Folding Iron Chair
2010s Spanish French Provincial Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Chairs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Chairs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Chairs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Iron
2010s French Chairs
Iron
2010s French Chairs
Iron
2010s French Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Concrete, Iron
Vintage 1970s French Chairs
Iron
Antique 1870s American Industrial Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century French Chairs
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Industrial Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century American Industrial Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Lounge Chairs
Iron
20th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Iron
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century American Industrial Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Baltic Side Chairs
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1930s Swedish Bauhaus Chairs
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1960s American Modern Side Chairs
Cowhide
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Side Chairs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Chairs
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Antique 18th Century Swedish Other Chairs
Iron
Antique 1890s French French Provincial Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century Canadian Campaign Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Straw, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Swivel Chairs
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome, Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Armchairs
Iron
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Folding Iron Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Folding Iron Chair?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — 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 furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official 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 unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- Who invented the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Nathaniel Alexander invented the folding chair in 1911. During the 1950s, demand for the chairs skyrocketed with furniture makers like the Fredric Arnold Company in Brooklyn, New York, producing thousands every day. Find a variety of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The most comfortable folding chair is really a matter of preference. When shopping for folding chairs, you’ll want to think about how you’ll use them, how often you’ll be using them and if you have a preference with respect to materials. Shop antique, vintage and new folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Opinions vary on who designed the folding chair. Chairs designed to fold have existed since the ancient world, with examples found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some people argue that the original designer of the modern-day folding chair was John Cram, who patented an idea for a folding chair in 1855. However, others believe that Philip E.G. Harrison should get the credit because his 1931 design more closely resembles the modern-day folding chair. Nathaniel Alexander also contributed to the development of the folding chair with his 1911 chair that included a book rest, as did Frederic Arnold, who created the first folding aluminum chair in 1947. Shop a selection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Chairs that fold up are usually called folding chairs. However, people may refer to them as collapsible chairs as well. Other names for folding chairs designed for outdoor use include deck chairs, beach chairs, lawn chairs, camping chairs and patio chairs. Shop a collection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Do butterfly chairs fold up?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023In Britain, John Wilkinson made the first mass-produced iron chairs during the 1770s. However, handcrafted iron chairs appeared much earlier. In the mid-thirteenth century, King Edward I commissioned three iron chairs for St. Paul’s Cathedral. The artisan who made these pieces is unknown. On 1stDibs, find a range of iron chairs.
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