How does the Zig Zag chair work?

Gerrit Rietveld’s iconic minimalist Zig Zag Chair, designed in the 1930s, features a legless design composed of four dovetailed, interlocking wooden panels at mathematically precise angles with very few nuts and bolts. On 1stDibs, shop a wide collection of expertly-vetted Zig Zag chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.

What is the Zig Zag chair made out of?

The Zig Zag chair is made out of wood. Gerrit Rietvel created the first one out of four slabs of elm wood sometime between 1930 and 1934. Metz & Co. in Amsterdam, Netherlands, took over manufacturing and used a variety of hardwood, including pine. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Zig Zag chairs.

What is the zig-zag chair called?

The zig-zag chair is called the Zig Zag Stoel, but the most commonly used name among English speakers is the Zig-Zag chair. Introduced in 1934, the Zig-Zag chair resulted from Dutch department store Metz & Co. having enlisted Gerrit Rietveld to create a chair for mass production. “It is not a chair but a designer joke,” Rietveld famously said of the piece that would, ironically, become perhaps his most recognizable chair design. In the chair’s form, he delivered one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered seat. However, unlike cantilevered models by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, Rietveld’s didn’t rely on a metal frame. In fact, the Zig-Zag chair is constructed completely from wood, and its graphic shape is a result of exceptionally precise craftsmanship. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Gerrit Rietveld Zig-Zag chairs.

Zig Zag Sculpture

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Waveform Carved Zig Zag Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

$1,500 / item

H 48 in W 5.25 in D 3.5 in

Waveform Carved Zig Zag Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

By Bradley Duncan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Carved triangle waveform Douglas fir, paint Measures: 48” x 5.25” x 3.5” 2017 8 LBS Waveform: Burnt with an icon of authenticity Produced by hand in Los Angeles, CA. from re...

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Carole EisnerZig Zag

$4,800Sale Price|20% Off

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Scrap metal

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Tucker RobbinsHollow Zig Zag, Ebonized Blacknut, Unknown

$3,800

H 17.5 in W 27 in

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Forms derived from the Mayan church columns of Chajul, Guatemala are reinterpreted by the master carvers of the Oku tribes in the African grasslands of Cameroon. Evoking the storytel...

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Jane B. GrimmZig Zag / ceramic wall sculpture - cream, white, neutral 36 x 36 in, 2020

$4,500

H 36 in W 36 in D 1.5 in

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Located in Burlingame, CA

create a zig-zag motif. Tiles are mounted to a white wood panel. A neutral work of art showcasing

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Fletcher Benton Bronze Abstract Sculpture, "Folded Circle Zig Zag 1994", Signed

$9,800Sale Price|72% Off

H 19 in W 15 in D 15 in

Fletcher Benton Bronze Abstract Sculpture, "Folded Circle Zig Zag 1994", Signed

By Fletcher Benton

Located in New York, NY

Fletcher Benton Bronze Sculpture, "Folded Circle Zig Zag 1994", Signed. Medium scale Hard-Edge

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1960s F.A.I.P. Chinoiserie Table Lamp With New Shade

$880

H 28.5 in Dm 12 in

1960s F.A.I.P. Chinoiserie Table Lamp With New Shade

Located in Charleston, SC

, flowers, animals, zig-zags, waves and modern abstract sculpture typical of the period.

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"Zig Zag" Sculpture by Robert Cook

Unavailable

H 20 in Dm 11.75 in

"Zig Zag" Sculpture by Robert Cook

By Robert Cook

Located in New Rochelle, NY

signed and dated "63" piece is called "Zig Zag" of a dancer in motion. I have the original receipt of

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

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Giselle HicksZig Zag 1, 2019

Unavailable

H 19 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in

Zig Zag 1

Located in Seattle, WA

Originally from California, Giselle Hicks received her BFA from Syracuse University and MFA from NYSCC of Ceramics at Alfred University in New York. Hicks participated in various art...

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Eric de DormaelBronze Sculpture Zig Zag One of a Kind Made in France, 2016

Unavailable

H 4.53 in W 9.65 in D 3.35 in

Bronze Sculpture Zig Zag One of a Kind Made in France

By Eric de Dormael

Located in Paris, FR

Zig Zag by Eric de Dormael, Galerie Negropontes in Paris, France. One of a kind sculpture in bronze

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

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Steel Zig Zag Sculpture in Steel and Mahogany

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H 47.5 in W 11.25 in D 8.75 in

Steel Zig Zag Sculpture in Steel and Mahogany

Located in Long Island City, NY

Steel Zig Zag sculpture mounted on an African mahogany base by The Somerset House.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

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Robert Holsch Zig-Zag Sculpture

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H 36 in W 17 in D 9 in

Robert Holsch Zig-Zag Sculpture

Located in Houston, TX

Stunning Wooden Sculpture by Robert Holsch carved out of wood. Texas artist 1952- 2010. His work

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sculptures

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Waveform Carved Zig Zag, Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

Sold

H 60 in W 3 in L 60 in

Waveform Carved Zig Zag, Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

By Bradley Duncan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Carved Triangle Waveform Douglas Fir 3” X 3” X 60” 2018 8 LBS Waveform - Burnt with an icon of authenticity Produced by hand in Los Angeles, CA. from regional wood.

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Pair of Ceramic Zigzag End Tables

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H 22 in Dm 21 in

Pair of Ceramic Zigzag End Tables

Located in New York, NY

Pair of large zig zag sculptured end tables. The tables have an aztec vibe to them and are

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Robert KvenildZig Zag, 2024

Sold

H 32 in W 20 in D 20 in

Zig Zag

By Robert Kvenild

Located in Napa, CA

Robert Kvenild took his BA from the UC Santa Cruz and went on to SF State University for his MA. His whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces have been in many solo and group shows through...

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Yaacov AgamYaacov Agam, Zig-Zag, Movable Kinetic chromed Steel sculpture, 1970

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H 14.8 in W 14.8 in

Yaacov Agam, Zig-Zag, Movable Kinetic chromed Steel sculpture

By Yaacov Agam

Located in Tel Aviv, IL

Yacov agm, Zig-Zag, steel, sculpture, international artist, kinetic art, 70's, abstract sculpture

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'Zig Zag Twenty Twenty' Cars Sculpture by Laurence Poole

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H 45.67 in W 45.67 in D 3.15 in

'Zig Zag Twenty Twenty' Cars Sculpture by Laurence Poole

By Laurence Poole

Located in London, England

Unique sculpture comprising a selection of vintage toy cars in a joyous explosion of colour. In

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A Pair of Brass Curtis Jere Abstract "Zig-Zag" Wall Sculptures

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H 29 in W 48 in D 4 in

A Pair of Brass Curtis Jere Abstract "Zig-Zag" Wall Sculptures

By Curtis Jeré

Located in Astoria, NY

A pair of wall mounted brass sculptures in zig-zag shapes by Curtis Jere. The pieces are signed on

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Fantastic vintage Coastal low zig zag stools. Beautiful split reed construction

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H 19.5 in W 8 in D 9.5 in

Fantastic vintage Coastal low zig zag stools. Beautiful split reed construction

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Fantastic vintage plaster sculpture of man. A handsome profile with stylish wavy hair. Rests on a

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Pair of Intricately Carved Ivory Color Chinese Asian Chalkware Lamps

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H 29 in Dm 11 in

Pair of Intricately Carved Ivory Color Chinese Asian Chalkware Lamps

Located in Chattanooga, TN

, trees, flowers, animals, zig-zags, waves and modern abstract sculpture typical of the period. Both

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Michael WisnerRed Zig Zag (handmade, red, pottery, patterned), 2019

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H 7 in W 9 in D 9 in

Red Zig Zag (handmade, red, pottery, patterned)

By Michael Wisner

Located in Basalt, CO

Inspired by ancient Anasazi and Mimbres potsherds, Michael Wisner began making southwestern pottery nearly 20 years ago. He digs local clays from the ground near his studio in Woody ...

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Industrial Iron Sculpture

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H 79 in Dm 22 in

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Located in New York, NY

Unusual "zig-zag" iron, industrial sculpture.

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Zig Zag Sculpture For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of zig zag sculpture for your home. An item from our selection of zig zag sculpture — often made from metal, wood and fabric — can elevate any home. Find 41 options for an antique or vintage choice in our collection of zig zag sculpture now, or shop our selection of 23 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for newer or older items, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. An object in our assortment of zig zag sculpture made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one option in this array of zig zag sculpture that is appealing in its simplicity, but BD Furniture, Cassina and Salvador Dalí produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Zig Zag Sculpture?

Prices for a piece of zig zag sculpture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $300 and can go as high as $31,552, while the average can fetch as much as $3,571.

Questions About Zig Zag Sculpture

How does the Zig Zag chair work?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Gerrit Rietveld’s iconic minimalist Zig Zag Chair, designed in the 1930s, features a legless design composed of four dovetailed, interlocking wooden panels at mathematically precise angles with very few nuts and bolts. On 1stDibs, shop a wide collection of expertly-vetted Zig Zag chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
What is the Zig Zag chair made out of?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The Zig Zag chair is made out of wood. Gerrit Rietvel created the first one out of four slabs of elm wood sometime between 1930 and 1934. Metz & Co. in Amsterdam, Netherlands, took over manufacturing and used a variety of hardwood, including pine. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Zig Zag chairs.
What is the zig-zag chair called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
The zig-zag chair is called the Zig Zag Stoel, but the most commonly used name among English speakers is the Zig-Zag chair. Introduced in 1934, the Zig-Zag chair resulted from Dutch department store Metz & Co. having enlisted Gerrit Rietveld to create a chair for mass production. “It is not a chair but a designer joke,” Rietveld famously said of the piece that would, ironically, become perhaps his most recognizable chair design. In the chair’s form, he delivered one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered seat. However, unlike cantilevered models by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, Rietveld’s didn’t rely on a metal frame. In fact, the Zig-Zag chair is constructed completely from wood, and its graphic shape is a result of exceptionally precise craftsmanship. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Gerrit Rietveld Zig-Zag chairs.