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Modern Side 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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Kartell Masters Bar Stool in Rust Orange by Philippe Starck Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell also offers a stool version of the Masters chair, winner of the Good Design Award 2010 and the Red Dot Award 2013 and a worldwide best seller. The legs are lengthened and the seat is shrunk, but the frame's unmistakable graphic look, created by the weave of the silhouettes of three iconic chairs, remains the same. Masters stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

1970s Set of Six Giancarlo Piretti Plia Folding Chairs in Chrome and Lucite
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Plia Folding Chairs, originally designed by Giancarlo Piretti in 1967. The examples were manufacturered by Anonima Castelli, distributed in the US by Krueger, an...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Wassily-Inspired Black Wood Box Chair w/ Swiveling Backrest by N. Bijan Pourfard
By Nicholas Bijan Pourfard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Box chair is a minimal occasional lounge chair created by California-based designer N. Bijan Pourfard to emphasize linear simplicity and an “airy” quality that allows you to see through the chair as much as possible. Built using solid wood with equal dimensions in all axes, the Box Chair creates a sort of cube that pays homage to Marcel Breuer's Wassily chair and other Bauhaus creations. With a swiveling backrest and oversized plank seat. Chair shown...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Unique Mute Brown Chair with Chinese Jade Stone by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Element Chair by kar Unique Piece Dimensions: W 60 x D 75 x H 110 cm. Materials: Fiberglass, Chinese jade stones. Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karm...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stone

Opinion Ciatti Tab.u Large Stool
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Take a wooden frame, cover it in aluminium and then work its surface, ""scrunch” it by hand to achieve a crimpled profile. This is the process at the core of the Tab.u collection, stools and tables with absolutely distinctive lines. The Tab.u large stool is a traditional tall bar stool. It is perfect in any environment and for all uses: around the table for an unexpected guest, in the bathroom to rest objects or towels, in the living room when there is no more room on the sofa or in the bedroom instead of the usual bedside table. It is stunning around a counter or a kitchen island, both at home or in the most glamorous clubs. The family is complete with the addition of the Tab.u mirror and the Tab.u lamp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of solid wood Bluff Side Chair, White Oak, Sculptural Accent Chair, Seating
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bluff Side Chair is an homage to the foothills surrounding Luft Tanaka's hometown of Kasugai, Japan. Poetic and architectural; planar yet curvy, t...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Oak, Hardwood

Pair of Red Caper Stacking Chairs by Jeff Weber for Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
Caper stacking chair Designed by Jeff Weber for Herman Miller Caper’s polypropylene backrest is contoured to fit your back and perforated with holes to al...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

2021 Herman Miller Eames DSW Dining Side Chair in White with Walnut Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a DSW Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1950. These particular examples were produced in the United States in 2021. The chairs feature ...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Custom Luxury Dining Chair Upholstered in Velvet With Lacquered Structure
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This chair is a geometric model. It has a unique and rarely seen design based on precise mathematical calculations. The back of the chair seems to hang in the air. Visually, it does ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Contemporary Minimalist Dining Chairs, Beige/Walnut
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Modern dining chairs upholstered in beige faux leather. Crafted of solid wood frame stained in walnut finish. Slight reclined back help you stay comfortable and supported during lo...
Category

2010s European Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Faux Leather

Contemporary Dining Chair Black Steel Frame/Brushed Gold
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fully upholstered dining chair combining different materials and textures. Measures: L 670 x D 650 x H 910 x SH 480 mm L 26.78 x D 25.59...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

2010s Pair of Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Dining Chair in Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Saarinen Executive Side Chairs, originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 2010s. The chairs f...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Cane Back Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Thygesen and Sorensen side chairs with teak frame and cane seat and back. Wonderful curvature to lower back for lumbar support. Original distressed leather seats.
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cane

Contemporary geometric oak Portugal handmade Fernandine armchair by InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Fernandine walls are a part of History that embraces the city of Porto, located in the north of Portugal. These medieval fortifications topped off by battlements were completed d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Oak

Lucite Acrylic, Brass Detailed and Leather Jetson Glamour Bar Chair
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Jetson bar chair is part of the Tala collection designed by Egg designs and manufactured in South Africa. This Futuristic style bar chair has a clear ...
Category

2010s South African Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Bernhardt "Gustav" Chair in Stainless Steel
Located in Highland, IN
A sexy, sophisticated modern take on the famous Greek Klismos chair, this "Gustav" chair by Bernhardt accentuates the sleek lines with a shiny polished stainless steel frame. Ideal f...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970s Sculptural Picasso Style Bentwood and Steel Armchairs – a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of sculptural chairs inspired in the works of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, circa the 1970s. One of the most influential artists of the Twentieth...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Italian Dining Chairs Upholstered in Leather, Set of 8
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Steam-bent wood lacquered in light grey. Upholstered in antique rose Italian leather. The chair can be customized thanks to the combinations of the upholst...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of 1986 Mario Bellini for Vitra Figura Imago Arm Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of vintage 1986 Vitra Figura arm chairs, designed by Mario Bellini. These are gorgeous original examples, which retain their ori...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Suelo Modern Outdoor Side Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® outdoor modern side chair is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. This silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. T...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

2000 Limited Edition Philippe Starck for Emeco Hudson Side Chairs Edition 1000
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are limited edition Hudson Dining Chairs in polished aluminum, a collaboration between famed designer Philippe Starck and American manufacturer Emeco. They were specially desig...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 8 Sculptural Italian Dining Chairs Attributed to Malatesta Mason
Located in Stamford, CT
A set of eight ebonized dining chairs attributed to Malatesta & Mason. Italian circa 1950's
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Beech

2024 Set of Eight David Rowland for Howe 40/4 Side / Dining Stacking Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of eight 40/4 chairs, originally designed by David Rowland in 1964. These particular examples were manufactured by Howe in the USA in 2024. This iconic chair has been p...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

SN3 Wood and Metal Stool in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
'SN3' Wood and Metal Stool in the Manner of Pierre Chareau Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de le Mesiere...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Six Contemporary Dining Chairs with Satin Brass Legs
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary Minimalist style dining chair featuring sleek metal legs in a satin brass tone. Seat and back upholstered in deep Bordeaux cotton velvet. Materials: Stainless steel, vel...
Category

2010s European Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Customizable Teak Wood Occasional Armchair with Beige Upholstery, Osa Collection
Located in Miami, FL
An Osa teak wood occasional armchair designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis with beige fabric. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. The Osa armchair seamlessly blends organ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Teak, Fabric

Surrealist Chairs by Tessa Koot
Located in Hanover, MA
From the series "Additions to the family" by Eindhoven artist, Tessa Koot, originally exhibited in 2012 at Tuttobene during the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. Three individual chairs sculpted by the artist into figures that seem to belong in a Salvador Dali fantasy landscape. Soft textured...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Polystyrene

1980s Set of 6 A. Ricciardi G. Salvini for Matteo Grassi Garina Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These is a Set of Six Garina Folding Dining Chairs, designed by A. Ricciardi and G. Salvini for Matteo Grassi. These examples were produced in the 1980s, and the listed price include...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Aluminum Chair "Industry Garden Furniture" by Seletti, White
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern terracotta bouclé brass Niemeyer dining chair by InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer dining chair is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

1980s Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining/Side Chairs in White with Red Pads
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Bertoia Side Chairs, designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 1980s. Their design consists of welded steel r...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Navy Blue Velvet Dining Chair with Black Lacquered Wood, Italy
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Featuring navy blue velvet upholstery, wooden legs lacquered in black and a curved silhouette worth sinking into, a timeless elegant design crafted to blend easily with any décor sty...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

DS-5020 Cylindrical Leather Wide Side Table by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wide side table DS-5020/62 by de Sede. Available in two different heights, this elegant table construction presents itself in a cylindrical shape, enca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Red Leather Modernist Side Chairs by “Quia”
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of side chairs from the Modernist era created by “Quia” in Sossano, Italy. This pair is fully upholstered in the original cherry red leather. They have black saddle stitching th...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Designer Chairs, Bone, Black Leather, Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Fabulous pair of designer chairs with black leather seat cushions. Chairs are partly covered in bone with brass details. Please see all pictures. Four chairs in total available. Pric...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

2013 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Small Diamond Lounge Chair in Chrome w/ Fabric Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bertoia Small Diamond lounge chair, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA circa 2013. The chair is made of ...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1970s Pair of Mies van der Rohe Thonet Attributed Cane MR10 Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of MR10 Dining Chairs, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1927. These particular examples were produced by Thonet circa the 1970s. They are comprised of a tub...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Charming Aluminum and Leather Dining Chairs by Fasem Italy, New
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stylish chair by Italian maker Fasem International is named 'Charming' and is crafted in light weight die-cast aluminum with tufted leather seats. This set of four was completed...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Dining Chair in Argentine Exotic Wood and Leather from Costantini, Bruno
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Modern Dining Chair in Argentine Exotic Wood and Leather from Costantini Measurements are 19" W x 21" D x 32" H x 18" SH A signature chair by Costantini, our Bruno chair feat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Argentine Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Paolo Buffa Giovanni Gariboldi – Set of Four Gilt and Lacquered Side Chairs
Located in Petershagen, DE
This elegant set of four chairs embodies the refined Milanese design sensibility of the mid-20th century. It was born from the collaboration between architect Paolo Buffa and designe...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

American Designer, Side Chair, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side chair designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. 15” seat height
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Original MTF 600 Chair by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage iron chair designed by notable mid-century Brazilian furniture designer Geraldo de Barros and made by his company Unilabor in São Paulo. Great as a desk chair for someone pas...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Contemporary Dining Chair Featuring Satin Brass Frame
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary Minimalist style dining chair featuring sleek metal legs in a satin brass tone. Seat and back upholstered in deep Bordeaux cotton velvet. Materials: Stainless steel, vel...
Category

2010s European Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Nomon Hand-Pleated Dining Chair in Leopard Velvet and Fumed Eucalyptus
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The contemporary dining chair hold a stimulating design, as it holds an elegant combination of handmade couture techniques, wood, and metal. Its water repellent and stain resistant v...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Radiant Bollard Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact steel chair is a nod to glass block architecture and playful geometry. Four welded iron balls create an illusion of balance along the solid glass block wall that acts as...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Chic Méandre Side Chairs by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic undulating 'Méandre' side chairs by Design Frères. Bronzed steel frames. Natural linen upholstered cushions. These Méandre™ chairs from our exclusive Design Frères® li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Natural Oak Lever Barstool with Upholstered Cushion, Modern Design
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The hardness and symmetry of structure is the main concept of the Lever collection. The barstool is composed of two tall oak panels that encompass a soft, oversized cushion pads to c...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

1992 Knoll Handkerchief Stacking Chairs by Massimo Lella Vignelli 12+ Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Knoll Handkerchief Chair by Lella and Massimo Vignelli in Red, introduced in 1983. The price listed is for each chair. These chairs are very resilient, and stackable with a...
Category

1990s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Giancarlo Vegni for Fasem "Stripe" Dining Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Hand stitched leather stripes mounted on chrome sprawled leg bases. Very comfortable, Two arm and two without arms.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Jeff Messerschmidt Pair of "Pipe Line II Chairs" in Molded Lucite, 1977
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Pipe Line II Chairs" in molded lucite with custom aluminum fittings by Jeff Messerschmidt, American 1977 (each chair is signed, dated & numbered, “Jeff Messerschmidt 1977 Pi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

2000s Bene Dexter Stacking Chair Christian Horner Johannes Scherr Kai Stania 6x
By Bene, Kai Stania
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Dexter stacking chairs, originally designed by Christian Horner, Johannes Scherr, and Kai Stania. These particular examples were produced by Bene in Austria in the 2000s. T...
Category

Early 2000s Austrian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

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

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia Dining Side Chair in Tan Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Arcadia armless dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to 2005. They feature a simplistic modern design ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 2, Vienna Chair, Beech Wood, Beige Contour by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Vienna chair, natural beech wood, nord wool beige by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H 78, W 48, D 50 cm Materials: natural beech wood chair with straw back...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Beech

1950s Set of Six Borge Mogensen No. 155 Dining Chairs for Soborg Mobler in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Model No. 155 Dining Chairs, designed by Danish designer Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobelfabrik in 1950. This particular set dates to the 1950s. The chairs are co...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Tria Wood 3 Legs Chair, Natural Oak by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tria wood 3 legs chair, natural oak by Colé Italia with Lorenz & Kaz (2019). Dimensions: H 82.5, D 52, W 61 cm. Materials: Plywood chair; 3 legs solid oa...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Oak, Plywood

2022 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Dining Chair in Pink Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Executive Side Chair, originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in 2022. The chairs feature upholst...
Category

2010s American Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Armchair Dining Side Chairs Le Corbusier Thonet
Located in Wayne, NJ
2 Thonet Bentwood Side Accent Lounge Dining chairs blue upholstery. Arm height is approx 27.50" high
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Italy Grassi Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni Leather Pasqualina Armchairs a Pair
By Enrico Pellizzoni, Grassi Bianchi 1
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Gorgeous pair of Enrico Pellizzoni Pasqualina armchairs designed by Grassi & Bianchi. The chairs were manufactured in 2014 and are meticulously maintained. This elegant chair essenti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1970s Pair of Nicos Zographos CH66 Brown Leather Cantilever Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of CH66 Side Chairs, designed by Nicos Zographos in 1966. The chairs were produced by the General Fireproofing Company. The frames are formed of tubular chrome-plated ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern side 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 side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern side chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Emeco, Jasper Morrison, Philippe Starck, and Sir Norman Foster. 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 side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $90,000 while the average work can sell for $2,120.

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