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Shell Form Chairs

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Set of four Champagne chairs by Estelle & Erwine Laverne for Formes Nouvelles
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne, mes nouvelles
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
by Formes Nouvelles, France, ca. 1960 This offer contains four chairs. As shown in the last picture
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of four Champagne chair by Estelle & Erwine Laverne for Formes Nouvelles
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne, mes nouvelles
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
by Formes Nouvelles, in France. We have a 2nd set of four Champanger chairs available for sale, that
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

1960s Champagner chairs by Estelle & Ervine Laverne for Formes Nouvelles
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne, mes nouvelles
Located in PEGO, ES
Very Rare and complete Set of four (4) Champagner chairs designed by Erwine & Estelle Laverne
Category

Mid-20th Century French Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Grotto Shell Chairs, Three Available
Located in New York, NY
Hand-carved fruitwood frames with stylized dolphin-form arm from the mid 1900s. The chairs has very
Category

Mid-20th Century Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood

Zenith Charles Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chairs
By Zenith, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Zenith Charles Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chairs – Iconic Design, Unmatched Comfort
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell Chair
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Seating: Ray and Charles Eames Padded Chair for Herman Miller Own a piece of design history
Category

20th Century American Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eames for Herman Miller Tan Padded Shell Chair
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Seating: Ray and Charles Eames Padded Chair for Herman Miller Own a piece of design history
Category

20th Century American Chairs

Materials

Metal

Wieland Unimold Wedge Form Lounge Chair
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hanover, MA
Fantastic sculptural 1970's wedge-form lounge chair on triangular walnut plinth base by Wieland
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Plywood

Chinese Export Shell-Inlaid Ebonized Corner Chair
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export shell-inlaid ebonized corner chair, the sweeping horseshoe-shaped crestrail centered
Category

20th Century Chinese Corner Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Erwine and Estelle Laverne Champagne Chair, for Formes Nouvelles 1957
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Rare green "Champagne" chair designed in 1957 by Estelle & Erwin Laverne for Formes Nouvelles Italy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

two lucite Champagner chairs designed by Erwine & Estelle Laverne, ca. 1960
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne, mes nouvelles
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of two lucite Champagne chairs designed by Erwine & Estelle Laverne, ca. 1960 Edited by Formes
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Expertly Restored - Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Chair for Christiansen & Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Christensen & Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful modern shell chairs, crafted by Danish architect and furniture designer Ib-Kofod Larsen
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Teak

6 Eames for Herman Miller DSS Stackable Naugahyde Fiberglass Shell Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
quantity. Eames stackable fiberglass shell chairs with original brown naugahyde pads. The famous Charles
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Mid-Century Erwine and Estelle Laverne Champagne Chair, for Formes Nouvelle 1957
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne
Located in Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Rare green "Champagne" chair designed in 1957 by Estelle & Erwin Laverne for Formes Nouvelles Italy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mariolina Chair in Anthracite Metal Legs, Silk Gray Shell, by E-GGs
By Miniforms, E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mariolina chair is offered with iron legs in anthracite, a shell in polypropylene silk grey
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Cherner Lounge Side Chair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The lounge chair and ottoman designed by Benjamin Cherner is the latest addition to the Cherner
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Cherner Lounge Side Chair
Cherner Lounge Side Chair
H 29.5 in W 31.5 in D 28.5 in
Set of 10 Eames for Herman Miller Stacking Brown Naugahyde DSS Shell Chairs
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chattanooga, TN
. Eames stackable fiberglass shell chairs with original brown naugahyde pads. The famous Charles and Ray
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Pair of Italian Crab-Form Grotto Chairs, Attributed to Pauly et Cie, Venice
By Pauly et Cie
Located in London, GB
velvet seat, all set on a naturalistic base in the form of a shell. Measure: The height of each chair
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Mariolina Conference Chair in Silk Grey Shell with Anthracite Legs by E-GGS
By Miniforms, E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
method and suitable for everyday life. Chair with attachable base in iron rebar, lacquered anthracite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Expertly Restored - Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Chairs for Christiansen & Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Christensen & Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of spectacular shell chairs, crafted by Danish architect and furniture designer Ib-Kofod
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech, Teak

Shell Lounge Square Chair in Natural Walnut with upholstery seat in leather
By Niko Kralj
Located in Ljubljana, SI
geometric lines in metal and softly curved plywood. Niko Kralj elevated the Shell Chair to a new level
Category

2010s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Homecrest Clam Shell Casino Salterini Style Wrought Iron Swivel Chairs, a Pair
By Homecrest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Homecrest Clam Shell Casino Salterini style wrought iron swivel chairs - a Pair. Item features
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Hans J. Wegner 'CH07 Shell' 60th Anniversary Lounge Chair in Leather Upholstery
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Glendale, CA
influential new designers. With a form uniquely its own, Hans J. Wegner's 'CH07 Shell' chair embodies iconic
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak, Rosewood

Fine circa 1780 Georgian Shell Back Hall Chair Gillows of Lancaster Attributed
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Georgian circa 1780 Cuban mahogany hall chair
Category

Antique 1780s English Georgian Side Chairs

Materials

Hardwood

Hans J. Wegner 'CH07 Shell' 60th Anniversary Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen & Son
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Glendale, CA
designers. With a form uniquely its own, Hans J. Wegner's 'CH07 Shell' chair embodies iconic Midcentury
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Oak, Rosewood

Six Vintage Eames Herman Miller Swivel Shell Chairs on Casters 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Baltimore, MD
Authentic rare Mid-Century Modern iconic molded fiberglass pivoting shell office or dining chairs
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Hans Wegner Model CH22 Shell Back Paddle Armchair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stamford, CT
Oak armchair with wide paddle form arms and sculpted and inlaid back. Also having a Danish paper
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak

Vintage Queen Anne Style Shell Carved Solid Wood Dining Chairs, Set of 8
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Queen Anne style shell carved solid wood dining chairs - set of 8. Item features (8) side
Category

Late 20th Century Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair Antique Syrian Moorish Inlaid Folding Chairs, Late 19th Century, Syria
Located in Austin, TX
A classic and elegant near pair of antique Syrian carved walnut folding scribes chairs with shell
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs

Materials

Bone, Shell, Walnut

Danish wooden shell armchair CH07 by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, 2000s
By Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in MIlano, IT
. CH07 Shell Chair with white lacquered wooden structure. The structure has particular dynamic and
Category

Early 2000s Danish Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Buriti Chair
By Sergio Matos
Located in Campina Grande, Paraiba
The hypnotic lines shuttle seduces the look. It traces the majestic size of the Buriti chair, with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Buriti Chair
Buriti Chair
H 35.44 in W 23.23 in D 25.6 in
1 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Shell DAR Eiffel Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
organic-form, ever-delightful La Chaise. In 1956 the Eames lounge chair and ottoman appeared — the
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

4 DKX-2 Wire Bikini Shell Chairs X Bases Hot Pink Bikinis Eames Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
designed the wire shell side chair for Herman Miller in the 1950s it was inspired by trays, dress forms
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Egg Chair" design by Arne Jacobsen. Made with egg shell white fabric
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair
Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair
H 42 in W 31 in D 35 in
Cream Panton Cone Chair
By Verner Panton
Located in Dronten, NL
Chair. As its name suggests, the body of the chair takes the form of a cone. Standing on its tip, a
Category

Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Cream Panton Cone Chair
Cream Panton Cone Chair
H 32.29 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Buriti Chair - In wine
By Sergio Matos
Located in Campina Grande, Paraiba
The hypnotic lines shuttle seduces the look. It traces the majestic size of the Buriti Chair, with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Buriti Chair - In wine
Buriti Chair - In wine
H 35.44 in W 23.43 in D 24.81 in
18th Century Rococo Chairs Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
carvings on the top is typical for the Rococo period with the shell shaped form. The word Rococo is
Category

Antique 1760s Swedish Rococo Chairs

Materials

Birch

18th Century Rococo Chairs Sweden
18th Century Rococo Chairs Sweden
H 40.16 in W 20.48 in D 16.93 in
Oracle Chair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
,"Oracle", which consists of a chair, a desk, a bench, a shelf, and a screen.The symbolic form of the
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Oracle Chair by kar
Oracle Chair by kar
H 38.19 in W 14.97 in D 22.05 in
Coco Cognac-Toned Leather Chair
By Morica Design
Located in Milan, IT
A sleek thermo-formed MDF shell sustained by tapered walnut-stained ash legs lends this chair its
Category

2010s Italian Chairs

Materials

Leather

Coco Cognac-Toned Leather Chair
Coco Cognac-Toned Leather Chair
H 24.02 in W 18.51 in D 35.83 in
Cherner Lounge Armchair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The lounge chair and ottoman designed by Benjamin Cherner is the latest addition to the Cherner
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Cherner Lounge Armchair
Cherner Lounge Armchair
H 29.5 in W 31.5 in D 28.5 in
Panda Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
Located in Geneve, CH
the shell and epoxy glass box inside with led lighting. I Melis Tatlicibasi form Turkey, am an
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Panda Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
Panda Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Set Queen Anne Dining Chairs Walnut Furniture
Located in Potters Bar, GB
1920 The Chairs are Raised Upon Cabriole Legs with Pad Feet, Having Carved Shells to the Knees. The
Category

Vintage 1920s Queen Anne Chairs

Materials

Walnut

JD01 Noir Contemporary Chair in Plywood
Located in London, GB
sheet of baltic birched plywood, manipulated into this simplistically congruent chair. Thermal coating
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Plywood

JD01 Noir Contemporary Chair in Plywood
JD01 Noir Contemporary Chair in Plywood
H 28.35 in W 14.97 in D 18.51 in
Dining Chair State with Lacquered Metal
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
A set of two State dining chairs: COM Seat and Back Upholstery Smooth Easy Clean Shell Piping
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Dining Chair State with Lacquered Metal
Dining Chair State with Lacquered Metal
H 33.08 in W 21.66 in D 19.3 in
Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik
Located in Geneve, CH
Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik Dimensions: D 48.5 x W 70 x H 79 cm Materials: Polycarbonate
Category

2010s Dutch Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik
Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik
H 31.11 in W 27.56 in D 19.1 in
Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik
Located in Geneve, CH
Prismania chair signed by Elise Luttik Dimensions: D 48.5 x W 70 x H 79 cm Materials: Polycarbonate
Category

2010s Dutch Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik
Prismania Chair Signed by Elise Luttik
H 31.11 in W 27.56 in D 19.1 in
Panda Lounge Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
Located in Geneve, CH
the shell and epoxy glass box inside with led lighting. I Melis Tatlicibasi form Turkey, am an
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Panda Lounge Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
Panda Lounge Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
H 33.47 in W 25.6 in D 21.66 in
Olo Chair by Andrew Jones for Keilhauer
Located in Littleton, CO
A molded-plastic update on the classic tub chair, the Olo Chair by Andrew Jones for Keilhauer is
Category

Early 2000s Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Olo Chair by Andrew Jones for Keilhauer
Olo Chair by Andrew Jones for Keilhauer
H 30.5 in W 25.5 in D 22.75 in
Contemporary Eames Orange Red Molded Plastic Side Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in San Gabriel, CA
adapted molding techniques developed during World War II to produce their classic shell chair’s simple
Category

2010s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Wittmann Customizable Fame Chair by Christophe Pillet
By Christophe Pillet, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
craftmanship, FAME chimes beautifully with Wittmann’s roots and core values. Following on from the lounge chair
Category

2010s Austrian Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile

Minimal Organic Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
chairs feature shells made from a flexible and lightweight material inside the foam area, ensuring a
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Aluminium Chair EA107 by Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Baranzate, MI
of the Aluminium Chair is the clever combination of materials. Its form is clean and transparent, its
Category

20th Century Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Aluminium Chair EA107 by Charles and Ray Eames
Aluminium Chair EA107 by Charles and Ray Eames
H 31.89 in W 22.45 in D 20.48 in
Minimal Organic Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
chairs feature shells made from a flexible and lightweight material inside the foam area, ensuring a
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Minimalist Organic Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
chairs feature shells made from a flexible and lightweight material inside the foam area, ensuring a
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Minimalist Organic Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
chairs feature shells made from a flexible and lightweight material inside the foam area, ensuring a
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Pair of Garden Egg Chairs by Peter Ghyczy
By Peter Ghyczy
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Peter Ghyczy in 1968, the iconic Garden Egg Chair incorporates a space age look, UFO
Category

Late 20th Century European Space Age Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Plastic

Pair of Garden Egg Chairs by Peter Ghyczy
Pair of Garden Egg Chairs by Peter Ghyczy
H 39.5 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
10 late 18th Century Rococo chairs made in Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
and countercurves based on the fundamental shapes of the “C” and the “S,” as well as with shell forms
Category

Antique 1770s Swedish Rococo Chairs

Materials

Birch

Customizable Gubi Beetle Dining Chair Designed by GamFratesi
By Gubi, GamFratesi Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
Beetle Chair’s durable outer shell is a continuous, curved form, reminiscent of the strong and graceful
Category

2010s Danish Chairs

Materials

Textile

English 19th Century Pair of Oak Hall Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
showcases scrolling and shell inspired hand-carved elements at the top, a recessed shield form in the center
Category

Antique 19th Century English French Provincial Chairs

Materials

Wood, Oak, Hardwood

English 19th Century Pair of Oak Hall Chairs
English 19th Century Pair of Oak Hall Chairs
H 33.75 in W 15.5 in D 18.25 in
Set of Side Chairs by Isamu Kenmochi for Kotobuki
By Isamu Kenmochi, Kotobuki
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
remnant of the past. Charles & Ray Eames' shell chair is famous among FRP chairs, but its distinctive
Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Showa Chairs

Materials

Acrylic

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Shell Form Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of shell form chairs available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique shell form chairs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and oak. Find 166 antique and vintage shell form chairs at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 326 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. Shell form chairs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Shell form chairs made by modern designers — as well as those associated with mid-century modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Shell form chairs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by De Sede, Christian Werner and Fritz Hansen are consistently popular.

How Much are Shell Form Chairs?

Prices for shell form chairs start at $409 and top out at $1,196,500 with the average selling for $2,622.

Finding the Right seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.

Questions About Shell Form Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    Shell chairs are iconic mid-century modern chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner and first released in 1963. In terms of both process and aesthetics, the Shell chair was ahead of its time when it was introduced. The expressive seat and back are made out of form-pressed oak or walnut laminates and topped with upholstered cushions for maximum comfort. Its design includes a tapered three-leg structure with two front legs made of one continuous piece and a separate hind leg that supports the backrest. This gives the chair a feeling of lightness without sacrificing stability. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Shell chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Whether the Shell chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, creator Hans J. Wegner designed the curves of the backrest and the seat to complement the contours of the human body in order to provide ample support when the Shell chair made its debut in 1963. Chairs became Wegner’s specialty, and over the years he designed over 500 of them. More than 100 of his designs, such as the Wishbone chair and the Papa Bear chair, went into production. Shop a selection of Shell chairs and other vintage Hans Wegner seating on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The history of the Wegner Shell Chair begins in 1963. Hans J. Wegner unveiled the chair at the Furniture Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark. Often described as being "wing-like," the chair's radical fluid lines were considered a bit too futuristic at the time. Initially, mixed reviews from critics and the general public, as well as production difficulties, resulted in a very limited early run. Twelve new models were produced for a retrospective exhibition celebrating Wegner's 77th birthday in 1989, and the design began garnering renewed attention (a photograph of the chair was even selected to grace the cover of the exhibition catalog). In 1998, nearly a decade following the piece's reemergence at the retrospective event, Carl Hansen & Søn reintroduced the Shell chair 35 years after it was first released, and it has felt relevant ever since. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hans Wegner Shell chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether or not the Wegner shell chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal preference. Wegner did design the dramatically curved seat and gently tapered back to properly support the contours of the human body. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner chairs.