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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

Materials

Steel

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 Chairs

Materials

Hide, Ash

Vanity Seat in Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vanity seat. Grey lacquer. Handmade. Wood base. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at least 60 coats of org...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Lacquer

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 Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, 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 Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Dedar Bouclé, 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 dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Metal

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 Chairs

Materials

Hide, Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

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 Chairs

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 Chairs

Materials

Steel

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 Chairs

Materials

Cork

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 Chairs

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 Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Steelcase i2i Ergonomic Dual Swivel Graphite Lounge Chair with Writing Tablet
Located in Miami, FL
Steelcase i2i Ergonomic Dual Swivel Graphite Lounge Chair with Writing Tablet The Modern i2i lounge chair is very comfortable and well designed, Featu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Grand Pouf White Cotton Bouclé Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Grand Pouf, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. A comfy pouf stool with a luxurious touch. Upholstered in white cotton bouclé fabric, Flox stands out o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Off-White Bouclé, 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

Bouclé, Wood

Sentada Chair • Handmade Edition • in Steel by Pedro Paulo-Venzon
Located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
As outras moralidades [The other moralities / Series] As outras moralidades start from an affect, in the rhizomatic molds of Deleuze and Guattari, cuir-suleado [queer and oriented t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 3 Pierre Cardin Chrome Armchairs
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Three vintage chrome frame armchairs with upholstered seats and backs. The upholstery is original.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Modern Timeless Office Chair, Bouclé Faux Fur, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Greenapple Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless bouclé office chair was designed and craft...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Mary Dining Chairs, Beige Velvet Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary lea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Modern Timeless Chairs, Cotton-Wool Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Greenapple Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless bouclé office chair was designed and craft...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Contemporary Velvet Dining Chair Offered With Nails On The Curve & Back
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This Chair is the epitome of serenity inducing design. With an embracing silhouette and luxurious deep seat, its sensuous curves and comfortable back perfectly adapt to the body. The...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Modern Laurence Outdoor Dining Chair, Mustard 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 dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bouclé, Wood

Modern Laurence Outdoors Dining Chairs, Blue, 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 dining chair was crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bouclé, Wood

Modern Laurence Outdoors Dining Chair, Salmon Wool, Handmade Portugal 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

Bouclé, Wood, Wool

Modern Mary Swivel Bar Stools, Leather Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, The Mary bar stool transcen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Nubuck Leather, Handmade in Portugal by 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, Fabric, Bouclé, Velvet

Modern Anjos Dining Chairs, Leather Oak Root, Handmade in 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 dining chair draws inspirat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Oak

René Herbst 'Sandows' Dining Chair in Steel and Cord
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Herbst, 'Sandows' chair, model '101', chrome-plated steel, elastic rope, France, design 1928, produced 1970s. The 'Sandows' chair epitomizes the industrial advancements of the ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Nubuck Leather, 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 leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

René Herbst Pair of 'Sandows' Dining Chairs in Steel and Cord
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Herbst, pair of 'Sandows' chairs, model '101', chrome-plated steel, elastic rope, France, design 1928, produced 1970s. The 'Sandows' chair epitomizes the industrial advancement...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 2 Kartell Louis Ghost Armchairs in Crystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comfortable armchair in transparent and colored polycarbonate in the Louis XV style, it is the quintessence of baroque revisited to dazzle, excite and captivate. Louis Ghost is the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

René Herbst Set of Six 'Sandows' Dining Chairs in Steel and Cord
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Herbst, set of six 'Sandows' chairs, model '101', chrome-plated steel, elastic rope, France, design 1928, produced, 1970s. The 'Sandows' chair epitomizes the industrial advance...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Contemporary Dining Chair with Upholstered Seat & Back
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary and sophisticated line of dining armchair, lounge chair and dining bench. The design is structured around the legs, which support the seat and backrest. Two flat profile...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Velvet Leather, 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 leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Contemporary Japanese Style Dining Chairs-Set of 8
Located in New York, NY
The Japanese aesthetic canons mark the starting point in this exercise of formal synthesis. The lines that make up the volumes of the product are simplified to give rise to a very di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Faux Leather

Italian Made to Order Dining Chairs Offered in Velvet, Set of 8
Located in New York, NY
Dining chair enriched by sinuous shapes and geometries that come from the past with captivating lines, a refined design and great personality ideal for contract and home use. Gold me...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Anjos Dining Chairs, Italian Leather, Handmade in 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

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

Hollywood Regency Style Dining Chair with Slimmed Down Armrests
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This dining chair is a tribute to the golden age of filmmaking, featuring the Classic Hollywood Regency look. Its deep seat, open back and slimmed down upholstered armrests brings back the retro glam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Italian Leather, 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 leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Fabiaan Van Severen Pair of Dining Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fabiaan Van Severen, dining chairs, patinated black leather, tubular steel, lace, Belgium, 1997. Distinct pair of dining chairs by Belgium designer Fabiaan Van Severen. Created in 1...
Category

1990s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Nubuck Leather, 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 leather dining chair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Modern Timeless Office Chairs Set/2, Bouclé Fur, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Greenapple Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Timeless bouclé office chair was designed and craft...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Bouclé, Velvet, Wood, Faux Fur

Modern Mary Swivel Bar Stools, Caramel Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Swivel Bar Stool, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary bar stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Laurence Leather Dining Chairs, 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 Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Wood

Modern Laurence Bar Stool, Turquoise, Steel, 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 bar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Brass

Pudica Chair • Handmade Edition • in Steel by Pedro Paulo-Venzon
Located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
The Pudica Chair (MMXVI) is an artefact that seeks syncretism between the rationalist style of the early twentieth century and the Brazilian colonial expe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Fabiaan Van Severen Dining Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fabiaan Van Severen, dining chairs, black leather, tubular steel, lace, Belgium, 1997 Distinct set of dining chairs by Belgium designer Fabiaan Van Severen. Created in 1997, this de...
Category

1990s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Fabiaan Van Severen Set of Dining Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fabiaan Van Severen, dining chairs, patinated black leather, tubular steel, lace, Belgium, 1997 Distinct chairs by Belgium designer Fabiaan Van Severen. In 1997, van Severen designe...
Category

1990s Belgian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pouf Pill S 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 vel...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

"Bruna" Minimalist Armchair in Painted Steel and Velvet Handwoven
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Alessandra Delgado was once thinking about wire. What would emerge if one started to fold lengths of wire randomly? Bruna armchair is the materialization of these thoughts. The armch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Famed Black Metal Chair
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The Famed black metal chair brings comfortable seating with luxurious design to your living room... The FAMED chair, where comfortable sitting is at the f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

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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