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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
Contemporary Dining Chairs Upholstered in Green Velvet, Set of 8
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Eden green velvet with a very comfy and silky touch.
Solid wood legs stained in dark wenge finish.
Polished stainless steel caps are optional at no additional charge.
The velvet is stain resistant and water repellent.
Available in other wood finishes and lacquers.
COM available upon request.
This product is fully made in the European Union...
Category
2010s European Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
McGuire Rattan and Bamboo Cafe Side Chairs with Palm Tree Print Seats, Signed
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant set of four (4) wicker McGuire cafe chairs (signed) that can be used indoor or out. Fabricated from woven wicker that has been finished in a black color with palm tree dec...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
$2,250 Sale Price / set
37% Off
Bluff Side Chair Right, Wood Sculptural Accent Side Chair, American White Oak
By Luft Tanaka
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
Lincoln Lounge Chair in Blackened Oiled Steel and Full Grain Leather
Located in Vancouver, BC
A single grain leather hide, tensioned with cord lacing underneath the seat, makes up the expanse of this richly textured chair. The blackened frame is p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Mid-Century Modern round brass oak 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
Brass, Metal
Contemporary Wenge Wood Dining Chair with Upholstered Back, Customizable
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Timeless design in combination with handmade couture techniques. The dining chair features curved wooden upholstered back for greater support. Offered in wengè finsihed frame and wov...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Lacquered Goatskin Wrapped "Onasis" Chairs by Karl Springer
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of lacquered goatskin wrapped "Onasis" chairs by Karl Springer, circa 1980"s. The chairs are in good vintage condition with original upholstery and measure 24"W x 22"D x 30"H wi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Upholstery
$2,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Contemporary Dining Set of 8 Chairs Crafted from American Oak
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Fully upholstered dining chairs designed with a comfortable amount of cushioning on both the seat and backrest to meet all your comfort needs.
Fabric structure: Bric Velvet.
Structur...
Category
2010s European Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Oak
$16,416 Sale Price / set
20% Off
2010s Set of Six Mario Bellini for Heller Dining Chairs in White
By Mario Bellini, Heller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Bellini Chairs, originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1998. These particular examples were produced by Heller in Italy in the 2010s. They are comprised entirel...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Original Pre-Production Prototype Wire Desk Chair by Niall O
Flynn
Located in New York, NY
Original pre-production prototype of a wire mesh metal desk chair by Niall O'Flynn shown at the New York Furniture Fair in 1994 and later produced by t' Spectrum.
Composed of an E...
Category
Late 20th Century Irish Modern Side Chairs
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
Contemporary Elegant Dining Chairs Crafted in 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
Wood, Velvet
$13,213 / set
French Pair of Christian Biecher Armchairs for Poltrona Frau, 1990s
By Christian Biecher, Poltrona Frau
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage pair of armchairs designed by French architect Christian Biecher for an elite Parisian restaurant named le Korova in 1999. These were edited by Italian notable f...
Category
1990s French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
$3,322 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Set of 10 Custom Modern White Lacquered Dining Chairs in Designer Fabric
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Set of 10 custom modern white lacquered dining chairs in designer fabric. The Carrocel Opus chair exudes comfort with its fully upholstered ...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$12,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
2015 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Armless Executive Side Chair in Hopsack Fabric
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Armless Executive Chair, model 72C, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International in 1950. This particular example was produced in the USA in 2015. The design ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 4 Cortona Chairs by Joe Ricchio for HBF
By HBF, Joe Ricchio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Ricchio creates the Cortona Series as a complement to his highly-successful Cortona guest chair for HBF.
Expressing the force and beauty of simplicity, this light-scaled group...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
$5,500 / set
Pair of Slender Side Chairs in the Style of Philippe Starck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of slender side chairs in the style of Philippe Starck.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Modern Suelo Side Chair, Turned Leg
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This modern Suelo® side chair, turned leg is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's Silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable reversible back...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Maple
$2,500 / item
Mid-Century Modern bouclé bronzed 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
Brass, Metal
1960s Ficks Reed Side Chairs with New Sunbrella Cushions, a Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous pair of Ficks Reed boho chic rattan side chairs with new Sunbrella cushions freshly lacquered in white. Great addition to your boho chic in...
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Reed, Lacquer
American Designer, Side Chairs, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of stained wood side chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
16” seat height
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
$3,900 / set
Lever Dining Chair in Natural Oak with Stone Grey Fabric
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The hardness and symmetry of structure is the main concept of the Lever collection. The chair is composed of wood panels that encompass a soft, oversized cushion pads to create a har...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Wrought Iron Side Chairs, 4
Located in Astoria, NY
Assembled Set of Four Wrought Iron Side Chairs, two with heart form backs, each with wooden seat. Taller: 35" H x 16" W x 17" D; seat: 18.25" H. Provenance: From the Collection of La...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wrought Iron
$1,800 / set
Suelo Slatted Outdoor Side Chair
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® Slatted Outdoor Side Chair is beautifully constructed in Ohio, USA. This silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and ...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
$3,000 / item
Low Black Tembo Stool, Note Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Low black tembo stool, note design studio.
Dimensions: D 36 x H 46 cm.
Materials: Lacquered steel structure, solid wood (beech) and lacquered MDF, natural cork base.
Available in ...
Category
2010s French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
$3,595 / item
1950s Model 1531 Dining Chair for Planner Group
Winchendon Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Model 1531 Dining Chair, originally designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group and Winchendon. This particular example dates to the 1950s. The chair's design is comprised en...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Maple
Vintage Modern White Molded Plastic Chairs Style of Kartell 4850 by Castiglioni
By Kartell
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage pair of modern white molded plastic chairs in the style of Kartell’s 4850 chair designed by Giorgina Castiglioni, Geiorgio Gaviraghi, and...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plastic
2008 Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen PK8 Dining Chair in Divina Melange 120
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a PK8 Dining Chair, originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen in 1978. This particular example was produced in Denmark in 2008. The chair features a sculptural m...
Category
Early 2000s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Modernist Tall Back "Throne Chairs"
Located in New York, NY
" Throne chairs "
A pair of Modernist tall back side chairs.
Thuja root with ebonized inlaid details.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Ebony, Burl
$11,800 / set
Ribbon Chair Metal Silver by Nika Zupanc, Made in Italy
By Nika Zupanc
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2)
The Ribbon chair is the object that expresses the female language of Nika Zupanc with ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Plastic
C. 1948 Set of 4 Evans Herman Miller Eames DCW Dining Chairs in Calico Ash
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DCW Dining Chairs in Calico Ash, initially designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. These are ultra-rare, early examples that were produced by the Evans Plywo...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Rare Rose Wood Chair by Schiønning
Elgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare rosewood chair by Schiønning & Elgaard. Made by Randers Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Chic and understated.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Vanity Seat in Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
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 Side Chairs
Materials
Lacquer
Axel Brüchhauser for Tecta B45 High Back Chairs, 1981
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful high back cantilever chairs B45 by Axel Brüchhauser for Tecta, 1981 in dark brown wickerwork and detachable brown leather seating pads on a 'tube aplati' chrome plated stee...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern brown bouclé oak 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
Brass, Metal
1960s Pair of Juliane Teak Dining Room Chairs by Johannes Andersen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Juliane Teak Dining Room Chairs, originally designed by Johannes Andersen. These particular pieces were produced by Uldum Mobelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960s. The c...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Teak, Leather
Late 20th Century Set of Four Italian Maple Folding Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Set Of Four Italian Maple Folding Chairs in good vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Maple
C. 2004 Frank Gehry for Emeco Superlight Chairs in Brushed Aluminum 3x Available
By Frank Gehry, Emeco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 'Superlight' Recycled Aluminum Chair, designed by Frank Gehry for Emeco in 2004. These examples date to around the same time. The listed price includes one chair, and we ha...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Dining Chair 1940
s style with Concave Tufted Back and Tapered alder Legs
Located in Ballard, CA
The upholstered 1940's style chair with a concave tufted back and tapered legs is hand-crafted, frame in alder wood. Custom sizes and finishes available.
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Ebony
2015 Ronan
Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra Softshell Arm Chairs in Red Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Softshell Arm Chairs, originally designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec in 2008. These particular examples were produced by Vitra in Germany in 2015. The chairs are compris...
Category
2010s German Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass, Fabric, Plastic
Contemporary geometric tweed natural oak Fernandine dining chair 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
Hiroyuki Yamakado, 2 Cinderella Folding Chairs, Design, 1987
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of Hiroyuki Yamakado Cinderella folding stools for Arredi with new Faux leather seats. They are constructed of Black etching tubular steel and equipped with pivoting and anti-sk...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
$1,376 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Declan Barstool
Located in Houston, TX
Our Declan Barstool is the newest piece in our collection. Just like our Declan Side Chair it exudes sophisticated elegance. It is sleek and curvaceous, with the perfectly unexpect...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
$3,740
Declan Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Our declan side chair exudes sophisticated elegance. It is sleek and curvaceous, with the perfectly unexpected walnut and brass back detailing.
Shown here in wool - mineral, black ...
Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
$2,600
American Contemporary Black Leather Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
American contemporary black leather side chair with a stretcher on both sides connecting the legs
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather
GEOFFREY BRADFIELD American Contemporary Crimson Upholstered Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
American Contemporary side chair having a shaped arch desgn back and squared Lucite acrylic legs with crimson red upholstered seat and back with nail head trim (GEOFFREY BRADFIELD)
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Acrylic
C. 1958 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Dining Shell Chair in Elephant Hide Gray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames DSX side chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in the 1950s. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1958. The chairs ar...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Noa Chair Prairie Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
Is it possible for an inanimate object to truly embody the essence of a yogi? To possess strength and harmony simultaneously? To effortlessly stand in the face of the seemingly impossible and make it’s own reality? Ultimately balance is the beating heart of the Noa chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Sheet Metal
$368 / item
Mid-Century Brown Leather Club Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of "Abby" mid-century design club chairs with a wood frame and square legs upholstered in brown leather with a seat cushion and a flared design to the back.
Category
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
$4,200 / set
Vintage Modern to Post Modern White Lacquered Side Chair with Arched Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage modern to postmodern white lacquered side chair with arched top. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and we...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Black Modern Vintage Side Chair Tokyo by Rodney Kinsman 1985 Metal Faux Leather
Located in Vienna, AT
Black modern vintage side chair or chair model Tokyo designed by Rodney Kinsman 1985 for OMK Design.
Also the materials are chromed tube steel and the covering from the seat and the ...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
1980s Pair of Alvar
Aino Aalto for Artek 611 Stacking Dining /Side Chairs
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of 611 Stacking Chairs, originally designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto in 1929. These particular examples were produced by Artek in Finland in the 1980s. Their frames are...
Category
1980s Finnish Vintage Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Birch
Celeste Chair in Boucle Fabric and Brass and Mint Metal by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Celeste chair plays with contrasting shapes, materials and textures. The circles and squares join to make a chair that has both substance and lightness. ...
Category
2010s British Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of 8 French Gilt and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 French 1940s side chairs with arched upholstered back & seat on gilt carved crossed plume form legs joined by a stretcher. (att: ROBERT PAVEAU)
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
$67,500 / set
Set of 12 Bernhardt Orbit Dining Chairs by Russ Lovegrove
By Bernhardt
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set of 12 Bernhardt orbit side chairs by Russ Lovegrove
Building upon classic designs by Charles Eames, Arne Jacobsen and Norman Cherner, Ross Loveg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Chrome
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
ALCÂNTARA– Minimalist Arm Chair in Solid Oak Wood with Leather Seat
By Alvaro Siza
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
An armchair named after a charismatic location in Lisbon, situated next to the river. ALCÂNTARA is meant to be relaxing, for one to take a break from the stress of daily life, to rea...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Oak
1993 Vintage Michael Aram Flights of Fancy Skeleton Side / Dining Chair
By Michael Aram
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Skeleton Chair, designed in 1993 by Michael Aram for his ‘Flights of Fancy’ Collection. This particular example is quite special as it has a hand-etched signa...
Category
1990s Indian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Pair of Vladimir Kagan "Nobu" or "Cubist" Walnut Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Contemporary American "Nobu" or "Cubist" dining chairs feature a flattened minimalist openwork frame with back and seat anchored to the front and back supports, upholstered i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Hi Pad Dining Chair in Black Leather
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Hi Pad dining chair made with a black stainless steel base and black leather seat. The chair was designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Cappellini in Italy...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Slender Side Chairs in the Style of Philippe Starck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of slender side chairs in the style of Philippe Starck.
Category
1980s French 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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