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Modern Seating

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Pair of Verner Panton Style Leather Sling Lounge Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing minimalist design leather sling lounge chairs made in the mid-century Danish modern style and manner of Verner Panton (Danish Designer 1926-1998). Verner's chair design was t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of Italian Modern Black Velvet Accent Chairs
Located in North York, ON
This pair of Italian modern black velvet accent chairs is the perfect addition to any home. With their rounded curved backs and seats, these ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Gerrit Rietveld De Stijl Red Blue Chair
Located in New York, NY
Gerrit Rietveld (Dutch, 1888-1964) De Stijl Red Blue Chair, originally designed in 1918 with red, blue, yellow, and black colors applied in 1923, this e...
Category

20th Century Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Maxalto Grey Velvet Two Seat Sofa, 2013
Located in London, GB
Designed by Antionio Citterio for Maxalto B&B Italia, this two seater sofa seamlessly combines modern and traditional design. Featuring a square frame sitting on a brushed black oak...
Category

2010s European Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet

Marge Carson Upholstered Lounge Chairs Hollywood Regency Style
Located in Fulton, CA
Fine and comfortable upholstered lounge chairs by Marge Carson. Retaining paper label. Original upholstery with light wear from use.
Category

20th Century American Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric

Rue de Babylone Angled Sofa by Christophe Delcourt
Located in Toronto, ON
Framed by 19th century Parisian architecture, the Rue de Babylone guides both locals and tourists alike through the most celebrated and unassumed segments of Paris. Referencing the a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Dottie Modular Corner Sofa
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
With its sporty form, clean workmanship and understated design that will suit any space, DOTTIE MODULAR L SOFA suits your home very well with its functi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood, Foam, Faux Leather, Upholstery, Cotton, Bouclé

5:30 Lounge Chair, Natural leather, Steel Frame, Tanned
Located in Broadmeadows, Victoria
The 5.30 lounge chair is a distinct yet classic seating option, suited for entertainment rooms, workspaces or other commercial spaces. The chair is named for the standard 5 x 30mm f...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Fritz Hansen Metal Frame Space Lounge Chair by Jehs & Laub Very Cool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely white metal framed with fabric upholstery Fritz Hansen space lounge armchair designed by Jehs & laub ...
Category

Early 2000s Dutch Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Plastic

Chair Armchair Mirror Metal Steel Blue Leather Upholster Curvy Shaped Design
Located in Ancona, Marche
The chair 'Berserker' is made of mirror polished stainless steel with upholstering in genuine aquamarine leather. Tipping over the chair it turns into a side-table which also contains a magazine rack...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Blue Chrome Vinyl Shiro Chair, Kuramata Tribute, Ideal for Waiting Areas (80s)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
It seats two people back to back or one next to each other. Made in Italy Its language is a classic take on modern movement furniture pieces such as Mies Van Der Rohe's Barcelona cha...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Maharam Covered Stool by Scholten & Baijings
Located in New York, NY
Covered Stool by Scholten & Baijings Small Dot Pattern by Charles and Ray Eames, 1947 105 Charcoal Tinted beechwood base with Small Dot pattern textile....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Seating

Materials

Textile, Wood

Gaulino Easy Chair by Oscar Tysquets black lacquered ashwood, contemporary
Located in Barcelona, ES
“The challenge was to design a light armchair, not too high, using wood and leather. At the beginning, it was going in a different direction, but after making various models, prototypes and considering BD’s design team’s different perspectives on the matter, the result has inevitably drawn toward what is now the Gaulino chair, which was designed nearly 30 years ago. We did not envision it so, but the ergonomics and the aesthetic coherence of this piece has taken us toward a solution much like the Gaulino chair, an heiress of Gaudí and Mollino, and have decided to conserve the name.” OSCAR TUSQUETS The Gaulino Easy Chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Hide, Ash

Gaulino chair by Oscar Tusquets ash wood black lacquer leather hide seat, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Gaulino Chair is one of the best designs by Oscar Tusquets and has become an iconic Spanish design. Made exclusively from wood and leather, the name comes from the influences th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Ash

Bar Stool model "Jamaica" stool by Pepe Cortes, aluminium swivel seat steel legs
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Jamaica Stool is Spanish classic, and one of the best designed stools in history. Designed in 1991 by interior designer Pepe Cortes, the stool remains as modern as ever. Its mate...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Pair of Armchairs, Italy, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Inox steel frames featuring wraparound backs upholstered in dark brown leather, the seats and backs upholstered in the original crushed velvet with leaf pattern. These chairs were de...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

'Wall Street Big' by Guido Faleschini for Mariani Leather Executive Desk Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible executives chair is named 'Big', designed by Guido Faleschini by i4 Mariani originally designed in the 1970s, this example newly produced in a gorgeous burgundy leath...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Thomas Pheasant for Baker Max Tufted Club Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Hollywood modern pair of large max club chairs or lounge chairs designed by Thomas Pheasant for Baker. The chairs feature a large hardwood frame with slightly different but complemen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage 'Plia' Folding Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli
Located in Zagreb, HR
''The Symbol of a new era focused on plastic.'' That is how the Plia chair was presented in 1967 at the Fiera del Mobile in Milan. Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli,...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Vladimir Kagan, Attributed Serpentine Cloud Sofa, in Suede
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vladimir Kagan, Attributed Serpentine Cloud Sofa, in Suede  USA, circa 1990s A stunning Vladimir Kagan (attributed) Serpentine Cloud Sofa, made in the USA circa 1990s. This large-sc...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Seating

Materials

Suede, Upholstery

Ripple Armchair Reflecting Comtemporary and Modern with Turkish Quilting in Blue
Located in Istanbul, 34
The story of the Ripple Armchair represents a perfect combination of the aesthetic elegance of contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship. The wooden frame stands out as the r...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Oak

Massimo & Lela Vignelli Pair of "Intervista" Chairs in Vermillion Leather 1989
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1989 by husband and wife design team Massimo and Lela Vignelli for Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau the Intervista chair is the modernist designer's interpretation o...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Upholstery

Pierre Chapo Daybed, France circa 1965
Located in Culver City, CA
Pierre Chapo Daybed France circa 1965 Model L01 “Godot” Daybed. Designed in 1959 for the writer Samuel Becket, and named in reference to his play “Waiting for Godot”. Frame composed ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Elm

Set of 4 Modern Armchairs in Smoked Emerald Velvet & Ebonized Walnut by Donghia
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated and elegant set of four arm chairs were realized in the United States by the great Angelo Donghia circa 1985. They represent a reinterpretation of the iconic horse...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Shaker Modern Dining Chair by AMBROZIA, Black Leather, Walnut & Black Steel
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern dining chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame. Available in a large variety of premium vinyls colors or leather in op...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Shaker Modern Side Chair by AMBROZIA, Utah Mink Leather, Walnut & Black Steel
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Shaker modern dining chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame. Available in a large variety of premium vinyls colors or leather in op...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

French Modern Style Saddle Leather & Brass Loveseat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Style Saddle Leather & Brass Loveseat  France, Later 20th Century  A French Modern Style Saddle Leather & Brass Loveseat, from France in the later 20th century. This g...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Seating

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Le Corbusier LC4 black Leather Chaise Lounge Chair
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A modern style of Le Corbusier LC4 chaise lounge. Designed by Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret-Gris. The chair is thick black leather with a chrome steel frame and...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

The Slat Bench - Vertical Grain Douglas Fir Wooden Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
First designed and tested for Tokyobike’s flagship store that opened in Los Angeles in 2021, our Slat Bench is now part of Volume III. The simplicity of single boards and their wov...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Fir

Modern Leather Daybed Gruppo Industriale Busnelli SPA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great modern design. Quality made. Limited production. Steel base with hard rubber rim and rubber feet. Charcoal grey leather with down filled cushions. Both ends can be raised up t...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

The Plank Lounge - Wooden Lounge Chair With Upholstered Seat Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Plank Lounge is an indoor /outdoor chair rooted in the use of general lumber sizes. The angled seat and back planks are supported by an exposed frame. Upholstered cushions rest d...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Fir, Upholstery, Wood

The Marshmallow Lounge -Swivel Lounge Chair in Black Leather with Aluminum Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
There is something magical about dropping into an array of soft, supple marshmallow like pillows, that hug your body in all the right places and allow you to rest comfortably while s...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Modular Rounded Bulky Sofa With Upholstered Footer
Located in New York, NY
This new addition to the collection of modular sofas includes six unique modules. It stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it is entirely upholstered, including the footer, ensuri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Foam, Velvet

A Pair of Outdoor Wicker Sunroom Armchairs With Ottomans
Located in Elkton, MD
This exceptional indoor/outdoor ensemble includes two armchairs and two ottomans/stools. Crafted with high-quality weather-resistant artificial wicker material, it offers both comfor...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Plastic

XL Convertible Sofa Bed In Customer's Own Material "COM"
Located in New York, NY
Introducing a new sofa bed that effortlessly combines elegant simplicity with practical functionality. Its standout feature is the single-motion opening system, an innovative mechani...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Metal

Modern Chaise Longue Chair in Brown Leather
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish modern chaise longue chair features tufted brown leather with a distressed patina situated on a chrome base. Comfortable lounge design makes this an excellent seating op...
Category

20th Century Modern Seating

Materials

Leather

Set of 6 Contemporary Dining Chairs Upholstered in Sophisticated Melange Fabric
Located in New York, NY
Timeless design in combination with handmade couture techniques. The dining chairs features curved wooden upholstered back for greater comfort. Offered in fumed Oak frame and brick v...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery

Monk chair, Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, 1969
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Monk Chair, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1969, is an extraordinary example of Italian design. This iconic piece represents the perfect combination of function...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Hide, Wood

Marenco sofa and 2 armchairs set, Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Mario Marenco's "Marenco" for Arflex is an iconic armchair designed in 1970. It is famous for its distinctive and innovative design that stands out for its soft and enveloping shapes...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet

Cor Sinus Lounge Chair + Ottoman
Located in Boston, MA
Design by Adolf & SCHRÖPFER Sinus is a modern classic from 1976 which was already ahead of its time when it was first launched. With rocking spring steel skids whose shape give the ...
Category

2010s Modern Seating

Materials

Leather

CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Milo Baughman Cane Dining Chair, Walnut
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Milo Baughman Cane Dining Chair, Walnut The Milo Baughman Oval Cane Back Walnut Side Chair for Craft Associates® Furniture is expertly crafted. These ...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Sheepskin, Cane, Wood, Walnut

CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Lawrence Peabody Walnut Dining Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Lawrence Peabody Walnut Dining Chair These Lawrence Peabody Dining Arm Chairs in walnut for Craft Associates Furniture are expertly hand crafted and u...
Category

2010s American Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Synchronicity GardenThree-Seater Sofa by Lara Bohinc, Pink, Cork , Outdoor
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
This is a three seater sofa comprising of three seating sections, its voluminous and expanding curves balloon, as if wanting to float away from the ground. There are two pink sofas f...
Category

2010s English Modern Seating

Materials

Cork

Utopia Outdoor Armchair by Lara Bohinc, Lavender, Cork, Garden
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
This armchair has a ballooning cellular form, as if constantly growing outwards, multiplying itself to overtake the surrounding space and embodies a Utopian dream of abundant, ever growing nature. There are four lilac armchairs...
Category

2010s English Modern Seating

Materials

Cork

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Pink Velvet, Handmade in 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 leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Modern Caju Lounge Chair, Swivel, Pink Mohair, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Caju Swivel Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Caju lounge chair stands as a trendy furniture piece that personifies the orga...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Brass

21st Century Contemporary Minimal White Velvet Bench With Black Lacquered Base
Located in Porto, PT
Fifih Bench is a luxury bench upholstered in velvet and wood base. A contemporary design bench is perfect for minimalist and modern interior architecture ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood

Modern Mel Armchair, Velvet Pearl Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mel Armchair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Mel armchair, named after nature’s purest and sweetest gift, brings forth the comforting e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Brass

Pierre Jeanneret Set of Two Easy Armchairs from Punjab University
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A beautiful set of 2 Pierre Jeanneret easy armchairs in solid teak from Punjab University, Chandigarh. Stenciled markings to reverse of ...
Category

1950s Indian Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Cane, Teak, Upholstery

Pair Midcentury Modern Style Dining Chairs Ft. Clean Lines & Organic Form
Located in New York, NY
This chair is designed for true aesthetes. The backrest pays homage to the silhouette of classic feminine dresses from the mid-20th century. The seat and legs are carefully proportio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Suelo Modern Side Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo modern side chair is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The lounge chair's silhouette is simple, modern, and slee...
Category

2010s North American Modern Seating

Materials

Hardwood

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Seating

Materials

Wood

Modern Versailles Sofa Cream Leather Handmade in Italy by Fendi
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Versailles Sofa Cream Leather Handmade in Italy by Fendi Plaza Versailles Materials Frame: Wood padded with Polyurethane and Fiberfill Seat: In...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Tubular Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armchair and ottoman in steel and leather, Europe, 1950s. Modern tubular armchair and matching ottoman. These items are made of bent tubular steel with black saddle leather upholste...
Category

1950s European Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

Eric Schmitt (*1955), Osselet Chairs, 1996
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural " Osselet " side chairs by Eric Schmitt. Patinated bronze frames and cognac leather seats.
Category

1990s French Modern Seating

Materials

Bronze

e15 European Walnut Calle Bench Designed by Philipp Mainzer in STOCK
Located in New York, NY
e15 Calle Bench Design: Philipp Mainzer, 2002 Measures: 63” L x 15.75” D x 16.5” H European walnut oiled. The solid wood bench Calle consists of a contoured seat, two sides flushed w...
Category

2010s German Modern Seating

Materials

Wood, Oak

4 French Mid-Century Modern Industrial Iron Stools / Benches
Located in New York, NY
Two pairs of French Mid-Century Modern / Industrial Design stools Priced and sold by the pair.
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Steel

Tubular Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair in steel and leather, Europe, 1950s. Modern armchair made in Europe in the 1950s. This chair is made of bent tubular steel with black saddle leather upholstery. Beautif...
Category

1950s European Vintage Modern Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

Modern seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include De Sede, Finn Juhl, Emeco, and Moooi. 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 seating 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 $497,965 while the average work can sell for $3,803.

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