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Black Shell Chairs

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

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
Lamp-Hanger Chair in Black Rosewood & Shell by Artempo

Lamp-Hanger Chair in Black Rosewood & Shell by Artempo

$3,693 / 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
Vintage Boho Mother of Pearl Inlay Papier Mache Chair

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

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

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

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti
Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

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
Shell Inlaid Sylvie Console and Chair by R&Y Augousti

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

Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti
Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

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 Mother of Pearl Inlaid Ebonised Regency Chair, circa 1815
Antique Mother of Pearl Inlaid Ebonised Regency Chair, circa 1815

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
Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

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

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
Black Lacquer Side Chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Midcentury Herman Miller DFSW Shell Dining Chairs, Set of 8

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

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
Sylvie Chair in Black Pen Shell by R & Y Augousti

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

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

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

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
Victorian Papier Machè Chair with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

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
Italian Inlaid Folding Savonarola Chair

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
Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

Sold

H 50 in W 18 in D 23 in

Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

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
English Victorian Rococo Revival Papier-Mâché Slipper Chair

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

People Also Browsed

Red Fox Fur Cushion by Muchi Decor, Made in Italy
Red Fox Fur Cushion by Muchi Decor, Made in Italy

Red Fox Fur Cushion by Muchi Decor, Made in Italy

$408 / item

H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in

Red Fox Fur Cushion by Muchi Decor, Made in Italy

By Muchi Decor by LA-RI S.r.l.

Located in Poviglio, IT

This natural Red Fox fur cushion has been made by carefully selecting each skin, ro be processed as to create a chequered composition, combining colours and volumes in a meticulous a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pillows and Throws

Materials

Other

A beautiful Celestial Table Globe produced by Gerard & Leonard Valk
A beautiful Celestial Table Globe produced by Gerard & Leonard Valk

A beautiful Celestial Table Globe produced by Gerard & Leonard Valk

By Gerard and Leonard Valk

Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL

A magnificent and very rare early 18th century celestial table globe produced by Gerard and Leonard Valk. Established at the end of the previous century by Gerard Valk, and assisted ...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Globes

Materials

Other

Large Art Deco Period Portrait Painting of an Elegant Young Woman, 1937
Large Art Deco Period Portrait Painting of an Elegant Young Woman, 1937

Large Art Deco Period Portrait Painting of an Elegant Young Woman, 1937

Located in San Francisco, CA

A very large Art Deco style full length portrait of an elegantly dressed beautiful young woman. The woman in this painting is Millie Stokes. Oil on canvas in original silver gilt woo...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet with Depiction the Dutch Tradepost
17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet with Depiction the Dutch Tradepost

17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet with Depiction the Dutch Tradepost

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A highly important Japanese export lacquer cabinet with depiction of the Dutch East India Company tradepost Deshima and the annual Dutch delegation on its way to the Shogun in Edo ...

Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Copper, Gold

19th Century English Chinoiserie Ladies Secretaire Writing Table
19th Century English Chinoiserie Ladies Secretaire Writing Table

19th Century English Chinoiserie Ladies Secretaire Writing Table

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Extraordinary 19th century English ladies secretaire desk or writing table. The two part desk was made in the Chinoiserie revival period of Europe in the mid-19th century. The desk f...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

The "Loretta" Chair, Dragonette Private Label
The "Loretta" Chair, Dragonette Private Label

The "Loretta" Chair, Dragonette Private Label

$3,613 / item

H 28 in W 21.5 in D 21 in

The "Loretta" Chair, Dragonette Private Label

By Dragonette Private Label

Located in Palm Desert, CA

This elegant piece, modeled after a vintage 1940 vanity chair, is custom order only and priced COM. The graceful walnut frame is shown in a high gloss espresso finish. 3 yards of...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage
Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

$425,000

H 168 in Dm 104 in

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Bird Cages

Materials

Metal

Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet

Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet

Located in Houston, TX

Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Lacquer and Ormolu Commode
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Lacquer and Ormolu Commode

Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Lacquer and Ormolu Commode

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An elegant early 20th century Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Commode designed in the mid 18th century style with marble topped ebonized lacquered and gild bronze mounts. Beautifully exec...

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

English Adam Gilt Marble Console Table
English Adam Gilt Marble Console Table

English Adam Gilt Marble Console Table

$185,000

H 36.25 in W 61.5 in D 30.25 in

English Adam Gilt Marble Console Table

Located in Queens, NY

English Adam (circa 1780) gilt wood console with a carved frieze over rams head topped fluted legs with a stretcher & alabaster veneered marble top with a verde edge.

Category

Antique 18th Century English Neoclassical Console Tables

Materials

Alabaster, Marble, Gold Leaf

Allegory of Abundance

Allegory of Abundance

Located in New York, NY

Painted in collaboration with Hendrick van Balen (Antwerp, 1575 – 1632). Provenance: Private Collection, Uruguay, since the 1930s. The eldest son of Jan Breughel the Elder, Jan the...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Paintings

Materials

Copper

Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV, workshop of René-Antoine Houasse, French 17th
Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV, workshop of René-Antoine Houasse, French 17th

Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV, workshop of René-Antoine Houasse, French 17th

Located in PARIS, FR

Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV, Workshop of René-Antoine Houasse, (Paris, c. 1645 - Paris, 1710) Late 17th century French school, c. 1690 Oil on canvas, h. 100 cm, w. 80 cm Importa...

Category

Late 17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mid-19th Century White Marble Statue "Le Triomphe D'Ariadne" from France
Mid-19th Century White Marble Statue "Le Triomphe D'Ariadne" from France

Mid-19th Century White Marble Statue "Le Triomphe D'Ariadne" from France

Located in Dallas, TX

Neoclassical carved white marble sculpture, "Le Triomphe D'Ariadne," signed J.B. Clesinger, Rome (Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French, 1814-1883), dated 1866, showing Ariadne sea...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Statues

Materials

Marble

Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet
Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet

Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer cabinet, c. 1750 (Regence Period) A truly magnificent, monumental, and one of a kind cabinet, painted throughout with gi...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Portrait of the French Princess, late 17th c. French school
Portrait of the French Princess, late 17th c. French school

Portrait of the French Princess, late 17th c. French school

Located in PARIS, FR

Portrait of the Princess of Conti - Attributed to Louis Ferdinand Elle the Younger (1648-1717) Late 17th century French school Oil on canvas, h. 100 cm, l. 80 cm Important Louis XIV ...

Category

Late 17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED
LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED

LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly important, Museum quality, extra large framed, Documented English oak Tester bed c...

Category

Antique Early 1600s English Jacobean Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

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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.