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Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
set of four white steel armchairs "Cap d'Ail" by Mathieu Matégot, ca 1950
Located in Rome, IT
rare set of four garden armchairs designed by Mathieu Matègot and named "Cap d'Ail" circa 1950 painted steel originale condition: many signs of rust the set comes directly from an ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Danish Mid-Century Modern architectural armchair, 1960’s
Located in TOLLEBEEK, NL
Modern Danish design armchair from 1960’s on crafted stained oak frame with the seat and backrest upholstered in black faux leather. Condition Good, age related usage marks and wear...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Carved Dolphins Shape Arms Rounded Back Lounge Chairs Leather Upholstery AS IS
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Carved Dolphins Shape Arms Rounded Back Lounge Chairs Leather Upholstery AS IS
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Fauteuil Knoll modèle Pollock avec son ottoman en cuir noir Edition 1968
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Knoll Pollock armchair with black leather ottoman Edition 1968 Aluminium star base with 5 branches. Dimensions: W 60cm, D 70cm, Total height 84cm, Seat height 50cm. Good condition
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s/60s
Located in London, GB
An original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s. All hardware in working order. Reclines and adjusts into a h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mushroom Armchair and Ottoman by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mushroom set, designed by Pierre Paulin and fabricated by Artifort in the 60’s. The chair and the poof are completely restored with new fabric and new foam by a French Pie...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Armchair 1980s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
The chair could be said to be an iconic piece as it embodies style and comfort. It can easily represent a central piece of furniture that will always be admired. A very pleasant si...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Pair of EA108 armchairs design by Charles Eames for Herman Miller swivel seat
By Herman Miller, Charles Emes
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of EA108 armchairs design by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s, with swivel seat. Aluminum structure with four legs, central part in black painted aluminium. Under the seat...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Utrecht Armchair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld in 1935. Relaunched in 2015. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Gerrit T. Rietveld came up with the design for the Utrecht armchair in 193...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Jacques Adnet Black Vinyl & Brass Armchairs, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
President armchairs by Jacques Adnet, in their original Vinyl on brass legs. Sold in pairs.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Square Wrought Iron Chairs in the Manner of Quinet, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Square section wrought iron chair with comfortable curved back. Twelve available.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Yoga Body Chair by Jim Warren for Pearl Dot 1979 Pair
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
An important and rare pair of chairs designed by Jim Warren and produced by Pearl Dot, England, they date from 1979. Very cleverly designed to reflect the whole human body, in its fu...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Ash

VERY RARE armchair by Miroslav Navrátil for Zdeněk Plesník - 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1949 - Very rare - Only few pieces made - Completely original and well preserved condition - Published in books and found in museum in Brno.  
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Pale Blue Tall Italian Wingchairs, Italy 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of light blue cotton upholstered armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa on cherry legs with brass accents.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Percival Lafer Mp-5 lounge chairs pair Brazil 1961
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare pair of MP-5  lounge chairs designed by Percival Lafer and manufactured by Lafer MP, Brazil 1961. Steel structures covered with Caviuna. Reupholstered in a grey mixed fabric to ...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

French Woven Lounge Chairs 1940's
By Vibo
Located in Hudson, NY
French Mid Century Ripe Chairs by Adrien Audox and Frida Minet for Vibo. Beautifully curved bentwood and original woven rope seats.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rush, Bentwood

Gilbert Steiner Black Armchair, France 1960's
By Gilbert Steiner
Located in New York, NY
Modernist Visiteur chair in original vinyl, on brass legs. Six available. Priced as singles in COM.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Customizable Pair Of Mid Century Armchairs GFM87 By Juliusz Kędziorek, 1960s
Located in Wroclaw, PL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs GFM 87 by Juliusz Kędziorek, Gościcińskie Faryki Mebli, 1960s, Poland. Reupholstered in multicolor (white, beige, brown, gold) soft fabric. Soli...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Customizable High Back Armchair GFM64 by Edmund Homa in Kvadrat, 1960s
Located in Wroclaw, PL
High Back Armchair "GFM-64" designed by Edmund Homa, manufactured in Goscicinskie Furniture Factory in Poland, 1960's. Solid wood frame has been completely restored and refinished. R...
Category

1960s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech, Wool

Customizable Pair Of Mid Century Armchairs Type 300-190 by H.Lis, 1960's
Located in Wroclaw, PL
Pair of mid-century armchairs, type 300-190 designed by H. Lis, manufactured in Poland, 1960's. Reupholstered in blue-orange soft fabric. Solid wood frames have been completely rest...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Pair Of Mid Century Armchairs Type 300-190 by H.Lis, 1960's
Located in Wroclaw, PL
Pair of mid-century armchairs, type 300-190 designed by H. Lis, manufactured in Poland, 1960's. Reupholstered in cream corduroy. Solid wood frames have been completely restored and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Mid-century lounge armchair Yugoslavia 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Lovely vintage armchair from the 70s. Made in Yugoslavia. Comfortable, stable. Perfectly complement the interior of your living room in a retro style. Condition: wooden base in ex...
Category

Mid-20th Century Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Customizable Pair of Armchairs GFM64 by Edmund Homa in Kvadrat, 1960s
Located in Wroclaw, PL
Pair of "GFM-64" armchairs designed by Edmund Homa, manufactured in Goscicinskie Fabryki Mebli in Poland, 1960's. Reupholstered in KVADRAT "Re-wool 2" fabric colour number 0628. Soli...
Category

1960s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Customizable Pair Of Mid Century Armchairs Type 300-190 by H.Lis, 1960's
Located in Wroclaw, PL
Pair of mid-century armchairs, type 300-190 designed by H. Lis, manufactured in Poland, 1960's. Reupholstered armchairs in grey soft fabric, wood frames have been restored and refini...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Set of 8 Tempestini for Salterini Black Enamel Iron "Radar" Dining Chairs, 1950s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini set of eight radar dining armchairs. Featuring sculpted sturdy hoop frameworks in black enameled wrought iron, curved ergonomic full backs,...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Paire of armchairs by Maxime old circa 1947
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Rare paire of armchairs by Maxime Old, model : Conversation N°312, circa 1947, in oak and velvet. Sold with a certificate by Maxime old concept.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Guillerme & Chambron Petit Repos Armchair in Green Bouclé, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
An early example of the petit repos chair in original patina, newly upholstered in a green bouclé.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

FRANZ ROMERO De Sede ds57 Bugatti
Located in Grenoble, FR
The Bugatti type 57, an icon of Art Deco design, inspired Franz Romero when he designed the DS-57 armchair for De Sede. The designer not only managed to incorporate the characteristi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mia armchair by Franco Marabelli for B&B Italia, 1980's
Located in Brussels , BE
Beautiful green Mia armchair by Franco Marabelli for B&B Italia, 1980's
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Textile

Harry Bertoia Diamond Armchair Knoll International
Located in BAARLO, LI
Classic Diamond wire armchair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Designed in 1952. This version was produced in the 1970s. The white frame is in good vintage condition, with slight signs of...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Meurop Crocus Ball Chair, New Upholstered with High-End Fabric by Dedar, Italy
Located in Rijssen, NL
Timeless crocus ball armchair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop Belgium, in 1967. The chair is reupholsered in a soft wool bouclé fabric by Dedar...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Coppia di Poltrone Gigi Radice Minotti tessuto Trama verde Giallo Mid-century
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Coppia di Poltrone Gigi Radice Minotti tessuto Trama verde Giallo Mid-century
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-century lounge armchair Yugoslavia 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Lovely vintage armchair from the 1970s. Made in Yugoslavia. Comfortable, stable. Perfectly complement the interior of your living room in a retro style. Condition: While the wooden...
Category

Mid-20th Century Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Luna Ball side chair by Pierre Guariche, 1960's
Located in Brussels , BE
Luna Ball side chair by Pierre Guariche, 1960's
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Rattan Lounge chairs, 1960s
Located in Lasne, BE
Pair of lounge chairs in rattan. Seat height: 22cm. Wear and tear due to time and age.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rattan

1940s Rare Pair of Oak Armchairs by Krasna Jizba, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Spring seats - Very comfortable - The color is actually brown - The substance has signs of usability - Structurally solid.
Category

1940s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Ico Parisi pair of armchairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of very elegant armchairs by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950's
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

Franco Albini Gala chair by Bonacina, Italy, 1951
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A beautiful chair in bamboo and straw, Gala model, designed by Franco Albini in 1951, produced by Bonacina. The Gala chair, designed in 1951, embodies all the desires for novelty an...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo, Straw

Pair of Armchairs Designed by Jindrich Halabala, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, circa 1950s - Renovated, incl new upholstery circa 5 years ago - Good condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of armchairs 70s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of armchairs from 70s
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll
Located in Grenoble, FR
Charles Pollock Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll Pair of armchairs from the 60s by Charles Pollock in leather and chrome. cracking on the leather of the seat cushio...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Malatesta and Mason Armchair, Year 1950
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Malatesta and Mason armchair, 1950s, Made in Italy. Ebonized wood armchair with original patina of the period. The fabric of the armchair is red faux leather and is original. This s...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Elegant Osvaldo Borsani Armchairs 'Model P35', 1948
Located in Berlin, DE
Two elegant and fine arm chairs (Model P 35) by Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani. The chairs can be bought as a pair or individually. Upholstered seat, velvet cover an...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Ash, Plywood

Rattan armchair with metal base attributed to Franco Albini circa
Located in Grenoble, FR
Rattan armchair in the shape of a sun, metal base. Very representative of the 50s often attributed to Franco Albini Very good original condition we often find an attribution to Janin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Bamboo armchair Italy 1950s Italian vintage garden furniture
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
This stunning bent bamboo lazy lounge chair with arms originates from Italy in the 1950s, boasting a timeless design that adds a touch of natural elegance to any home. Crafted with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Petite Mexican Butaque in the Style of Clara Porset
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Antique Petite Mexican Butaque in the style of Clara Porset, circa 1960.
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Sofa & Armchairs Lounge Set, 1950s
Located in Whitstable, GB
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler midcentury sofa and armchairs; 1950s Sofa designed for their manufacturing company, Forma around 1955. This model is an icon of Brazilian midcentury des...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Hardwood

French Midcentury Rope Cantilever Chairs by Audoux & Minet
Located in Oakland, CA
Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, France 1940s. Cantilevered bentwood frame with woven sea grass rope in a grid pattern. Fantastic condition, frames have previously been restored. Sold ...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rope, Beech

Danish teak armchair "Captain´s chair" by Arne Hovmand Olsen
Located in Kiel, SH
The Armchair Captain's Chair by Arne Hovmand Olsen, crafted in teak and leather in 1958, is a timeless piece of mid-century modern design. This iconic chair features a sleek teak fra...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Guillerme & Chambron Lounge Chair in Green Mohair and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison, lounge chair, oak, reupholstered in green mohair, France, 1960s A comfortable armchair with high back. This chair has interesting details. The...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Mohair, Oak

Lady Chair in the style of Marco Zanuso
Located in San Diego, CA
This chair features the iconic upholstered structure and curved armrests that embodies the timeless appeal of mid-century furniture, combining technical excellence, refined craftsman...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Modern 'Wishbone' Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modern armchair takes its beautiful design from the iconic mid-century master Hans Wegner, and his Wishbone chair. The floating back rest flows to the arms and down the legs. Pl...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century 1950's Chrome and Sheepskin Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Located in London, GB
We’re happy to provide our own competitive shipping quotes with trusted couriers. Please message us with your postcode for a more accurate price. Thank you. Add a touch of luxury an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Groovy M Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort 1970s
Located in BAARLO, LI
Iconic blue Artifort Groovy (M-Chair) armchair. Designed in 1966 by the legendary French designer Pierre Paulin for Artifort. This 1970s/80s version is in very good and original vint...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Dijnn Armchair and Ottoman by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, France, 1965
Located in Barcelona, ES
Djinn armchair and ottoman designed by Olivier Mourgue in 1965 for the french company Airbone and in production from 1965 to 1976. The Djinn series are an icon of the lifestyle of th...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Alky Lounge Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely and comfortable Alky chair. Designed by Giancarlo Piretti in 1969, produced by Castelli Italy. Both chairs have the original wool fabric, color red. The chairs are professi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Expertly Restored - Set of 4 "Pretzel" Armchairs by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Laminate, Wood, Walnut, Bentwood

Set of Six Solid Golden Oak Bankers Armchairs, circa 1950
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of Six Bankers Open Oak Armchairs by Community for Jasper Seating Co. Inc. Featuring open, double cross braced, sturdy, solid Golden Oak frames, 27H Arm rests, Wide comfortable s...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Mid-century Modern armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Artifort, Knoll, and Pierre Paulin. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $145 and tops out at $134,145 while the average work can sell for $3,694.

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