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Sculptural Shell Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A sculptural wooden lounge chair from Italy, dating to the 1980s. This elegant "Shell Chair
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood, Birch

Sculptural Shell Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s
Sculptural Shell Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s
H 27.96 in W 31.11 in D 27.96 in
Italian Mid-Century Silver Clam-Shell Grotto Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian carved wood grotto chair, in shell and dolphin motif, from the mid 20th century. This
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chairs

Materials

Wood

Six Italian Decorative Venetian Shell Back Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto, wood framed chairs having a scalloped design with cushioned fabric seats
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Italian mid-century light blue wooden shell and chromed steel legs chair, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century light blue wooden shell and chromed steel legs chair, 1960s. Chair with light
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Italian Carved Wood White Lacquer Shell & Dolphin Grotto Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fun chair! It is a mid-century white lacquered shell form grotto chair with carved
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bergere Chairs

Materials

Wood

Vintage Elda Chair in Grey Leather and Black Shell by Joe Colombo, Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
leather with a black fiberglass shell. This iconic “Elda” armchair was designed in Italy by Joe Colombo
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

Vintage Elda Chair in Black Leather & Red Shell by Joe Colombo for Comfort Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
a red fiberglass shell. This iconic “Elda” armchair was designed in Italy by Joe Colombo ( 1930
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

Antique Italian Georgian Dining Chairs Shell Walnut Set of 5
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Shell Dining Chairs in Solid Walnut Approximate Measurements in Inches (These are hand-made items and
Category

Vintage 1930s Georgian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Patterned Full Moon Chair with Black Lacquered Shell, Ludovica & Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The lacquered shell of the Moon and FullMoon chaise lounge sits on a very light metal frame and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

"Lago'" Lacquered Shell and Aluminum Legs Chair by Philippe Starck for Driade
By Philippe Starck, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
" Characterized by an embracing shell and stiletto like legs, Lagò chair shows a strong image thanks to intense
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Gervasoni Next 121 Shell Cast Polished Aluminum Chair in Walnut by Paola Navone
By Paola Navone, Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gervasoni Next 121 shell cast polished aluminum chair in walnut by Paola Navone Shell chair in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

"Lago'" Leather Shell and Anodized Aluminum Legs Chair by P. Starck for Driade
By Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
. 23.6", H. 31.7", Seat H. 17.7" Characterized by an embracing shell and stiletto like legs, Lagò chair
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Mariolina Conference Chair in Silk Grey Shell with Anthracite Legs by E-GGS
By Miniforms, E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
in other shell finish options: Legs Finishing • Lacquered Albicocca • Lacquered Antracite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Iron

Mariolina Chair in Anthracite Metal Legs, Silk Gray Shell, by E-GGs
By Miniforms, E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mariolina chair is offered with iron legs in anthracite, a shell in polypropylene silk grey
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

"Overdyed" Aniline Dyed Ash Plywood Shell and Steel Chair by Moroso for Diesel
By Moroso, Diesel Creative Team 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Overdyed" is a chair, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, featuring a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Full Moon Chair in Grey with Black Lacquered Shell by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The lacquered shell of the Moon and FullMoon chaise longue sits on a very light metal frame and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Black Metal & Pagwood 1960s Chairs with Pagholz Shells
By Pagholz
Located in Varese, Lombardia
The chairs are 5. They are made from black metal legs and Pagholz pagwood seats. Some rivets have
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Octavia Chairs, Green and Gray Shell by Laun
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Octavia chairs, green and gray shell by Laun ( Handmade in Los Angeles ) Dawn Collection
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Grotto Style Shell Back Dining Chairs. Set of 6
Located in Wichita, KS
Six Italian regency painted walnut shell back dining chairs made in the Venetian grotto style
Category

20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Set of 8 Venetian Grotto Style Scalloped Shell Back Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a daringly stylish essence to your dining room design with these Grotto style shell back dining
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Venetian Grotto Style Scalloped Black Painted Wood Shell Back Arm Desk Chair 70s
By Andre Groult
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Grotto style scalloped wood shell back arm dining side or desk chair in lacquered in black
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Walnut

Arkana Set of Four White Shell Seat Pedestal Chairs by Burke Maurice, 1960's
By Arkana Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960's set of 4 dining chairs with white shell seats, black seat cushions and pedestal bases
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Plastic

Herman Miller, 2 Shell Fiberglass RAR Rockers by Eames (Old Edition)
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Argelato, BO
) Armchair (A) on Rod (R) base. This extraordinary pair of rocking chairs, perhaps the most iconic of the
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass

Set of 4 Venetian Grotto Style Scalloped Shell Back Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a daringly stylish essence to your dining room design with these Grotto style shell back dining
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Tria Chair, Black Plywood Shell, Golden Legs, Minimalist Icon Made in italy
By Lorenz+Kaz
Located in Milan, Lombardy
An iconic chair with a plywood shell, in wood veneered (natural or lacquered). Combined with the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Paint, Oak, Plywood

Tria Chair, Oak Shell, Black Chrome Metal Legs, Minimalist Icon Made in Italy
By Lorenz+Kaz
Located in Milan, Lombardy
An iconic chair with a plywood shell, in wood veneered (natural or lacquered). Combined with the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Paint, Oak, Plywood

Shell Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in BANGALOW, NSW
A pair of Gio Ponti 'Shell' chairs for "Casa e Giardino", 1940's Italy. Curved shell model covered
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

Shell Chairs
Shell Chairs
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 38.59 in
Pair of Cocktail Shell Chairs, Italy, 1950
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Pair of cocktail shell chairs, Italy, 1950 Brass legs, Two-tone fabric.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Cocktail Shell Chairs, Italy, 1950
Pair of Cocktail Shell Chairs, Italy, 1950
H 29.14 in W 28.35 in D 27.56 in
Kneeling Chair with Beech Seat and Shell Design Printed, Italy, 1930
Located in Manzano, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Kneeling chair with beech seat and shell design printed, Italy, 1930.
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Italian Shell Armchairs.
Located in North Miami Beach, FL
Pair of 1950's Italian armchairs. Just re-upholstered in electric light blue velvet.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Club Chairs

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Pair of Italian Shell Armchairs.
Pair of Italian Shell Armchairs.
H 28.5 in W 41 in D 37 in
Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Back Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Back Chair with Raffia Seat.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Back Chair
Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Back Chair
H 28 in W 21 in D 24 in
Contemporary Dining Chair Leather Shell Fabric Interior Backrest and Seat
Located in Modugno, IT
Nora dining chair, a wood padded structure with multi density foams covered in velvet or leather
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Ebony, Oak, Walnut, Leather, Fabric, Velvet

Joe Colombo Elda Chair, Black Leather, White Fiberglass Shell
By Joe Colombo
Located in Izegem, BE
Showroom model in impeccable NEW condition! Iconic Space Age classic: Elda Chair by Joe Colombo
Category

2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Rattan Shell Apollo Recliner
By Ross Lovegrove
Located in Lund, SE
Apollo Recliner designed by Ross Lovegrove for Driade, Italy in 1997. Beige painted steel frame
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Chairs

A Set Of 6 Faux Tortoise Shell Dining Chairs
Located in Madrid, ES
A set of 6 faux tortoise shell bamboo dining chairs.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Side Chairs

A Set Of 6 Faux Tortoise Shell Dining Chairs
A Set Of 6 Faux Tortoise Shell Dining Chairs
H 34.65 in W 15.75 in D 16.54 in
Joe Colombo Elda Chair + Ottoman Black Leather, White Fiberglass Shell
By Joe Colombo
Located in Izegem, BE
price is for the set (Elda Chair + Ottoman/Footstool). The “Elda” armchair was designed in Italy by
Category

2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

2x Joe Colombo Elda Chair, Black Leather, White Fiberglass Shell
By Joe Colombo
Located in Izegem, BE
Italian furniture designers of his generation, named the chair after his wife Elda and it can be found in
Category

2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Joe Colombo Elda Chair Cognac leather, Black shell
By Joe Colombo
Located in Izegem, BE
In impeccable NEW condition! Iconic Space Age classic: Elda Chair by Joe Colombo (1963- Italy
Category

2010s Italian Space Age Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Joe Colombo Elda chair Cognac leather, White shell
By Joe Colombo
Located in Izegem, BE
In impeccable NEW condition! Iconic Space Age classics: Elda Chair by Joe Colombo (1963- Italy
Category

2010s Italian Space Age Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Werner Aisslinger Juli Plastic Chair in Metal Base & Plastic Shell by Cappellini
By Werner Aisslinger, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
decades, this chair has lent itself to numerous creative and constructive interpretations. For this
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Werner Aisslinger Juli Plastic Chair with Ash Base & Plastic Shell by Cappellini
By Cappellini, Werner Aisslinger
Located in New York, NY
decades, this chair has lent itself to numerous creative and constructive interpretations. For this
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Ash

Pair of Midcentury Italian Shell Chairs in Blue Velvet
By Midcentury Italian school
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant pair of 1950s Italian armchairs. The pair of armchairs feature a shell design typical of
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Six Italian 19th Century Painted Side Chairs with Shell-Carved Back
Located in Doylestown, PA
Six Italian 19th century klismos side chairs with elaborate shell-carved back rails, parcel-gilt
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Chairs

Materials

Shell

An Italian Shell Back Carved and Silver Leafed Chair
Located in New York, NY
A shell back carved and white gold leafed chair having four sabre legs and upholstered seat. (7
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Chairs

Six Italian Shell Back Carved Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of Six Italian carved shell back chairs with sabre legs. The chairs have been newly
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Carved Shell Back Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully carved and detailed chair with shell shaped back. Believed to be Italian from the 1940s
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Chairs

Materials

Wood

Carved Shell Back Chairs
Carved Shell Back Chairs
H 37 in W 18.5 in D 20.5 in
Six Italian 19th Century Painted Side Chairs with Shell-Carved Back
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Six Italian 19th century klismos side chairs with elaborate shell-carved back rails, parcel-gilt
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Set of Italian Shell-Back Dining Chairs
Located in Buchanan, NY
Set of six painted shell back dining chairs in the Venetian style. Round upholstered seats
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

An Italian shell back carved and silver leafed chair
Located in New York, NY
An Italian shell back carved and white gold leafed chair having four sabre legs and upholstered
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Side Chairs

Materials

White Gold

Moviestar Glam Carved Giltwood Italian Shell Motife Side Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A glamorous gold gilt carved wood shell form chair having hand carvings on both the front and back
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Set of Five Italian Shell Motif Dining Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage chairs newly refurbished with white lacquer and blue and cream diamond patterned linen
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Set of Four Venetian Grotto Shell Back Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant set of four Venetian Grotto style shell back dining chairs produced in Italy in the
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer

Restored 'Double Shell' Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø for Arflex, Italy, 1960
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Rare pair of 'double shell' lounge chairs designed in 1960 by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø for
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Set of 4 Shell Chairs by Angelo Pinaffo, 2000s
Located in Lisboa, PT
These chairs, model Shell, were designed by Angelo Pinaffo, in Italy, during the 2000's. They
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Set of 4 Shell Chairs by Angelo Pinaffo, 2000s
Set of 4 Shell Chairs by Angelo Pinaffo, 2000s
H 30.12 in W 21.66 in D 20.48 in
Futorian Decorian Molded Plastic Lemon Candy Shell Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Chattanooga, TN
. Plastic chair shells rest on top of vinyl wrapped tubular bases. The frames shells have the option of
Category

Vintage 1970s American Futurist Lounge Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Plastic

Charles Eames by Hermann Miller Design Fiberglass Shell Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brescia, IT
Charles Eames by Hermann Miller, circa 1960s. Orange fiberglass shell seat metal and
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Silver Gilt Venetian Scallop Shell Side Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Single grotto style side chair, having a silver gilt finish showing natural wear, its back hand
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

White Thermoplastic Shell Seat with Oak Stained Leg Dining Chair, Kartell
By Kartell, Patricia Urquiola
Located in Tulsa, OK
Comeback is a chair featuring a backrest consisting of seven "teeth" which spread out towards the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic, Oak

Set of Eight Venetian Grotto Style Shell Back Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous set of eight Italian dining chairs featuring scalloped shell back carved seats in the
Category

20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set 6 Paint Decorated Serge Roche Style Grotto Shell Dining Chairs
By Serge Roche
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning set of 6 Grotto shell style chairs in the manner of Serge Roche in a painted
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

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Italian Shell Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of Italian shell chairs is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique Italian shell chairs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, metal and wood. There are 35 antique and vintage Italian shell chairs for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 13 modern editions to choose from as well. Italian shell chairs have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Italian shell chairs bearing Modern or Mid-Century Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many Italian shell chairs are appealing in their simplicity, but Driade, Lorenz+Kaz and Cappellini produced popular Italian shell chairs that are worth a look.

How Much are Italian Shell Chairs?

Prices for Italian shell chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, Italian shell chairs begin at $455 and can go as high as $25,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,245.

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.

Questions About Italian Shell Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    Shell chairs are iconic mid-century modern chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner and first released in 1963. In terms of both process and aesthetics, the Shell chair was ahead of its time when it was introduced. The expressive seat and back are made out of form-pressed oak or walnut laminates and topped with upholstered cushions for maximum comfort. Its design includes a tapered three-leg structure with two front legs made of one continuous piece and a separate hind leg that supports the backrest. This gives the chair a feeling of lightness without sacrificing stability. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Shell chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Whether the Shell chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, creator Hans J. Wegner designed the curves of the backrest and the seat to complement the contours of the human body in order to provide ample support when the Shell chair made its debut in 1963. Chairs became Wegner’s specialty, and over the years he designed over 500 of them. More than 100 of his designs, such as the Wishbone chair and the Papa Bear chair, went into production. Shop a selection of Shell chairs and other vintage Hans Wegner seating on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether or not the Wegner shell chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal preference. Wegner did design the dramatically curved seat and gently tapered back to properly support the contours of the human body. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The history of the Wegner Shell Chair begins in 1963. Hans J. Wegner unveiled the chair at the Furniture Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark. Often described as being "wing-like," the chair's radical fluid lines were considered a bit too futuristic at the time. Initially, mixed reviews from critics and the general public, as well as production difficulties, resulted in a very limited early run. Twelve new models were produced for a retrospective exhibition celebrating Wegner's 77th birthday in 1989, and the design began garnering renewed attention (a photograph of the chair was even selected to grace the cover of the exhibition catalog). In 1998, nearly a decade following the piece's reemergence at the retrospective event, Carl Hansen & Søn reintroduced the Shell chair 35 years after it was first released, and it has felt relevant ever since. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hans Wegner Shell chairs.