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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

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Style: Modern
PILLAR CHAIR - Modern Chair in Soft White Boucle
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
The Pillar Chair is a stunning piece of furniture with a unique and captivating design. It is characterized by layered, asymmetrical design elements that create a sense of sophistica...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Austrian modern white wood fabric tub chairs Joseph Hoffmann for Thonet, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian modern white wood fabric tub chairs Joseph Hoffmann for Thonet, 1970s Set of four tub chairs. The structure is in white painted wood, has a rhomboid decoration on the sides ...
Category

1990s Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Cross Stool by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Bunker Side Table by Arno Declercq Dimensions: D 21 x W 21 x H 50 cm. Materials: Burned and waxed Oak and burned steel. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Charlotte Perriand Dordogne Chairs for Robert Sentou, France c1950
Located in London, GB
Set of four or six available. Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999), a key figure of European modernism, famously started her career with a rebuff from Le Corbusier’s studio: “We don’t em...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Pine

Italian modern black chair Terna by Gaspare Cairoli for Seccose, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black chair Terna by Gaspare Cairoli for Seccose, 1980s Chair mod. Terna with triangular base. The seat is round and is made of black plastic with two semicircular par...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Romme Recliner Chair by Ikea, 1990s
Located in Paris, ON
An extremely comfortable seat, perfect for reading or watching a movie. This chair is an iconic vintage Ikea piece and rare.
Category

1990s Swedish Modern Chairs

Materials

Polyester

Chair Audrey, Dove Colour Fabric, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
VG furniture represent luxury in terms of exclusivity, distinction and high quality. They are the result of sophisticated and exclusive design with a strong identity and are the outc...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Proportions of Stone Chair II by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Chair II by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 80 cm Materials: Raw iron steel, natural stone. Each piece is made to order and uses natural stones, so please...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Chairs

Materials

Stone, Steel

A Set Of 4 MODERNIST CUBIST "CRATE" CHAIRS after GERRIT RIETVELD, Holland 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
A suite of 4 "Crate" chairs, Constructivist, Cubist, Modernist, Brutalist, geometric structures in blackened solid wood, based on the model by Gerrit Rietveld, handcrafted, Holland 1...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Guillerme et Chambron Set of Six Dining Chairs in Oak and Straw
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of six chairs done in 1956 in oak and straw good condition but cane redone if wanted a
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Straw, Oak

2021 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Dining Chair Blue Mohair Velvet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single 2021 production Eero Saarinen for Knoll armless executive side / dining chair in what appears to be Knoll Velvet textile ...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Set Of 2 Newcastle Chairs by Patricia Bustos de la Torre
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Newcastle Chairs by Patricia Bustos de la Torre Dimensions: D 47 x W 48 x H 91 cm. Materials: Wood and plush. Newcastle Chair is a three-legged wooden chair with a rattan s...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Other

Newcastle Chair by Patricia Bustos de la Torre
Located in Geneve, CH
Newcastle Chair by Patricia Bustos de la Torre Dimensions: D 47 x W 48 x H 91 cm. Materials: Wood and plush. Newcastle Chair is a three-le...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Other

Pair of Exceptional Mid-Century Italian Chairs in the Style of Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of exceptional mid-century Italian dining chairs in the style of Gio Ponti. Large scale for European chairs. One pair left from the set of 6 pictured in situ.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Viva Checkerboard Green and Purple Bench by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Viva Checkerboard Green and Purple Bench by Houtique Dimensions: D 100 x W 45 x H 48 cm Materials: Velvet, Upholstery, Wood Also available in different co...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Upholstery, Wood

Viva Gradient Peach and Navy Bench by Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Viva Gradient Peach and Navy Bench by Houtique Dimensions: D100 x W45 x H48 cm Materials: Velvet, Upholstery, Wood Also available in different colours. Plea...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Set of Six Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France, 1985
Located in London, GB
Sold individually upon request. Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s tr...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

AD Rubber Stool Small by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
AD Rubber Stool Small by Arno Declercq Dimensions: D 38 x W 63 cm x H 69 cm. Materials: Foam and rubber. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam, Rubber

Mond 12 Reading Chair - Modern Design hand-crafted in Germany
Located in Seehausen (Altmark), DE
Newly released design by Rittergut & Runnymede. Currently exhibiting at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden/Saxony (Dresden State Theatre). With Mond Zwölf Rittergut & Runnymede are present...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

Modern Low Side Chair in Exotic Wood & Hair Hide from Costantini, Umberto
Located in New York, NY
Umberto Modern Low Dining Chair in Sustainably Sourced Exotic Argentine Rosewood & Hair Hide from Costantini Design The Umberto Chair is one of Costantini’s original seating design...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Fabric

Modern Dining Chair Gropius CS1 in Rohi Sera Contract Wool Fabric by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of craft and...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé

Proportions of Stone Chair I by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Chair I by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 80 cm Materials: Raw iron steel, natural stone. Each piece is made to order and uses natural stones, so please ...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Chairs

Materials

Stone, Steel

Proportions of Stone Chair III by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Chair III by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 80 cm Materials: Raw iron steel, natural stone. Each piece is made to order and uses natural stones, so pleas...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Chairs

Materials

Stone, Steel

Modern Laurence Outdoors Chairs, DEDAR Fabric, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence outdoors chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence outdoors din...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood, Fabric

Ebonized Oak Dining Chairs by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto, 2000s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Maxalto ebonized oak dining chairs, crafted by Antonio Citterio in 2004, a striking example of contemporary furniture design. Antonio Citterio's design expertise shines through in th...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

Wired Stool by Michael Young
Located in Geneve, CH
Wired stool by Michael Young Dimensions: W 50 x D 51.7x H 107 cm Materials: Powder Coated Metal structure The Wired Chair by Michael Young is a proud tribute to Harry Bertoia’s ...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Other

Delano chair in black walnut and chestnut leather
Located in Indianapolis, IN
The Delano chair was made to be a comfortable desk, dining or occasional chair. The solid wooden framework of the chair supports a leather strapped seat and back that is designed to...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

JOLIE DINING CHAIR - Modern Sculpted Design in Creme Boucle
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
The Jolie Dining Chair is a stylish and comfortable piece of furniture designed with a modern aesthetic. It features sweeping lines that add a sense of elegance and sophistication to...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Austrian modern black wooden chairs by Ernst W. Beranek for Thonet, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian modern black wooden chairs by Ernst W. Beranek for Thonet, 1990s Set of five chairs with armrests in black lacquered wood with a matt finish. The seat is padded and covered ...
Category

1990s Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Handcrafted Matrice Chair in Gold Steel and Blue Velvet
Located in MONTROZIER, FR
Matrice side chair is a steel corset compressing a velvet fleece, an organic, carnal form, compressed by a wire mesh. The interaction of two antagonistic materials reminds us of the poetry of blown glass, the bodice on the waist, the imprint left on the body by the wicker chairs. We tried to give the seat a feeling of comfort, both visually and in its use. The iconic Chesterfield sofa quickly became a reference to be summoned. Matrice is a reinterpretation, a sensitive statement of its imprint: the upholstery here is turned over like a glove, revealing the wire mesh structure. The latter forms a corset compressing the softness of the seat and backrest to give it an organic geometry. Matrice is customizable on demand (colors of steel and fabrics, other fabrics), modular in chair or multi-seater bench, and each piece is numbered. This handcrafted chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Metal

Pillola Seat 04 by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Pillola seat 04 by Imperfettolab Dimensions: Ø 32 x H 12 cm Materials: Fiberglass Imperfetto lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our childre...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

New 4 Gray Velvet Upholstered Chairs with Floral Back
Located in Madrid, ES
New 4 gray velvet upholstered chairs with floral back Data sheet: -Design chair, multipurpose. -Metal frame finished in black epoxy paint -Seat and back upholstered in gray velve...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

1 of 2 Deposit for Tamara Meadow Interiors
Located in Bronx, NY
ONE OF TWO DEPOSIT FOR Tamara Meadow Interiors HORSECHAIR NO. 2 J.M. Szymanski d. 2021 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to cr...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Iron

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, DEDAR Red Wool, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bouclé, Wood

Carlo Beechwood Chair by Pepe Albargues
Located in Geneve, CH
Carlo beechwood chair by Pepe Albargues Dimensions: W 55 x D 51 x H 73 cm Materials: Beechwood structure, foam CMHR. Variations of materials are avaliable Carlo is a chair in ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam, Wood

Minimalist Modern Chair in Ash Wood Fabric Upholstery
Located in Lisbon, PT
The conceptural idea around the cast chair was to come up with a simple chair that could fit any nice table, desk and place. And so it was. The cast chair is a sturdy piece whose st...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Beech

1950's Pair Mid Century Modern Danish Walnut Upholstered Barrel Arm Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of vintage danish barrel back armchairs, dating to the mid 1950's. I purchased it from the daughter of the original owner's, who clarified that they had bee...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Chic 'Méandre' Bronze Side Chair by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Méandre'™ dark bronze side chair by Design Frères®. Chic and understated.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Anjos Dining Chairs, Light-Brown Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Anjos Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Anjos ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Beech, Oak

Aluminum Chair by Mylene Niedzialkowski
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminum Chair by Mylene Niedzialkowski Dimensions: D 43 x H 83. SH 41 cm. Materials: Aluminum and wood. Basic shapes associated with masculi...
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 4 Diamond chairs, Harry Bertoia, Knoll International
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Diamond Chair is an astounding study in space, form and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century. Like Saarinen and Mies, Bertoia found sublime grace in an ind...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Italian modern light green blue chairs Quinta 605 by Mario Botta Alias, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light green blue chairs Quinta 605 by Mario Botta Alias, 1980s Pair of chairs mod. Quinta 605 in metal. The seat and backrest are made of a sheet of micro-perforated m...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, DEDAR Blue Wool, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Laurence dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bouclé, Wood

Vincent Sheppard Jack
Located in Belfort, FR
Vincent Sheppard Jack Chair Jack is truly a cutting edge design. Its contemporary shape, combined with Lloyd Loom's interesting weave, creates a slee...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Four Modern Chairs with Molded Seats and Black Metal Frames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four modern chairs having a molded plywood seat and metal legs with a black powder-coat finish. Measurements: 31 inches high x 18 3/8 inches wide x 18 3/4 inches deep x 17...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Recycled Plastic Chair by James Shaw
Located in London, GB
Contemporary recycled plastic chair by James Shaw English, 2020 Height 78cm, width 58cm, depth 49cm Designed and made by James Shaw, the renow...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Mond 12 Reading Chair - Modern Design hand-crafted in Germany
Located in Seehausen (Altmark), DE
Newly released design by Rittergut & Runnymede. Currently exhibiting at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden/Saxony (Dresden State Theatre). With Mond Zwölf Rittergut & Runnymede are present...
Category

2010s German Modern Chairs

Materials

Suede, Ash

CURVE DINING CHAIR - Modern Sculpted High Back Design in COM
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
The Curve Dining Chair is a stylish and comfortable piece of furniture designed with a modern aesthetic. It features sweeping lines that add a sense of e...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Chair PerchaValet Design by Juan Azcue, Argentina Valet Seat
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Chair PerchaValet Design by Juan Azcue, Argentina Valet Seat
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Italian Spaghetti chair in white metal and gray leather G. Belotti Alias 1979
Located in MIlano, IT
Spaghetti model chair in a rare version with white metal rod frame and light gray leatherette seat and back. Curved handle at the back and iron springs at the back of the backrest an...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pillola Seat 05 by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Pillola seat 05 by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 45 x 38 x H 14 cm Materials: Fiberglass Imperfetto lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our chil...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Customizable Powdercoated Aluminum Indoor/Outdoor Round Bench by Laun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In the Ribbon outdoor bench, layered aluminum tubes stack together to form a circular semi-solid array, with an empty space in the center that can accommodate an optional plant. The ...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Contemporary Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered in Leather or Textiles
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection. The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood

Bertu Chair and Ottoman, Modern Chair and Ottoman, Patio Furniture, Suelo
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Chair and Ottoman, Modern Chair and Ottoman, Patio Furniture, Suelo This Modern Patio Furniture - Suelo Chair and Ottoman is beautifully constructe...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Modern Toro Dining Chair made with wood and textile, Handmade by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
The Toro chair is a finely crafted piece of furniture with solid wood construction. Its elegant design is inspired by modern aesthetics, presenting smooth c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Oak

CURVE DINING CHAIR - Modern Sculpted Low Back Design in COM
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
The Curve Dining Chair is a stylish and comfortable piece of furniture designed with a modern aesthetic. It features sweeping lines that add a sense of e...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Set of 2 Kartell Masters Chairs in White by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The masters chair is a powerful tribute to three symbolic chairs, re-read and re-interpreted by the creative genius of Starck. The unmistakable silhouett...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

sedia in cuoio , anni 2000
Located in Felino, IT
sedia di fabbricazione Italiana, in cuoio bianco ottico. struttura in metallo rivestita in cuoio di qualita'. cuciture a vista modello simile alla sedia Lara di cattelan. anni 90/200...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Animal Skin

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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