What are Shell Chairs?

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.

Is the Shell Chair comfortable?

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.

What is the history of the Wegner Shell chair?

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.

Is the Wegner shell chair comfortable?

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.

What color chairs go with a black table?

There are multiple chair colors that can be matched with a black table, it’s really a matter of preference. You could choose to go with black or a contrasting color or even think outside the box in order to add unlikely pops of color to a space. Visit 1stDibs for a wide selection of chairs and tables available in different colors.

Black Shell Chairs

Leaf Chairs

Shell Art Deco

Victorian Mother Of Pearl Chair

Ryan Korban

Victorian Papier Mache Chair

Black Lacquer Mother Of Pearl Inlay Furniture

Sylvie Chair

Furniture With Gold Inlay

Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother of Pearl Papier-mâché Side Chair

$2,626

H 32.09 in W 17.33 in D 17.72 in

Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother of Pearl Papier-mâché Side Chair

Located in London, GB

Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother of Pearl Papier-mâché Gilt Detailed Side Chair C.1840 In very good condition commensurate of age. Please message for an accurate shipp...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Lamp-Hanger Chair in Black Rosewood & Shell by Artempo

$3,618 / item

H 46.86 in W 19.89 in D 19.49 in

Lamp-Hanger Chair in Black Rosewood & Shell by Artempo

Located in Geneve, CH

Lamp-Hanger Chair in Black Rosewood & Shell by Artempo Dimensions: D 49,5 x W 50,5 x H 119 cm. Materials: Rosewood and shell. Artempo means art of time. As time goes by, pure art wi...

Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Shell, Wood

Vintage Boho Mother of Pearl Inlay Papier Mache Chair

$1,450

H 30.75 in W 16.75 in D 13.5 in

Vintage Boho Mother of Pearl Inlay Papier Mache Chair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Discover the captivating allure of this exquisite vintage accent chair, featuring intricate mother-of-pearl inlay shimmering against a deep black lacquered finish, likely over a trad...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Cane

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

$6,405 / item

H 70.87 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

By R & Y Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Brass

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

$6,405

H 70.87 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

By R & Y Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Brass

Shell Inlaid Sylvie Console and Chair by R&Y Augousti

$21,640 / set

H 82.13 in W 70.87 in D 14.57 in

Shell Inlaid Sylvie Console and Chair by R&Y Augousti

By R & Y Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Console Tables

Materials

Shell

19th Century Victorian Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl & Gold Leaf Papier Mache Chair

$8,600

H 37 in W 23.5 in D 14.5 in

19th Century Victorian Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl & Gold Leaf Papier Mache Chair

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th Century Victorian inlaid mother-of-pearl & gilt papier mache chair. This elegantly shaped chair is detailed with Mother Of Pearl inlaid patterns of flowers and birds in flight,...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Papier-mâché Chair with Gold Leaf Detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay

$6,100

H 35 in W 23.5 in D 18 in

19th Century Papier-mâché Chair with Gold Leaf Detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century Papier-mâché chair with gold leaf detail and Mother of Pearl inlay.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Papier-mâché Chair with Gold Leaf Detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay

$5,250

H 35.5 in W 19 in D 16.5 in

19th Century Papier-mâché Chair with Gold Leaf Detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century Papier-mâché chair with gold leaf detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

19th Century Papier-mâché Chair with Gold Leaf Detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay

$6,100 / item

H 37 in W 24 in D 17 in

19th Century Papier-mâché Chair with Gold Leaf Detail and Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century Papier-mâché chair with gold leaf detail and mother of pearl inlay.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique Mother of Pearl Inlaid Ebonised Regency Chair, circa 1815

$1,683

H 33.78 in W 15.36 in D 17.13 in

Antique Mother of Pearl Inlaid Ebonised Regency Chair, circa 1815

Located in Pulborough, GB

We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning 1815s Mother of Pearl occasional chair. A very well-made and beautiful decorative chair, this is a good collector's find, not too ...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

$6,405 / item

H 70.87 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

By R & Y Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Brass

Antique Mid-19th Century Lacquer Side Chairs with Mother of Pearl Inlay

$2,500 / set

H 32.75 in W 15.25 in D 15.88 in

Antique Mid-19th Century Lacquer Side Chairs with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in New Orleans, LA

If you appreciate lacquer and mother of pearl, these chairs may be just the ticket for you.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chairs

Materials

Lacquer, Mother-of-Pearl

Black Lacquer Side Chair

$2,650

H 35 in W 18.5 in D 20.5 in

Black Lacquer Side Chair

Located in Woodbury, CT

Black lacquer side chair with mother-of-pearl inlay, well executed painted flowers and caned seat.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Paper

Recent Sales

Hand Painted and Mother of Pearl Inlaid Miniature Chair, 19th Century

Unavailable

H 24.81 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in

Hand Painted and Mother of Pearl Inlaid Miniature Chair, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A very fine 19th century ebonized wooden miniature chair. The mother of pearl inlay and hand painted decoration of painted birds with floral surroundings all-over the frame and is ac...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Antique Rare Victorian, circa 1890 Mother-of-Pearl Cane Inlaid Bedroom Chair

Unavailable

H 33.86 in W 16.54 in D 16.93 in

Antique Rare Victorian, circa 1890 Mother-of-Pearl Cane Inlaid Bedroom Chair

Located in Wisbech, Walton Wisbech

Antique rare Victorian ebonized mother-of-pearl cane inlaid bedroom chair. Came from the Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. Dates from circa 1890. Fantastic quality decor...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

England Victorian Pair of black lacquer mother-of-pearl inlaid chairs

Sold

H 33.86 in W 16.54 in D 15.75 in

England Victorian Pair of black lacquer mother-of-pearl inlaid chairs

Located in Valladolid, ES

Exquisite and very refined pair of English chairs from the early 19th century in lacquered wood with mother-of-pearl inlays and gold polychrome, with a clear Asian or Philippine infl...

Category

Antique 1890s Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Stackable Chrome Chairs by Steelcase

Sold

H 32.25 in W 19.5 in D 24.5 in

Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Stackable Chrome Chairs by Steelcase

By Steelcase

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Original Condition Materials: Plastic Resin, Polished Chrome

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Stackable Chrome Chairs by Steelcase

Sold

H 32.25 in W 19.5 in D 25.5 in

Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Stackable Chrome Chairs by Steelcase

By Steelcase

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Original Condition Dimensions: 32.25”H x 19.50”W x 24.50”D Seat Height 17.25" Materials: Plastic Resin, Polished Chrome

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Papier Machè Chair

Sold

H 34.85 in W 18.71 in D 20.08 in

Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Papier Machè Chair

Located in London, GB

Antique English 19th Century Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Papier Machè Chair William IV C.1830 Superb decorative chair, intricately inlaid with mother of pearl inlay and gilt detailin...

Category

Antique 19th Century English William IV Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Vintage Coastal Black Lacquered Shell Back Grotto Chairs, Set of 4

Sold

H 21.5 in W 26.5 in L 21.5 in

Vintage Coastal Black Lacquered Shell Back Grotto Chairs, Set of 4

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Fabulous set of four vintage black lacquered grotto chairs. Beautiful and iconic shell back in a high glass black finish. The seats are in great shape and in a bright colorful tropic...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Chairs

Materials

Shell, Glass, Lacquer

Midcentury Herman Miller DFSW Shell Dining Chairs, Set of 8

Sold

H 31.75 in W 18 in D 19 in

Midcentury Herman Miller DFSW Shell Dining Chairs, Set of 8

By Herman Miller

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Stunning set of 8 vintage MCM dining chairs. Made by the iconic Herman Miller and tagged on the bottom. The coveted DFSW Shell design with a molded fiberglass seat and the wooden dow...

Category

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

Materials

Shell, Fiberglass

Pair of Vintage Indian Black Stained Side Chairs with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Sold

H 35 in W 18 in D 15.5 in

Pair of Vintage Indian Black Stained Side Chairs with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in Yonkers, NY

A pair of Indian vintage black stained side chairs from the mid-20th century, with mother of pearl inlay and rattan seat. Created in India during the midcentury period, each of this ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Side Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

Sold

H 70.87 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

By R & Y Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Sylvie chair is an iconic design by R & Y Augousti. One of their very first designs, this majestic and ethereal piece is a statement in any space. This piece has been photographe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Shell

19th Century Black Lacquered and Gilt Chair with Mother of Pearl Decor

Sold

H 33 in W 17 in D 16 in

19th Century Black Lacquered and Gilt Chair with Mother of Pearl Decor

Located in Dallas, TX

This elegant and colorful antique chair was crafted in France, circa 1870. The petite chair frame stands on four curved legs over a bombe scalloped apron, and features an elaborate c...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Giltwood, Paint

Coco Stool in Black Pen Shell and Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris

Sold

H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

Coco Stool in Black Pen Shell and Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris

By Kifu Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Coco stool is an elegant piece with its beautiful quilted detailing and bronze-patina brass border. A great stool for a dining table or living room area; available in other finis...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Stools

Materials

Brass

Pair of Ottoman Empire Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Side Chairs

Sold

H 49 in W 18 in D 22 in

Pair of Ottoman Empire Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Side Chairs

Located in Stamford, CT

Impressive pair of mother-of-pearl and metal inlaid chairs with intricate hardwood turnings. The skill and time that went into creating these chairs is remarkable. Each with a crest ...

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Side Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Victorian Papier Machè Chair with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Sold

H 34.25 in W 17.5 in L 34.25 in

Victorian Papier Machè Chair with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Located in Chicago, IL

Since the mid-18th century, Europeans used papier mâché as an alternative to carved wood. When traditional Chinese lacquer furniture entered the European marketplace in the 19th cent...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Chairs

Materials

Other

Italian Inlaid Folding Savonarola Chair

Sold

H 38 in W 24.5 in D 22 in

Italian Inlaid Folding Savonarola Chair

Located in North York, ON

Original folding chair with finely carved detailed patterns and mother of pearl inlay. Price includes complimentary curb side delivery to the continental USA.

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Armchairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

Sold

H 50 in W 18 in D 23 in

Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen

Located in Miami, FL

Set of six Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen High back series 3172 in production since 1965. Four armless and two armchairs mounted on swiveling cast aluminum bases. R...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

English Victorian Rococo Revival Papier-Mâché Slipper Chair

Sold

H 35.25 in W 20 in D 20.5 in

English Victorian Rococo Revival Papier-Mâché Slipper Chair

Located in New York, NY

This fine mid-19th century English Victorian period papier-mâché slipper chair in the Rococo Revival taste has a molded and shaped balloon back with mother-of-pearl inlay and gilded ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Rococo Revival Slipper Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cane, Paint, Mother-of-Pearl

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$15,439 / item

H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in

Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

By Munna Design Studio

Located in NEW YORK, NY

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Category

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Dining Chair Hello Artistry Edition by Noom in Patience & Gough recycled velvet

$3,750 / item

H 30.71 in W 20.87 in D 24.02 in

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By NOOM, Denis Sokolov

Located in Paris, FR

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2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

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Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Faux Fur

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$1,650 / item

H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

By Örsjö Industri AB

Located in Glendale, CA

'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia

$690 / item

H 19 in W 17 in D 17 in

Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia

By Dusty Deco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Cornelia Table Lamp is a lamp that is made from capiz shells which gives the material an irregular structure. This makes each lamp unique, something that adds to its character and pe...

Category

2010s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

$3,990 / item

H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

By Dusty Deco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...

Category

2010s Bosnian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Velvet

Brutalist Solid Dark Brown Oak Trigon Chair

$5,851

H 47.05 in W 28.94 in D 22.05 in

Brutalist Solid Dark Brown Oak Trigon Chair

By Mokko Amsterdam

Located in Amsterdam, NL

The Trigon Chair is composed of pentahedral volumes; five-faced triangular shapes. The triangle is one of the earliest known geometric forms, with its use dating back to over 5.000 y...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Chairs

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Brutalist Black Leather & Cast Solid Brass Lounge Chair by Egg Designs

$10,660 / item

H 33.47 in W 32.29 in D 32.29 in

Brutalist Black Leather & Cast Solid Brass Lounge Chair by Egg Designs

By Egg Designs

Located in Bothas Hill, KZN

Egg Designs’ Primal lounge chair (2024) is a bold, Brutalist-inspired statement piece, crafted with sculptural presence and rich material contrast. Upholstered in black leather, the ...

Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Sculptural Brass Floor Lamps with Shell Inlay by Kifu Paris

$12,080 / set

H 70.79 in W 17.33 in D 20.2 in

Pair of Sculptural Brass Floor Lamps with Shell Inlay by Kifu Paris

By Kifu Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

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Stack 880 Green Round Glass Coffee Table by NiccolÃ² Devetag

$950 / item

H 4.73 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

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By Billiani 1911

Located in Milan, IT

Stack 880 by NiccolÃ² Devetag is a green round glass coffee table from the Stack collection, featuring modular elements that can be stacked to create tables of varying heights. The d...

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Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 3

$19,500 / set

H 28.75 in W 103.94 in D 37.41 in

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 3

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, camel velvet, Italy, 1971, set of three. The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like ...

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Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

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Velvet, Foam

Cream Side Chair Iron Modern Handmade Handwoven Horsehair Textile Accent Mane

$21,000 / item

H 26 in W 25 in D 23 in

Cream Side Chair Iron Modern Handmade Handwoven Horsehair Textile Accent Mane

By J.M. Szymanski

Located in Bronx, NY

HORSECHAIR NO. 2 J.M. Szymanski d. 2021 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an exciting juxtaposition of elements....

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Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobios Post-Modern Croissant Sofa in Off-White Fabric

$38,500

H 31.5 in W 154.73 in D 53.15 in

Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobios Post-Modern Croissant Sofa in Off-White Fabric

By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois

Located in Waalwijk, NL

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$14,000

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By Verner Panton, Verpan

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Verner Panton “Cloverleaf” modular sofa for Verpan, green fabric, Denmark, 1969. Verner Panton designed the Cloverleaf modular sofa in 1969, challenging traditional seating concepts...

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$3,613 / item

H 28 in W 21.5 in D 21 in

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By Dragonette Private Label

Located in Palm Desert, CA

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$2,800 / item

H 28 in W 22.5 in D 21.5 in

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By Möbius Objects

Located in Calgary, AB

Complex yet functional joinery transcends trends making this piece a timeless addition to any interior decor. Alone as an accent chair or as part of a set, suiting both casual and ...

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By R & Y Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...

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Black Shell Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of black shell chairs available for sale. Find 7 antique and vintage black shell chairs at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 3 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. Black shell chairs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Black shell chairs are generally popular furniture pieces, but Art Deco and Victorian styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Many black shell chairs are appealing in their simplicity, but R & Y Augousti and Kifu Augousti produced popular black shell chairs that are worth a look.

How Much are Black Shell Chairs?

Prices for black shell chairs start at $775 and top out at $5,400 with the average selling for $2,533.

Finding the Right Chairs for You

Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?

With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.

“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.

Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.

“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames.

Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.

The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office.

A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today.

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Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.

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Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner

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The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways

The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.

This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet

Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.

Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.