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French Metal Chairs

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Set of Vintage Green Bistro Chairs
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage green bistro chair from France. Bistro chair has a metal frame with painted wooden slats. Priced for set of 10; please inquire regarding acquiring fewer than 10 or as many a...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Vintage Green Bistro Chairs
Set of Vintage Green Bistro Chairs
H 32 in W 15.5 in D 17 in
Chic 'Méandre' Gilt Bronze Side Chair by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating 'Méandre' gilt bronze finish side chair by Design Frères. Gilt bronze finish over steel frame. Natural linen upholstered cushion with contrasting piping. Chic and unders...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Chic 'Méandre' Side Chairs by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic undulating 'Méandre' side chairs by Design Frères. Bronzed steel frames. Natural linen upholstered cushions. These Méandre™ chairs from our exclusive Design Frères® li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Suite de 4 chaises traîneau vintage des années 70 en métal chromé et skai cognac
Located in BESANÇON, FR
4 chaises traîneau vintage des années 70, en métal chromé design, assises et dossiers en skai cognac ou camel, structure et piétement en métal chromé tubulaire, beau travail des doss...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé Pair of "Standard Chairs" / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Zürich, CH
These items express a specific rawness. There is no need for precise execution or the desire to appear sophisticated. They are simple, self-evident, and direct. They are made out of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

French Iron Upholstered Indoor Outdoor Mid Century Chairs in the style of Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A set of four unique sculptural satin black iron framed indoor or outdoor three season chairs made in France . Upholstered in a Sunbrella fabric known for it's better weather , mold ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Chairs by Olivier Gagnère, Special order
By Olivier Gagnère
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Incroyable set de 12 chaises, c’est une commande spéciale de Olivier Gagnère pour une maison de l’ouest parisien. On discernera un hommage à la chaise Zig zag de Rietveld ou le Dieg...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf

Chairs by Olivier Gagnère, Special order
Chairs by Olivier Gagnère, Special order
H 33.86 in W 20.48 in D 14.97 in
Six “Tonneau” chairs by Pierre Guariche, Editions Steiner, France, circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Paris, FR
Six “Tonneau” chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner in 1954. Molded plywood shell, birch veneer, black moleskin cover, black lacquered metal base. Biography: Pierre Guaric...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Louis XVI Giltwood Chairs, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined pair of French Louis XVI style chairs featuring elegant giltwood frames. The chairs showcase finely carved floral and foliate motifs on the crest, seat rail, and legs, wit...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Louis XVI Giltwood Chair, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined French Louis XVI style chair featuring elegant giltwood frames. The chair showcase finely carved floral and foliate motifs on the crest, seat rail, and legs, with turned a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Louis XVI Giltwood Chair, 20th Century
French Louis XVI Giltwood Chair, 20th Century
H 37.41 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Elegant & minimalist pair of modernist chairs by Leopold Gest France circa 1980
By Gustave Toffiche and Léopold Gest
Located in NICE, FR
This striking pair of chairs, attributed to Léopold Gest, embodies a bold, sculptural aesthetic. Crafted from black lacquered metal, the chairs feature tall, narrow backrests formed ...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

set of six 1950's René Malaval perforated metal chairs ...
Located in Brecht, BE
love these perforated chairs from the 1950's ... can be used indoors and outdoors ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Chairs

Materials

Metal, Iron

Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
Tabouret No. 307 in oak with tubular steel legs, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1951. Marked with Vitra label. Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) was a French architect, designer, and builder, ren...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Steel

Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous fiberglass chair by Pierre Guariche. Cream fiberglass frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautiful design. Great standalone piece. Fantastic piece of ...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Iron

Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
H 28.75 in W 18.5 in D 20 in
1950's French iron chairs
Located in Brecht, BE
a set of 12 French iron stackable chairs ... genuine 1950's ... can be used indoors or outdoors ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Chairs

Materials

Iron

1950's French iron chairs
1950's French iron chairs
H 32.68 in W 13.78 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury High Back Brass Chairs Style Rizzo Hollywood Regency, France 1960s
By Maison Charles
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Midcentury high back dining room brass chairs Brutalist Hollywood Regency, France, 1960s. in the style of Maison Charles, Maison Bagues or Willy Rizzo. Original condition, solid ...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

French Chair in Wood and Yellow Upholstery, France, 1950's
Located in Uithoorn, NL
French Chair in Wood and Yellow Upholstery, France, 1950's This expressive armchair was produced by Bow Wood in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, just outside Paris. The frame is built from...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

1970's Silver Mullca Stacking Dining Chairs - Large Quantity Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1970’s Silver Mullca Stacking Dining Chairs – Large Quantity Available. One of our most favourite chairs, in 1947 Robert Muller and Gaston Cavaillon created the company that went o...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Chairs

Materials

Silver

1950's Red Woven Laminate Mullca 510 Dining Chairs - Small Batch Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Red Woven Laminate Mullca 510 Dining Chairs – Small Batch Available. One of our most favourite chairs, in 1947 Robert Muller and Gaston Cavaillon created the company that we...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Chairs

Materials

Steel

1950's Original French Slatted Folding Garden Chairs - Set Of Six
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Original French Slatted Folding Garden Chairs – Set Of Six. Good classic set of French slatted folding chairs by Bot Galland. Little is known of the history of Bot Galland but...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Chairs

Materials

Metal

Jacques Adnet Sculptural Leather Swivel Chair, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kick back on this stunning chair by French designer Jacques Adnet. An iron frame is wrapped completely in beautiful camel-colored leather. Four legs extend to form a tripod base. The...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

French 1930s University Chair
Located in Bozeman, MT
French university chair with one armrest for taking notes. Great patina and shape. Ca 1930s France.
Category

Early 20th Century French Industrial Chairs

Materials

Iron

French 1930s University Chair
French 1930s University Chair
H 35.44 in W 21.26 in D 24.81 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Side Chairs in the Manner of Alfred Porteneuve
By Alfred Porteneuve
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pair of fine French Art Deco mahogany side chairs with bronze sabots in the manner of Alfred Porteneuve.
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Philippe Starck Dr. Sonderbar Chair for XO- France, 1980
By Philippe Starck, XO Design
Located in London, GB
Exaggerated curves of tubular steel and perforated sheet metal define The Dr Sonderbar Chair by French architect and designer Philippe Starck (b. 1949). Influenced by his childhood s...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Franck Evennou, Club, Bronze Side Chair, France, 2000
By Franck Evennou
Located in New York, NY
Franck Evenou's "Club" chair is a piece that unites striking symmetry with a focus on the curved line. The chair's four hand-hammered legs bow out from the corners of plump square se...
Category

Early 2000s French Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Rene Malaval 'Radar' Metal Mid-Century French Garden Chairs Set of 2
By Rene Malaval
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Rene Malaval 'Radar' Metal Mid-Century French Garden Chairs Set of 2 Indoor/outdoor - Garden decoration - Industrial French post-war steel garden chairs by Rene Malaval for Bloc Meta...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Chairs

Materials

Metal

Green chairs by Joseph-André Motte - Produced by Steiner in 1958 - Model 771
By Joseph-André Motte
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Joseph-André Motte Set of 10 chairs by Joseph-André Motte, produced by Steiner. Model 771. Green mohair velvet and lacquered metal. France 1958. H. 80 cm, W. 51 cm, D. 57 cm.
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Rare Mid-Century Modern Copacabana Chair by Mathieu Matégot, 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
A rare collectible vintage lounge Copacabana chair by iconic French designer Mathieu Matégot composed of curved tubular steel legs and structure. This particular edition is distingui...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 11 Fine French 1950s Mahogany Dining Chairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet (1900–1984) – Set of eleven fine French Mid-Century comfortable mahogany dining chairs with brass sabots. Provenance: Palais des Consuls of Rouen. Bibliography: « Jac...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Set of 6 Oak Chairs, France, 1940
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Set of six upholstered high back chairs covered in yellow Velvet, exhibiting traditional French design elements in a deep oak finish. Restored and polished.
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Set of 6 Oak Chairs, France, 1940
Art Deco Set of 6 Oak Chairs, France, 1940
H 39.38 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Set of 6 Chairs, France, 1940
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Set of six upholstered high back chairs covered in yellow vynil, exhibiting traditional French design elements in a deep oak finish. In the style of René Prou, Albert-Lucien Gueno...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Set of 6 Chairs, France, 1940
Art Deco Set of 6 Chairs, France, 1940
H 37.8 in W 17.33 in D 16.54 in
Vintage Side Chair by Robert Lempureur
By Robert Lempereur
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking mid-century side chair attributed to French designer Robert Lempereur, featuring a sculptural metal spindle frame and red leather seat. With its asymmetrical legs and airy...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

BB Chair by Corpus Studio
By Corpus Studio
Located in London, GB
The bb chair by Corpus Studio is a striking design piece crafted entirely from aluminum. With its bold curves, clean lines, and precise symmetry, it merges sculptural form with funct...
Category

2010s French Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

BB Chair by Corpus Studio
BB Chair by Corpus Studio
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Postmodern Sculptural Steel Brown Leather French Pair of Chairs, 1980s, France
By Maria Pergay
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural steel brown leather French pair chairs, 1980s, France These are very rare leather and steel chairs form France. From the Maria Pergay, Michel Boyer Era. The leather is in...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of sculptural statement BNF chairs by Perrault & Prevost, limited edition
By Martin Stoll, Dominique Perrault & Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost
Located in London, GB
A special commission in 1995, these limited edition chairs (10 & 12 of 96) were made for the Biblioteque National de France, Paris. Designed by Dominique Perrault & Gaelle Lauriot ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Eight French Metal Folding Garden Chairs, 1950s
Located in London, GB
This charming set of eight vintage French garden chairs from the 1950s features a classic folding design. Crafted from metal, these chairs showcase an intricate cut-out pattern on th...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

set of 6 chairs in metal "Colette Gueden"
By Colette Gueden
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
set of six chairs in metal and original cover attributed to colette gulden who designed for Primavera magasin le Printemps
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Suite de 4 chaises vintage Steelcase style Marcel Breuer Cesca B32 en métal gris
By Steelcase
Located in BESANÇON, FR
4 chaises vintage de marque Steelcase, dans le style des chaises Marcel Breuer Cesca B32, structure et piétement luge en métal peint en gris ardoise, assise et dossier en tissu coule...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Philippe Starck Costes Chair For DRIADE 1980s
By Philippe Starck
Located in Čelinac, BA
Costes Chair By Philippe STARCK For Driade 1980s
Category

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Philippe Starck Costes Chair For DRIADE 1980s
Philippe Starck Costes Chair For DRIADE 1980s
H 30.71 in W 18.9 in D 20.87 in
Early 20th c. Pair of Second Class Paris Metro Seats c.1908-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A pair of Paris Metro train seats with teak slats seats and a decorative metal scrolled leg. The legs are attached to a metal plate which can be removed. The back rest leans s...
Category

Early 20th Century French Industrial Chairs

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Sculptural chairs by Yves Pagart
By André Dubreuil
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très jolie chaises zoomorphe par Yves Pagart, Nos chaises sont issues d’une édition limitée de 16. Elles sont signées, datées et numérotées. Elles sont en métal laqué vert. Quelqu...
Category

1990s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Sculptural chairs by Yves Pagart
Sculptural chairs by Yves Pagart
H 33.86 in W 23.23 in D 19.3 in
2 chaises empilables vintage Max Stacker Steelcase en plastique et chrome
Located in BESANÇON, FR
2 chaises empilables vintage Max Stacker pour Steelcase des années 70, en plastique vert moutarde et piétement en métal chromé, bon état général avec des signes d’usage et du temps q...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Rare Olivier Mourgue Montreal armchairs dark blue velvet
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Paris, FR
This is a very rare collectible pair of historic french design chairs Olivier Mourgue (1939-) Pair of Montreal armchairs Mobilier National-Atelier de recherche et création, Airbor...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Space Age Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Mw04 "J'adore" Limited Edition Lounge Chair With Leah Kirsch
By Olivier Santini
Located in Beaumont-Louestault, FR
J’ADORE – A unique fusion of art and design Designed by Olivier Santini in collaboration with American artist Leah Kirsch, the J’ADORE chair transcends the boundary between furnit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Other

Mw04 "J'adore" Limited Edition Lounge Chair With Leah Kirsch
By Olivier Santini
Located in Beaumont-Louestault, FR
J’ADORE – A unique fusion of art and design Designed by Olivier Santini in collaboration with American artist Leah Kirsch, the J’ADORE chair transcends the boundary between furnit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel, Other

Set of 7 Fine French 1940s Dining Room Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of seven fine French 1940s beech dining/side chairs with tapered front legs adorned with bronze details.
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Set of 7 Fine French 1940s Dining Room Chairs
Set of 7 Fine French 1940s Dining Room Chairs
H 35.04 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Counter chair, chrome-plated metal, velvet, France, 1970s. This counter or bar stool convinces the viewer's eye with the well-proportioned tubular frame combined with a vibrant red ...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
French Counter Chair in Red Velvet Upholstery
H 30.71 in W 17.33 in D 19.69 in
4 Chairs in lacquered wood and gold leaf, 1930s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Group of 4 Art Deco chairs, 1930s. Lacquered wooden frame with gold leaf details, seat and back covered in floral fabric. The upholstery is original and in excellent condition. Packa...
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Brutalist Iron Dining Chair, France 1970s - 6 Available
Located in Chicago, IL
Sold and priced individually. A beautiful and unique welded iron Brutalist chair featuring negative space geometric abstract shapes on the backrest and a black leather removable cus...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Brutalist Chairs

Materials

Iron

Pair of Neoclassical Style Brass Chairs attributed to Maison Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and decorative pair of neoclassical style chairs is made of brass with a Royal blue velvet seat. This is a French work by Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Brass

Jacques Adnet French Modernist Leather & Brass Chairs (Set of 4)
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of Jacques Adnet designed chairs make a stunning example of French modernist luxury, seamlessly blending refined craftsmanship with functional elegance. Adnet, renowned for ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Aluminum + Ash Wood Chair by George Candilis + Anja Blomstedt, France
Located in Chicago, IL
An aluminum and ash wood chair designed by George Candilis and Finnish interior designer Anja Blomstedt for the Carrats holiday village, which spans nearly five hectares on the beach...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

1950’s Original French Tolix T37 Outdoor Dining Chairs – Pair Yellow
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Original French Tolix T37 Outdoor Dining Chairs – Pair Yellow. Tolix is one of our all time favourite companies. In 1907 Frenchman Xavier Pauchard discovered that he could p...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Dordogne chairs, Robert Sentou for Charlotte Perriand, France 1960
By Charlotte Perriand, Robert Sentou
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
Superb set of four French chairs combining simplicity and elegance. Manufactured in the 1960s by the renowned publisher Robert Sentou in France for Charlotte Perriand, these chairs ...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Other

Karl Springer Folding Chairs
By Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
set of 6 Folding Chairs Steel ,Brass and Naugahyde
Category

20th Century French Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer  Folding Chairs
Karl Springer  Folding Chairs
H 31 in W 17 in D 17 in
Pair of Rushed Chairs by Joseph Savina
By Joseph Savina
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of rushed chairs by Joseph Savina.
Category

Vintage 1930s French Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Rushed Chairs by Joseph Savina
Pair of Rushed Chairs by Joseph Savina
H 31.25 in W 15.5 in D 15.25 in
Set of Six Barstools, Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs, 1960
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of barstools designed by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs ski resort, France 1960. These iconic stools feature an combination of rustic charm and industrial strength. Th...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

1950's Original Tolix Model A Dining Outdoor Chairs - Large Quantities Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950's Original Tolix Model A Dining Outdoor Chairs - Large Quantities Available. Tolix is one of our all time favourite companies. In 1907 Frenchman Xavier Pauchard discovered tha...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Chairs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Antique French Reclining Armchair With Iron Adjusting Hardware
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique French reclining armchair pair upholstered in thick heavy woven linen-like fabric in taupe with black stripes. The armchair has a selection of 8 manual reclining positions us...
Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Chairs

Materials

Iron

Pair of chairs mohagany and bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Execptional pair of chairs ,mohagany and bronze of rare quality,the bronzes are finely executed .The elegance and the charm of these chairs are crasy , problably executed by F.LINKE ...
Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair of chairs mohagany and bronze
Pair of chairs mohagany and bronze
H 33 in W 16 in D 16 in
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French Metal Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of french metal chairs for sale on 1stDibs. We have 1515 antique and vintage french metal chairs in-stock, while there are 125 modern editions to choose from as well. French metal chairs have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. French metal chairs made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. French metal chairs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Pierre Guariche, Maison Jansen and Tolix are consistently popular.

How Much are French Metal Chairs?

Prices for french metal chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, french metal chairs begin at $117 and can go as high as $147,711, while the average can fetch as much as $3,441.

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 — 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 mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.

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 French Metal Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A French berère chair is a style of chair with an upholstered back and armrests. These French-style chairs are crafted to be wider than standard chairs with comfort in mind. You’ll find a variety of French berère chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    The term French-style chair usually refers to one of two styles of chairs. The first is an upholstered armchair with an exposed wood frame, and the other is a cane chair with loose seat cushions. Both types of French-style chairs are also called bergères. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of bergères from some of the world’s top boutiques.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    French chairs are called bergère. Bergères have an upholstered back and armrests with wooden exposed framing. Bergère continues to be a popular style that adds an elegant touch to any room. You’ll find a selection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    What French bistro chairs are made of varies. Introduced during the 19th century, many French bistro chairs feature a frame made of aluminum or wrought iron, while the seat cushions and backrests of these furnishings are frequently made of rattan. This type of chair became especially popular in the busy cafes of Paris during the 1920s. On 1stDibs, find a selection of bistro chairs.