Do butterfly chairs fold up?

Whether or not a butterfly chair will fold will depend on the make and model. The butterfly chair was originally designed with metal hairpin legs without hinges or joints. Collector versions of the butterfly chair will not be foldable, however, foldable designs are a popular silhouette for recreational seating.

Are Butterfly chairs comfortable?

Whether or not Butterfly chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. Many people find that the way the upholstery of the Butterfly chair hangs from its metal frame provides plenty of support for the body. Plus, its sling design invites users to settle in and relax. Shop a collection of Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

When was the Butterfly chair made?

The Butterfly chair, also known as the BKF or Hardoy chair, was made in 1938 in Buenos Aires. It is recognizable by its metal frame and suspended seat, created by the large sling of material hung from the frame’s highest points. Shop the unique style from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Who designed the Butterfly chair?

Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy designed the Butterfly chair. The trio met while working in Le Corbusier's studio and then moved to Argentina, where they founded the Grupo Austral. In 1938, they unveiled their now iconic chair, which was inspired by a previous work called Tripolona, which they designed using inspiration from folding, collapsible chairs used by the British military. Shop a collection of Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

Who made the butterfly chair?

Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy made the butterfly chair. The three architects created the design in 1938 at their firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their design draws inspiration from Joseph Beverly Fenby's Tripolina chair produced in 1877. Shop a variety of butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

When were butterfly chairs popular?

Butterfly chairs were popular in the 1950s. Due to a renewed interest in mid-century modern design, the chairs are also used to decorate homes today. The original name of the butterfly chair is the BKF after its three designers, Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. You'll find a range of butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

What is a butterfly leaf in a dining table?

Dining room tables with butterfly leaves look like they have wings when they’re being opened, which is why they’re called butterflies. A butterfly leaf affords you more space at your dining table for additional house guests. Owing to geared slides, butterfly leaf tables should open easily.

How do you tell if a Butterfly chair is real?

How you tell if a Butterfly chair is real depends on what you mean by the term "real." If by real you mean an authentic Knoll Butterfly chair produced from 2018 and onwards, first look for the Knoll label found under the seat. Compare this label to images found online to begin to assess its authenticity. Then, examine the metal frame of the chair. An authentic Knoll Butterfly chair will be evenly polished and show no imperfections, such as highly visible welding marks. Any flaws will usually indicate that a piece is counterfeit. On the other hand, if by real you mean an original Butterfly chair made by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, the answer is that your chair is unlikely to be. The designers only created three Butterfly chairs, which are all part of museum collections. To learn more about the age and maker of your Butterfly chair, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Explore a range of Knoll Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

What is a dining chair?

A dining chair is a chair used to provide seating while dining at a table. There are two main types: side chairs and armchairs. As the name suggests, armchairs feature integrated arms, and they typically go along the short ends of rectangular tables. Free of arms, side chairs are usually arranged along the sides of rectangular tables. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of dining chairs.

How do you tell a real Hardoy Butterfly chair?

To tell a real Hardoy Butterfly chair, examine the frame closely. An authentic chair will have a sturdy steel frame. If the metal seems flimsy or thin, it will unlikely be a genuine Hardoy. In addition, real Butterfly chairs are free of joints and hinges, so you can generally conclude that a chair is a reproduction if you spot either. If you'd like a professional opinion on your chair, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. Find a range of BKF Hardoy Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

How tall should dining chairs be?

Dining chairs should be around 18 inches tall. Since most dining tables are 30 inches high, 18 inch tall dining chairs allow for a comfortable amount of legroom. As a general rule of thumb, there should be around 12 inches between a dining table and a seat.

What is a carver dining chair?

A carver dining chair is a kind of spool chair with legs rising above the seat level to frame the back and support the armrests. A theory about how carver chairs got their name is that the “master of the household” would sit at the head of the dining table and carve the meat that would be served for dinner. A widely reported origin story for the carver chair is that the name references a Pilgrim named John Carver, who was the founder of the Plymouth colony of Massachusetts in the United States. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage carver chairs.

What is the difference between an accent chair and a dining chair?

The difference between an accent chair and a dining chair comes down to function and design. An accent chair usually goes in a seating area, and makers craft them with comfort in mind. As a result, most accent chairs feature cushioning and upholstery and are characterized by generous proportions. The purpose of a dining chair is to provide a place to sit while enjoying a meal. Usually, dining chairs are lighter and smaller than accent chairs for easy maneuvering. While they may have padded seats and backrests, dining chairs generally aren't as abundantly cushioned as accent chairs. Explore a large selection of chairs on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between dining chairs and accent chairs?

The difference between dining chairs and accent chairs is primarily their function. Generally, dining chairs are used in dining areas, where they provide comfortable seating for people to use while eating at tables. You'll normally find accent chairs in seating areas and other parts of the home, where users can sit on them while they read, make conversation or enjoy other relaxing activities. Shop a wide variety of antique, vintage and contemporary chairs on 1stDibs.

What is a good width for a dining chair?

A good width for a dining chair is generally considered to be 16 to 20 inches. Chairs within this size range typically provide enough space for most people to sit comfortably. Shop a collection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.

What are the head dining chairs called?

What the head dining chairs are called varies. With many dining room sets, the chairs designed to go at the heads or ends of the tables are flanked by arms. As a result, people often refer to them as dining armchairs or dining end chairs. If the chairs lack arms, they're usually described as end chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of dining chairs.

Should dining room chairs have arms?

Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.

Is it worth recovering dining chairs?

Yes, it may be worth recovering dining chairs. If the upholstery on your chairs is worn or stained, but the frames are in good condition, recovering them can restore their appearance and allow you to continue using your furniture for more years. However, there may be some downsides to recovering. Sometimes, the material and labor costs may be more than what you might pay for new chairs. Recovering some vintage or antique dining chairs may also diminish their value. If your chairs are vintage or antique, you may wish to consult a certified appraiser or antique dealer to learn about the potential impact of replacing the fabric before you proceed with the recovery process. It is also a good idea to get estimates from a few professional furniture repairers to see how much the project will cost. Shop a large collection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.

What is a dining chair with arms called?

A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.

Is leather good for dining chairs?

Whether leather is good for dining chairs is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many people find leather to be easy to wipe clean and appreciate its texture and appearance. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of leather dining chairs.

Butterfly Dining Chair

3107 Chair

Mid Century Vintage Wool Chairs

Arne Jacobsen 3107

Mid Century Modern Tufted Chair

1960s Walnut Chairs

Jacobsen Butterfly

Pink Boucle Chair

Furniture With Pierre Frey Fabric

Arne Jacobsen 3107 'Butterfly' dining chairs Fritz Hansen Denmark 1967

$384 / item

H 30.32 in W 20.08 in D 20.87 in

Arne Jacobsen 3107 'Butterfly' dining chairs Fritz Hansen Denmark 1967

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Etten-Leur, NL

Large set of twenty model 3107 “Butterfly” dining chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, 1967.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Six Arne Jacobsen Butterfly Dining Chairs Leather

$5,289 / set

$822

H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in

Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Pink Fandango Jacquard, Dark Wood, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark brown walnut stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful jacquard italian fabric.

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Sold

H 29 in W 20 in D 17 in

Set of 6 Dining Chairs with Butterfly Joints by Hans Wegner

By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Set of 6 dining chairs model No. CH-30 in teak with butterfly joints on backrests designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, Denmark 1950’s (signed on bottom)

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Dining Room Chairs

Sold

H 14.5 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in

Kurt Østervig Side Table Produced by Jason Møbler in Denmark

By Kurt Østervig, Jason Møbler

Located in San Diego, CA

Among Østervig’s most important designs are the Model 12 Easy Chair for Schillers Polstermøblerfabrik (1961; re-launched in 2014) and the Butterfly Dining Chair(1950s) for Brande.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Knoll Butterfly Chair Ottoman or Stool Pair

Sold

H 17 in W 21 in D 18.5 in

Knoll Butterfly Chair Ottoman or Stool Pair

By Knoll

Located in San Diego, CA

A pair of Jorge Hardoy for Knoll butterfly chair ottomans. Function great as a pair of stools. Each piece has full-grain, natural oiled leather sling tops with black painted steel ba...

Materials

Materials

Travertine

Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps

$5,000 / set

H 31 in Dm 20 in

Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps

Located in New York, NY

Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Brass and Alabaster Curved and Long Wall Sconces by Glustin Luminaires

$8,313 / set

H 23.63 in W 4.34 in D 2.37 in

Brass and Alabaster Curved and Long Wall Sconces by Glustin Luminaires

By Glustin Creation

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

New wall sconces by Glustin Luminaires, made of a single rounded and curved carved alabaster piece sat on a light bronze-finish brass backplate. Due to the nature of the alabaste...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

$5,400 / set

H 15.25 in W 8.625 in D 4.25 in

Art Deco Murano Glass Sconces, Handblown with Gilt Brass Finial

Located in Austin, TX

Fine pair of Art Deco style Murano glass sconces of “stampato” glass finished with a bottom black Murano glass and gilt brass finial. This pair is all made of handblown glass and has...

Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Murano Glass

Hans J. Wegner Nightstand Model 430, Oak, Mid Century Modern, 1960s

$1,580

H 18.71 in W 18.9 in D 13.78 in

Hans J. Wegner Nightstand Model 430, Oak, Mid Century Modern, 1960s

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Ebberup, DK

Hans J. Wegner iconic design nightstand model 430 in oak wood. This is a classic mid century modern piece of design furniture by one of Denmark’s most noteable creators of both beau...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Wood, Oak

$5,148 / item

H 29.53 in W 94.49 in D 36.11 in

Conservatory Large Outdoor Dining Table in Stainless Steel Powder Coated White

By Lemon

Located in Amsterdam, NL

The Conservatory Collection offers a window to a bygone era, when conservatories and orangeries were sanctuaries of peace and quiet, seamlessly blending the indoors with the natural ...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

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Butterfly Dining Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic butterfly dining chair available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and fabric, every butterfly dining chair was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a butterfly dining chair — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A butterfly dining chair, designed in the Mid-Century Modern or Scandinavian Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made butterfly dining chair over the years, but those crafted by Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen and Kurt Østervig are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Butterfly Dining Chair?

Prices for a butterfly dining chair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $368 and can go as high as $24,774, while the average can fetch as much as $1,965.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Emerged during the mid-20th century
Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
A heyday of innovation in postwar America
Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
Promotion of functionality

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

Charles and Ray Eames
Eero Saarinen
Milo Baughman
Florence Knoll
Harry Bertoia
Isamu Noguchi
George Nelson
Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Finding the Right Dining-room-chairs for You

No matter what your dream dining experience looks like, there is a wide-ranging variety of vintage, new and antique dining room chairs on 1stDibs. Find upholstered dining room chairs, wood dining room chairs and more to outfit any space designated for a good meal, be it in your home or in the great outdoors.

In the early 18th century, most dining room tables and other furniture was designed to look masculine. In America, dining rooms weren’t even much of a concept until the late 1700s, when a space set aside specifically for dining became a part of the construction of homes for the wealthy. Dining room chairs of the era were likely made of walnut or oak. In Europe, neoclassical dining chairs emerged during the 1750s owing to nostalgia for classical antiquity, while the curving chair crests of Queen Anne furniture in the United States preceded the artistically bold seat backs that characterized the Chippendale chairs that followed. If there weren't enough dining chairs at suppertime in the American colonies, men were prioritized and women stood.

In the dining rooms of today, however, there is enough space for everyone to have a seat at the table. Modern styles introduce innovative design choices that play with shape and style. Icons of mid-century modern dining room chairs are plentiful: With its distinctive bentwood back, there is the DCW dining chair by Charles and Ray Eames, while Hans Wegner's timeless classic, the Wishbone chair, remains relevant and elegant decades after its debut. Stefano Giovannoni's White Rabbit dining chairs, in their lovable polyethylene biomorphism, reinvent what dining can look like.

Today's wide range of dining room chairs also means that they can now be styled in different ways, bringing functionality and fun to any sumptuous dining space. No longer do tables have to be accompanied by a matching set of seats. Skillfully mixing and matching colors and designs allows you to showcase your personality without sacrificing the cohesion of a given space.

By furnishing your dining room with cozy chairs — vintage, antique or otherwise — family time can extend far beyond mealtime. The plush upholstery of Victorian-style dining room chairs is perfect for game nights that stretch from dinner to midnight snack. Outdoor tables and dining chairs can also present an excellent opportunity for bonding and eating — what goes better with a delicious meal than fresh air, anyway?

Whether you prefer your chairs streamlined and stackable or ornate and one of a kind, the offerings on 1stDibs will elevate your mealtime and beyond.

How Top Designers Are Using Mid-Century Chairs in Today’s Interiors

Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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

Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood

The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.

Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home

The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.