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Black Shell Chairs

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

Brass

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

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

Brass

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

Brass

19th Century Victorian Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl & Gilt 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 fligh...
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

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

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Lätt 1.0 Contemporary Marble Console by RDLC
By Raul de la Cerda, Difane
Located in Mexico City, MX
The concept is based on the essence of the material itself, with a clean and brutalist style: straight lines, geometric shapes, fewer ornaments, less noise and more naturalness. The ...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Marble

'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

Coralina II Nightstand Glossy Lacquered and Antique Brass Handle
Located in Frazão, Porto
Elegant and sophisticated, the bedside table Coralina is characterized by a curved structure in lacquered finish, on which the drawers in are inserted.‎ This bedside table also allow...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Night Stands

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces with Central Brass Plate
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall sconces made of a piece of curved and wavy Murano glass with a central brass plate. Two lights per sconce. Price per sconce
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak

  • Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
  • Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
  • Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
  • Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
H 35.44 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Shuffle mh1 Spectrum Side Table by Mia Hamborg for & Tradition
By Mia Hamborg
Located in Dubai, AE
The Shuffle side table in Spectrum colors seems to conjure images of classic wooden toys and with good reason. The choice of colors and the fact that you can unify and construct the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
By Juliana Lima Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought with three feet. The upholstered se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Stunning Pair of Victorian Military Campaign Folding Chairs Steamer Liner Pieces
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of Victorian circa 1880 military campaign style folding chairs A very good looking and highly collectable pair of desk steame...
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Grooved Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Smoked Murano glass wall sconces. Curved Murano glass sheet with oblique grooves and brass settings, covering three light bulbs.
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

  • Grooved Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces
  • Grooved Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces
  • Grooved Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces
  • Grooved Smoked Murano Glass Wall Sconces
H 19.69 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
"Melting" Console Table in Cream Shagreen & Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The melting console table’s simple but elegant design, makes for an adaptable neutral piece of furniture. The cream shagreen top is framed with an irregular surface bronze-patina bra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Console Tables

Materials

Brass

Trapezi Five Lights Neutral Shades Contemporary Pendant/Chandelier Brass, Glass
By Silvio Mondino Studio
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
The Trapezi contemporary chandelier is inspired by the idea of a Circus Trapeze artist. Hand blown glass in a variety of forms and colors is combined with brass bars and hung by L...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Chandeliers and Pen...

Materials

Brass

Sylvie Chair in Coal Black Shagreen 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

Shagreen Stingray

Modern Bordeira Coffee Tables Patagonia Stone Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bordeira Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection and inspired by the lines of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Travertine, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Cast Brass and Leather Primal Lounge Chair by Egg Designs
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Primal lounge chair is part of the Primal collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. This Brutalist style lounge chair was inspired by the rough, bruta...
Category

2010s South African Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Bohemian Ibiza Round Wall Mirror in Natural Fiber & Black
By Hommes Studio
Located in Porto, PT
Ibiza is an eye-catching wall mirror perfect for a modern design decor. The hanging mirror is inspired by the raw and timeless textures of the tribes' decorations, jewels, and artist...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Natural Fiber, Lacquer, Mirror

Set of 2 Pedestal Tables in Shagreen, Shell, and Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The pedestal side table in small and large are the perfect nesting accent pieces due to their sleek and light aesthetic. The large size is inlaid on the top surface with coal black S...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Nesting Tables and Stackin...

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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

  • Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen
  • Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen
  • Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen
  • Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen
H 50 in W 18 in D 23 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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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 — antique and vintage 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 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. 

Questions About Black Shell 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 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    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.

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Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing

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The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.

Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire

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Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory

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Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate

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Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.