Side Shell Chair
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Plastic
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Side Chairs
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Side Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Polystyrene
Late 20th Century Side Chairs
Fiberglass
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Side Chairs
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Beech
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Plastic
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Coconut
Antique 1710s English Queen Anne Side Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Side Chairs
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, Shell
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century Dutch Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch George II Side Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Side Chairs
Wool, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Antique 1780s English Georgian Side Chairs
Hardwood
Antique Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Side Chairs
Walnut, Burl
Antique Mid-18th Century American Queen Anne Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Side Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Side Chairs
Wood
Early 2000s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Side Chairs
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Brass
2010s Danish Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum, Steel
Early 20th Century French Regency Side Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English George I Side Chairs
Leather, Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Side Chairs
Velvet, Oak
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Side Chairs
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Side Chairs
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Campaign Side Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Side Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Antique 1730s American American Colonial Side Chairs
Muslin, Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century French Side Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wicker
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Side Shell Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Side Shell Chair?
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.
- What are Shell Chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Shell 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.
- Is the Shell Chair comfortable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Whether 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, 2024The 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, 2022Whether 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
Read More
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