
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86
73
1
5
671
5,891
16
178
420
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15
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106
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to
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5,096
4,602
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4,654
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4,246
3,665
4,551
2,946
2,990
2,402
1,440
1,361
4,836
2,205
922
686
491
234
191
180
148
103
Style: Modern
Upholstered Walnut Corktown Stool Counter by Hollis & Morris
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstered walnut cork town stool by Hollis & Morris
Dimensions:
Seat diameter 13"
Base 12.5" x 14.5" x height 25.5"
Materials: Solid wood. Cold rolled steel. Fabric.
Also available...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
21st Century Kivu Chair in Leather by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A slim and essential design for the Kivu chair. The thin metal armrest that rotates around the structure is characterized by a particular bush-hammered finish that lends a rough and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Set of 6 Modern Chicago Dining Chairs, Oak Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern set of 6 Chicago Dining Chairs, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Wooden chairs in American Oak uph...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak, Cotton
Set of 2, Nana Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail, No:2
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'.
The elegant piece...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Foam, Beech
Green River Project Chair GRP LLC Peruvian Walnut Chair 2020
Located in Vancouver, BC
Rare opportunity to own 1 of 1 signed Green River Project LLC Chair.
This chair was made while Green River Project was in British Columbia, it wa...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Bold Armchair - Azimut 101
By Mohdern
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Bold Dining Chair - Karakorum 003
By Mohdern
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance.
Decades of design ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
alvar aalto stool60 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Pair of Philippe Starck Miss Dorn chairs
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of Miss Dorn chairs by Philippe Starck for Disform 1982. Black metal frame and round cushioned seating.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather black 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 Painted Deep blue 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 69 .
Deep blue paint is applied all over.
This chair was manufactured in the 1930s.
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair65 black linoleum top
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 65 black linoleum top.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Italian modern stackable chairs by Proinco in brown plastic, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern stackable chairs by Proinco in brown plastic, 1970s
Set of five chairs with seat and backrest composed of a single brown plastic structure, shaped and curved on the se...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Contemporary Vegas Sofa upholstered in Mark Alexander Velvet with walnut legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Vegas Sofa, features a pronounced high back and sweeping curved arms. This special edition is upholstered in Mark Alexander Empire II velvet, colour Otter, with legs in natural o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Velvet
Modern Margot Dining Chair, Brown Leather Camel, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Margot leather dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redefines the standards of modern...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric
Modern De Castro Dining Chair, Dark Blue, Velvet Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Ebony, Beech
chair art. Ines in green leather for living room or restaurant, confortable
By EP Studio
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
The chair Ines is the excellent italian manufactures.
The frame in solid wood is curved by hand and work with skill.
Painted color walnut or oak.
The padding is soft ,comfortable and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
21st Century Iranja Armchair in Jacquard by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Iranja is a small armchair with compact proportions and a captivating geometric design. The cushion covered in animalier fabric makes the seat comfortable while enriching the decorat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Foam, Fabric, Wood
Set of 8 Dining Chair Available in COM
Located in New York, NY
This minimalist dining chair exemplifies modern sophistication and comfort. It features a fully upholstered design, providing a seamless, elegant look that harmoniously blends with c...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
21st Century Key West Chair in Silk Satin by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Appealing design and vintage lines for the Key West chair. Featuring sinuous and rounded shapes, it boasts an enveloping back with gold finishing and a comfortable seat upholstered w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
alvar aalto chair68 Painted White 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 68 .
White paint is applied all over.
This chair was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
By Carlo Bartoli, Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown plastic chair 4875 by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
Chair mod. 4875 with rounded seat and back, in brown plastic. The round section chair legs are removable. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Green F560 Mushroom Chair
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Pierre Paulin in 1960 in collaboration with Artifort, the Mushroom chair, also known as the F560, is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, making it a true design icon.
Inspired by women’s swimming...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Blue, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Black, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Miljevina Bench by Nortstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
Miljevina bench by Nortstudio
Dimensions: 40 x 120 x 46 cm
Materials: Mirror polished steel, mirror-look HPL.
Three abandoned buildings with a strong geometrical character were the...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Red, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Green, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Brown, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Maarten Baas Where there is smoke chair, dutch design
By Maarten Baas
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven with his “Smoke” series, Maarten Baas has pushed the boundaries of art, design and aesthetics. “Smoke” is an investigation into beauty ...
Category
Early 2000s Dutch Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Grey, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category
2010s European Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
21st Century Bare Chair in Fabric col. Bean by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Comfortable as an armchair, Bare chair stands out for its retro lines and enveloping backrest, upholstered with Etro Home Interiors iconic fabrics. The chair features a fir wood stru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Modern Dining Chair in Exotic Wood and Sheepskin from Costantini, Luca Ovino
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Luca Ovino Modern Dining Chair in Exotic Wood and Sheepskin from Costantini
The Luca Chair’s gently curved, high back exudes elegance and has become one of Costantini's most specifi...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
1970s Set of 6 Modern Dining Chairs by Marcello Cuneo for Mobel Italia -Stendig
Located in West Reading, PA
This is a set of 6 unusual Bauhaus Cantilever Dining Chairs, designed by Marcello Cuneo for Mobel Italia in the early 1970s. These were imported from Italy via Stendig, and were init...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Contemporary Dining Chair Offered in Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This dining chair redefines the need for curves in an interior. As playful as it is graceful, its superbly detailed segments in the front and reverse provide a plateau where the seat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Kartell Honeycomb Folding Chair in Glossy White by Alberto Media
By Kartell, Alberto Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Honeycomb is a light and easy-to-use versatile folding chair. It has an aluminium frame, while its backrest and seat are made of transparent or mass-tinted polycarbonate. The refinement of the structured texturing, divided into hexagonal honeycomb modules, not only gives this chair the aesthetics of three-dimensional decoration, but also functionality, lightness and superb ergonomics. Perfect for outdoors and small spaces, the folding honeycomb chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Progetti Tecno Modern Pair of Italian Chairs, 1980s
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Modern pair chairs series 148_S designed by Progetti Tecno, inspired by the S142 by Eugenio Gerli. Made of solid wood, reupholstered in bouclé
Centro Progetti Tecno
In 1970, Industr...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Modern Italian Alien chair, metal and wood, by Carlo Forcolini for Alias 1980
By Carlo Forcolini, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Alien model chair, Italian and modern, made of metal and mdf wood, designed by Carlo Forcolini for Alias in 1980.
Alien chair with yellow metal rod frame and MDF seat and back.
Produ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Indoor Lulu Club Chair by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Indoor lulu club chair by Kenneth Cobonpue.
Materials: abaca, nylon, steel.
Also available in other colors and for outdoors.
Dimensions: 78 cm x 84 cm x H 80.5 cm.
Lulu adds ...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
White Playdough Chair by Karstudio
Located in Geneve, CH
White playdough chair by Karstudio
Materials: FRP
Dimensions: 37 x 39 x 89 cm
*This piece is suitable for outdoor use.
Soft like cotton, with a...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Nana Wooden Ashen Dining Chair, No:3, Lagu Selection
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'.
The elegant piece...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Foam, Beech
Ciottolo 04 by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Ciottolo 04 by Imperfettolab
1999
Dimensions: W 110 x D 91 x H 54 cm
Materials: Fiberglass
Avalaible in black, white / gold, chrome
Imperfetto lab
Who we are ? We are a famil...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
KGBL Mancini Chair
By KGBL
Located in New York, NY
The Mancini Chair has a seat specially constructed to float above the metal base. The semi-attached seat and back cushions afford an extra layer of comfort.
Category
2010s Modern Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Black Lacquer Chinese Chippendale Teal Chair by Jonathan Adler
Located in Pasadena, CA
The Jonathan Adler Black Lacquer Faux Bamboo Chippendale Chair embodies a contemporary take on Chinoiserie style. Its classic design, finished in a graphic black gloss lacquer, refle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Faux Bamboo
Pouf Pill S by Houtique
By Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf pill S by Houtique
Dimensions: H 45 x D 35 cm
Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes
Pill Pouf S
Art Deco style pouf with wood structure and velvet fabric.
2 fiber-board...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet
Italian modern rope and gray steel chair Juliette by Massimo Iosa-Ghini, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern rope and gray steel Juliette chair by Massimo Iosa-Ghini, 1990s
Juliette mod. chair with curved backrest and seat in rope. The structure is in gray enamelled tubular s...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
chair#4
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
"The peculiar grace of a Shaker chair is due to the fact that it was made by someone who could believe that an angel could come and sit in it." (Thomas M...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
10x Shaker Modern Armchairs, by Ambrozia, Ebonized Walnut & Grege Leather
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern armchair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel frame. Very comfy and appreciated from our clients. They are available in a large variet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of French 18th Century Hall Chairs, Covered in Antique Damask
Located in New York, NY
Discovered in France, these 18th-century hall chairs are notable for their wonderful carved frames, elegant damask upholstery and pyramid-shaped nailhead trim. This go-anywhere pair ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Kartell Honeycomb Folding Chair in Light Blue by Alberto Media
By Alberto Meda, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Honeycomb is a light and easy-to-use versatile folding chair. It has an aluminium frame, while its backrest and seat are made of transparent or mass-tinted polycarbonate. The refinement of the structured texturing, divided into hexagonal honeycomb modules, not only gives this chair the aesthetics of three-dimensional decoration, but also functionality, lightness and superb ergonomics. Perfect for outdoors and small spaces, the folding honeycomb chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Cream Boucle', Bronzed Steel, Brass & Feather Trim, Ostrich Fluff Lounge Chair
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This lounge chair is part of the Ostrich Fluff collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa.
The lounge chair is constructed in two section, these are connecte...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Chiavari Chairs with Cane Seat
By Chiavari
Located in Vienna, Austria
Set of two Chiavari chairs produced in the 1950´s.
The chairs have a cane seat in on excellent condition with a high back (66 cm).
The cherry wood frame has been refresh and receive...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.
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