Early 20th Century Shell Armchairs
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Pair of Early 20th Century Carved Gilt Louis XV Armchairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An pair of early 20th century French-made carved and gilt Louis XV style ‘canape’ armchairs, the frames profusely embellished with carved foliage, shells, scrolls etc.
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
H 35 in. W 31 in. D 24 in.
Early 20th Century Mahogany Chippendale Style Armchairs Carved with Eagle Heads
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 20th century mahogany Chippendale style armchairs carved with eagle heads. Item features eagle head carved armrests, ball and claw feet, shell carved knees and lower rail, acan...
Category
20th Century Chippendale Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
H 42 in. W 29 in. D 25 in.
Pair of Early 20th Century Carved Armchairs in the Carolean Style
Located in Martlesham, GB
A decorative pair of early 20th century carved armchairs in the Carolean style, upholstered in green leather with brass stud decoration, shaped and carved arms with acanthus leaf dec...
Category
Vintage 1920s British Edwardian Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood
H 44 in. W 25 in. D 24 in.
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Style Child's Chair
Located in Martlesham, GB
An elegant early 20th century Queen Anne style child’s walnut open armchair, the wonderfully carved and shaped back splat flanked by curved uprights incorporating carved eagle heads,...
Category
Vintage 1920s English Queen Anne Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
H 30.5 in. W 22 in. D 15 in.
Early Pair of Charles Eames Shell Chairs in Beautiful Light Coral
By Charles Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a fine early matched pair of possibly Evans or early production years with Herman Miller. They have solid wrought iron X-bases. Large Shock Mounts. Wonderfully faded red fibe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
H 30.5 in. W 25 in. D 23.75 in.
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Early Pair of Dax Transitional Shell Chairs
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent early example of a pair of Transitional Herman Miller Dax red/orange armshell chairs. All original. Early black X-base with large shock mounts. Shells are non-rope edge. Re...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fiberglass
H 31 in. W 25 in. D 25 in.
Early Salmon color Charles and Ray Eames Arm Shell Chair, 2nd generation X base
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Salmon color Charles and Ray Eames Arm Shell Chair, 2nd generation. X base. Amazing condition, retains clean, crisp gel coat, large domes of silence shock mounts and solid iron...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Iron
H 30.5 in. W 25 in. D 24 in.
Antique Black Japanned Armchair
Located in Great Barrington, MA
The antique black Japanned armchair in the Queen Anne style with upholstered seat is decorated with a Oriental figure crossing a bridge with a flowering branch overhead. The knees of...
Category
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Materials
Wood
H 36 in. W 22.50 in. D 25 in.
Charles Eames Parchment Arm Shell Chair, Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super clean example of this classic fiberglass arm shell chair, designed by Charles Eames, manufactured by Herman Miller. Beautiful parchment white color, exposed fibers, early black...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Armchairs
Materials
Metal
H 31 in. W 25 in. D 25 in.
Exceptional Gilded Ornate Salon Armchair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large and impressive. An outstanding carved and gilt Italianate Baroque style armchair with carved shell crest, Griffin arm supports, carved Eagle knees ending in Lion’s Paw Foot. Cu...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs
Materials
Wood
H 50 in. W 28.5 in. D 21 in.
Pair of French Louis XV Style Upholstered Beech Wood Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Louis XV style open armchairs with beech frames embellished with carved floral designs and shell motifs and upholstered seats, backs, and armrests.
Category
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Upholstery
H 40 in. W 26 in. D 29 in.
Swedish Art Deco Shellback Armchair White Italian Leather Fluted Decoration
Located in LONDON, GB
Original Swedish Art Deco shellback armchair clubchair 1920s-1940s previously reupholstered in top grade white Italian leather with a fully sprung seat and rare fluted back.
A gre...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Birch
H 41.34 in. W 37.41 in. D 37.41 in.
Swedish Art Deco Shellback Armchair White Italian Leather Fluted Decoration
Located in LONDON, GB
Original Swedish Art Deco shellback armchair club chair 1920s-1940s previously reupholstered in top grade white Italian leather with a fully sprung seat and rare fluted back.
A gr...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Birch
H 41.34 in. W 37.41 in. D 37.41 in.
French Louis XV Style Oak Armchair Upholstered in Polished Cotton Fabric
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Louis XV style oak armchair of typical form, the apron with a central shell decoration resting on cabriole legs with scroll feet. Upholstered in a floral polished cotton fabric in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Materials
Oak
H 37 in. W 26 in. D 23 in.
Herman Miller Eames Zenith 2nd Edition Armchair in a Seafoam Green
By Charles and Ray Eames, Zenith, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous Herman Miller Eames armshell. This is a very early shell dating to 1952-55 and manufactured by Zenith Plastics in California. This shell was made before Herman Miller took o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fiberglass
H 32 in. W 28 in. D 29 in.
French Carved Walnut and Salon Chair, Upholstered in Silk
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French carved walnut and salon chair, upholstered in silk
This beautiful carved walnut chair, dates from around 1950, it is upholstered in Water Silk which is a glorious Marigold ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Provincial Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
H 42 in. W 29 in. D 26 in.
Antique French Rococo Three Piece Giltwood & Tapestry Parlor Set, Circa 1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Rococo three-piece parlor set offer giltwood frames with pierced stylized shell crests over acanthus, foliate and scroll frame with tapestry seats, arms and backs h...
Category
Early 20th Century French Rococo Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Tapestry, Wood
H 39.75 in. W 48.75 in. D 26.5 in.
Venetian Grotto Chair
By Pauly & Co.
Located in New York, NY
The so-called grotto chair, made from clusters of shell-form elements, was introduced in the 1880s by one Signor Pauly of Venice. At the time, in an increasingly industrialized world...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Materials
Wood
H 35.5 in. W 23 in. D 23 in.
Charles & Ray Eames DAR Eiffel Rope Edge Chair, 1st Generation, 1950
By Charles and Ray Eames, Zenith, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charles Eames (1907-1978) & Ray Eames (1912-1988) for Zenith Plastics / Herman Miller
DAR Eiffel rope-edge chair
Venice, California / Zeeland, Michigan, 1950
fiberglass, enameled ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
H 32 in. W 25 in. D 24 in.
20th Century Living Room Set in the Neo-Rococo Type
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this upholstered walnut furniture set.
It is composed of a triple sofa and two wide armchairs.
(The third armchair visible in the pictures was sold.)
The furniture is ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Living Room Sets
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
H 33.47 in. W 66.93 in. D 29.93 in.
Pair of Early 1920s Louis XV Style Barrel Back Bergere Armchairs
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of early 1920s Louis XV style barrel back bergere armchairs. Each in a worn tacked leather upholstery with stuffed sides, back and seats. The finely carved frames in a walnut fi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
H 33.5 in. W 27 in. D 27 in.
12 FT 1900s Royal Dutch/Shell Group Antique Oak Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Antique 12 Ft. Roxana Petroleum Corporation Oak Conference Table
1900s
This magnificent table is constructed from solid oak and features three hand carved oak pedestal legs with int...
Category
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Conference Tables
Materials
Oak
H 31 in. W 144 in. D 47 in.
Tulip Style White Fiberglass Swivel Chairs and Table by Umanoff for Contemporary
By Eero Saarinen, Arthur Umanoff, Contemporary Shells Inc. 1
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome set of four tulip style white fiberglass swivel armchairs with black vinyl seat cushions and round dining table set by Arthur Umanoff for Contemporary Shells. These are era ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Materials
Aluminum
18th Century Philadelphia Irish Chippendale Style Tall Wingback Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely 18th century Philadelphia Irish Chippendale style tall wingback armchair.
Irish or Philadelphian piece made in the late 18th century, circa 1780.
Made in th...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century American George III Wingback Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
H 49.25 in. W 32 in. D 26.25 in.
Fine Pair of Queen Anne Style Walnut Open Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A fine pair of Queen Anne style walnut open armchairs.
Early 20th century
The shaped caned backs with solid form splats and shell-carved crestrail, raised on conforming cabriole le...
Category
20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 43 in. Dm 24 in.
Set of 6 Antique Louis XV Dining Chairs includes 2 Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 antique Louis XV dining chairs includes 2 armchairs have been sculpted from fine fruitwood to last for decades, and feature beautiful tapestry upholstery for long-wearing co...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Fruitwood
H 37 in. W 22 in. D 19.5 in.
5-Piece Handsome Set of 4 French Antique Armchairs and Matching Settee Bench
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome 5-piece unusual set of 4 carved walnut armchairs and a wonderful large matching bench settee. The backs on all the pieces have beautiful carving, a carved wooden shell at th...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Benches
Materials
Walnut
H 41.25 in. W 68.5 in. D 22 in.
Antique Wing-Back Armchair, English, Fireside, Lounge, Seat, Edwardian, 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique wing-back armchair. An English, fireside or lounge seat, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
An inviting chair, seeks reupholstering to shine
Displays ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Materials
Oak
H 36.62 in. W 33.08 in. D 35.04 in.
Armchair Wing Upholstered Sage Silk Vivien Leigh Laurence Oliver Notley Abbey
Located in Eversholt, Bedfordshire
An exceptionally, rare 18th century, upholstered wing armchair with a scalloped back from Notley Priory & the collection of Vivien Leigh & Laurence Oliver by descent
- Acquired wi...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century British William and Mary Wingback Chairs
Materials
Walnut
H 54.73 in. W 32.68 in. D 24.41 in.
Armchair Wing Upholstered Sage Silk Vivien Leigh Laurence Oliver Notley Abbey
Located in Eversholt, Bedfordshire
An exceptionally, rare 18th century, upholstered, elm, wing armchair with a scalloped back from Notley Priory & The Collection of Vivien Leigh & Laurence Oliver by Descent
- Acqui...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century British William and Mary Wingback Chairs
Materials
Elm
H 54.73 in. W 32.68 in. D 24.41 in.
Eames Zenith RAR Rocking chair with rope edge
By Zenith, Charles Eames
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Highly collectable early edition rocking armchair on rod base (RAR) designed by Ray and Charles Eames and made by Zenith Plastics. The fibre-rich lemon yellow fibreglass shell is in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 27 in. W 25 in. D 28 in.
Art Deco Walnut Sideboard, circa 1940, France
Located in Girona, Spain
French Africanist Art Deco sideboard.
Made with solid walnut.
Brass details.
Three door sideboard.
The central door has 3 drawers.
Circa 1940, France.
Very good vintage conditi...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Sideboards
Materials
Brass
H 43 in. W 88.5 in. D 24 in.
Classic Modernist Charles and Ray Eames Arm Shell Chairs, D A X
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic early 1950s Modernist Charles and Ray Eames arm shell chairs D A X. (dining height armchair with x base) stunning off-white fiberglass, Early zinc X base, large domes of sile...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Zinc
H 25 in. W 25 in. D 25 in.
Pair of Early 20th Century Scandinavian Birch Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of shaped back birch armchairs circa 1920.
Comfortable pair of lounge chairs which flow down from the back to the arm. Carved detail to the arm fronts and carved shell design...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
Materials
Birch
H 35.25 in. W 29.5 in. D 31 in.
Early 20th Century Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Armchair
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful Edwardian antique mahogany armchair, circa 1900 in date.
The shield shaped and carved ribbon splat back has been masterfully inlaid with satinwood and masterfu...
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Armchairs
Materials
Damask, Mahogany
H 37.01 in. W 22.05 in. D 23.23 in.
Pair of Early 20th Century Walnut Open Armchairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb pair of early 20th century walnut armchairs in the early Georgian style, the shaped splat back with a carved scallop shell and foliate decoration, with lovely sweeping sheph...
Category
Vintage 1920s English Georgian Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
H 41.25 in. W 27.5 in. D 22.5 in.
French Louis XV Style Fauteuil a La Reine or Armchair, Early 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
French Louis XV style Fauteuil a la Reine or armchair, early 20th century. Beechwood with carving of a shell on center and with carvings of acanthus leaves on legs. Cabriole legs and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
H 41.75 in. W 30.5 in. D 25 in.
Antique Pair of Queen Anne Revival Armchairs, Early 20th Century
Located in London, GB
An absolutely fantastic pair of Queen Anne Revival upholstered back armchairs circa 1900 in date.
These chairs have been masterfully hand carved from beautiful solid mahogany and ...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Queen Anne Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
H 37.01 in. W 24.61 in. D 23.23 in.
Early 20th Century Set of 10 Queen Anne Revival Dining Chairs Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An absolutely fantastic antique set of ten Queen Anne style upholstered back dining armchairs circa 1900 in date.
The set comprises eight armchairs and two larger armchairs for th...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Queen Anne Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
H 37.01 in. W 24.61 in. D 23.23 in.
Pair of Art Deco 1920s Birch Shell Back Lounge Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Art Deco period armchairs, circa 1920.
Birch shaped arm rests and legs.
Desirable shell back shape.
Very comfortable pair of lounge chairs.
Threadbare around the top of the backr...
Category
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Armchairs
Materials
Birch
H 30.3 in. W 27 in. D 29 in.
Early Eames Zenith Rope Edge DAX Armchair with X Base
By Zenith, Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Beautiful early Charles Eames for Herman Miller Rope Edge armchair with fiberglass shell by Zenith Plastics. Early production model, beautiful zinc x-base with rope edge in lemon ye...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
H 30 in. W 24 in. D 23 in.
George l style armchair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George l style walnut and burl walnut armchair with shell carved crest rail, burl walnut back, shell carved knees, eagle carved arms and ball and claw feet, circa 1920. This chair be...
Category
Early 20th Century British Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
H 40.50 in. W 33.50 in. D 25.50 in.
Anglo-Indian Ebony Armchair
Located in London, GB
Anglo Indian Ebony Easy Chair, with original caned back. The foliate carved top rail centred by scallop shell with channelled down-swept arms with foliate carved and turned uprights,...
Category
Early 20th Century Armchairs
H 40.5 in. W 23.5 in. D 30 in.
Herman Miller Eames DAR in Greige 'Zenith Shell'
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Herman Miller Eames DAR armchair in Greige with Eiffel base and original boot glides. Amazing color with near perfect base. Excellent fiberglass contrast. There is a paper Herman Mil...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
H 31.5 in. W 25 in. D 24.5 in.
Pair of George III Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Cheshire, GB
A pair of mahogany armchairs chairs, the Burgundy leather upholstered back and seat flanked by shepherds crook arms. All raised up on shell carved cabriole legs terminating in pad fe...
Category
Early 20th Century British Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
H 37 in. W 24.5 in. D 23.5 in.
English Antique Victorian Hand Dyed Leather Wingback Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good Victorian hand dyed leather wingback armchair, having a deep buttoned back flanked by a wing on either side, above a cushion with two sweeping arms. The chair stan...
Category
Early 20th Century English George III Armchairs
Materials
Leather
H 40.5 in. W 31.5 in. D 35.5 in.
Antique Leather Upholstered Walnut Armchair on Cabriole Legs
Located in Benington, Herts
A quality walnut leather upholstered spoon-back open armchair / desk chair in the Queen Anne style.
English, circa 1910-1920.
This well sized armchair features a shaped softly ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
H 38 in. W 27.96 in. D 25.99 in.
Superb Pair of Walnut Parcel-Gilt Leather Armchairs
Located in Benington, Herts
A superb pair of walnut and parcel-gilt shepherds crook leather armchairs dating to circa 1900.
Of good proportions these arm/desk chairs are extremely well constructed and of a goo...
Category
Early 20th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Giltwood
H 99 in. W 64 in. D 66 in.
Fine Pair of Scandinavian Art Deco Leather Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Superb quality pair of deco armchairs, circa 1920.
Unusual shape, with hand stitched shell back design to the back rest which is shaped for comfort. Scrolled arms with folded leat...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
Materials
Leather
H 39.25 in. W 31 in. D 30 in.
Herman Miller Eames Seafoam Green Swivel Armchair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Herman Miller Eames armchair in rare color seafoam green. On aluminum contract swivel base. Functions perfectly. Shell is an early Herman Miller version from the mid-1950s. Retains p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
H 31.5 in. W 25 in. D 24 in.
Antique Pair of Wing Armchairs Foliate Upholstery Liberty & Co, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning pair of antique wing armchairs by Liberty & Co, circa 1920 in date.
They feature beautiful shaped backs above loose cushion seats, with elegant outscrolled arms...
Category
Early 20th Century Armchairs
H 47.64 in. W 32.29 in. D 38.59 in.
Pair of 1960s Scandinavian Birch Modern Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine pair of early 1960s shell back armchairs.
Low reclining seating position. Swooping birch arms provide the shape for the open side profile.
One hole to side of fabric and benef...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Birch
H 30.25 in. W 27.5 in. D 35 in.
Antique Wing-Back Armchair, English, Lounge, Fireside, Seat Edwardian circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique wing-back armchair. An English, lounge or fireside seat, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
An inviting chair of comfort and attractive form
Displays ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Armchairs
Materials
Oak
H 37.41 in. W 31.5 in. D 32.88 in.
Set of Four Neoclassical White-Painted French Accent Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A delightful set of fauteuils from the first half of the 19th century, the form borrows heavily from the Louis XVI taste and the more austere development of the Directoire objects. M...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
H 34.63 in. W 21.88 in. D 20.13 in.
Early 20th Century French Walnut Sofa and Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Sofa and matching armchairs circa 1900
Carved, depicting shells standing on scroll feet.
Sofa measurements:
Height: 35 1/2" length: 80" depth: 27" seat height: 17"
Ar...
Category
Early 20th Century French Living Room Sets
H 35.5 in. W 80 in. D 27 in.
Early Set of Four Landi Chairs by Hans Coray
By Hans Coray
Located in Dallas, TX
This set of Landi chairs were purchased around 1950; a very early set. They are stackable, lightweight perforated aluminum chairs, designed for the Swiss National Exhibition in Zuric...
Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Industrial Armchairs
H 30 in. W 20.5 in. D 25.5 in.
Portuguese Baroque Painted Armchairs, circa 1770, Set of Four
Located in Pasadena, CA
Set of four Portuguese period baroque armchairs. The carved shell front seat rail and back crown combined with the exaggerated cabriole legs are uniquely representative of Portuguese...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Portuguese Baroque Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paint
H 43.5 in. W 22 in. D 20 in.
Pair of Louis XVI Mahogany and Cane Armchairs with Tortoiseshell Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent pair of Louis XVI style chairs with tortoise shell leather seats and arm pads. Hand-carved mahogany and fruit wood frames with rosettes and fluted legs. Sturdy pair of grea...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Louis XVI Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
H 39 in. W 25.5 in. D 23 in.
Pair of Walnut Antique Wing Chairs in the Queen Anne Manner
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large pair of 19th century wing armchairs in the manner of the Queen Ann period of cabinet making. True to this design they have walnut cabriole legs with carved shell motif, c-scrol...
Category
Early 20th Century British Armchairs
H 43 in. W 30 in. D 29 in.
Pair of Antique Silver Leaf Grotto Chairs
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of Venetian carved wood silver leaf grotto chairs. Whimsically carved chairs with shell back and seat, dolphin arms and legs in a sea horse tail motif. Italy, early 20th centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood
H 40 in. W 25 in. D 22 in.
- 1
Early 20th Century Shell Armchairs For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a range of early 20th century shell armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique early 20th century shell armchairs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, plastic and fiberglass. Early 20th century shell armchairs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Early 20th century shell armchairs bearing Mid-Century Modern or Louis XV hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made early 20th century shell armchairs over the years, but those made by Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames and Herman Miller are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much are Early 20th Century Shell Armchairs?
The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $3,210, while they’re typically $860 on the low end and $21,168 highest priced.
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality lounge furniture cannot be overstated. Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other seating — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless styles in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other furnishings — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of antique, new and vintage seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
