Modern Folding Chairs
Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Palisander
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Plexiglass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1980s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rope, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Plywood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Plywood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s German Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1980s European Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Canvas
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Hardwood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rope, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s European Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Turkish Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Ash, Plywood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Plywood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bamboo
2010s German Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Seagrass
2010s American Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Beech
2010s American Post-Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
2010s Chinese Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
2010s Chinese Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Seagrass
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Modern Folding Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Modern Folding Chairs?
Finding the Right Chairs for You
Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?
With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.
“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.
Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.
“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames.
Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.
The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office.
A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today.
- Who invented the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Nathaniel Alexander invented the folding chair in 1911. During the 1950s, demand for the chairs skyrocketed with furniture makers like the Fredric Arnold Company in Brooklyn, New York, producing thousands every day. Find a variety of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The most comfortable folding chair is really a matter of preference. When shopping for folding chairs, you’ll want to think about how you’ll use them, how often you’ll be using them and if you have a preference with respect to materials. Shop antique, vintage and new folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Opinions vary on who designed the folding chair. Chairs designed to fold have existed since the ancient world, with examples found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some people argue that the original designer of the modern-day folding chair was John Cram, who patented an idea for a folding chair in 1855. However, others believe that Philip E.G. Harrison should get the credit because his 1931 design more closely resembles the modern-day folding chair. Nathaniel Alexander also contributed to the development of the folding chair with his 1911 chair that included a book rest, as did Frederic Arnold, who created the first folding aluminum chair in 1947. Shop a selection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Chairs that fold up are usually called folding chairs. However, people may refer to them as collapsible chairs as well. Other names for folding chairs designed for outdoor use include deck chairs, beach chairs, lawn chairs, camping chairs and patio chairs. Shop a collection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Do butterfly chairs fold up?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not a butterfly chair will fold will depend on the make and model. The butterfly chair was originally designed with metal hairpin legs without hinges or joints. Collector versions of the butterfly chair will not be foldable, however, foldable designs are a popular silhouette for recreational seating.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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